Current road conditions

[Deleted member 1258]

Not too bad in the north west. Bits of ice here and there but take it slow and straight and its ok. Tend to rely on the rear brake a lot more this time of year too.

I only ride fixed this time of year, I'm crap at leg braking but when it looks slippery I rely a lot on combining leg braking with a bit of back brake to control my speed or stop, I leave the front brake well alone.

 

[paulw1969]

same here as Cyberknight. Lots of areas with frost on side roads not thawed out in the shade. Was slippery in walking boots just walking to the supermarket at approx 6:30 tonight.........a combination of a second frost on top of the first in places me thinks.......going to be extra careful in the morning....and its foggy as well so no doubt the roads will be more damp/frosty at 6am....stay safe out there folks.

 

[Hacienda71]

Quite icey coming back from Macclesfield tonight but nothing too bad on the main roads though. Kept my speed a little slower than usual with no fast cornering. Still on 23's.

 

[hennbell]

here in Alberta it is -17 with a brisk east wind and we got a foot of snow today. I am on my cyclocross and have a 5 mile commute to look forward to.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Coventry's about minus 3-minus 4 and its about a quarter of an hour before I leave for work, my road is white with frost, as I suspect is the next road, St Giles road will be the same after that the roads should be clear, but the cycle path by the Griff island will be frosty, I'll use the island.

http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/

 

[Drago]

It's deadly out there. Crap grip and visibility that wouldn't impress Ray Charles.

 

[HLaB]

It wasn't as bad as the doom and gloom forecasts here it was -3deg but the roads were clean. I was going to go for a short direct commute but felt OK about the conditions and went for a longer route by bus routes. Just took it slow and steady and avoided sharp breaking or leaning on the SS.

It rose to about 0 deg at mid day and went for a wee spin then too, similar slow and easy.

 

[Moodyman]

Some of the best rides I've had have been in sub-zero temps. Gotta be sensible, wrap up and stick to the main roads and should be fine.

I tend to drop my cadence which helps with traction.

 

[Crankarm]

Is this the thread for those cyclists who ride in winter with skinny slick road tyres on their bikes and who won't buy proper winter studded tyres? Don't say you weren't warned if you fall off or crash.

 

[Vikeonabike]

It wasn't as bad as the doom and gloom forecasts here it was -3deg but the roads were clean. I was going to go for a short direct commute but felt OK about the conditions and went for a longer route by bus routes. Just took it slow and steady and avoided sharp breaking or leaning on the SS.

It rose to about 0 deg at mid day and went for a wee spin then too, similar slow and easy.

Oi HLab what have itold you about peddling on my manor ... or weeing for that mattter?

 

[Drago]

Is this the thread for those cyclists who ride in winter with skinny slick road tyres on their bikes and who won't buy proper winter studded tyres? Don't say you weren't warned if you fall off or crash.

You can fall off when the sun is shining you know, and you're liable to be travelling quicker when you do. It's a different set of risks, adapt your riding to suit.

 

[fossyant]

Is this the thread for those cyclists who ride in winter with skinny slick road tyres on their bikes and who won't buy proper winter studded tyres? Don't say you weren't warned if you fall off or crash.

You are right though !!!

OP - You say about manning up to save costs. Well an outlay on winter tyres will quickly save you cash.

I'd have probably lost the last week at least if I'd not had the studs - I don't touch the road bike when there is ice, even before I got studs. I reccon £3-£4 fuel everyday or similar cost on the bus, and I'll exclude £2.90 parking as I usually park on a side street. Only takes 13 days to re-coup the cost of my tyres. They are on their 4th winter. That said I did fit my new Conti 4 Seasons to the fixed last night - hoping for milder weather.

 

[Scruffmonster]

You are right though !!!

OP - You say about manning up to save costs. Well an outlay on winter tyres will quickly save you cash.

I'd have probably lost the last week at least if I'd not had the studs - I don't touch the road bike when there is ice, even before I got studs. I reccon £3-£4 fuel everyday or similar cost on the bus, and I'll exclude £2.90 parking as I usually park on a side street. Only takes 13 days to re-coup the cost of my tyres. They are on their 4th winter. That said I did fit my new Conti 4 Seasons to the fixed last night - hoping for milder weather.

Thank you to everyone who replied here. I wimped out, quite sensibly. It got massively foggy and the train took my money.

How much can I resonably expect to get studded tyres for? I suppose I could put some on the Escape and use that when it's Icy. Leaving the Fixed as is.

Are they genuinely suitable for 20 Miles at a time? With at least 15 Miles of that being ice free. I know nothing about winter tyres.

 

[Beebo]

Thank you to everyone who replied here. I wimped out, quite sensibly. It got massively foggy and the train took my money.

I've cycled in all week on standard tyres 700 - 25's. My route is from Bexleyheath, so a bit shorter than your trip in from Swanley, the main roads are passable, just take the usual precautions on bends and over white lines/grids.
It may be a bit more icy in the wilds of Swanley,

 

[fossyant]

If it's road, then get Marathon Winters. They are the quickest of the studded tyres and come in 26" and 700c. Cost £50-£70 and would suggest dike-discount.de