Tales from today's commute....

[biking_fox]

Happy New Year all.
First day back on the bike, bracing (extra fleece, buff, Fring gloves and low gears) but reasonable riding. Lots of icy/slushy puddles and margins, but actual roads seemed ok. Ddin't think it wise to venture onto the cycle lanes, might do for the way home. Lovely quiet roads.

 

[fossyant]

WFH till the 7th, but noticed cars are frozen solid. Commuter was treated to SP41 Optislick gear cables from Santa so should be a happy bunny.

 

[skudupnorth]

Flixton road this morning after New Year’s Day wonderful weather. Passable on the bike but as you can see, not by motor vehicle. Lots of ice about but still doable if you are careful

 

[fossyant]

Squeaky bum time - is that the canal/river ?

 

[cyberknight]

In the car this week, I'm not risking unlit country lanes on earlies, good hard frost and plenty of icy patches.im definitely more wary these days as I get older I don't bounce as well

 

[simongt]

On way to see my sister today, apart from getting rained & sleeted on , at a set of lights, ours went green and a lass with a pram then promptly pushed pram & herself out into the traffic flow.
Obviously didn't appreciate that traffic lights also apply to pedestrians.

 

[skudupnorth]

Squeaky bum time - is that the canal/river ?

No, it’s the main road down to the Mersey, the fields are just lakes at the moment

 

[biking_fox]

Heavy frost again, but very pleasant riding (suitably wrapped up) into the red skies of dawn. Really enjoying the empty roads - means avoiding the icy puddles isn't a drama.

 

[Arjimlad]

Lovely morning for my first commute of the year, the Wahoo read -7 on the back roads, the sun was not quite emerging behind the wind turbines, and there was very little traffic about. I was glad of the studs when gliding over very icy bits of road.

Heated insoles were deployed which kept my toes fairly warm, although despite having liner gloves inside deep winter gloves, my hands got very cold but warmed up to a more tolerable temperature by mile 6 out of 10. Got to work & realised I'd left my phone, bank card etc on the kitchen table.

 

[cyberknight]

I'm glad some of you are getting out, didn't risk it again and I made the right choice as I would have fell today as the lanes were covered in sheets of ice that had been churned up by passing traffic the refroze .

 

[Arjimlad]

I'm glad some of you are getting out, didn't risk it again and I made the right choice as I would have fell today as the lanes were covered in sheets of ice that had been churned up by passing traffic the refroze .

One of the back lanes had that inch-thick icy sludge which had frozen solid, right across the width of the lane where a brook runs across and down the road.

The studs' "snap crackle and pop" went silent as I crossed it. I would not have ridden today without those tyres. My wife is still awaiting surgery on her shoulder after falling off on wet leaves in Nov 2023 & I have pals who have broken wrists and hips falling off on icy roads. It is not worth the risk unless you have full confidence in your bike's capability to grip on the ice.

 

[cyberknight]

One of the back lanes had that inch-thick icy sludge which had frozen solid, right across the width of the lane where a brook runs across and down the road.

The studs' "snap crackle and pop" went silent as I crossed it. I would not have ridden today without those tyres. My wife is still awaiting surgery on her shoulder after falling off on wet leaves in Nov 2023 & I have pals who have broken wrists and hips falling off on icy roads. It is not worth the risk unless you have full confidence in your bike's capability to grip on the ice.

yup thats pretty much what i had to traverse but it was about 4,30 am so still pitch black .with hr still keeping the eye on me for time off from my operations i cant risk it

 

[skudupnorth]

Van still on Flixton road yesterday morning but had finally been removed that evening.
Flooded fields provided interesting photo opportunities

 

[skudupnorth]

Loop line this afternoon on my way back and another flooded field opportunity near Carrington

 

[straas]

Loop line this afternoon on my way back and another flooded field opportunity near Carrington
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Where's this path?