#mycyclingweekend - frozen toes and sore legs

Never put all of your trust in a weather forecast. Never put any of your trust in a weather forecast from a meteorologically naive cycling journalist on road.cc.

We said it'd be dry. It turned out to be very snowy in large parts of the country. Was it forecast? Did we miss that forecast? Did you trust us? Did you get cold?

Our fingers were nipped by the conditions, our toes too. You all seemed to fair reasonably well, though. At least, if the photos we received of you all frolicking about in the wintry conditions are anything to go by.

Does snow add more in terms of atmosphere and spectacle than it takes away in practicality and comfort?

Staring at your photos from the warmth of the road.cc office this morning, we're tempted to say that it snow is better. You wouldn't have got that answer from us on Sunday morning, though.

Fun day #mountainbiking in the snow @MugdockPark and on #westhighlandway #mycyclingweekend #crosstraining #snowtime pic.twitter.com/mcQ9hfnmKi

— Stephen Macintyre (@allezsteve) January 17, 2016

 

@kennyhouston66 and some #snow #mycyclingweekend

A photo posted by Gavin Butler (@gbphotofilm) on Jan 16, 2016 at 7:36am PST

 

Snow searching with Ant. Thank you Lord for gritters. #outsideisfree Rhigos treated with lots of snow, even some fresh from the sky. #Wales #cycling #RFWYA #wymtm #strava #mycyclingweekend #road #snow #Rhigos #ukpotd #letsgo

A photo posted by Almero Barnard (@almerobarnard) on Jan 16, 2016 at 7:30am PST

 

Catch up session with Ant in the Welsh valleys. #outsideisfree #RFWYA #road #cycling #strava #snow #mycyclingweekend #wymtm #RFWYA

A photo posted by Almero Barnard (@almerobarnard) on Jan 16, 2016 at 7:43am PST

 

Getting in the winter miles with @wjgp @thewendyhouse and some @letourdattack potentials. #winter #wintermiles #cycling #instagood #strava #stravaphoto #stravaproveit #snow #ice #latewinter #tri #trilife #cervelo #3t #letourdattack #mycyclingweekend

A photo posted by hamishg333 (@hamishg333) on Jan 17, 2016 at 5:57am PST

 

Lot to be said for climbing into the fog, not knowing what's coming 30m in front of you. What it lacks in views it makes up for in motivation and general atmosphere. Fingers and toes might not appreciate these subtleties right now. #ridewithnoview

A photo posted by Victory Chimp (@victorychimps) on Jan 17, 2016 at 6:53am PST

If only the pub had been open! #seftonvelo #mycyclingweekend #seftonhour #ashurst #snow pic.twitter.com/zAnEbxo2uz

— Sefton Velo (@seftonvelo) January 17, 2016

Obviously, the snow can cause one or two problems. But they're problems that can be overcome with reasonable preperation and expectations.

For example, Instagram user velovebjorn is almost certainly used to these sorts of conditions. He knows, therefore, that there is always a chance that a wild icicle will find your chin particularly alluring whilst out on a ride. As long as you know what's coming you can wear appropriate face protection. Here's velovebjorn with his new icicle friend:

 

A bit nippy outside today! Found some ice hanging off my face after 2 hours on the bike⛄️#mycyclingweekend #fromwhereiride #landevei #castellicycling #giro #liveterbestute #utno #outsideisfree #wintercycling #igerscycling

A photo posted by Vebjørn Halseth (@velovebjorn) on Jan 16, 2016 at 7:15am PST

Of course, no matter how hard you prepare riding through snow, and even competing through the stuff, will take its toll on your legs. Here's twitter user Bruce Dalton carrying his Kinesis mid-cyclocross race. His caption of #mylegshurt could be the understatement of the year. Looks tough.

#mycyclingweekend #mykinesis #mylegshurt pic.twitter.com/U3fuVGsCSL

— Bruce Dalton (@BruceDaltonCX) January 17, 2016

Of course, these weather conditions don't come without their hazards. Black ice being one of the most difficult to deal with.

We reckon Instagram user I_frondag_159 came off reasonably well when you consider how spectacularly wrong black ice run-ins can go.

 

A beautiful view of #Kent before coming off on some #blackice this morning. Grazed elbow and hip but luckily me and the #bike are ok #cycling #ridelots #mycyclingweekend #ElthamVelo

A photo posted by @l_frondag_159 on Jan 16, 2016 at 5:25am PST

The UK wasn't the only part of the world to contend with adverse weather conditions this #mycyclingweekend. Check out the frozen sea in Poland, a frozen statue in Latvia, and a mountain range in Spain that's frozen... oh wait, the weather in Spain is marvelous. Whoops.

 

I co dalej? And what now? #bike #mycycling #rower #nature #cycling #wolinisland #mybike #mycyclingweekend #wyspawolin #weekend #freetime #wolin

A photo posted by Oldjarl (@oldjarl) on Jan 16, 2016 at 10:22am PST

 

Visiting aliens #pavilosta #mycyclingweekend

A photo posted by Petersons (@ptsns) on Jan 16, 2016 at 6:19am PST

 

Top of Sa Calobra with Super Accaiao. A bunch of pro-looking dudes in black and blue passed us and they were jealous. #condorcycles #mycyclingweekend

A photo posted by Kati (@katijagger) on Jan 16, 2016 at 4:32am PST

 

Rockin the old school bike and retro kit on @gozwift Still not wearing a helmet either! #igerscycling #strava #gozwift #garmin #garminVIRB #virbxe #virb #focus #focusbikes #garminvector #roadcycling #eurosport #planetxbikes #shutuplegs #twowheelsgood #lmnh #lookmumnohands #mycyclingweekend #stravaphoto #merriottwheelers #cycling #rockandroadyeovil #roadid #oakley #livetheride #hells500 #garmin920xt #veloviewer #kitbrix

A photo posted by @roleurcoaster on Jan 18, 2016 at 12:11am PST

It's not too late to get involved with the #mycyclingweekend. If you've got any photos of your snowy weekend, send them to us via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter by including the #mycyclingweekend hashtag in the caption.