Icy roads

BoardinBob

With the weather forecast here in Glasgow showing temps below freezing every night this week, what's the general consensus re. cycling on icy roads.

Not so much "What bike do I need" or "What should I wear" in cold weather, more a question of what are the roads like to cycle on when it's freezing? The adhesion properties of the side of the road aren't usually the best and I imagine it'll be worse in the winter!

Any tips for staying upright on icy days? Tires? Riding techniques? Braking techniques?

Kieran_Burns

Don't use the front brake

Stay out of the clips unless you're REALLY quick

Don't use the front brake

Don't get out the saddle to accelerate unless it's safe (sideways motion will have the front wheel gone before you know it)

Don't use the front brake.

Stay more in the primary - I find cars cut the ice up enough to give more grip

Did I mention to not use the front brake. Ever.

roger_merriman

think smooth, bar studded tires there is close to zero grip on smooth ice. so no grabbing brakes or stomping on the pedals etc.

Greg T

Steel work in the roads.

Stay off steel work - especially when cornering but just generally stay off man hole covers.

Also Brick work. I often find that brick "paving" when wet and cold is very slippy.

As for not using the front brake... I'd say that you can't not use your front brake but you should recognise the danger of locking it up and losing control of the front end. I don't stop using mine - I am even more "aware" though. Have your threat radar turned up and use appropriate speed for conditions.

Surf-Matt

Ice is one weather condition that I won't go out in.

The hills around here become lethal and it's too dangerous. Luckily it's pretty warm in Cornwall so ice is rare.

girv73

Having come a cropper several times on ice, I don't take the bike those days. Fortunately we don't get ice or snow all that often.

ride_whenever

Fit studded tyres, ride as usual but with awesome sparks everytime you skid...

cjcp

ride_whenever wrote:

Fit studded tyres, ride as usual but with awesome sparks everytime you skid...

:shock:

cjcp

I won't go out in ice. Tried it once at Christmas about three years ago and got as far as the end of the drive. It was Boxing Day, about 7am. Left foot in the pedal, push down, back wheel slides out and I'm on my backside.

woodyonthebeach

Having stacked it a few times after being lets say a little agressive take it slow and steady and take less risk than you usually do. If any that is.

In the Ice and snow I like to use my beast (trek 8000) running some conti's on it. Mud, Ice and snow are all fun in moderation.

Try taking corners as if you were going speedway stylie on us.

What ever you choose take it slow and steady.

ride_whenever

I really like the 2" deep snow with a layer of ice on the top, the cars go really slowly but with decent off-road mud tyres you can just blast by in perfect control!

AndyManc

Lower your saddle, I have it so my feet are flat on the ground.

My commute is only 6 mile so I can 'pootle' along without wasting too much time and stay safe.

If the roads are bad and theres a lot of traffic ... get off the road, I would even go at walking pace on the pavement if I had to.

biondino

Don't commute when it's icy. End of.

AndyManc

biondino wrote:

Don't commute when it's icy. End of.

And if you have no choice (like I don't at the moment, till my car gets fixed, if at all), then it could be the 'end of' your job.

If you can avoid it .. it's best to do so, after all, I can't remember the last time there was ice on the roads near me . :roll:

biondino

heh, it's funny, I was using "end of" as a private joke and then remembered that it wasn't a joke from this forum. Sigh.

You're right to an extent, but I just can't imagine it's ever worth the enormous risk to cycle when there's ice on the roads. I'd walk, or get a cab, or hire a car or something, depending on distance and cost. Having said that, I have never worked outside London so I've always had the luxury of a comprehensive transport system.

attica

As long as you're not too precious about the bike you're on, you could always ride exclusively on roads that have been salted. Sometimes easier said than done I know.

wgwarburton

Stick to well-gritted roads.

Bike paths are even more deadly when it's icy- if you are on sheet ice the front wheel can simply slide out and drop you from normal steering corrections.

I thought seriously about studded tyres but decided that I would be far better off avoiding unrideable roads.

Aim for school bus routes, they are the highest priority for your local authority.

Cheers,
W.
(Commuting from Rural Stirlingshire to Glasgow via Queen Street Stn)

unclemalc

If its known that the forecast is for icy roads, the local councils will grit and salt. Once the salt is down, there shouldn't be a problem (apart form salt corrosion...).
If you are on non-salted roads then use the wheel marks left by cars, as they will have melted the thin skin of ice in the tarmac.
If none of the above applies because its really bad,then BE BLOODY CAREFUL... :shock:

Surf-Matt

Well gritted roads + tiny B roads of Cornwall = impossible.

But seeing as we have palm trees down here, ice is rare. If it's icy, I'll go for a run instead.

cougie

If it is really icy - then I dont bother cycling. Bikes just arent great on ice. Snow is a much safer bet - luckily we dont get that much ice in the UK.

BoardinBob

I'm fortunate that I live across the road from the train station and the train into the city centre is only 10 minutes so I guess I'll avoid the icy mornings!

I've hit black ice on tarmac on my bike before and it was...interesting....but it was in the middle of a park rather than on a public road

downfader

Last year I attempted cycling in icy weather... already recovering from a bad back I slipped and landed on the small of my back and bum and found myself sliding towards a busy road - weirdly enough it was my foot jamming in a pothole that stopped me from ending under a motor's wheels.

I then heard a voice shout "you alright mate? You still alve?" It was a driver on the other side of the crossroads. Hobbled off home in pain after that. Never again.

Nick6891

it just ride through it and be careful, also remember not to use your front brake unless you have to and slow down in plenty of time, so not heavy braking on the front brake

NGale

one of the funniest things I have ever seen was a cyclist in Toronto back in feburary. in the middle of a snow storm at peak rush hour, the road was covered with snow, he was soaking wet from all the cars which kicked up the snow at him, but he was determined to get home.
If you have ever seen snow in Canada then you'll know it's nothing like here in the UK!

ansbaradigeidfran

Ooh, that must have been one hardcore (or headcase) cyclist!

NGale

no just determined methinks, especially seeing as the roads were clear first thing in the morning. Personally I would have just given up and left the bike in the rack at work and got the subway home

always_tyred

NGale wrote:

no just determined methinks, especially seeing as the roads were clear first thing in the morning. Personally I would have just given up and left the bike in the rack at work and got the subway home

I once saw a bloke in Banff (Canada) cycling in about -25 degree weather.... very slowly.

Beats my "best" by about 20 degrees!

m0scs

I vote for skateboard style knee and elbow pads plus thick gloves. That way when you do fall off it wont be so bad.

I made the mistake last year of cycling down some narrow lanes that hadnt seen the sun and unlike the main roads, which were dry and salted, this was an ice rink.

I remember thinking to myself, my tyres are very quiet, just before the front wheel dived off to the right and I went @rse over tit.

Luckily I wasnt going fast so only came away with a cut knee and ripped leggings.

woodyonthebeach

Well we al best start being careful on those commuts

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20081028/tuk ... a1618.html

symo

Already had my off this morning on the bridge over the A308 in Newton Abbot. Wheel just went from under me and I went down on my left side.

Arse scratched my paint on the cranks, plus my bike clattered a terracotta pot yesterday whilst being cleaned. Must buy a cheap bikestand for cleaning.

woodgob

I won't ride when icy. Came off last year on black ice and landed on my coccyx. It hurt. A lot. I was off the bike for six weeks too. Now I'm nervous as hell in icy conditions so I won't ride at all.