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Cycle to work to beat winter blues – don't let Britain be a hibernation nation says Boardmancycle to work logo

Cycle to work to beat winter blues – don't let Britain be a hibernation nation says Boardman

Two thirds of people say their mood is negatively affected by not spending enough time outdoors in autumn and winter
by Alex Bowden
Wed, Sep 14, 2016 06:00
9

Chris Boardman has encouraged more people to give cycle commuting a go after research commissioned by Cyclescheme and Halfords to mark Cycle to Work Day today revealed that October 23 is the day that UK employees begin to ‘hibernate.’

The survey of 2,000 employees carried out by Populous in July found that two-thirds of people (66%) spend less than an hour outside during the autumn and winter months, with over 1 in 4 (27%) only spending half an hour or less outdoors.

Over half (52%) of respondents said they were lazier and less active during the winter and autumn months, yet 67% said their physical health can be negatively affected by not spending enough time outdoors and 68% said their mood can be negatively affected.

Although cycling does warrant a mention, Britain’s top ten autumn and winter activities aren’t the liveliest when taken as a whole.

  1. Snuggling up for a TV show or movie marathon
  2. Wrapping up in a duvet
  3. Eating comforting, hot soup
  4. Drinking hot, steaming drinks
  5. Cooking a meal at home for friends or family
  6. Sitting inside by a fire
  7. Going for a walk or cycle outdoors in the crisp air
  8. Going to the pub with friends or family
  9. Playing board games inside
  10. Playing sports outside e.g. (five-a-side)

Boardman said that autumn was a key time to prepare for what was to come.

“It’s not surprising that we spend as little as an hour outdoors during the cooler months, choosing to stay warm in the office as the winter winds blow away our motivation to get out. But winter is also the season that brings us most opportunities for overindulgence so it’s definitely worth the effort to keep active through the colder months.

“The trick is to work it into your daily routine, walking and riding to work for example is an ideal way to keep body and mind in great shape. September and October are the best months to get yourself and your bike ready; with good water proofs and mudguards, it’s easy to enjoy a British winter on two wheels, so when everyone else goes into hibernation, you can feel good throughout the party season.”

Last year’s Cycle to Work Day was the most successful to date and saw 32,763 riders cycle 489,674 miles.

This year’s event is being run in partnership with Halfords and the retailer is among a number of organisations offering discounts to mark the day.

  • Muc off is offering a 10% discount
  • Showers Pass is offering 25% discount
  • Santander cycles is offering free access to Santander Cycles for 30 minutes journeys, after a deposit is paid
  • British Cycling is offering discounted membership
  • Henty is offering a 15% discount
Cycle to Work Day
chris boardman
Cyclescheme
Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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9 comments

Avatar
brooksby | 8 years ago
0 likes

Was today "Cycle to Work Day"? I hadn't realised (do they, like, *publicise* it or anything?)

 Annoyingly, I'm on the bus today ("technical issues" with the bike that I need to look at tonight).

 I will usually cycle no matter the weather (most stuff dries 'enough' by the end of the day).

Except snow.

 I tried it a couple of years ago when we had heavy snow. Took me an hour to get maybe a mile, snow caked under my mudguards and brakes. Bike behaving like skis. Admitted defeat, went home and put the kettle on and phoned the office to say I wouldn't be in (buses weren't running due to the weather).

Avatar
Paul J | 8 years ago
1 like

I bring another set of bibs and base with me, so I have a fresh, dry set for going home - regardless of rain in the morning. Drizzle / light intermittent rain I'll just wear my wool long-sleeve jersey - it may still be damp going home, but wool is still warm when damp.

For heavier rain, I have a Vulpine "epic cotton" rain jacket. This won't keep you dry for long, but does slow down the flow. It's the right compromise between breathability and water resistance for me - any more water-resistant jackets I just end up wetter from sweat than from rain! The other big thing is the "epic cotton" doesn't soak up the water, and it will dry out in my locker and be OK to wear home.

For overshoes, I have an old set of Shimano / Pros "Tarmac NPU+". The thickest and toughest overshoes I've ever owned. Sadly, Shimano discontinued them. I've not found anything to match them. Which is annoying, cause mine are starting to fall apart (after years of use! most other overshoes never got past months).

