[chops1990]

Just got my first bike last week. I've always wanted one for as long as I can remember. I wanna be a year round rider too, since the cash aint exactly flowin for a car aswell as a bike, and wanna get perspectives from those who do ride their bike all year. Last year with the snow n ice was just terrible.

I'm just wondering what most people do when ya can't ride the bike and ya dont have a car, carpool, bus? Do tell....

[Josh]

My bike's been parked for over a month now, snow and ice on the roads and temperature down in the low -20's alot of the time. Winter ususally lasts from 5-6 months and it's rare to get a winter ride in, although I do see a few goofs doing it if we get a mild spell. Wouldn't catch me out dodging black ice patches. Value my bike and my skin too much for a few minutes of hee-haw turned into a moment of sheer terror. I do get jeolous of those of you that have thability to ride year round though. We live in the world of awd cages( do you use 'cage' over there for automobiles?)and 4wd pick-ups. I live on an acreage west of the city (near Stony Plain if any of you are familiar with Edmonton area) so traction in winter is paramount. Silly thig is the national bike show is alwas in late January. Don't understand that, January, Alberta, -40, snow and ice = motorcycles? Hello?

This post has been edited by Josh: 30 November 2010 - 05:51 PM

[fabio]

Fr Dougal, on 13 November 2010 - 04:23 PM, said:

Dave, I got Nikwax silicon based "Tent and Gear proof" waterproofer in the outdoor shop on Liffey Street. If there is a leak, say in crotch or underarm it won't fix it but it will help make the jacket more water resistant. It is designed for hiking gear and tents, about €12.99

You can get the wash-in Nikwax stuff as well. Tech Wash to wash the stuff and then TX.Direct (I think is the name of it) to rewaterproof your gear. You just put it in to the washing machine. Daycent stuff, I've used it a few times and it always works. In fact I must get some soon cos my Richa pants is starting to let in water right where my leg would brush off the tank a lot so I'll put that down to the waterproof lining being worn out. The Nikwax stuff will sort that though, I swear by it!

[chops1990]

Ah well, here's the ice for the time being, I'm sickened. Riding durin the day is alright since the ice is more or less thawed. I'm in limerick so we have'nt been cursed with snow yet but theres still ice. They should really invent bike tires that work for ice! That'd be something else would'nt it?

If it's like this all winter I dunno what I'll do with myself without the bike!

[R1rider]

kinda feel like a bit of a whimp bikes wraped up nice and warm till spring still use the crosser in the snow does that count?

[Ozzy]

got to get wheels like them

[chops1990]

Ozzy, on 03 December 2010 - 12:51 AM, said:

got to get wheels like them

haha brilliant

[Ziggy]

January now ... how you getting on with the bike ? Only thing they forgot to mention was to make sure your tyres are in good nick. The square inch of rubber meeting the road is vital so mind it.

Ziggy

[Pistolfish]

Riding in bad conditions makes you a smoother rider. The worse it is, the smoother you have to be.
When riding on ice, keep your feet on the pegs, it keeps your centre of gravity lower.

[chops1990]

Roads aren't too bad here in Limerick. There is the odd day or two I can't ride, too icy. On top of that I'm sick, chest infection or something dunno, got Anti-biotics today. Hopefully they'll work and I can get ridin again soon, need to scratch that itch.

This post has been edited by chops1990: 10 January 2011 - 03:54 PM

[JimBob250]

chops1990, on 10 January 2011 - 03:53 PM, said:

Roads aren't too bad here in Limerick. There is the odd day or two I can't ride, too icy. On top of that I'm sick, chest infection or something dunno, got Anti-biotics today. Hopefully they'll work and I can get ridin again soon, need to scratch that itch.

I went for a spin in Limerick today, roads were grand. Twas a bit cold though!! Where can you get heated grips?

[fabio]

Any decent bike shop really...or online and fit them yourself. I'm sure there's a guide to it on here somewhere...

[Brenn]

The only alternative for me was the bus, but I'm lucky to live 5km out of the city and with a bus-stop outside the house - both sides of the road! I did marvel at the 60'something bombing along the Beaumont Road on a battered Honda 50!!! Can't beat experience!

[maz66]

get roxter grips exactly the same as oxford and half the price all thats different is the sticker on the control pad
good wet gear and a affinity to flip the finger at arseholes in cages
http://cgi.ebay.ie/R...=item5ad58ada33
im on the bike every day as a courier in dublin and those grips are the dogs

Tazzzie, on 09 September 2010 - 03:51 PM, said:

Depending on the commute. You can get tired pretty quick if your cold.

Despite heated grips waterproof gear etc. Generally you will have hotspots and cold spots on yer body.

I didnt miss too many days off the bike last year, but that was a bit stupid of me in hindsight.

I will try and use the brain a bit more and try to minimise the danger.

(Hopefully)

[chops1990]

Summers here finally. Man I thought it was fun in the crap weather, it's practically a drug riding a bike in the summer. Big grin every time I mount up.

Gotta admit, when there was a few roastin weeks there a few weeks ago I could'nt resist squidin!

[Rouge Bandit]

Im lucky enough to have the car there but im off the bike when the roads turn to a river or goes like an ice rink

Take alot to get me off the bike no matter what time of year

Just have leathers in summer and textile and thermals in winter, does the job never had a problem apart from slippery roads and keeping the visor clear!

This post has been edited by Rouge Bandit: 06 August 2011 - 07:15 PM

[MouseyG]

Hi,
I am also an all-year-round rider and have been since the early 70's. This years weather was just too much however and I actually got caught out on the scoot in the first snow falls. I barely made it home to Co Wicklow and had to walk the scooter off the main road into the estate where I live as there was too much snow down at that point. If I was closer to work (20 miles) I would have considered my Mountain bike but fortunately the household car (that my wife uses) is 4 wheel drive so we used that to good effect. Accordingly my suggestion is to use a mountain bike with low pressures in the tyres and you should get by if we get similar weather this year.

MG

[Bee]

How about ........

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=LfGu7pt4M5I

or....

http://www.freepaten...om/7182165.html