Windsor Great Park Surface

Gweny
Gweny Posts: 38
edited December 2012 in Road general
Has anyone noticed they've resurfaced some of the tarmac round the gates and at some "intersections". It's kind of light coloured gravel (not loose though), it's quite bumpy to go over too.

Being paranoid about ruining my tyres/getting a puncture i've been walking the bike over it. Wasn't helped by the fact that if i got a puncture i'd have to call dad's taxi to get a lift back (i've only recently bought a CO2 pump!).

However, watching the many other road cyclists in the park they just go over it?

Question is, does it sound okay to ride over, i've got GP 4000s on if that helps? Will my tyres wear more?

Also, to anyone who knows the park well, is this resurfacing frequent, and does the road turn smooth again with time?

Thanks

Comments

  • lc1981
    lc1981 Posts: 820
    I haven't been in the Great Park for a few months, but I've got GP4000Ss and a bit of gravel wouldn't bother me. I've taken my bike on enough rough country lane full of debris and have rarely had any problems.
  • Dorset_Boy
    Dorset_Boy Posts: 7,562
    Stop being a wuss! Bit of gravel won't do any harm, and your GP4000s's are laughing at you! :lol:
  • Gweny
    Gweny Posts: 38
    Dorset Boy wrote:
    Stop being a wuss! Bit of gravel won't do any harm, and your GP4000s's are laughing at you! :lol:


    Nahh i think it's other cyclists laughing at me tbh. :oops:


    Good to know i was just being paranoid, better safe than sorry as they say!
  • lc1981
    lc1981 Posts: 820
    I went up to the park on my bike today. It's like they've top dressed the road, but with gravel rather than chippings. I still wouldn't be worried about your tyres, but it is loose in places so I would take it easy on the corners!
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I've never punctured on gravel. The only danger with it is losing control.
    GP400s are great tyres - they'll not flat easy.
  • MiddleRinger
    MiddleRinger Posts: 678
    Be careful on the loose gravel stuff on some of the corners. I've ridden close to 1000 miles on the roads within Windor Great Park on my current GP5000S tyres without a problem. The surface certainly isn't fast like a good bitumen road but it's not a problem.

    Actually I might head out there today. :)
    ~ ~ How fast is fast enough? ~ ~ ~ ~ Tempo Cyclist - Tasmania ~ ~
  • dabber
    dabber Posts: 1,978
    You've probably got more danger from loose dogs... you know, the ones whose gormless owner says" don't worry, he won't hurt you" as it yaps at your legs, dives under your front wheel whilst bounding away on the 100 metre long lead that the owner thinks has it under control.
    “You may think that; I couldn’t possibly comment!”

    Wilier Cento Uno SR/Wilier Mortirolo/Specialized Roubaix Comp/Kona Hei Hei/Calibre Bossnut
  • lc1981
    lc1981 Posts: 820
    Dabber wrote:
    You've probably got more danger from loose dogs... you know, the ones whose gormless owner says" don't worry, he won't hurt you" as it yaps at your legs, dives under your front wheel whilst bounding away on the 100 metre long lead that the owner thinks has it under control.

    I always worry about having a Philippe Gilbert incident there too, although yesterday I found that it was the owners that I had to worry about avoiding as they zig-zagged all over the road ahead of me.
  • TakeTurns
    TakeTurns Posts: 1,075
    Like mentioned, gravel is dangerous if you're turning at speed, the tyre will struggle with traction and give away. Otherwise, you'll be fine. I've ridden over broken bits of glass with Gatorskins w/no problem. Tyre pressure being correct will save you in situations like that.

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