The snowy commute thread

[vorsprung]

I took a less high up route to work but the lane I did use to skirt the Blackdowns was still a bit interesting

There was partly melted snow on the high bit and I had to walk for about 100 metres on a twisty steep descent that was muddy and snowy.  Another 50 metres walk down another steep bit and then slow for 500m then normal

Marathon plusses have enough tread for very mild snow

Got stuck boxed in by lorries in the traffic jam at the roundabout on the main road though

[BornAgainCyclist]

Back on the bike at last.  Haven't ridden since my aborted commute last Monday, mostly stuck to the main roads (cycle routes and residential roads are still lethal in Kent & SE London).
It took 11/2 hrs to drive the 12 miles home last night - what a nightmare .
Now looking forward to my 40 minute commute home this evening.

[pdm]

Challenging ride in this morning too....
15 miles - traction still quite good on the bicycle - poor for the cars, though...
Its the first time that I have overtaken piles of cars going down the Dronfield Bypass (me in the right lane, cars going slow in the "single" left hand carriageway) AND up Hady Hill (8-12%) on the same day....

[rogerzilla]

I gave up after a mile of walking - far too hard in the deep snow considering I'd be on for 11 miles of it today.

Apparently the roads are OK once you get into town, so I'll try after lunch.  The office whinger has made it in from further afield (although they may clear the roads better in North Wiltshire - Swindon only seem to grit the town roads now) so I sort of feel obliged to try again, or suffer two months of sarcastic comments.

[cc93]

More snow than Monday and with the ice underneath made it the most challenging commute so far.

The snow was so deep I was thankful for once for the motorists leaving ruts for me to travel in!

The ruts also limited the sideways excursions of the rear wheel on the 3 or 4 tail slides I enjoyed - for some reason the rear Snow Stud seemed less happy than previously, though the traction on the hills was still exceptional.

The front stayed planted throughout which is the most important thing 

[SandyV]

I'm so impressed by all of you!

It's a very different picture here in Australia - yesterday I was in Cairns in north Queensland where they had 44 cm of rain in the previous 24 hours (14 inches) and were flooded and on a cyclone alert.  Did spot 5 different cyclists commuting in the torrential rain though.  They impressed me too.

Last weekend we were in southern Australia for the Audax Alpine Classic - 200km of hill climbing in temperatures in the mid 30s - lucky it wasn't this week as they've now got bushfires and temps in the 40s!  The AAC attracted 2,400 riders who attempted the various distances between 70 and 200 kms - a big success for Audax Australia.

So it seems there are crazies committed cyclists everywhere!

Best of luck with the snow.

[Hot Flatus]

Big dump of snow here overnight. 15cms min on road outside.  Lovely nightime snowy ride in to work, left at 6.45am.  First part is on a wooded track, so with snow it is like a white tunnel.  Set the Dinotte 600 to strobe and hit warp speed on the pedals....who needs drugs?

The lanes I used were mental....wouldn't have attempted it by car, by the time I hit the main road into town I noticed there was no traffic coming from the direction of Edge hill, so presumed it was blocked. Got to work...car park empty.... sign on school door "School closed....Parent's evening Postponed".... double-result 

Got home an hour or so ago, nice hot bath and a cup of tea.  Mlle P is coming back from the train station with Jaded and all of us are going to walk over the hill for a pie 

[Mr Larrington]

Fog.

Drizzle.

Bah

[Kathy]

Fog.

Drizzle.

Bah

Fog.

Drizzle.

Two-inch slush with the occasional hard lump of ice concealed in it, with water flowing on top and underneath.

Double bah.

[vistaed]

Birmingham has nice deep powdery snow....lovley!

[rogerzilla]

sign on school door "School closed....Parent's evening Postponed"

There's no hope for the youngsters, is there, with grammar like that?  

[noisycrank]

I started my commute but turned back because all the trains are off.

[Jaded]

Pie, pie, pie, pie; Loverly pie! Wonderful pie!

Yes, my feet are now warm, despite the best efforts of First Great Western and their Signal Failure Snow Train failure other delays.

Sadly my presentation to a Middle Eastern Trade Delegation at the IoD is off.

But pies are on  os it isn't all bad.

[border-rider]

sign on school door "School closed....Parent's evening Postponed"

There's no hope for the youngsters, is there, with grammar like that? 

I dunno.  Might just be a case of one very prolific single mother.

[border-rider]

Mmm

What are the odds on my flight out of Bristol this pm ?

[mrcharly-YHT]

Feeling like a total wimp. Not ridden since Tues, after crashing 3 times on the ice. I just don't want to go near that road again until it is clear of ice.
(I DON'T have the funds to set up a winter bike with studded tyres, so please don't start telling me that's what I need).

[clarion]

What you need to do, mate, is

to set up a winter bike with studded tyres

*duck*

*run*

[MikeFromLFE]

For the first time this week I've wimped out - duvet, mmmmm, warm.......
The view out of my Leicester front bedroom window was err interesting, and there's more forecast. Phoning my boss (or trying to) and his PA - they're not in either. Maybe my corner of the NHS will grind to a halt (wonder if anyone will notice?)

[fuzzy]

Nice snow followed by about 2 hours of drizzle. Makes for slightly 'challenging' surfaces away from the main roads. ths slush is wetter as well. Hey ho! Its only water in various forms

[cc93]

Maybe my corner of the NHS will grind to a halt (wonder if anyone will notice?)

Reaching the end of our lane this morning I saw the milkman's van on the jack - apparently one of his snow chains had come off whilst he was towing an ambulance up the local hill.

I wondered what snow equipment is available to emergency vehicles?

(or perhaps I don't want to know)

[JonBuoy]

Had an enjoyable trip to work just north of Leicester through 2 inches of powdery white stuff.  Even the car drivers seemed to be patient and well behaved !

The only problem was that my safety specs steamed up when I stopped to take a photo and absolutely refused to clear.  The small pellets of snow that were still falling ensured that cycling the rest of the way without them was painful on the eyes.

I hope that it isn't too slushy/drizzly on the way home.

[BornAgainCyclist]

. . . The only problem was that my safety specs steamed up when I stopped to take a photo and absolutely refused to clear. . .

Top tip from my diving days: spit on inside of lens and wipe or rinse off - they won't mist up.

[mrcharly-YHT]

What you need to do, mate, is

to set up a winter bike with studded tyres

*duck*

*run*

yeah yeah.

If only my mercian frame hadn't died, that would have taken studded tyres <mourns>

[Mr Larrington]

Computer says "Monday's forecast: heavy SNO in Londonton"

Yay!

[Greenbank]

Computer says "Monday's forecast: heavy SNO in Londonton"

Deep joy! My studded tyres should be delivered tomorrow.

*should*