Cycling on ice

[Globalti]

Yeah but have you see the website that picture came from?

www.suicideridersholland.net

(It's true that you can't ride on sheer, clean sheet water ice, I'm sure all MTBers know that with painful memories. However as soon as the ice has taken a bit of a texture, through extra snow falling and freezing on top for example, it becomes possible with great care.)

 

[jig-sore]

ha ha, your link doesn't work !!! but them I'm thick for expecting it to

 

[GrasB]

I'll stick by my line, you can't ride a bicycle on ice.

Riding on ice is okay if you have appropriate tyres... Sure you can't absolutely hammer it but you can ride around with reasonable confidence as long as you give consideration to the conditions.

 

[Sysagent]

No way am I pedalling out there on 23mm tyres with a 110psi in them...

I am just weighing up wether or not to prep the good old ETSX-70 up for a ride out there, last time I went on my mountain bike though it was like being on a bus, not so sure yet and it is bloody freezing.

 

[Arch]

BTW, every time I see this thread I think it's a plug for ITV's latest celebrity contest. Should we pitch it to someone?

 

[Stephenite]

Riding on ice is okay if you have appropriate tyres... Sure you can't absolutely hammer it but you can ride around with reasonable confidence as long as you give consideration to the conditions.

They're what i use. 700 x 40 version. A very confident ride. I've done about 100km of ice and snow on them so far and not one slip.

You have them too??

ps torvill & dean outriggers aren't available in the shop.

 

[GrasB]

Yeah, 700x35s as 40s get a little close to my frame for clearance with mudguards. The only issue I have is when you reach their limit you're completely gone, no middle ground. Sourcing them in the UK can be interesting at time,s I've tended to source them via Germany.

 

[addictfreak]

My road bike will be tucked away until the ice clears.

Mtb will be out though. Had great fun last year trying to negoiate the cliff top path between Seaburn and South Shields on my way to work. Sheet ice all the way, just could not stay on the bike. Decide to get off and push, promptly fell flat on my arse with bike on top of me. But it was a glorious morning!

 

[Midnight]

At first I thought this thread was about a new t.v. prog...

But, yeah, did my first 10m on snow/slushy stuff today and have to say it wasn't as bad as I'd anticipated. Fitted M+'s in sept and they coped really well with only a couple of minor slips.

Only problem is, on a Defy4 the M+ don't leave room for mudguards - only 2mm clearance!

 

[Stephenite]

I've got about 2mm between tyre and guard. This fills up with snow after 2 yards. Good training, s'pose.

 

[GrasB]

Ah, while 42-622 will fit in the frame they have negative clearance on the 'guards

 

[BrumJim]

Oh, and I did get back safetly last night. No need to worry any more. Oh, you weren't?

 

[Stephenite]

Ah, while 42-622 will fit in the frame they have negative clearance on the 'guards

I have them on a cx - Kona jake the snake - with Raceblades, i think (the guys in the LBS, and myself, tried 3 different 'guards and i got confused as to which was which).

ps Glad you're safe n sound jim. enjoyed the trip i hope

 

[Armegatron]

First time cycling on sheet ice (nigh on an ice rink) yesterday. I managed to turn a corner, and ride a few hundred meters down the road (complacency might have led me to ride faster as I got further down the road) before I was distracted by kids poised with snowballs. Ended up loosing concentration, and before I knew it I was sliding along the ice for about 10ft still attached to the bike. Luckily I managed to get up and walk the rest of the way home, but while trying to stand the bike back up both me and it were slipping all over.

Im still slightly brused but no lasting damage done. Its a lesson learnt for me to not ride if the roads are that bad.

If it helps I was on 700x37c @ about 70psi. If I wasnt in pain / embarrased at the time Id have let some air out and tried again.

 

[Clamson]

I was riding around yesterday through the worst of it, but only for fun, not commuting. I had a great time but you really need your wits about you.

None of it was pure sheet ice, but a mixture of snow and 'rough' ice. On my hybrid, it was great fun!