Anyone commuting thru floodwater?

[Bodhbh]

I've got 50-100yard or so stretch that's approx a foot deep (at Ford, near Salisbury). It's starting too get too close to the hubs, so I've started to chicken out and take another route.

Anyone going thru deeper water, or doing miles thru floodwater?

Have to say this winter has trashed the drivetrain and shifting with everything constantly soaked and stripped of lube.

 

[Linford]

carry wellies and walk it

 

[MisterStan]

I did use a slightly flooded route yesterday, water just below the BB, i've have been and will continue to use the longer drier route. It's just that I was already doing that, and now have an EVEN longer route!

To be honest, if you can't see the road then it's not really safe - you may not be able to see potholes/drain covers (which could have lifted) etc.

 

[Linford]

I did use a slightly flooded route yesterday, water just below the BB, i've have been and will continue to use the longer drier route. It's just that I was already doing that, and now have an EVEN longer route!

To be honest, if you can't see the road then it's not really safe - you may not be able to see potholes/drain covers (which could have lifted) etc.

Potholes are dangerous enough around this way when they are not submerged. A rider came off in front of me last week. The hole has been filled now, but they haven't bothered to sort out 2 just as bad 30 yards further up the road....

 

[Bodhbh]

carry wellies and walk it

I just take another route. It's not a biggie just a bit more traffic. tbh I wouldn't bother with the wellies, it's not cold and the feet are getting dretched anyhow most rides from groundwater!

 

[Bodhbh]

To be honest, if you can't see the road then it's not really safe - you may not be able to see potholes/drain covers (which could have lifted) etc.

I take your point. In fact there's a pretty huge pothole submerged exactly there. Also when the waters receeded a couple of weeks back there was a fair amount of silt, grit and other trash visable on the road. But I tend to go thru the water approx 5mph anyhow, working the pedals back and forth an 1/8th of a turn or so to avoid feet going underwater.

 

[gaz]

My colleague said the other day that he waded through water over waste deep and had to take a near 20mile diversion because some roads where impassible. His total journey cycled that day to work and back again was over 90 miles!!

 

[Linford]

My colleague said the other day that he waded through water over waste deep and had to take a near 20mile diversion because some roads where impassible. His total journey cycled that day to work and back again was over 90 miles!!

I'm sorry, but what job is that important someone would want to take such stupid risks ?

Flood water isn't clean..it is full of sewage....he is risking all sorts of problems, and also the risk he could lose his footing and get swept away.

 

[gaz]

I'm sorry, but what job is that important someone would want to take such stupid risks ?

Flood water isn't clean..it is full of sewage....he is risking all sorts of problems, and also the risk he could lose his footing and get swept away.

No job, but you get to a certain point where you've already gone so far and it's further to turn back.

Not all flood water is moving.

 

[Linford]

No job, but you get to a certain point where you've already gone so far and it's further to turn back.

Not all flood water is moving.

I appreciate not all of it is moving, but you don't go waist deep into it, you could lose your footing, get tangled up with anything under there. This sort of flooding is new to the people in the Thames valley region. We have it nearly every year in Gloucestershire. It commands a lot of respect.

 

[summerdays]

I take your point. In fact there's a pretty huge pothole submerged exactly there. Also when the waters receeded a couple of weeks back there was a fair amount of silt, grit and other trash visable on the road. But I tend to go thru the water approx 5mph anyhow, working the pedals back and forth an 1/8th of a turn or so to avoid feet going underwater.

I've tried that method before and failed.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

I don't commute, but in Sussex we have these alongside roads that are prone to flooding:
View attachment 38044

That's what we need on the Guided Floodway, I mean Busway...

 

[Hip Priest]

My colleague said the other day that he waded through water over waste deep and had to take a near 20mile diversion because some roads where impassible. His total journey cycled that day to work and back again was over 90 miles!!

Well I hope he went round the block a few times to chalk up the full century.

 

[Grendel]

Many years ago I had to wade through water almost chest height to get into my workplace while carrying my bike. Not nice...

 

[L14M]

All of this stuff saying when you get washed away.. tangled up etc.. I've been kayaking since i was 8. I've had my fair share of being caught in fast flowing water etc. Its impossible to get caught up when walking through it. You can also feel your feet go. That said i'd not go through floodwater. I've gained a lot of respect of the water and try to stay out of it. But on a road you know well if its below the BB i'd do it unless your going to get very wet as that brings problems of its own