Cycling UK Forum

I was going to go out first thing this morning but it was -2, snow and ice covered and not very inviting so I won the roll over zzzz

11am and it was sunny but still -0.5 according to the thermo in the car, but then that was in the car port may have been colder had I moved it out. Decided to do a quick 20 miles rather than the 75 planned. Me and my mate set off pushing the bikes the first 400meters or so as the side roads are sheet ice. Main roads where all gritted and no problem at all. I had a great ride, averaging over 20mph for the first 15 miles no problem and feeling full of energy, even went passed 3 groups of cyclists on club runs (I hope that isn't classed as rude or anything)
Stopped at this point to wait for my mate, I had been going well and created quite a gap After a 5 minute chat we got underway again for the last few miles, side roads now, him leading. 50 meters later he was all over the road so I slowed down, next thing I know he is down, I was lucky enough to stay up rite. He has a a bruised elbow but nothing serious luckily. Bike was fine to look at but turns out the rear mech was damaged and had to be repaired and reset when we got home. Main roads ONLY tomorrow!!

It was my first leisurely ride with the CTC in Reading this year. I found this ride educational. I used to be a fair weather only cyclist, but I was missing going out so much, i went out in freezing conditions. 1-3 degrees, but lovely and sunny without too much headwind. We kept it really slow along side streets and especially down the country lanes. At some points we had to go through deep puddles, and ride over ice that looked amazingly like broken glass. I learned not to press the brakes and to unclip from the pedals early. Balancing skills were tested along muddy tracks. Now I have confidence to ride to work tomorrow morning - and ensure I have 2 pairs of gloves on instead of one.

I'll just add my vote for studded tyres (Schwalbe Marathon Winter).

I bought them (and a bike to put them on) after the snowy spell last Feb.

I usually commute on a road bike. Over 14 years of year-round commuting I've become rather nervous on ice although I've only fallen badly once (hip injury - stretched ligaments - still able to cycle though).

They're not that special on snow/slush but better, I think, than skinny road tyres. I also prefer the MTB frame/riding position.
On ice (smooth or frozen snow/slush), they are great.

Phileas

Manx Cat wrote:Mark, I LOVE that photograph, a proper Christmas calendar feel to it isnt there?

thankyou Mary.

BTW - if I ever post a picture on here that people want a better copy of (for printing or otherwise, as long as it's for personal use only - not commercially) just drop me a note via the email function and I'll send you the full size image by return.

Bill D wrote:Yesterday I got the car out after an hour spent shovelling and gritting, drove it for 5 miles at very slow speed to our local town, passing 2 cars 'parked' in ditches (one almost upside down) on hilly sections. Main roads not gritted at all. Only just made it into town, TBH, where I spotted a touring cyclist with bike and luggage, standing under market hall looking at a map. It was minus 6 degrees at the time. Well done mate, whoever you are, and I hope you arrived in one piece. I'm of an age now where I don't bounce as well as I used to so I avoid riding when it's icy.

I put some studded tyres on our Dahon Speed TR bikes in November for winter commuting and cycling. The weekend before Christmas we headed out to Wageningen on the train with the Dahons and cycled up to a campsite in Otterlo (one of the few in NL that is open all year round). The distance cycled to Otterlo and back was around thirty kilometres. On the way there we went across the moors which was hard work. The trick was to find virgin snow that people had not walked or cycled on which was soft all the way down to the road surface. However we noticed that our panniers made the bike more likely to carry on sliding sideways once it had started. It would have been easier without bags.

On arriving at the campsite we realised that there was no way to get our aluminium tent pegs into the frozen ground - must remember to buy some 'steel nail' tent pegs and bring a hammer for such situations. Luckily the tent we'd brought was a free standing one We were warm enough that night albeit wearing clothes whilst sleeping and using two sleeping bags each. The Trangia worked fine at -10'c the following morning. It took a bit longer to boil water than usual for coffee, which is not surprising given that the water was below 0'c. On the way back to Wageningen train station we took main roads which was a lot easier than the off road section the day before. The snow had been cleared for much of the return journey although the last five km or so was on three centimetres of fresh snow.

