Just typical of a Brit But I have a complaint about the weather over here. It has turned unseasonally cold and the cold spell is expected to last a good few weeks. The whole of the UK is experiencing sub zero temps and I don't like it. Plenty of snow about and the North and East of the country is almost at a standstill. But down where I live we have a night temp of 26F and this is rising to just on freezing in the daytime. Roads and paths have been gritted but still plenty of Ice about. we haven't had any snow yet which is thankfull but it is expected.

Now the UK is not a large country. I suppose 600 miles N to S and I live in the South East- so no chance of going South to get warm. It is only 300 miles E to W and Cornwall- The Sunshine Coast of the UK has Rain that will turn to snow.

So how are the rest of you coping with the Colder weather that you are experiencing?

And I don't mean down in Florida where the Weather means that you only have to wear factor 20 instead of 50.

Edit

I don't mean necessarily on the riding side as I have the layers- the windproofs and the weather gear. But are you getting rides in? Have you got no time due to snow clearing? or "Emergency" repairs to the house? Or is it just not affecting you because you have had Sub Zero temps for 2 months already and life goes on.

Having been feeling poorly most of October and November with a nasty chest cold my time recently has been occupied putting away my "Summer Things" and there hasn't been much time for riding. The next four weeks will be dedicated to family commitments so I have been and will continue to be relying on my commuting for my "Cycling Fix".

We were supposed to get a dusting of snow Friday night so on Friday afternoon I mounted my Winter Wheels with the studded snows for Saturday's 04:00 a.m. commute to work. The snow never came but it was just below freezing with a 22 mph head-wind gusting to 29mph!! The snow has yet to arrive this season, but it will come. With an annual average snowfall of just over 100 inches there'll be plenty to go around.

I ride differently in the cold weather than during the rest of the year. Having frozen my ears when in my late teens I'm quite mindfull and aware of cold and wind chill. In the cold weather I ride slowly, painfully slowly..like about 10 mph. I still get to where I'm going and I still enjoy the ride but I doubt that anyone would want to ride along with me at that slow of a pace!!

Being in a neck brace from my surgery, I have been taking transit to work (man, does that suck!) and my riding has been restricted to riding the rollers once or twice each day. One nice thing about this is that I have been able to avoid riding thru the season's first subzero (Celsius) temps followed by first snowfall, so I haven't had the opportunity to crash on the ice yet; I guess I should be thankful. But this taking transit has resulted in my having to fight off a cold, something I usually only have to do once every three years as long as I'm riding the bike to work.

I see the neurosurgeon this Tuesday, so I'm hoping he tells me I can take off the neck brace. I've got the bike set up for actual riding (replaced the track bars with road bars & brakes), I just need to install the fenders. I'm counting the hours...I'm used to putting in at least 1,500 km per month; this past month I've only put in a little over 300 km, all of it on the rollers. That's how much I enjoy riding the rollers...

L.

After starting a new job about the time it began getting dark early I haven't ridden a whole lot. Bought a set of lights (cheap) yesterday we'll see how it goes this week. I'll ride some this afternoon while it's light. I want to ride through the winter for the first time since I was a kid. Wish me luck.

Like Cranky, I was watching the forecast this weekend. While it didn't snow here, it did somewhere nearby. In the parking lot next door I saw some snow clots someone had kicked off their car.

My studded snow tires and winter fenders stayed in the basement, since I didn't have to go anywhere, and I never even saw a flurry. The long-term forecast shows some flurries here and there, but no real snow for another two weeks, so I'll get a few more days on the three-season tires. Winter's running late, which is fine by me.

My studded tires came out and were mounted on my commuter for tomorrow morning's ride. Today I hit an ice patch that I didn't expect and almost lost it. Fortunately, I was able to keep it upright. Tomorrow, I take no chances.

We just had a week of zero and sub zero temperatures with lots of snow. Over the last few days temps have moderated to 30s during the day and 20s at night. It's snowing right now. I love cold and snow, one of the reasons I've settled in Montana. I cross-county and telemark ski, so I'm enjoying the hell out of the weather. My bicycles are all hanging from the garage ceiling, not to be touched until a chinook blows in in January or spring comes in May.

Suppose I ought to say what I am doing--My other hobby is gardening. Luckily the leaves are off the lawn- the Veggie patch is dug and the Greenhouse is tidy. It is so cold that 10 minutes outdoors is enough. So gardening will not be possible or necessary for a few weeks.

