Discussion
In my area Mr Frost made his first unwelcome appearance this winter a couple of days ago, this made me consider the ramifications for the daily commute. Is it game over and on to the train/bus/car etc., or are the roads not generally as bad as the footpaths and you can press (gently) on?
Last year it was so mild it did not seem to be an issue, but I can see it being a particularly unpleasant dismount mid-corner if caught out, not to mention the surprise interaction with other traffic.
So far it has been ground frost and not sheet ice, not sure if it makes a lot of difference as far as two wheels are concerned. Similarly, is there much in it between MTB / road bikes in such conditions?
I hate getting the train.
Last year it was so mild it did not seem to be an issue, but I can see it being a particularly unpleasant dismount mid-corner if caught out, not to mention the surprise interaction with other traffic.
So far it has been ground frost and not sheet ice, not sure if it makes a lot of difference as far as two wheels are concerned. Similarly, is there much in it between MTB / road bikes in such conditions?
I hate getting the train.
I run very hot when cycling so only wear shorts all year round. I've found the times where it's been too cold to wear shorts have been mornings where it was properly icy so have left the bike and taken the tube.
I commute accross central London and find that as soon as I hit the main route the traffic has cleared frost or ice. The bits where you do need to be very carefull are close to home or near the office IME, that bit of shared pavement that you nip accross that's still in the shade until after 10am. That kind of thing. I just use these times as good opportunity to stock up my supply of shirts etc. and go for a couple of beers after work.
I commute accross central London and find that as soon as I hit the main route the traffic has cleared frost or ice. The bits where you do need to be very carefull are close to home or near the office IME, that bit of shared pavement that you nip accross that's still in the shade until after 10am. That kind of thing. I just use these times as good opportunity to stock up my supply of shirts etc. and go for a couple of beers after work.
I've only ever come off once in cold conditions and that was on a snowy day when I saw at least five low-speed collisions on my 20 minute ride to work. Everybody else was at least an hour late in due to the traffic and everybody being unable to cope with 3" of snow.
Absolutely no reason to stop cycling when it gets cold, anyway.
Absolutely no reason to stop cycling when it gets cold, anyway.
I skidded off on sheet ice around a bend a few years ago but that was in the middle of nowhere and luckily no cars around to collect me. It didn't half hurt the coccyx and took the wind out of me for a few seconds.
I then bought a set of spiked tyres but I've only used them a handful of times as on a 15 mile XC commute (10 road, 5 trail) they are really hard work. Even on smooth tarmac they sound like you're on gravel!
I then bought a set of spiked tyres but I've only used them a handful of times as on a 15 mile XC commute (10 road, 5 trail) they are really hard work. Even on smooth tarmac they sound like you're on gravel!
I have a new policy on ice - if Ice is out, I'm not.
I crashed hard last year, coming down at about 25mph on a country road. No trace of ice in the first ten miles of the ride, but the exposed section of the road between gaps in the hedges had a strong breeze and that was enough to freeze a puddle over.
Shredded my knee, did a fair bit of damage to the bike too.
I came down at very low speed on another two occasions, one I'd braked almost to a halt before hitting the ice, the other I was wondering how I ended up on the ground mind-bend till I realised what had happened.
Snow? Maybe I'll take the MTB out. Ice on the road? It's not worth it.
I crashed hard last year, coming down at about 25mph on a country road. No trace of ice in the first ten miles of the ride, but the exposed section of the road between gaps in the hedges had a strong breeze and that was enough to freeze a puddle over.
Shredded my knee, did a fair bit of damage to the bike too.
I came down at very low speed on another two occasions, one I'd braked almost to a halt before hitting the ice, the other I was wondering how I ended up on the ground mind-bend till I realised what had happened.
Snow? Maybe I'll take the MTB out. Ice on the road? It's not worth it.
I dont think there is much between the two to be honest, though I'd rather be on a mountain bike as I'd be able to avoid the ice easier.
I do know that there is a big patch of ice halfway down the descent from Rushup Edge to Edale in the Peak District though. Managed to hit it at full speed on Saturday morning, went straight over the handlbars and landed on my side. Very bruised at the moment.
I do know that there is a big patch of ice halfway down the descent from Rushup Edge to Edale in the Peak District though. Managed to hit it at full speed on Saturday morning, went straight over the handlbars and landed on my side. Very bruised at the moment.
TheInternet said:
Having spoken to my friendly 'pro-am' racer apparently the answer is to (a) drop the tyre pressures and (b) fall off a bit.
I think I average about 4 offs a year due to ice. It's a MTB, so the bike doesn't care. It's usually a bit of a shock to me.Plenty of very upright cornering for me this morning.
Took a tumble last Jan on ice and it really s
t me up. The car following locked up on the ice and slid towards me. I managed to roll out the way but they hit the bike and sent it down the road cracking the fork in the process.
I now take it uber easy when there is the smallest possibility of ice. I also purchased a cx bike and fitted 32's rather than the 23's I run on other bikes. Almost considered the MTB this morning. I'm so scared of coming down again. If in doubt now, I'll drive.
t me up. The car following locked up on the ice and slid towards me. I managed to roll out the way but they hit the bike and sent it down the road cracking the fork in the process. I now take it uber easy when there is the smallest possibility of ice. I also purchased a cx bike and fitted 32's rather than the 23's I run on other bikes. Almost considered the MTB this morning. I'm so scared of coming down again. If in doubt now, I'll drive.
Edited by S10GTA on Tuesday 9th December 14:42
As I pedalled down the hill I live on approaching the 90 degree left at the bottom of the road this morning, I thought to myself how slippery it was...then my front wheel washed out and I went for a little skid on my hip!
First time I've had an off in over ten years of commuting...just too fast for the conditions. Ejit.
First time I've had an off in over ten years of commuting...just too fast for the conditions. Ejit.
Edited by trails on Tuesday 9th December 16:28
jshell said:
Schwalbe Marathon winter studded tyres for 15km each-way commute and Nokian Extreme 294 studded mental climb-ice-wall feckers for offroad! It's studs or death over here and cycled over some of the frozen fjords last winter. Cool as!
Yes, Marathon winters are awesome; you still need to be quite cautious when cornering though. I'm looking forward to using them again - last winter was so mild I didn't need them.This was my commute in Jan '13. Lovely.
I only commute 6m on gritted roads through Reading so it doesn't bother me. I do feel for you buys who live in rural areas though. A friend of mine was out a couple of years back and hit a patch of ice that was not in the sun (saw it too late) and he went down hard, his whole thigh came up bruised.
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