Cycling UK Forum

Out on a great ride in the sunshine on the moors this morning when I had a “Smell it? I’m sitting in it moment!” Just in front of me as I was approaching a right hand bend on a steep downhill was a sheet of ice – the first this year. I knew I couldn’t turn so I aimed at stopping before I hit the dry stone wall at the edge of the road. I nearly lost it 3 times. Fortunately the ice stopped short of the wall so I managed to turn.

Time to dust off the helmet.

Why on earth?

Well done for having your wits about you & staying upright

I don't cycle if there's ice about. Had too many hard falls. You could easily break your hip. In fact a workmate of mine did that last year and it was a bad fracture and they were considering a hip replacement and he's only 38

Yeah, there's something about falling on ice - it feels a lot harder than falling on tarmac. It's probably because on tarmac you tend to keel over, where as on ice the bike shoots out from under you and you go straight down.

I invested in studded tyres last winter. They still require care when riding but they do improve things.

I bought ice tyres last year (Schwalbe Marathon Winter) and was very impressed. However, switching tyres was a real faff, so I've now invested in a spare set of wheels so I can now switch in just a couple of minutes.