mig wrote:roubaixtuesday wrote:mig wrote:do you avoid using certain roads at certain times under certain weather conditions?
i was driving over the A628 west-east the woodhead pass late on friday night. many users here would know the route - a busy link between manchester and the M1 sheffield area which is a popular route for HGVs. conditions were awful - a strong crosswind from the south-west and lashing rain. up ahead on the main climb i saw two riders together inching up. they had lights but they weren't great ones. ahead of them another lady rider on her own with better lights but clearly struggling in the conditions. no rider was easy to see. traffic on the climb does maybe an average of 50mph give or take.
now i realise that they may have had no alternative to use that route at that time but am left wondering how many here would choose to do the same?
I once did precisely the ride you've just described - had arranged to stay with friends in West Yorks and was caught in terrible weather over the woodhead. One of the very wettest rides I can ever recall.
So I guess I'm an example of someone who would choose to do the same. But I would have jumped at an alternative less unpleasant road had there been one.
i understand that. i saw these riders as i'm (i suppose) more vigilant than many in looking for cyclists on that road. too many twists and dips for me to ride that in those conditions. it really was foul/dangerous.
i guess that you also had to put up with rather dour faces on arrival that night. they're all like that in west yorkshire #runsforcover
My friends were actually Scottish immigrants to God's own county. They asked if I'd enjoyed the balmy conditions.