House is well maintained but I am on the lookout for a wood burning stove for the shed. Have plenty of wood from last years tree pruning so seems ideal.

But bike riding- Road riding will be out if there is a possibilty of ice. Most of my riding is on back roads that Flood in winter- or if not flooded- have plenty of run off from the fields. So the MTB will be made ready. Apparantly the forecast is for a dry but cold winter. So frosted ground up on the hills will be great- but if too windy- then I will be exploribg a few of the local woods to see if I can get some routes sorted for a few novices to offroad that want to start riding. Whether they will do it in Sub Zero temps is to be found out.

And on the UK temps- I know it was at the other end of the country but parts of the UK hit -18C today.That is below 0 F. Here it did not get above 28F all day but it has just risen to 36F at 8pm. Looks like I will wake up to a white covering on the roads.

I'm a weather wussy. Fortunately, I live where there are almost never any weather issues. Once a year or so we get a light dusting of snow. Once every five or ten years we get enough ice on the road to make it a bit of an issue, but it is always short-lived. Our summers are cool enough to wear long sleeves and our winters are mild enough to just add one more layer, albeit a water-proof one. The biggest winter issue here is the sharp material the city and county put down on the roads for the cars (it can badly cut bike tires) and the never-ending chain cleaning from riding in the rain/mud/grit. When I hear about what others put up with in the winter, I know I have no right to ever complain.

Frightful weather up here (Hull) went out for my first snow ride today and loved it.

Driver's actually give me some room and in fact the road's are much quieter all round.

Ok so I cant feel my toes and my shoes and trouser's are drenched .... but Ive alway's been the sort who get's a good feeling out of the fact that not only did I brave the weather (when many dont) but I also beat it and had fun doing so.

I just love giving driver's who didn't brave the weather a hard time when I've managed on a bike ... and a raleigh twenty at that which is far from the ideal bike .

Its very similar here. 26 degrees at night, and not much warmer during the day. However, I can stand it without making too much of a fuss.

Oh, whoops, you're all F whereas I'm all C

I'm close to a UK vacation. It seemed a good idea when I planned it - now, I'm not so sure. I hate to be cold. So, if you want some winter sunshine, there's an empty house here you'd be welcome to, and the Specialized, the Santana and the Xootr would welcome a gallop.

I'd have to give you a demanding audition before you touch the Rocky Mountain, though !!

Hope you stay warm and happy

South part of Norway is experiencing very cold weather for the time being. (The city of Trondheim has had the coldest november since they started measuring in 1788!)
I had a long day at work and rode on what is now becoming skitracks (still lack a few more inches of snow)through the forrest on the way home. Two hour ride in 8 Fahrenheit. I use Sidi winterboots with covers but my feet (and hands)were really, really cold as I got home. Still beats training indoors IMO.

I completely forgot how lucky I am and should stop being a wimp. Don't see many pics of Norway so time for you to get the camera out---Please.

And Wobbly--Much as your offer is tempting--As I found out 40 years ago when I went to Aden for a while--I can't take the heat. I was there for a boxing match and did not even make that- I got shipped out to Norway to continue Training in a more suitable climate. And the "Extra" cold temps we have right now are only supposed to last another week. Then it will be back to just cold.

Well....last week was a record setting ice storm that coated everything followed by several inches of snow. Things don't slow down very often due to weather but they did then. Right now it is -38F outside my window, a cozy +70F inside, for a temperature difference of 108 degrees in the thickness of two panes of glass. It is forecast to warm to more seasonal temperatures in a few days. But, the snow and ice are here to stay until next spring. So, Bike Riding? Not for a few months.

But, not to pout. I have other hobbies and there are airplanes to take me to where I can enjoy them.

You've got to love balaclavas. They make all the difference. Yesterday it was 25F and 15mph wiinds during the ride. I was too warm and back was all wet. I should have opened jacket more, but last time I did that I had a red tummy from the cold and still had a moist back. Perhaps the best solution is to drop the gortex over pants.

I've found the silk balaclavas give the best feeling. Once you stretch them out, if they are too tight, you basically forget they are on. Unlike the normal foam cycling balaclavas. Don't know what's available in UK. I picked up mine from wintersilks. There's run small and must be stretched. They also have a more open design so not breathing as much thru material. Might be just the thing for gardening.

