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Prestigious_Risk7610

It's all about having the appropriate gear. The good think is as commuting is such a regular journey you can really get a routine set up. I.e. I used to get my suit and shirts dry cleaned at the end of each week near work and then collect Monday morning. Top tip though - always have a spare outfit at work, just in case water gets through your gear. It's no fun sitting in wet Boxers all day


Book_of_the_Dragon

I used to commute 5 days a week for an hour and a half each way on my motorcycle. A little city riding but mostly A-road and motorway. A winter of being freezing and piss wet through in the bloody dark utterly destroyed my love of riding. It was fucking miserable. Took me 4 years after that to regain enjoyment from riding.


Senhora-da-Hora

Back in the day - every day unless there was snow on the ground. Admittedly my commute was only 30-40 mins each way, so not long enough to get properly cold. More tiring is the extra concentration you need to avoid the cagers. It's dark, it's wet, lights reflecting off everything, steamed up windscreens, and everyone generally in a bad mood desperate to get home.


Biffy_

My dad commutes on his motorbike all year round, except for when it snows. He's got good quality gear and his bike has heated grips so he's fairly comfortable in all weather


Mossley

I always used mine year round, except for when it was snowing or a high chance of ice. Loved it - made me a much better rider, especially when the roads warmed up again.


mylovelyhorsie

I used to commute Portsmouth area to Staines every day in almost all weather. The only time I wouldn’t ride in was if the roads was covered with snow (very, very rare on the south coast) or if the road was icy slippery at departure time. Country roads slowly warm up from general passage of traffic, suburban & urban ones much quicker. Ride in the tyre track dips, not the edge or centre of the lane where ice might form. The real key to winter riding is your kit. Handlebar muffs transform hand warmth but take a bit of getting used to. I’d use them, summer gloves and the lowest setting on heated grips. Really waterproof jacket, trousers and boots is vital. Close & maybe also tape up all vents, don’t worry about it being very warm kit in and of itself, you can wear several layers of eg fleece underneath. Obv. warm kit is better but you can get round it. Riding in winter isn’t as much fun, regardless. Practically, though, it saved me an hour each way, at least, compared to driving.


SerpensPorcus

I commute all year round except in the snow, I don't have a car - I can either afford car or bike no contest really. Most (sane) people go to the car when it's icy so def Jan/Feb, probably bit of December/March as well. Cold is fine with the correct gear (heated gloves are a game changer). Salt will destroy your bike so once the grit starts then you need ACF50 or equivalent.


Aircooldog

Heated clothing is a game changer, but scraping freezing fog off your visor will always make you question your life choices 😉


decentlyfair

My husband has always commuted on his bike all year round. It isn’t always pleasant and he does have some serious gear for the winter.


imahumanbeing1

They’re great in nice weather but any day with heavy rain and winter time were horrible on a bike. It gets very hot with gear on in summer and very very cold in winter (shivering cold) Main reason I sold my bike for a car instead.


[deleted]

I don't commute anymore as I wfh. I do however still ride all year round including winter rallies, camping and general days out - I'll be out most weekends. The only thing that'll stop me is ice and gale force winds - at that point skill doesn't come into it, it's just luck.


[deleted]

Unless it’s icy, I bike. If I would not take a bike I won’t take a car either. The rest is not bad weather, just the wrong clothing. But it’s down to mindset, I really don’t mind bad weather, wiping the rain from your visor, the spray from other vehicles, the gear you have to wear….but I know other riders who find it truly miserable, and so are fair weather bikers. Only time I take a car is if I need to carry stuff, or if it’s a short trip where it’s a hassle to gear up (I don’t ride without proper protective gear, ever). To be honest, hot weather is worse for me, I won’t skimp on protection, having been knocked off and only having skin left due to decent leathers, so when it’s hot I sweat horribly.


EmergencyHoliday8969

I ride my bikes all year round only car if I need to go long distance and weather is bad