Several
days of cycling in near arctic conditions has proved to me that it really is
all about the wardrobe. With a 10 Miles
A Day New Year Resolution I just couldn't find a reason to stay off the bike even when the temperatures were around 0 degrees centigrade.
It did
include much listening to the weather forecast along with careful planning in
order to avoid ice - and to travel at the warmest part of the day - I use the
word warmest, loosely! The BBC website
weather page has a time table which is quite helpful and vaguely accurate. It
is impossible to avoid ice 100% but if it hasnt rained/snowed/sleeted, you miss
an oil spill and stay on main roads that have hopefully been gritted, this can
help. Also not riding in the gutter (although
I don't recommend ever riding in the gutter). I also stayed on a bike with 28mm
tyres rather than 23mm for more grip.
Staying
warm without overheating takes a bit of consideration. The route, for instance - is it hilly? If it is, the hills will increase body heat
and possibly sweat and the downhills will be freezing cold whilst heading into
the wind. When I realised that one
journey would be hard work I put on a Helly Hansen baselayer under a merino one
and on arrival at my destination I removed the Helly Hansen and put a clean
merino over the one I was already wearing.
There were five more layers on top of the baselayers!
I
learned that for me to keep warm meant wearing two pairs of socks - without
fail, two pairs of gloves , a buff, two pairs of cycling leggings and
waterproof overtrousers.
Friday Mice
Log Date 81 10.53 miles, 9.8 average speed, 21.09 top speed in 1hr 04
My
recent Bargainicious Bonanza at Lidl meant that a friend of mine who was unable
to go to Lidl that day promoted me to his personal shopper! Having seen the bargains I had identified I
was despatched with a list of requirements.
There was a bit of stress when I ran the gauntlet of waiting for the
warmer part of the day (to 2 degrees!) against the worry that the bargains may
have sold out by then! However, I was in luck!
On the
way home I found that a local police station was doing a special one day offer
selling motorcycle scooter locks. Too
good to be true so I bought two.
This
led to the scariest moment I have ever had on a bike as I hurled down from
Lavender Hill doing 20mph I practically jack-knifed as the back wheel started
trying to overtake me! Wowser!! I managed to hold the steering and very
gently slow down - my stomach however was in my shoes and I definitely missed a
couple of heart beats.
It all
ended well, luckily and I was even treated to a large decaf cappuccino by my
new employer.
Saturday Mice Review Date 82 13.87 miles
Ave 11.1 18.4 max 1.15 on the Marin
The
weather was taking over! Friends who cycle every day decided not to on as the forecast
was too horrendous. Strong winds and a
snow storm. Who would want to go out in
that? As it turned out, me! Staying on roads that have been gritted and clinging
on to my handlebars for dear life! My new tried and tested what-to-wear scenario
worked well and I stayed warm.
I wasn't
the only one out on a bike but our numbers were low!
Sun 24 Mice Review Date 83
13.97
miles pootling around the West End. Max speed 18.4, average speed 11.1 in 1hr
15 on the Marin.
Mon 25 Mice
Log Date 84
14
miles, 24.7mph max in 1hr 28. A trip to
Islington on the Brommie
Tuesday
26 Mice Log Date 85
14.5
miles in 1.14 on the Brommie
Wednesday
27 Mice Log Date 86
14
miles in 1hr 41 with a max speed of 16mph to Islington and home via a pub
crawl. Today was the day when I realised
how much London had changed - or rather how I had changed in London. I met a friend at Look Mum No Hands in Old
Street which has been a great place for cyclists with its own in house mechanic. I'm usually there for breakfast which is
delicious but in the afternoon the food wasn't quite so appetising and the
prices are in my opinion scarily ridiculous.
We left
and started our pub crawl. The change I
noticed was that on arrival at a potential waterhole - the first thing I was
looking for was bike parking! Not the
menu or the beer list - but bike parking!
We went
to a total of three and decided The Old Red Cow was the best for drinking and eating especially as there was a bike rack outside that was visible from the inside. Perfect!
Thursday
28 Mice Log Date 87
16.08
miles, top speed 15mph on the Brommie. Up to Islington and back via Notting Hill. The
air temperature was up to what felt like 6 degrees at some point and then back
down to 3. The wind was evident.
A week
on!
I can say that the biggest weather hazard was the wind. It was so cold making some days really hard work cycling into biting cold air. Thanks to the advances in fabric technology the only part of me that suffered were my cheekbones as I dont have a balaclava (and am not likely to buy one anytime soon....!). The rest of me stayed absolutely toastie!
I can say that the biggest weather hazard was the wind. It was so cold making some days really hard work cycling into biting cold air. Thanks to the advances in fabric technology the only part of me that suffered were my cheekbones as I dont have a balaclava (and am not likely to buy one anytime soon....!). The rest of me stayed absolutely toastie!
Real proof that if you are wearing the
right kit for the weather, riding a bike is a really great way to move around
London.
