Hit the road - Literally!!

[TonyEnjoyD]

Well, I suppose it had to happen.
Cycling home from work with the roads mostly wet, at one point at the bottom of a hill joining a dual C - if the lights are red my route has an alternative via a cycleway.
They were, and I took it, slowed down to about 14mph to crunch over a little residual snow/hail from this AM, I then took a gentle bend and started to pedal - or so I though as my front wheel just went, then the back and me with it.
Yes, I hit the deck like a bag of hammers and skidded in a circular fashion, letting my bike go.
Thankfully my backpack and right shoulder took the brunt (at 14st it's a lot of brunt) as I slid on sheet ice for about 15ft.
Thankfully the only damage was my ego and a clonked ankle.

When I got up I nearly went AOT as it was like an ice rink.

Picked up the bike and gingerly limped my way across the dual carriageway via the ped x-ing

No harm done, but a subsequent very careful journey home.

The attached shows my preferred route in Blue, alternate in Green and actual in Red!!!

The motto is - in this weather, stay on the main roads!

Take it EZ all

TonyEnjoyD

 

[HLaB]

Glad it was nothing too serious. I'm lucky I've got a few alternative routes to work; I've been deliberately taking the most direct road route this week. Touch wood (or my head) its a pretty well gritted route.

 

[Wolf04]

Unlucky Tony, glad nothing too serious. I very nearly had the same thing happen tonight. Leaving work the roads were wet but by halfway it was obvious that the water had frozen rapidly. Coming along a one way residential road which merges with an exit from a dual carrigeway 15 mph or so, see car at junction to my left, has he seen me? I'll just touch the rear brake in case he hasn't. Cue the rear wheel sliding and that horrible front wheel wobble which is usually followed by pain. Still got no idea how I managed to stay upright. Giving serious consideration to wussing out tomorrow. Then again I hate public transport.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Chjeers HLaB

The "alternate" route runs parallel with the Dual C for about a half mile but is seperated by a verge/kerb - so not gritted.

TonyEnjoyD

 

[neslon]

Just after Xmas last year I did something similar, but ended up under a bus. The good news was, the bus had just stopped. The bad news was I ripped my brand new Xmas GoreWear jacket. Put me off cycling when its icy.

 

[Joseph]

At least you made it to the road... I was flat on my a**e this morning before I got past the front hedge. Sheet ice everywhere. Went back inside, straightened handlebars, started off again (walking the first bit ) then almost lost it again right in front of magnatom's house with other half and postie both watching, but got feet down just in time.

Fine once I got out the estate, but then when I got to the tunnel entrance had to figure out how to negotiate a ski slope whilst pushing a bike.

Still, one bruised angle, one slightly damaged car bumper (mine, from where it stopped me sliding any further on my backside) and an otherwise uneventful commute apart from a bus driver trying to force me off the road, but that's another story.

Feel kinda sorry for the postie, pavements were a complete nightmare.

 

[HLaB]

then almost lost it again right in front of magnatom's house with other half and postie both watching, but got feet down just in time.

The thought of being on youtube focused your mind and helped you recover

 

[Plax]

Talk about icey! I have a cold so haven't ridden so far this week, Mr Plax wouldn't let me on Mon anyway due to the ice. Sunday went on a CTC ride and the paths were awful (they don't like main rds so we mainly used the back lanes and cycle paths). I had my back wheel snake on me on one cycle path. first time I'd had the experience. Looking forward to getting better as I miss the bike and de-icing the car takes longer than cycling into work!

 

[magnatom]

then almost lost it again right in front of magnatom's house with other half and postie both watching, but got feet down just in time.

Damn I missed it! I chickened out. As you say it was sheet ice out there and I usually talk a few back roads on my commute which might have been the same. I'm determined to get back on the bike tomorrow though, so keep an eye out (and a camcorder ready) for me leaving the house at around about 8:05 - 8:15. You could get some good footage!

 

[goo_mason]

Bad luck there, Joseph ! Ice is no fun at all for cyclists - hope you're OK. Watch out for the sniggering cyclist / neighbour behind you tomorrow, trying to film you falling off again so he can flog it to YBF! and get some money for his 'new bike' fund.

 

[vavatch]

You are not alone, I fell on my arse this morning. Was cycling into town and unwisely took the route that involves going along a bicycle path along the side of the clyde, unfortunately I wasn't smart enough to consider that no cars means loads of sheet ice and came a cropper just before the bridge.

Bent my front wheel too, it is still rideable but I will need to take bike to get wheel trued, I'm not doing such finnicky task myself.

Tomorrow I'll take the busy traffic route in the city centre. Much safer.

 

[Joseph]

Damn I missed it! I chickened out. As you say it was sheet ice out there and I usually talk a few back roads on my commute which might have been the same. I'm determined to get back on the bike tomorrow though, so keep an eye out (and a camcorder ready) for me leaving the house at around about 8:05 - 8:15. You could get some good footage!

You're a much earlier riser than me so you should be safe

If we get the same again I'd walk your bike till you're past the roundabout. And really watch the tunnel entrance/exit. would've been lots of fun if I'd had a sledge...

I've been doing a back route on the way home (a different one to your one, must send you a map sometime), but switched back to the main roads tonight.

I have to say, this morning was the most I've learned about cycling for a while

 

[Joseph]

You are not alone, I fell on my arse this morning. Was cycling into town and unwisely took the route that involves going along a bicycle path along the side of the clyde, unfortunately I wasn't smart enough to consider that no cars means loads of sheet ice and came a cropper just before the bridge.

Bent my front wheel too, it is still rideable but I will need to take bike to get wheel trued, I'm not doing such finnicky task myself.

Tomorrow I'll take the busy traffic route in the city centre. Much safer.

Ooops, bad luck mate, hope you get it sorted without too much hassle. I have to say I'm with you, taking the busy route in this kind of weather is the only way. Anywhere off the beaten path you just have to be super cautious / careful / slow / on hands & knees - even walking to get my lunch was bad enough. No grit, but the sun had melted some of the ice, you just have to guess where

 

[magnatom]

Made it in on the bike this morning with no major problems. As you said joseph, up to the roundabout was pretty slippy, but after that it wasn't too bad. They seem to have gritted the entrance to the tunnel as well, so no sledging today...

 

[Joseph]

yep, same here - much easier this morning, and no falls. I like'd the way they didn't grit the final bit of the tunnel entrance, I'm sure a couple of people going southwards in the morning must've got a bit of a shock.

less sure about tomorrow morning... forecasts of snow etc...