Beware of frost/ice on the roads.

[M400 NBL]

I very nearly fell off my MTB this morning while trying to ride across a slighly off centre crossroad. I hit a patch of frost or ice but managed to get my foot down to stop me going over completely.

I made sure I took it easy from then on, choosing not to lean into the corners like I usually do.

Thought i'd mention it because i've fractured my shoulder before, and could so easily have done so again this morning. Thinking about it afterwards, it was a relief that it happened when it did because I reckon i'd have fallen at the corner near my work....and possibly have been run over for good measure

[mouseymousey]

Good tip, thanks!

[pastrana72]

I got caught out by a patch of ice on a cambered road section a few years ago, My mate was in front, and he sailed over it with speed no problem, unfortunatly I was not so lucky, front wiped out and i went down hard to my hip, so hard I thought I had broken it. Sat there for a bit, untill I realised I had a very cold bottom, then got up, retrieved the bike, got back on, had about 10 miles to do get back home. My mate thought it was funny, so it was not so bad. Got home slower with no problems, few days later my whole bum cheek and thigh went purple and black. Looked worse than it felt.

But since then I hate riding on Icy roads, but no choice, its winter, so got get on with it.

Becareful out there.

[pdV6]

Been there, done that. Was out riding one winter with my brother in law and his girlfriend.

He sailed straight over a huge sheet of ice no problems.
She went down hard onto her hip.
"Luckily" I also went down hard at exactly the same moment, else I'd have run straight over her (no way to brake on the ice).

We both did a perfect formation skid for what seemed like ages.

Was a bit sore for a week or so.

[Miffy964RS]

I spent the last 2 winters commuting to work by bike in Stockholm.
After landing really hard on my hip a couple of times with no warning I fitted some Nokian studded tyres. They grip so well on ice you can ride across a frozen lake and crank the bike right over. They come in 700C sizes as well as 26" and the studs don't wear out on dry roads as they are tungsten carbide. It's cool when you're going round a corner and suddenly hear the sound of the studs scratching on a piece of black ice that you hadn't noticed.

[M400 NBL]

Miffy964RS said:

I spent the last 2 winters commuting to work by bike in Stockholm.
After landing really hard on my hip a couple of times with no warning I fitted some Nokian studded tyres. They grip so well on ice you can ride across a frozen lake and crank the bike right over. They come in 700C sizes as well as 26" and the studs don't wear out on dry roads as they are tungsten carbide. It's cool when you're going round a corner and suddenly hear the sound of the studs scratching on a piece of black ice that you hadn't noticed.

Thanks for the heads up.

I'm actually on 1.4" Michelin XC slicks but figured pretty much every tyre would slide on frost/ice.