Black ice warning, Leeds

[battered]

I've just had my first black ice experience of the year, and first fall. Leeds commuters may know the canal towpath between Armley/Kirkstall and town, it's a popular route. Just town side of Armley there is a private road leading to the electricity station, bikes are allowed. This has not been salted and it's like glass. The first I knew of it at midday today was the front wheel sliding away, no warnings or visual clues at all and I didn't even have time to swear before I was sliding down the road. It was so slippery it took me about 5 yards to stop. The road just looks wet, the classic black ice phenomenon, and the air temp is above zero so I wasn't expecting any real ice. It's there though, I recommend using the towpath proper (or the Kirkstall Rd) to avoid it while the cold snap continues.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Good warning, a fair few folks use that

Its can get very bad on that stretch, also be wary further on by the mooring points where you rejoin the towpath and it is tarmacked.

 

[fossyant]

Another Leeds rider has come down also (else where).

 

[summerdays]

Last time I can remember coming down on Black Ice was cycling on a path known as the Chocolate Path due to the tiles in the path. It runs beside the river. I assume that the damp conditions near rivers lead to increased black ice formation. Once I was down ... I couldn't stand up again it was that slippy - I'm surprised I managed to cycle so far without falling.

 

[DCLane]

Ouch! Hope you're OK. Black ice was the reason I took the car today - Dewsbury to Headingley would have been the commute and along that path.