Tips for riding when it's frosty ?

MattC59

It seems that here in Berkshire, we're just about the only part of the country that's not going to get snow !! It's a beautiful sunny day here at the moment and looks like it's going to continue over the weekend. It is, however, bl00dy cold, likely to hit -4C tonight !

So, not wanting to miss out on this crisp dry weather, I'm heading out over the weekend, but am fully expecting some of the roads to be a bit frosty.

Does anyone have any tips before I find myself sliding head long down the road ?

Cheers........ Matt

bobtbuilder

Drop your tyre pressure down to about 90 psi which will give you a little better grip.

Take a more cautious line in corners. Sudden, hard braking and/or changes of direction are your biggest threats.

I hadn't missed any weekends in 2010 until I wrecked my knee playing rounders :oops: in July. Managed to ride through all Jan & feb without problems.

Bronzie

Try to avoid using your front brake if at all possible.

PostieJohn

Keep of the paint and man hole covers.

keef66

Beware of shady corners; frequently alternating patches of damp leaves and black ice

Mrjon113

Common sense really mate as above just go steady lay off the front brake

vorsprung

If you find your self unexpectedly cycling on ice do not steer or brake. Focus on staying going straight and stay relaxed.

jamespiggot

I fell off on a shady corner two winters ago, destroyed the rear mech, shoulder very painful for a few months, various cuts and bruises.

I was going really slowly turning right at the time but even so fell heavily like a sack of potatoes.

Since then I learnt my lesson and take it really easy when it's icy out there.

antfly

If you do hit ice when braking or steering you'll be down before you know it so you have to try and anticipate where the ice might be and avoid roads where it is most likely. I've been off 3 times now and that's enough for me.

MikeWW

Cold and dry is OK
Also if you can stick to treated roads you are OK
If I thought there was going to be much ice about I would stay indoors-just not worth it
You also need to think about vehicles as well

Cleat Eastwood

same weather up here. avoid leaves and go slooow over lumps of soil left from tractor treads, theyre like concrete.

MichaelW

Learn how to fall on ice.
Keep your hands firmly on the bars, never break your fall with an outstretched arm.
Tuck your head and elbows in.
Try not to tense up
Take the impact on your upper arm. Try and roll onto your back a bit. Its basically the same as a parachute landing, you want to distribute the impact over time and space.

If you try and fight a fall or twist away you will hurt yourself more and may impact hip-first.

There is not much you can do to control your direction and be aware that following cars will have no braking or steering.

antfly

All that in a fraction of a second. :?

dodgy

Alternatively, treat icy days as rest/bike maintenance days and don't ride.

ChrisSA

MichaelW wrote:

Keep your hands firmly on the bars, never break your fall with an outstretched arm.

Broken collarbone/AC-joint territory!

gavintc

MichaelW wrote:

Learn how to fall on ice.
Keep your hands firmly on the bars, never break your fall with an outstretched arm.

Did just this when I hit a diesel spill about 3 yrs ago. Sadly, I ended up smashing my fingers between the bars and the road.

KnightOfTheLongTights

do tyres make much difference? I've got totally smooth summer slicks on...

Monty Dog

In terms of riding below zero, steer well clear of any shiny bits - it might be wet or black ice - you won't know until you're on it.

In terms of tyre choice - rubber on ice has almost no grip, tread doesn't make any difference. Running wider tyres at lower pressures does give a bigger 'footprint' and can help in marginal conditions, but not sheet ice.

twotyred

I'm just next door to Berkshire. I'll be taking advantage of the all the mud being frozen by getting the MTB out.

MattC59

This is all academic now, as I've woken to a dusting of snow and a dose of man flu

rogerthecat

OMG MAN FLU use the link for advice.


.

Matt the Tester

ChrisSA wrote:

MichaelW wrote:

Keep your hands firmly on the bars, never break your fall with an outstretched arm.

Broken collarbone/AC-joint territory!

oh yes lovely joint to break isnt it? lol, had a serios injury when i used to do Judo and i couldnt move my shoulder for a month! i struggled to walk because of the vibrations it was causing and i almost missed out on passing my level two in Exercise and fitness because i wasnt able to instruct people for a good month and couldnt write since im right handed and i fell on my Right shoulder...

i suggest not going out to the OP it's getting quite dangerous now so if you know conditions are idea i would be careful, select a good route when you know where you want to go and make sure your always in the Suns rays..

contango

The only time I slid badly on ice was on a river towpath. I didn't even see the sheet of ice I slid on until it was too late, at which point one wheel slid one way and the other wheel slid the other way. All I remember was putting a foot down, then slipping, then hearing the side of my helmet tap the ground and being thankful I was wearing a helmet.

I was lucky - no damage to the bike, a slightly sprained wrist but still strong enough to cycle home, and the towpath was wide enough I didn't end up in the Thames...

So to answer your question I think there are lots of things you might do, and lots of things that would theoretically help, but whether you'll think of them and be in a position to implement them in the time you have between your slide starting and some part of you meeting the ground is questionable.

GavH

I apply the logic that when it's frosty/icy/snowy then there is little point to going out on the bike. The physical benefits are reduced by virtue of having to take it easy. The enjoyment is reduced considerably further still by constantly worrying about coming off. Ultimately, not going out mitigates the chance of reducing that enjoyment and benefits over the longer term by not comin off on ice and injuring myself and wrecking my bike. I'm not a competititve cyclist so a few days here and there off the bike will do me no harm whatsoever. YMMV of course but if you don't HAVE to go out in such conditions, why bother?

honcho67

contango wrote:

The only time I slid badly on ice was on a river towpath. I didn't even see the sheet of ice I slid on until it was too late, at which point one wheel slid one way and the other wheel slid the other way.


is this possible on a bike? or was it a skid.

kingrollo

I went for a swim and and a run - nothing major 20 lengths and 15 minute run ...still agonising over whether I wimped out.

As others have said - keeping to the main roads - and wondering is this icy etc - takes the fun out of it. Switched all the lights to the MTB today - so might give that blast next week.

marusches

PostieJohn wrote:

Keep of the paint and man hole covers.

well said,sir.

marusches

make sure to give the bike good rinse down to get the salt of it

northpole

Sub Zero temperatures -> eat food; watch telly; drink beers.

Or, if that gets too much, consider turbo trainers or spin class in your local gymnasium.

Unless you are totally confident about the road surface, best not to risk injury.

Peter

rake

marusches wrote:

make sure to give the bike good rinse down to get the salt of it

ive never really understood this. my bike with sora has sat for several winters as is because it gets dirty to quickly for me to be bothered spending hours most days cleaning it. it still cleans up well when i can be bothered.

meanredspider

MTB & Ice Spikers

I was out today and the roads were literally solid ice. Spikers are hard work but you don't cycle at this time of year without it being a little uncomfortable and it helps generate some body heat. Yet to fall off in 500 miles of sub-zero riding (famous last words...)

Personally I think you'd be insane to ride a road bike in these conditions.