How deep would you go?

[StuartG]

Yesterday's Sunday Ride included one or two puddles in deepest Surrey ....

Which begged the discussion during our rehydration session on just how deep can you cycle? Up to the bottom bracket or more? At what stage does buoyancy destroy balance? Answers and photos very welcome.

 

[numbnuts]

If your riding for pleasure I don't see the point of riding on flooded roads for you don't know if there is going to be a pot hole you'll fall off and maybe injured/bike damage.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Is that a how deep would you personally go or how deep can you theoretically go?

I generally apply the same principle as a car - if I can't see the tarmac, then it needs to be carefully checked out first. But having lived up long dead end roads that are prone to flooding and knowing the only way home is through that flood water with no alternative and no relatives nearby, I have driven and pushed my bike through some pretty deep flood water, but never anything with a serious current - that is another matter entirely and needs more than 1 person and ropes for safety.

 

[totallyfixed]

Sod the bike, if my feet are going to be under water it isn't happening.

 

[HLaB]

Sod the bike, if my feet are going to be under water it isn't happening.

You've not done much cycling in Rutland lately, its always flooded up there

 

[Jody]

Not sure about road riding but anything up to 4-6" acceptable on the MTB. Deepest water we have tried to cross was a contributory to the Derwent reservoir. Looked about 6" deep. Got half way across and it was probably 2 foot. No chance of riding through at that depth and especially with the slippery stones. It wasn't an issue of buoyancy but was more resistance and traction.

 

[summerdays]

I think it depends on whether you know the road. Unknown road, no more than an inch or two and need to be able to see the exit. If I know the road and that there isn't going to be a big dip in the middle, and that it doesn't have potholes etc before it becomes flooded then I have gone through water up to 8 or 10 inches before now, but I did know that stretch well enough. Afterwards I realised I could have hit a submerged branch etc that could have taken me down.

 

[buggi]

depends if the water is flowing . A foot of flowing water can knock a man off his feet.
if its not flowing you can go up to your waist

 

[young Ed]

depends if the water is flowing . A foot of flowing water can knock a man off his feet.
if its not flowing you can go up to your waist

but my wheel etc bearings!
Cheers Ed

 

[John Shingler]

I never go so it goes above my neck or it pours in through the collar.

 

[Bodhbh]

I'd risk as far as the BB - it's a cheapo deore HT2 that seem to be made of cheese anyhow. I wouldn't want it in the wheel bearings tho. That said, I've fell in the grand union with the bike before and that didn't hurt 'em.

Road debris, gravel and other crap on the road do seem to go hand in hand with flood water tho. If you can't see it, could cause an off.

 

[doug]

Seems that Boris went a bit too deep...

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/lond...n-whitehall-which-broke-his-bike-9133478.html

Boris Johnson reveals how he cycled headlong into six foot pothole in Whitehall which broke his bike

 

[slowmotion]

I just about managed to ride through four inches of water in the flooded underpass below Wandsworth Bridge roundabout four years ago. It was a very strange experience and did no good to my bike,

 

[HLaB]

Slightly OT I saw one advert for Ortlieb which suggested you could use their panniers as a bouyancy aid.

 

[classic33]

I like how it was his road he was on.
"I wondered whether I should steer round it; and then I thought, nah. This is my road, a Transport for London road, serviced to the most exacting standards. To steer round a little pool of rainfall was not only wimpy; it was positively disrespectful to the superb roads-maintenance team in our Surface Transport division."

Maybe he'll change his mind about the state of the roads, quite possible he win't though.