Riding in winter

roryton, Apr 20, 3:33pm
Was talking to my mate's dad who has been riding for 25+ years and discouraged us newbie riders from riding a bike especially in winter, said it is too dangerous. He said he only rides only when weather is perfectly fine and in summer. Any thoughts!
carstauranga001, Apr 20, 3:37pm
Softcock, but hey, I'm in the North Island. Have been riding in the central North Island in 3 degrees though and with the right gear on I smiled to myself and thought, if someone said I'd do this 10 years ago I'd have told them they're bloody idiots! Have yet to ride in snow. Must do that one day.
quickbuck, Apr 20, 3:46pm
Yup, many ride in the wet cold and snow. All those who attend the Brass Monkey obviously love it (Or just plain mad!).
It is all about skills, and mitigation of risk.

Hell, if your mates dad is riding on a nice sunny day, and comes around a corner, and water is spilt all over the road. What would he do!
I realise wet roads aren't the only issue, but really. If you don't experience different situations, you will never learn how to deal with them.
gunhand, Apr 20, 3:48pm
Riding in winter is fine if you take proper care and where correct gear. hell riding in summer can be dangerous if you get a sudden downpour, makes the crap roads like glass. Ice is the only thing to look out for as in any vehicle.
I used to ride all year round, kinda had to a only form of transport.
Now im abit older I can be choosey.
last rough trip i done wascouple years back from CHCH to Gore, pissed down and howling wind all the way and roads after milton were like a skating ring. Never had a bike pushed sideways by the wind on a slippry road before.eeek.
We survived though.
roryton, Apr 20, 4:19pm
Thanks for some good input guys.
therafter1, Apr 20, 5:30pm
I would remove the desire to one day ride in either snow or worse, falling snow, from my things to do list if I were you. When the snow is already on the road you cannot see what is underneath it and the chances of an off are pretty good. Riding in falling snow is a nightmare as unlike rain it doesn't blow off of your visor, so if it isn't bad enough that you are having to ride in snow on the road, you have to ride one handed while you use your left index finger (or whatever) as a visor wiper, and I don't mean a wipe now and then, I mean back and forward like a mechanical wiper on the screen of a car.
berg, Apr 20, 5:39pm
The Bergs ride all year round. Good gear to keep you warm and speed adjusted to the conditions. Just fitted Mrs Bergs bike with Barkbuster "storm" guards and she says they are great. They take the wind off the hands which she finds get the coldest.
trogedon, Apr 20, 6:45pm
It depends where you??
roryton, Apr 20, 6:59pm
ahh ok so even if in rainy days avoid riding!
quickbuck, Apr 20, 7:09pm
Nope, one must learn how to ride in the rain. As Augie said, "You never really know when it is going to rain".

Rain is okay, as long as you take due care.
klrider, Apr 20, 7:11pm
Pussy, if he is not confident to ride in the wet he should not be riding in the dry. It makes you a better rider, more careful, and with the right gear, cosy.
elect70, Apr 21, 12:58pm
I did it for 5 years as an apprenticework &home 20 miles, tech & back twice a week another40 milesall weathers . hadleathers , bootsmittens but still got coldcouldnt wait till I could afford a car , Now I have athritis in knees &hips .
roryton, Apr 21, 1:42pm
wow
trogedon, Apr 21, 4:29pm
Generally people are predisposed to Athritis or not. Its not caused (but not helped) by cold weather. I sympathise though.
i-n-horz, Apr 21, 6:02pm
Ride to the conditions and don't ride beyond your own ability.other than that your a moving target for all others on the road.that's my rule anyways and with 30+yrs I'm yet to be made a bullseye of ;)
johnf_456, Apr 21, 6:12pm
Well said just like cars and anything mechanically powered on the road.
oliver6, Apr 21, 6:57pm
I have ridden for 40 years in wet, wind and snow. I have ridden in snow both on road and off road and last year went to Cape Horn in the snow. Last year I also rode to the Brass Monkey, although I didn't make it as we were stuck in deep snow in Dansey's Pass. I have heated grips, heated vest and electric gloves.
I have ridden and even raced in the rain and it is no problem as long as you adjust your riding style for it and the visibility is OK.
desmodave, Apr 21, 7:07pm
A hot bod to thaw u out at the end of the rides always a goody.Ride smooth get used to your bike moving around abit but have faith that your tyres will find traction.Ice aint nice but it gets the heart pumping .
flybye_in_a_rx7, Nov 25, 5:46pm
just dont be an idiot
and dont stinge out on cheap gear either, make sure u get some good protective gear and wear it.
and dont stinge out on cheap ass tyres either.
and wear hi vis so the other fools on the road can hopefully c u