Bike dancing on black ice!

[brickisred]

Eventful ride this morning (by my standards anyway)

Got as far as the the Ely river trail this morning and my gears stuck, front and rear. Was going to turn back as it took about 15mins to sort, thought it was a stuck cables but the derailleur was jammed.

Then, turning off the St Fagans Rd, I slid round the corner on ice. Stayed on my feet off the back of the bike somehow but gave the pedestrians around me a fright as they all asked if I was ok.

Later on, pulling out of a junction to cross the Taff bridge, only going about 7mph I slid again, this time bike went flying one way and me, slap on the road.

Had to stop a few times to sort the bike out, but got the rest of the way fine.... until turning the corner into my office and came off again! (colleagues heard my yell!)

Just a few cuts and bruises to my knee, arse and ankle. Ripped my night vision jacket though! Need to check the bike over lunchtime but it seems ok.

Typical, didn't have the camera on! could have had some entertaining videos finally

Anyway, watch out for the black ice out there, any tips on anticipating a slide are welcome

 

[Keith Oates]

Hope your bruises are not too bad, for me there are no tips to anticipating a slide on black ice as it happens so suddenly and quickly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[brickisred]

Ta for the sympathy, angling for plenty from the gf tonight!

Can't believe how slippery it was. I've only come off once since starting commuting and that was on the sheet ice on Xmas eve, even stayed on through all the snow in Jan.

Re. your location, don't suppose you have to deal with any ice in Southern China this time of year?

 

[Armegatron]

Owch! Hope you recover ok. had 2 myself on Tuesday and the bruses are starting to disappear.

 

[xpc316e]

It doesn't work on a bike, but if you are driving a car and it is cold, here's a tip. Turn off the radio and wind down the window a hair. Listen to the road noise of the tyres on the Tarmac - it all goes eerily quiet when you encounter black ice. Maybe it would work on mountain bike knobblies?

 

[longers]

^ I've read that advice with regard to bikes on here this winter and I've been listening out since then, mainly with knobblies on but I think it would work with slicks no?

Other than that it's very difficult I'd say, by riding for the conditions and knowing the route and likely places for black ice to form then you will minimise the risk but it's always there.

Ps. I like the avatar Brick. Is it one you've taken?

 

[brickisred]

I could have lowered the tyre pressure, but only thought of that afterwards!
Read about listening for a change in sound but I'm obviously not that alert in the morning

@ longers - Photo is of back garden, just playing around at creating a "photosphere" Have to stitch together 70+ photos though

 

[ed_o_brain]

70 photos.. just messing around? That's a lot of time on your hands.

You needz spiked tyrez

 

[bigtrike]

It is one of the advantages of a recumbent trike, no falling and yes the slick tyres make a different noise which being so close to the contact patches is more evident than your conventional bike.

 

[longers]

- Photo is of back garden, just playing around at creating a "photosphere" Have to stitch together 70+ photos though

It's good, how long did it take to do?

I don't know much about the technique but have seen Josh Sommers photo's on Flickr and it boggles my tiny brain.

 

[GrasB]

Ouch, I hope you heal up soon.

I know what you mean by scaring peds, I've 'stepped off a bike that's gone from under me & had people asking if I'm okay as though I'd hit the deck at 20mph

As said, spiked tyres are the way forward. As for the slide, keep the rear brake covered & if the bike starts to go grab it. You'll probably come off but you're far more likely to do elegant & 'soft' dismount.

 

[Keith Oates]

Ta for the sympathy, angling for plenty from the gf tonight!

Can't believe how slippery it was. I've only come off once since starting commuting and that was on the sheet ice on Xmas eve, even stayed on through all the snow in Jan.

Re. your location, don't suppose you have to deal with any ice in Southern China this time of year?:wink:

Thankfully not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[brickisred]

It's good, how long did it take to do?

I don't know much about the technique but have seen Josh Sommers photo's on Flickr and it boggles my tiny brain.

20mins taking photos, 1hr using photo stitching software, I used Hugin (open source) You really need a 10mm lens and a specialist tripod head to do it properly

All useful cycling tips thanks. Was paraniod on the way home that night, even though there was no ice. Knee swelled up nicley on the weekend, ok to ride today though.