The DC area can't seem to make up its mind. Monday we hit the freezing mark for the first time in 274 days for my morning commute. Then for this morning's commute it was 63F, now it's 46F, on it's way back down and should get just below freezing tonight.

Vancouver BC gets the odd snowfall (we just had one last week.) It's mostly rain in the winter. But the temps can be below freezing, so it's cold cold rain. I can continue riding most days throughout winter, if there's no ice on the road. But the incessant rain and cold can gets to me mentally some days. I have just have to tough it out, especially when I think of the people towards Eastern Canada who could be buried in snow for weeks at a time.

Half the reason I moved here was to be able to ride mountain passes from home, and be able to get out of town in 10 minutes on my bike (oh, and the mountain biking is absolutely stellar). The other half is xc skiing - I mean that's why God invented snow, right? I have access to some amazing groomed trails less than half an hour (by car) from home. Great cross training, major fun in its own right, and the snow in town keeps me off my bike for a couple months anyway, which does great things for one's enthusiasm on those long, cold early season rides.

SP
Bend, OR

Most of the snow today has been in the North of my area. Down on the coast and it has just been icy roads and "Over" cautious drivers. But it was promised for tonight where I live. 4" of snow has fallen in 30 minutes. Temp has dropped to around 20F and Although I salted the Paths just before the snow came- I have wasted my efforts- and a bag of expensive rock salt.

May be Mountain biking to work tomorrow- Don't think the van will be able to get there.

In London here, got some snow yesterday. Cars were at a standstill, but my studded tyres kept me going I even put my foot down and it slid, but the bike held firm. Best investment I have made for a long time, had to get them from Germany but well worth it. Schwalbe Marathon Winters 35C. It is very cold on my feet though, for a balaclava I have an Oxford Chillout balaclava which is for motorcyclists - windproof etc. and it keeps me nice and warm. But my feet are freezing thanks to my cleats. Going to try some of those Toasty Feet insoles.

Either way, I'd rather cycle and be a little cold, than get on a train which takes hours / doesn't show up. Or get in a car and spend hours in a traffic jam.

I still maintain that a bike is really the only all year round practical city transport

Safe riding

Daven

step - My daughter is getting a masters degree at the University of Nottingham this year, and I understand from her that school is closed tomorrow because of snow. How bad is it there?

By the way, it was 75, clear and sunny here yesterday and I got in 32 miles, but it's only in the 60s today. Winter has come to Florida.

Have been riding in 30 and 40 degree weather a few times a week. No snow here yet in Southern Maine but it will be here soon enough. Have worn a silk undershirt from LL Bean, light cashmere sweater over Polypro shirt and thin wind jacket over that. Also, tights and riding shorts. Not uncomfortable but on the other hand the often grey skies and somewhat lonely roads are not as attractive as summer. Brought the Fuji into the basement where I will set up the trainer for the winter. Last year had it on the side porch but have not weatherized that this year with plastic as I have in the past.

I have the opportunity to year-round commute so that keeps me on the road in almost any weather, including a few days of single degrees F and occasionally slightly below zero. The worse the weather, the more likely I will be asked that question at work, “You didn’t ride your bike today, did you?” Enough “no, of course not” answers and I’ll lose my reputation as The Road Warrior.

I have come to enjoy (somewhat) meeting the challenges. Dressing up in layers and adjusting the gaps in clothing on a dark early morning imparts a sense of adventure like an astronaut suiting up for lift-off. And while the solitude of space is more profound, the solitude of winter morning riding is more intense than in the summer, and I like cocooning into myself as I ride.

Cycling is my only real exercise and I do miss the additional miles for training in the nice weather that I add to my typical 14-mile commute. I have the further advantage of needing to cycle only one way and take a commuter train home, though I am seriously trying to do the round trip, but there has been too much work this week. By about 9:00 PM, the train is too inviting.

I planned on putting on the studded tires in mid December, but reading the winter threads may push that up to this weekend. I think that standing up (or shall I say straddling the saddle) in the face of winter makes it easier to tolerate, especially for non-cycling activities, like even just going out the door.

Hey it's not that frightful. I was in Hull ( we call it Gatineau now, don't we?) on the day you posted this, and it didn't seem too bad. Course, I wasn't riding a bike at the time.

That's Hull , Yorkshire , UK .