Frosty riding

[Macka]

Heelllooo,
Having been commuting since around June last year have never run into any frosty mornings....yet. My first planned commute is tomorrow but looking at the forecast could be a cold frosty one.
I have no concept of what it is like to ride on frost...is it best avoided??
Cheers
Steve

 

[fossyant]

Be very careful....it's ice that you need to watch out for - I'll probably be in the car - just been out at lunch on foot - slipping all over !!!

 

[rnscotch]

You won't get the experience if you don't go out! So maybe the advice is .. If you do find yourself unexpectedly coming upon a patch of frosty/icy ground, the important thing is not to panic. Don't lean the bike, don't stand to sprint and don't brake. Just keep an even speed (freewheeling is best, but not for you fixies

). If you have clips/cleats, clip out just in case the bike leaves you.

If you see a corner coming up, brake as early as possible and brake gently and evenly on the back. The aim is purely to make the wheel's spin slow down, as opposed to normal braking where you also want the tyre to grip onto the ground as you brake.

Don't use your front brake. It is a lot easier to control a rear wheel skid than a front one. If your rear wheel locks over ice you will very likely be able to handle the skid, if your front wheel locks over ice you will very likely crash.

You can also run lower pressures. This is the same as "get more rubber on the road", since tyre pressure and contact patch area are directly related. You will also probably find the main roads are gritted, but in at the kerb and the cycle lanes on and off the main roads aren't so i tend to sit about a foot outside the cycle lane.

Just slow down.. and be observant and you should be fine.

 

[dan_bo]

I agree with mr. scotch's asessment of the situation. Just take it steady, don't panic and you should be fine. it's usually when you get off the main road when you have to be most observant, and keep out of the gutter 'cos that's where the icy puddles form.

 

[Macka]

Cheers All,
Will give it a cautious go

 

[biking_fox]

And obviously - wrap up warm. Windproof gloves are vital. Going downa gear or two and spinning a bit faster helps prevent you from going too fast (see above) and also warms you up nicely.

I would say grit your teeth and bare your ears to hear traffic around you, but there are a few who wrap them up too. Give car drivers plenty of room, they are no happier on the ice than you are! Be very visible, and they might give you plenty of room too.

 

[Cking]

Tomorrow's going to be my first ride with Jack frost, could be interesting.

Keep safe

Cking

 

[hackbike 666]

Commute 6 tommorow.I was knackered at work today.

Just thankful I survived the cough.

 

[photography27]

i had my first real taste of frost and ice this morning...scary to say the least!!! mr scotch is right, good advice, nice and easy and dont panic, if your gonna go over, just let it happen, the more you fight it the more harder you hit the ground.
if you feel your not confident when you reach or see ice, then just get of and walk, no harm or shame in that, i got of this morning and walked a good 10 mins with my bike.
glad i had my new windproof altura night vision jacket and gloves, a must in the cold weather.
i made the 6 mile ride to work a little late, cos i had to walk 10 mins, but so what, better to be safe than sorry, i explained to my boss the situation and he said thats fine.
its ment to be -9 tonight here in south wales...think i will leave the bike tomorrow, common sense prevails sometimes!!!
great website and some really great posts in here.
thank you
mk

 

[hackbike 666]

Can't you get tyres for riding in the ice?

 

[ianrauk]

Can't you get tyres for riding in the ice?

yes you can, tyres with metal studs. Was on a ride on Sunday when a friend turned up sporting a pair on his bike. Made in finland and cost £120 the pair.
Made a fair old noise as he was riding along

 

[Piemaster]

£120 seems a bit pricey
I'm in Norway at moment, hoping to get a chance to go to Biltema. Search for 'pigdekk'. Bargain at 219 kroner (£22) each. Big 'if' I can get there and then carry them back on the plane. Weather will probably be fine by then of course back in UK anyway.

bike 24 (german outfit - google it) also stock them. Schwalbe amongst others make them.

 

[levad]

Bit parky this morning. -5C on the way in. My water bottle froze half way to work! Not too much ice around though.

 

[hackbike 666]

Bit parky this morning. -5C on the way in. My water bottle froze half way to work! Not too much ice around though.

Only in your water bottle.

 

[another_dave_b]

Can't you get tyres for riding in the ice?

A USA website has a very informative page on Nokian & Schwalbe studded tyres. The Nokian W106 seems to be available in the UK @ £25-£30