The other critical thing for me is my hands, in cold rain. Nothing worse than freezing fingers. I have a pair of Sealskinz lobster claw gloves for the winter, and they're great.

The big thing with rain is just to get zen about it - become one with the rain. Enjoy the water on your face. With good protection for the extremities, and layers over the rest, usually fine. 1

Avatar
vonhelmet | 8 years ago
0 likes

Rain, wind, cold, darkness are all manageable, just about.  Ice is a hard pass from me.

Avatar
pruaga | 8 years ago
1 like

For me the commute-fun stopper is when the clocks change and the busy narrow roads around my workplace become terrifying in the dark.

Avatar
HowardR | 8 years ago
1 like

Cold + Appropriate kit = Good

Wet + Appropriate kit = Good

Dark + Appropriate kit = Good

Low sun + wet road + twunt driven cars = I’ll give it a miss ('cos they probably won't)

Avatar
nniff replied to HowardR | 8 years ago
1 like

HowardR wrote:

Cold + Appropriate kit = Good

Wet + Appropriate kit = Good

Dark + Appropriate kit = Good

Low sun + wet road + twunt driven cars = I’ll give it a miss ('cos they probably won't)

 

Cold + appropriate kit = Good

Cold and Dark and appropriate kit = Good

Cold and Wet in the morning = not so good, because I have yet to find appropriate kit for legs and feet and I have yet to work somewhere where wet shorts/bib tights, shoes,  socks and overshoes can be dried in a working day.  Current policy is a spare pair of socks, and MTFU for the rest.

Avatar
Jimnm replied to nniff | 8 years ago
0 likes

nniff wrote:

HowardR wrote:

Cold + Appropriate kit = Good

Wet + Appropriate kit = Good

Dark + Appropriate kit = Good

Low sun + wet road + twunt driven cars = I’ll give it a miss ('cos they probably won't)

 

Cold + appropriate kit = Good

Cold and Dark and appropriate kit = Good

Cold and Wet in the morning = not so good, because I have yet to find appropriate kit for legs and feet and I have yet to work somewhere where wet shorts/bib tights, shoes,  socks and overshoes can be dried in a working day.  Current policy is a spare pair of socks, and MTFU for the rest.

Waterproof sock £20 + a pair are great. IMO 

Avatar
davel replied to nniff | 8 years ago
0 likes
nniff wrote:

HowardR wrote:

Cold + Appropriate kit = Good

Wet + Appropriate kit = Good

Dark + Appropriate kit = Good

Low sun + wet road + twunt driven cars = I’ll give it a miss ('cos they probably won't)

 

Cold + appropriate kit = Good

Cold and Dark and appropriate kit = Good

Cold and Wet in the morning = not so good, because I have yet to find appropriate kit for legs and feet and I have yet to work somewhere where wet shorts/bib tights, shoes,  socks and overshoes can be dried in a working day.  Current policy is a spare pair of socks, and MTFU for the rest.

Logistics and facilities can be a real pain in the arse. IMO it's a significant barrier to more people taking cycle commuting up.

My commute is 15 miles each way, half of which is on trails that can get seriously muddy. I wouldn't want to put the kit back on once worn. If I didn't have showers, places to leave suits and shirts etc, I wouldn't be able to cycle in. I get my suits and shirts cleaned/laundered at a place round the corner and leave them in the communal cloakroom. Took a few journeys to get stuff in but easy enough... At any point, most of my work gear is at work/in the cleaners.

I take a spare set of kit to wear for the work-home leg in a rucksack. The worn kit, whatever condition it's in, goes in a carrier bag, which goes back in the rucksack, once I've showered. My shoes dry out in the cloakroom - but everything else is done once I've worn it once.

As soon as I get home, everything washable goes on a proper 40 deg wash - none of that 'show the dirt some soap and use compliments to encourage it to come out' for my commutey gear.

Avatar
Yorkshire wallet | 8 years ago
0 likes

If it's dry(ish) but cold I'll cycle. Once it starts raining as well then count me out.

 

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