Winter touring.. horrible idea?

Hey Everyone! I've been exploring this site for a while now, it seems like there's such a lot of friendly people on here. I was hoping maybe you could give me some advice..

Me and my boyfriend are planning a London-Oxford ride on Sunday, we've got a nice quiet route planned out and been training a bit (not enough) but I'm sliiiiightly concerned about the cloudy/chances-of-snow weather forecast. I have a tendency towards foolhardy-ness so need a bit of perspective. Shall we wrap up warm and hope for the best? Or call the whole thing off?

Any advice and tips will be hugely appreciated!

Lizzie

as long as the roads arnt covered in ice I would go for it

I have the same dilemna, I was going to go on my twice monthly ride to Portsmouth from London tomorrow but I'm a bit nervous re: black ice on country roads on the way down so I am inclined to call it off. Then again I am on skinny tyres with no traction so that's a factor in my decision

Keep a look out for ice in the forecast, and remember that the temperatures in the countryside are lower than the numbers on the tv weather which is for towns.

Wrap up warm, and make sure you keep drinking regularly (you won't feel like you need to replace liquid, but you'll be dehydrating at just the same rate as normal.

Other than that, have fun, and be prepared to pack in and jump on a train if you think it's getting dangerous, there's nothing wrong with having a go

Plan an alternate route on quieter A roads, much more likely to be gritted than quiet country lanes. Decide on the day whether to use those or Plan A.

+1

I've just been playing with an idea for a Sunday ride - 40-50 miler. And it more or less follows a railway line with lots of local stops that'll take me home if necessary.

Winter riding is great if it is a bright sunny day. If the roads are dry just be careful when the road is in the shade, behind hedges, under trees etc. Those are the places you can find ice.

Wrap up warm and take extra clothes including socks and water proofs. I actually wear my Altura waterproofs a lot at this time of the year because they make great wind breakers. It is the breeze that will make you cold.

I was riding last weekend at it was -13 in Denmark but sunny. The sea had frozen and the roads were empty. It was a wonderful ride out. But it is no fun if you are cold or wet and the weather is rubbish. So don`t feel bad if you get the train.





Steve

No way. I hate being cold.
That's one of the reasons I moved to Mexico!
Mind you, I suffer badly from Reynauds in my toes and fingers if it gets below 10C. (probably caused by cycling too much!)

Three wheels makes it alot more enjoyable :-)

Thanks for all your replies!! So nice to be encouraged..

- very good ideas! Thanks so much. I'll let you know how we get on..

Lx

Did you call it off? I'm shrinking at the thought a bit but my bf is confident so I guess we'll see what happens!

I'm one of those that really struggles to get warm/warmed up in this kind of weather. But if you're one of those people who can keep warm in the cold and if the weather's similar to today, I'd go for it tomorrow. Light breeze, great light.

Yesss!! Just what I wanted to hear!

Yeah, go for it. If the weather's like today's was it'll be lovely. Wear warm gloves!
If you go tell us how you get on if you like. I fancy London to Oxford quiet route myself.

Ride got cut very short because bf's back tyre exploded into an unfixable puncture.. lucky we weren't at mile 30 I guess but still so disappointed! Our lovely route will have to wait...

A tip for safer winter riding: Continental Topcontact Winter II winter tyres. In cold weather and slippery conditions they have significantly better grip. On my bike the nominally 37 mm 700 c tyres are 31 mm wide in reality (but tall).
Willem

Yes I did, mostly because of ice and my chain is completely ruined for being very very lazy and not wiping it down from the salt on the roads.
Sorry to hear about the blowout!

I've just come back from a 4 day tour Leyland-Anglesey. If it feels good, go for it !!