Got any tips for riding in the ice & snow?
- Thread starter Bigtallfatbloke
- Start date
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Riding through snow is great, but after it freezes to become uneven ice it is not so pleasant. I have toppled over a couple of times with no ill effect, but last January skidded over and it really hurt. I jammed the front brake on suddently and the wheel went from under me - incredibly stupid thing to do!!
I will be much more wary of winter cycling in such conditions this year, but I don't indend giving up unless conditions are really slippery.
I will be much more wary of winter cycling in such conditions this year, but I don't indend giving up unless conditions are really slippery.
domtyler
Über Member
ColinJ said:I don't know what I wrote that so upset spandex but for the record...
Referring to that MTB ride of mine - I went out on NY Day precisely because it was a lovely sunny winter day. The sun was shining and I'd never ridden in snow before. Well, I really enjoyed riding in the snow though it did tend to clog the bike up somewhat. I was riding with caution but what can you do when you suddenly come across a 15% downhill slope with changing camber and bends and covered in a sheet of wet ice? Answer - fall off! I went down very hard and slid for about 30 metres it was that slippery. One benefit of falling off on ice, to be fair, is that road rash is minimal, but the risk of broken bones must be high!
Despite horror stories like this, even I would never suggest not riding all winter. Perhaps the best advice is to keep your eye on local weather forecasts and steer clear of ungritted roads when there is a likelihood of frost. I do a lot of of my cycling on minor roads above 1,000 feet and they are lethal in very cold weather when the gritters don't get to them. If the road surface is below freezing, any rain falling can turn instantly to ice.
If you find out let me know. I tried to bait him a bit later on but he didn't take it at all
spandex
I love Dr D
domtyler said:If you find out let me know. I tried to bait him a bit later on but he didn't take it at all
i had gone home to bed thats why.
and ive not been drinking as the sun is not over the yard arm yet
.....give me time. hehe
laurence
Veteran
- Location
- in the aeroplane over the sea
Unkraut said:
that's the key... snow is ok (to an extent). as i said in my post, it's when it freezes again and it's lumpy and iced up.
I agree that snow is generally OK to cycle on, it's black ice you have to be really wary of.
Having said that, some years ago when we got real snow, I lost control on a bend, careered off the side of the road, and landed in a deep snow drift
Fortunately the snow cushioned my fall, but as I ended up with the bike on top of me it took some time to extricate myself.
Having said that, some years ago when we got real snow, I lost control on a bend, careered off the side of the road, and landed in a deep snow drift
Fortunately the snow cushioned my fall, but as I ended up with the bike on top of me it took some time to extricate myself.
girofan
New Member
- Location
- Oswestry Shropshire
Don't!!!!!!
Dayvo
just passin' through
- Location
- 59° 50′ 5.55″ N, 10° 47′ 41.89″ E
Crackle said:
THAT'S not an ice tyre!
THIS is an ice tyre!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Spikes-Rennmotorrad.jpg
Dayvo said:THAT'S not an ice tyre!
THIS is an ice tyre!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Spikes-Rennmotorrad.jpg
I beg to differ. THAT, is a weapon of death
, not a tyre 
nom de plum
New Member
- Location
- wilmslow ches.
I've got to repeat the "don't do it" theme, though fear that some inexperienced cyclist might kill themselves.
25/12/04 (3.20pm) is the last time I cycled on ice and came within inches of death. Dispite what some say (probably single guys with no responsiblities and no understanding of their own mortality) you cannot cycle safely on ice...get an imagic instead
25/12/04 (3.20pm) is the last time I cycled on ice and came within inches of death. Dispite what some say (probably single guys with no responsiblities and no understanding of their own mortality) you cannot cycle safely on ice...get an imagic instead
wafflycat
New Member
- Location
- middle of Norfolk
Best thing for cycling on ice: a recumbent trike. Great fun! Much more stable than a two-wheeled upright. When my offspring cycled to school, in winter he would take my 'bent trike on the icy days. Much safer than a 'normal' bike
