Watch those wooden bridges ...

[tomahawk]

Christened my hybrid bike today, I turned right onto a short wooden bridge (part of a cycle route) and suddenly I was on my side with the bike sliding away. Bit bruised but me and bike ok but this is an experience thing. Have cycled over same bridge many times but today it seemed like ice ... Hope nobody else falls into the same trap ...

 

[lavoisier]

Hope you weren't too shocked by your fall. Glad to hear you're both OK, you and the bike.

 

[User16625]

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Christened my hybrid bike today, I turned right onto a short wooden bridge (part of a cycle route) and suddenly I was on my side with the bike sliding away. Bit bruised but me and bike ok but this is an experience thing. Have cycled over same bridge many times but today it seemed like ice ... Hope nobody else falls into the same trap ...

Icy patches will form often near or above water streams (dunno why ) Take care!

 

[Keith Oates]

Bad luck tomahawk, ice is so easy to catch you out and probably on a wooden bridge it is very difficult to see in advance. Glad you and the bike are not hurt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Biker Joe]

Icy patches will form often near or above water streams (dunno why ) Take care!

A bridge is exposed from below and above, unlike a roadway. Roads don't freeze over as quickly because they can take advantage of insulation and warmth from the soil below. Bridges, on the other hand, are exposed to cold temperatures from all sides, which can cause them to ice over quickly. Bridges also freeze rapidly because many of them are located over cold spots, like rivers .
Moss and micro fungus can grow on wooden bridges also, becoming very slippery when damp or wet.

 

[Saluki]

I have had the same thing happen to me on a bright summer's day. Slippery 'sleeper' bridge on the Marriotts Way in Norfolk. Most embarrassing!
Hope you and the bike are ok.

 

[Mo1959]

Glad you're ok. Only around 2 degrees above here this morning and had a little skid myself. Luckily going straight and only slid about 18 inches when I realised what was happening and eased off the brakes. No harm done.

 

[Globalti]

Mud accumulates and algae will grow readily, especially on a wooden bridge making it deadly. This is why the wooden board sections at hamster trail centres usually have chicken wire nailed to them for grip.

 

[Kins]

Don't like wooden anything to ride over. Wood retains moisture, has sap, freezes easily etc etc etc which makes them extra greasy anyway without ice so I steer clear or am extra careful when riding over it. Hope your both ok!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

A bridge is exposed from below and above, unlike a roadway. Roads don't freeze over as quickly because they can take advantage of insulation and warmth from the soil below. Bridges, on the other hand, are exposed to cold temperatures from all sides, which can cause them to ice over quickly. Bridges also freeze rapidly because many of them are located over cold spots, like rivers .
Moss and micro fungus can grow on wooden bridges also, becoming very slippery when damp or wet.

I see! Cheers for the enlightment!
That must also be the reasons why the side of the road that has sewage running under it is more prone to be iced up than the other side.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Glad you're ok. Only around 2 degrees above here this morning and had a little skid myself. Luckily going straight and only slid about 18 inches when I realised what was happening and eased off the brakes. No harm done.

Unseasonably warm here in Glasgow at the moment, not even much rain

 

[Mo1959]

Unseasonably warm here in Glasgow at the moment, not even much rain

Weird the difference about 40 miles makes. They are predicting a bit of an icy blast for the next few weeks

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Weird the difference about 40 miles makes. They are predicting a bit of an icy blast for the next few weeks

Don't mind: got the ice tyes

 

[tomahawk]

Thanks for the info folks. Will be treating that place with respect from now on. There were only 4 people who saw me go down so only a bit embarrassing!!