Tales from today's commute....

[mrmacmusic]

In this weather it can be a difficult choice between studded and un-studded tyres, the roads are dry but you know any water and it will be ice. Such as the guy this morning using hot water to defrost his windows, lots of lovely fresh water on the road which will turn to sheet ice very quickly. Hope your bike and injuries are better soon.

Thanks BSRU Having stuck the Marathon Winters on the Boardman mid-November, I was quite happy running them at maximum pressure on ice-free days, and my original plan had been to keep them on at least until the end of February. Given the punctures and failure (see other post), I was forced to go back to my Conti Tour Plus tyres... thought I'd be OK, but was caught out today. At least I wasn't on the Madone, otherwise there might have been tears.....

Sorry to read that Mr Mac. I was a bit dubious about using a path my self this morning but apart from one solid ice bend, it wasn't too bad but it only reached -3deg overnight it was probably a lot colder in the central belt

Thanks HLAB – my Garmin registered a low of only -2.5°C this morning, although I guess that might not be 100% accurate. Like yesterday, the roads were clear, although there were a few icy patches on some sections. Really frustrated with myself for coming off, and if I could bend my leg far enough to kick myself, I would.

The biggest lesson I've learned this morning though is to pay attention and concentrate – I always do, but was clearly somewhat distracted and slightly phased following my off, as I would never normally be in a road position to allow the subsequent "near-dooring" experience.

 

[gaz]

Some amazing fog today that was in some serious patches. On min nothing, the next you're in the thickest fog.
Could see barely anything as I went over vauxhall bridge.

 

[400bhp]

Incident packed commute this morning.

#1 wythenshawe rd. Saab driver passes me with about a foot of room. Caught him at the lights and made (polite) gestures that he left too small a gap. He acknowledged this and gave me a thumbs up.

Repeat incident this morning in an almost identical spot. This time a white old style Astra. He stopped up further down the road to pick up an old lady. Knocked on his window and had almost the same reaction as above.

Maybe they are all terribly polite around Wythenshawe.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Lots of ice. Lots'n'lots. Especially good fun on the climbs. It would be all the run off from the completely waterlogged fields getting splashed or running over 'untreated surfaces' that does it.

 

[chqshaitan]

well today was my first commute, what a day to start, was bloody freezing and i was close to just getting in my car, but I took the plunge and an hour or so later got to work with no mishaps.

 

[MisterStan]

well today was my first commute, what a day to start, was bloody freezing and i was close to just getting in my car, but I took the plunge and an hour or so later got to work with no mishaps.

Well done on the first one! Keep it up!

 

[ianrauk]

well today was my first commute, what a day to start, was bloody freezing and i was close to just getting in my car, but I took the plunge and an hour or so later got to work with no mishaps.

Yup, well done on the first commute.
Cold temperatures shouldn't cause you any problems commuting. (I'm talking body temp wise). Once you are on the bike and warmed up then you won't really notice the cold. But make sure you don't wear too much clothing as you can still overheat.
Sunny, crisp winter morning commutes are great to cycle in.

 

[potsy]

Repeat incident this morning in an almost identical spot. This time a white old style Astra. He stopped up further down the road to pick up an old lady. Knocked on his window and had almost the same reaction as above.

Maybe they are all terribly polite around Wythenshawe.

You could always join me and Edwards80 in the park

I have more trouble dodging the potholes on that road than the cars.

 

[chqshaitan]

thanks guys, I went with the 3 layer approach and while i was literally steaming when i stopped, i wasnt cold, which is the main thing. It gets difficult though to breathe cold air over a sustained amount of time.

Will be interesting to see how hot i get when it warms up a bit, i am around 22 stone so aint exactly streamlined

 

[MisterStan]

thanks guys, I went with the 3 layer approach and while i was literally steaming when i stopped, i wasnt cold, which is the main thing. It gets difficult though to breathe cold air over a sustained amount of time.

Will be interesting to see how hot i get when it warms up a bit, i am around 22 stone so aint exactly streamlined

I also opted for 3 layers this morning. Wish i'd gone for 4! Layering is the way to go as you can easily add/remove enough to keep you comfortable. I had frost on me when I stopped!
I can't wait for it to be warm enough for shorts and a short sleeved jersey.

 

[chqshaitan]

ah, it wasnt that cold in my area, no frost thank god, although i had a few tricky turns where i thought i was going to loose it, but just took it easy and planned ahead.

 

[GrasB]

-4 degrees and freezing fog. Frost all over my gloves, front and arms. Glad to report that my Northwave boots are still keeping my toes warm!

Do you travel to the same Cambridge as I do? Bit of mist about but nothing really stuck to me. Didn't feel too cold either.

 

[MisterStan]

Do you travel to the same Cambridge as I do? Bit of mist about but nothing really stuck to me. Didn't feel too cold either.

Freezing fog meant I didn't see the sun from St Ives to Longstanton. I didn't feel cold when I left, but was ready for a cup of coffee when I arrived at work. A mate came out from Cambridge to meet me - he couldn't believe it when he hit the fog!

 

[GrasB]

Sun? on a morning commute?... do you get to work mid-morning or something?

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Today was much like yesterday, if a degree or too colder according to my Garmin and I was enjoying another crisp, fresh and dry commute muttering to myself that I was doing OK back on un-studded tyres. It was then, whilst negotiating a familiar bend in the footpath over the M876 that my front wheel decided not to go where I pointed it......

So, after thousands of miles in over two-and-a-half years pain free and relatively un-eventful commuting, I've had my first off

Bike: front wheel buckled, rear hanger (and maybe the mech too) bent and my rh bar end is now filed to a nice chamfer.
Me: graze above knee, bruised hip and really rather annoyed with myself. And sore

Handily enough there's an LBS near work so I've dropped the bike off for some straightening up, however the chap reckons the front wheel can't be trued up – more of a bend than a buckle he said, demonstrating that the rim needs to go that way but the spokes are tight.....

With a bit of luck I'll get home OK tonight – post "off" the gear change was OK despite the bent bits but the wobbly front wheel was a bit disconcerting. The burning question is whether or not I fit the replacement Marathon Winter tyres that arrived yesterday (in hindsight, I should've fitted them last night, eh?!) I had been debating exactly when to switch back to the un-studded Conti's and was forced to change a bit earlier than planned due to the Winters failing, but clearly smooth and frosty tarmac could be a problem for a few weeks yet.

Of course it could've been worse, as I also had my first "near-doored" experience half a mile from work too Not a good morning.

Unlucky, hope you are okay. I have a new rule, if there is ice or frost on the flat roof of our extension, ice tyres go on, would rather be over cautious than not.