The Schwalbe Marathon Winter tyres give a tremendous sense of security especially on ice/icy surfaces where one can brake and accelerate as normal. Cornering still requires a bit of care as only half the studs end up making contact with the road surface but a lot more secure than on normal tyres. They work fine on asphalt roads too but with noticeably more drag. The Marathon Winter tyres were very hard to find in the Netherlands so I used a German internet shop. Big variations in price even in Germany and the 406 tyres suitable for Dahons are more expensive than 26" and 28" versions of the tyres. Shame they don't make these tyres for Bromptons as I skidded and fell just before X-mas 2008 on the one patch of ice on my journey to work - a big fall. At least I can use the Dahon now for winter commuting and cycling without fear of slipping on ice and falling.
Cheers
Stan

Well, it being subzero, icy and snowy I did the route yesterday that took in the ford crossing. Thanks to studded tyres and seal skins it was a lovely ride. Wonderful scenery, all dusted with snow and frost, fewer than normal cars out. Even had a buzzard fly along side me for a bit and a stoat/polecat/squeazle run across the road in front of me.

News Years- day reasonably early start, marvellous sunny but cold morning, -2, -3 C. I decided to be cautious and get off and walk over several very icy bits, despite seeing a couple of blokes on skinny road bikes skud past. Feeling very pleased with myself when I eventually arrived at Harting Hill car park and, stopping to admire the view....fell off in an ignominious heap in front of the assembly of motorists...I had forgotten to unclip my feet from the cleats!

I got to work today and it was -9〫! There was only one route in as the rural roads were impassable sheet ice just beyond the reserve entrance. Despite the cold there was no wind so once I got working I soon warmed up enough (though I failed to get the piles of sodden and frosty wood to burn, which was my task for the day). I left work mid afternoon when it had 'warmed up' to -2, but it really was too cold to stay out any longer. I saw a few commuting cyclists on the A6, but I'm still bike free for the time being.

Managed to commute the 13 miles to Nottm through the icey weather with no problems,just been slower and sticking to main roads.That is till today,trying to avoid 2 people walking on a cycle path the front wheel slid out ,as it crossed the lump that marks the path from cyclepath, went down very hard ,the ribs on r/h side hurt.Saved bike from damage by lying underneath it.Useing the bottled painkiller,so will be ok till the morning.

Back in Ireland now- had my first tumble in the snow. Most of the country roads were fairly clear. One or two wheelspins here and there, but nothing major. Then I came across a road that was 2 inches thick. Trying to plough through it, I lost it- wobbled for a good 20 metres, almost came to a dead stop by the side of the road (handled it very well I thought!) until my wheel went down a small ditch and over the handlebars I went.

Landed on some heavy snow on the grass, so didn't feel a thing. Great!

Although the huge, deep gash across my shin that was noticed when I got home told a different story... Still love it though

I might have to strap all my bikes together so that they're as wide as a car and have 8 wheels. Then I could ride one and let the others keep me upright.

If you strap 2 the opposite way around to the others you can cycle all day without leaving the garage, warm and dry!

Sorry

Doing the normal commute this morning I was concentrating so hard on staying vertical I banged my knee on a lampost as I went past it. Yes I was on the footpath but it was 6.30am with no-one about.

The ice on my road is so bad that even walking is hazardous. I just went on foot to post a letter, and I wheeled my bike as a kind of walking stick - definitely safer than two legs.

(I posted this earlier in another thread)
I did first proper test of my pair of Schwalbe Marthon winters today.
Incredible tyres. Solid stuff. No skidding apart from on soft snow once but again no catastropy, I recovered easily.

You must see the look in peoples eyes when they see you riding a tourer with thinnish 35C tyres.

I was shouted
"YOu are mad! Get off your bike..."

"bloddy hell!!! be careful!"

"Brave man!"

"Is that like when the bike was first invented" (when I stopped pedalling and started using my feet downhill)

Tyring to answer and judge who will say what next but equally amusing..

No skidding uphill on ice. Really unbelievable..
My average speed was 6mph, twice my walking speed and much safer...