leaves: let's be careful out there

[iancity]

First time I have commuted by bike and am coming across loads of patches of wet leaves, apologies if this is stupid, but are they ok as long as you are going straight (taking out the what lies beneath them ie potholes)? I have a few parts on my commute that are now covered in leaves but its only maybe 100 yards, and straight so no turning corners on them, obviously I am slowing down a little anyway but should I be extra cautious even though I am just ploughing through them in a straight line?
Sorry for being thick!

 

[DaveReading]

First time I have commuted by bike and am coming across loads of patches of wet leaves, apologies if this is stupid, but are they ok as long as you are going straight (taking out the what lies beneath them ie potholes)?

As the saying goes, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.

Newton's First Law will help you here: "Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it". In bike terms, the external force is the tyres acting on the road (or vice versa, depending on your frame of reference) and it's the ability to exert that force that's compromised by wet leaves, ice, etc.

So, yes, going straight at a constant speed (Newton's "uniform motion") is the mode that's least dependent on the grip between the road and the tyres, and you'll usually be OK. Try to speed up, brake or corner and all bets are off.

 

[martint235]

Yep I've had the joy a few years ago of breaking a couple of ribs after the bike disappeared from under me on leaf mulch. But live and learn, stay away from it. It tends to be in the gutter/cycle lane so give yourself room.

 

[beastie]

Had my first off in 3 years on Monday. U turn at 2-3 mph + leaves = ouch.

 

[400bhp]

The posh nobs round here are having the leaves cleared off their entrances into the bleeding road.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

As the saying goes, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.

Newton's First Law will help you here: "Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it". In bike terms, the external force is the tyres acting on the road (or vice versa, depending on your frame of reference) and it's the ability to exert that force that's compromised by wet leaves, ice, etc.

So, yes, going straight at a constant speed (Newton's "uniform motion") is the mode that's least dependent on the grip between the road and the tyres, and you'll usually be OK. Try to speed up, brake or corner and all bets are off.

With the proviso that, yes, you're fine going on in a straight line but you can do little to take evasive action should the unexpected arrive. So, best to keep your speed steady and keep light on the bike.

 

[RichardB]

Very timely post. I had a lovely ride in the sunshine this afternoon, but the leaves were a hazard. I had several big hills on my route, and after I slogged up each one, instead of zooming down the other side I was dragging the brakes so I hit the masses of leaves at the bottom at a slow enough speed - and therefore lost all the momentum to kick-start me up the next incline. No slips or slides, but I was riding very carefully over the wet leaves and using rear brake only. On turns, leaning with the body if at all, and keeping the bike upright. I don't know why this should feel more secure, but it does.

No worries - they won't last forever.

 

[Globalti]

We rode down Whalley Nab yesterday expecting there to be lots of wet leaves at the steepest part near the bottom but the tracks made by car wheels were almost clear.

 

[RichardB]

We've had a big fall of leaves recently. Then a lot of rain. Then a few tractors and cars to turn it all into a sloppy paste. Most of the leaves are down now, and the wind and rain will remove it all before long. But it's always an interesting couple of weeks round here.

 

[glenn forger]

When they turn into paste over a painted line on the road is dodgy, my rear fish tailed and it makes my heart jump.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Acorns and solid bits of twig, hidden under the leaves are my biggest issue. If you hit them wrong, it's like having the wheel kicked away from underneath you

 

[Richard.1]

Bike slid from under me on some wet leaves. There I was thinking I have commuted for a year without coming off. I have actually ordered some new tyres 2 days ago after noticing mine were worn. Spent too much time trying to decide which tyres to buy

 

[summerdays]

I reported one place where it was downhill and I felt very unsafe this week. The same day I saw on Twitter that a lady had come off on leaves and was concussed, taken to hospital by ambulance.

I've now had an email stating that the council have started their leaf clearance on Tuesday (the day I reported it).

 

[raleighnut]

Bike slid from under me on some wet leaves. There I was thinking I have commuted for a year without coming off. I have actually ordered some new tyres 2 days ago after noticing mine were worn. Spent too much time trying to decide which tyres to buy

tyres won't make a difference on leaves unless you've got really 'aggressive' pattern MTB tyres on.

 

[mjr]

tyres won't make a difference on leaves unless you've got really 'aggressive' pattern MTB tyres on.

And so this thread coalesces with https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/tyre-slick-formula-1.190878/