Black ice!!!

[DanH]

Same here, Downward. Thump thump.
Lost the back end on my first turn of the morning. Then lost front and back on the next turn barely 10 seconds later. Gave up and walked home. Lift into work please, missus.

 

[summerdays]

I didn't hear the warning about black ice before I set out so hadn't got the spiked tyres. I was fine but had only just got to work when Mr Summerdays texted me to see if I was OK and say that 2 of his work colleagues fell off on black ice on part of my route, both at the same place (MOD path).

 

[Matthew_T]

My fall on black ice just before reaching college:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrwfvbF1kDQ

 

[BlackPanther]

Yup, I had quite a few rear wheel traction losses this morning. As it was 1.5 degrees I wasn't expecting ice at all, thought there was something wrong with the cassette!

 

[Jimmy Doug]

I've just ordered the patches. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Matthew_T]

Yup, I had quite a few rear wheel traction losses this morning. As it was 1.5 degrees I wasn't expecting ice at all, thought there was something wrong with the cassette!

I often have the exact same problem up a very steep shared path on my commute. Wet leaves at anytime of the year are a real pain. I have to make sure I avoid them and keep my speed up.

 

[al78]

I was about to go to work on the road bike this morning until I turned on the radio and heard that there had been around 40 accidents in the county due to black ice. Cue quick change to the winter-equipped bike. Two miles into the commute at the A281/A29 junction there was a Police Accident sign and the shattered remains of a lamp post. Hope the driver was ok.

 

[Herzog]

I was caught out today...

Seeing the weather was predicted to be mild, I decided to change wheels (from spike to normal tyres). Fortunately, the first 10km or so of my commute is very rural and there's no traffic. After testing the grip levels, I was fairly certain that there was no ice around...After bombing down a smallish hill through a wood and performing a textbook bum-ground interaction, I was proved wrong.

No damage done, to the bike or my body.
Lesson learned though, if in doubt leave the spikes on!

 

[daSmirnov]

Yeah came off yesterday morning too, excited to be back on the road bike (did use it for a late shift Saturday, but not the same). My first crash since being kid I assume, knew it had rained over night, but thought temperatures were much too high for a frost, sheet of black ice for about 20 metres along the road on a corner while I'm confidently zipping along at 20-22mph. Bike slid out from under me, hit leg, arm (both road rashed up and swollen up like hell today) and hit head, saved the face with my arm... At the road side for about 5 minutes, bent my glasses back into shape, smacked shifter back into position and soldiered on to work pedalling one legged.

Left work early due to pain getting worse, very limited movement in my shoulder and a lot of pain in the groin/inner thigh region. Waiting to get appointment to see a GP now...

PRO TIP: check the bloody overnight temperatures before you leave.

£160 worth of cosmetic damage to the bike... D'oh.

 

[Jimmy Doug]

PRO TIP: check the bloody overnight temperatures before you leave.

I did this - still there was black ice! I think to be really safe you should make sure that the temperatures have been above zero for at least 48 hours. Wouldn't it be nice if there existed a website where people could report conditions like this. I've looked for one, but haven't found anything.

 

[snapper_37]

Ouch daSmirnov, glad you're ok.

It was a very nice ride in work this morning without having to worry about black ice.

 

[snapper_37]

I did this - still there was black ice! I think to be really safe you should make sure that the temperatures have been above zero for at least 48 hours. Wouldn't it be nice if there existed a website where people could report conditions like this. I've looked for one, but haven't found anything.

Yes it would. I take the dog out at 6 a.m. every day and I check the state of the roads as I go. Many times I've abandoned the commute but I'd rather do that than risk it.

 

[summerdays]

I think the temperature dipped just at the end of the rain creating the conditions for the black ice. It certainly took us by surprise that there was some ice on the car wind-screen.

 

[Jimmy Doug]

Just an update. The patches SatNavSaysStraightOn recommended arrived in the post yesterday. They only came in navy blue or black, so the rain coat repair isn't exactly discrete - and I used the spare navy blue one to finish the trousers. The patches look like they've done a good job, though - I'm not that fussed about the look of my stuff, I just want it to work again!

My fleece was repaired by a lady in a sewing shop and looks as good as new. She also did a good job with the cycling jacket and gloves. And, best of all, I've fitted nice Chromoplastic mudguards to replace those that were broken - something I've been meaning to do for a couple of years. No more pain in my leg either - so I'm ready to ride!