Cycling to work and back in winter - how many of you will do it this year ? I m thinking of cycling to oxgangs and back but do not fancy the canal routes so doing the Polwarth route -starting at the week ends and building up. Only if weather not too bad.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
NIGHT CYCLING
(18 posts)- Started 2 years ago by mercury1and2
- Latest reply from nevelbell
- This topic is
not a support question
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Posted 2 years ago #
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Just for clarity
Are you asking for
Encouragement
Reassurance
Route advice
Clothing advice
Lights advice
Other
?
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'll butt in and say I wouldn't mind some light advice. My ride has a light built into the frame, but it's not up to much in actual no-streetlights darkness. Amazon is a sea of chinesium brands boasting eleventy-gajillion lumens, it'd be good to know if anyone's bought a reliable, waterproof, (very)affordable rechargable light for actual-dark they can recommend from experience. Ideally one that's either attached in a way it can't really be taken off, or which will quick-release.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have a light I am very proud of from Aldi. Came with a sister red one for back. Both rechargeable.
After 120 miles (it wasn’t on all the time) it went to the red dot and we were only outside the all night loo in West Linton. It stayed on all the way to Balerno, I love that light.
Posted 2 years ago # -
@mercury1and2 - I have commuted through around 30 winters. A few things I have learned.
1. Lights are so good now that you really don't need to spend much. I also use aldi rechargeable lights, as recommended by gembo - they are great and have lasted for years.
2. Some large retro-reflective patches on your bike/jacket/bags are far more effective than hi-vis colours.
3. When there is the slightest chance of ice, stick to routes that you know are gritted, bus routes are best as these are the Council's priority.
4. Gloves - find a pair that you like - warm yet flexible enough that you have full control of the bike.
5. Take it easier than you would in daylight - gives you a better view of things and more time to react.
6. Know when to quit (I'm terrible at this). Heavy snow, pavements a skating rink? You are allowed not to cycle.
7. Enjoy - I actually quite like cycling in the dark, although it does take a few weeks to get back into the swing of it.Posted 2 years ago # -
@Yodhrin I have used the following lights over two winters (two years actually as I use them all year around):
Halfords 100 Lumens
I use them with the rubber attachment. They are quick to remove but I leave them on as it's safe at my workplace. Not sure who long the rubber will last if you remove them several times a day.The only time they failed on me was when it was during a blizzard on my way home form Livi and they just turned off. But I lowered the power output setting and they worked fine. Maybe they were overheating or something. Not ideal but that's the only time.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Another vote for those Halfords lights. At least as good as Lezyne etc and much cheaper.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I've been using the Lidl lights for the last two or three winters. They are probably similar to Aldi's. The front headlight has the sort of 'car headlight' shape that doesn't shine too far upwards, so as long as the light is pointed level or slightly downwards it doesn't dazzle oncoming traffic. The rubbery bracket is the only weak point IMO, as the light tends to jiggle a lot. (On the torpedo I have two B&M IQ Cyo lights that are, frankly, superb, and were expensive.)
Like Morningsider I've cycled in every winter, for many years. Things I've learned:
- Scarves are a faff, but Buffs are great around the neck and/or hoiked up to cover your head and neck (and ears!).
- Heavy or thick gloves are a faff and make it hard to brake or change gear. Waterproof gloves are lovely, as long as they aren't too tight fitting.
- Merino baselayer plus a walking/hiking fleece plus a Goretex jacket is about all you need on top in wintertime.
- Winter tyres, with the spikes, are a gamechanger in snow and ice. They're noisy and kind of heavy and slow, but the confidence they inspire is worth it. Not falling off on ice is worth the investment. But well trafficked roads are almost as good an alternative, because they'll be gritted and that grit will be pounded into the tarmac in no time at all.
- It's ok to walk your bike in winter. My village is sometimes quite hard to get out of, in order to reach the main road that the bus uses.
- Buy a pair of Yaktrax, and hang them on your handlebars for when you're done with cycling.
- Put reflectives on things that move, and that suggest "bicycle" in the dark, and make your intentions obvious and understandable to others. Ankles will show pedalling, and wrists will show hand signals. Don't bother with fiddly little dots of reflectives - they'll be lost amongst light clutter.
- Buy a bucket and some car shampoo, and keep a couple of 6pt milk cartons for warm water to rinse off the shampoo when you wash your bike down after two or three days of winter riding.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Thanks all- I wondered how many cyclists did night cycling in Edinburgh - I have done it in the past - the hints are all good - i got a set of moon light from work and they are very good so thank you all for answers
Posted 2 years ago # -
re the Halfords light - have you had any problems with water? I'd be happier with IPX6 than 5 in case of a prolonged heavy downpour(conditions in which I've had other "waterproof" IPX5 electronics die in the past).
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have some modded thin gloves for winter cycling with Scotchlite stitched onto the bank of the hand. Makes signals a lot clearer.
Dynamo lights are excellent as a backup (and with the right lights, for primary use too). No batteries to be killed by the cold.
I sometimes rock a booster front light on the bars if I'm out of town. It's mainly of use to remind the cagers to dip their lights...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Oh, and Sealskinz socks. Thank me later.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Just a plea to make sure those lights are slightly angled down. I can't count the number of times I've done a shoulder check and been completely blinded by the cyclist behind me, who has somehow got a light that outshines the car next to them.
At least once I've actually had to pull off until my vision was safe enough for travel. :(Ear bags are amazing. Official Site
Get the right size, and they won't fall off or feel tight. They even reduce the wind noise so hearing is better. hats can get hot, and never properly cover the earlobes. Those headband things also seem to miss either the top or bottom of the ear. Ear muffs fall off and don't fit in your pockets.
Earbags.Posted 2 years ago # -
If you suffer from Reynauds or otherwise struggle with cold hands on the bike, I can heartily recommend Bar Mitts.
Posted 2 years ago # -
overshoe covers - even the cheap 15quid ones are brilliant. keep all but torrential rain out and the wind, which is the usual toe-killer.
moon rear lights are ace.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I've commuted along the canal through winter for many years and never really encountered many problems. Obviously in winter you can encounter snow or frozen puddles (which can be hard to spot in the dark) - so maybe stick to bus routes in those conditions. One thing I would say is that, even with good bright lights, black dogs and people in dark clothes can appear out of the dark very suddenly - so keeping the speed down is very sensible.
Posted 2 years ago # -
@Yodhrin I have cycled in lots of rain with those Halfords lights and never had any problem. There are two USB ports (one for charging 'in', one for charging 'out', like a power bank which i use to charge my Wahoo on Audaxes) but the ports are quite deep and there is a think rubber plug to protect it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have a summer rucksack and a winter rucksack for commuting. On the winter rucksack I've fitted white LED lights over the shoulder straps and red LEDs over the back, so road legal. As I don't want them on all the time, I've fitted a switch so I can turn them on and off whilst riding, useful when approaching a junction. They are bright and the illumination does get a bit of attention. Obviously I'm using regular bike lights as well.
So if you see a glowing rucksack this winter, give us a wave.
Posted 2 years ago #
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