I love commuting in the winter. Cars see you riding in ten degree weather and think "Man he is crazy." And I think "You're damn right I am"

I am all in for winter commuting. I just got my studded tires today. I'm looking forward to the challenge, the cold, and riding in the dark. Count me in.

looking forward to it, hoping we actually get some snow this year.

I dread it. I hate rain, and it will always be dark so I won't get my dose of scenery. I have to keep reminding myself that I could be jogging on a treadmill or something else equally bad.

You can do the same thing in the summer when it is blistering hot out.... stay in a room that is AC and use the hamster wheel. :) Riding in the winter will be ok, I promise. You will see new things, hear new things and become a better rider.

Our hottest day in 3 summers was 102. No biggie. I like it.

This coming winter will be my third of commuting by bike/bus. I don't have the will power to use a hamster wheel. If I'm going to work, I'm at least accomplishing something and saving several thousand dollars a year.

I'm REALLY looking forward to it! Cold is my time of the year! Last year's winter wasn't as cold as the year before, and this year is supposed to be a bit colder than last (I so freakin' hope so!). Two winters ago we had several inches of snow a few times, ice on the roads, and I was carless so we walked EVERYWHERE! It was great. This winter I hope to have my bike (savings are progressing HOORAY!) and be in a place close enough to my work to ride in. If not, I'm sure I can sneak out to the Silver Comet Trail on off days and ride, although the trail is 'closed' when wet or dark out (in cases of snow, too ... I hope we get more!)

If nothing else, I'll be taking short grocery runs a few miles away on some undulating roads. That's something I'm anxious to do!

I only started commuting in march so I haven't had the experience yet, but I do plan to continue through the winter. Probably not as frequently (I doubt I'll be brave enough to commute through snowy and icy conditions), and I'll probably take my bike on the light rail more often (cutting 5 miles off the commute)... though then again when I started I didn't think I'd be commuting the entire way as regularly as I am now, so we'll see...

I have some experience to call upon. I've been riding a bicycle year-round for just about 30 yrs now. (Not to mention also when I was a kid. But I didn't pay much attention to the details then.)


For the newbies who are wondering what to expect, I'll say that keeping cool is a much bigger problem than keeping warm. And this holds down to nearly 0 deg F. Even then, it's only your nose/face and hands/feet that are getting uncomfortable. The rest of you is still warm.

Riding in the dark, especially while the snow is falling, is a great, great feeling. Even moderate rain feels pretty good, if only because it's cool enough that you're not sweating to death in your rain gear.

Myself, I hate the Sun. In winter it's just not a problem unless you're riding at high noon. Then you might get some ice glare.

I agree with It's-Only-Me in fearing that the cars will skid near me. Some of the autos panic and slam on the brakes when they perceive a bicycle nearby. It's annoying, but it's not really all that common. Mostly cars are a bit more sympathetic to us in winter over summer.

It's a great, great feeling to be out in the heart of winter and think to yourself, "Why...I'm pretty comfortable!" I used to stop at a local McDonald's for an egg mcmuffin in the mornings and go sit on the frozen grass next to my bike in January. The people in their cars (who were miserable) thought I was nuts. But I felt just fine. And we're talking about the heart of a real mid-west winter here.

One of the other posters mentioned enjoyment at knowing the phase of the moon and such. Commuting you'll be paying attention to the weather, of course. And after a while you'll feel as though you know what tomorrow will bring without needing to check the forecast. And, more often than not, you'll be right.

When you get to work on the first truly nasty day and people say to you, "What? Are you crazy?" you can say to them, (stiffly) "Don't be crude" (then formally), "I'm just abnormal..." Everyone gets a laugh.

I suppose there's room to differ, but I say that winter riding is just fine. And I probably like it better than summer riding. At least I'm more comfortable most of the time.

I remember this! Never tired of it - every time it snowed at night during my college years I went for a walk or ride. Didn't have lights, but the fresh snow and street lights lit up everything so well that I didn't feel the need for a torch.