Manchester commuters

[I like Skol]

Sod cycling when there is ice all over the place, I prefer and mode of transport that doesnt fall over at the first hint of ice under its front wheels !

A bad workman blames his tools!!!!

I have returned home and really the ride wasn't any worse than any other day as far as suffering from the low temps was concerned, once on the move I soon warmed up/overheated. Rode across plenty of icy bits and didn't turn turtle once so perhaps your bike is programmed wrongly J4CKO?

The worst part about my commute from Ashton to Hazel Grove is the time it is taking me now it is winter. In the light evenings of those balmy summer days that seem only yesterday I could do the trip in around 37 minutes, garage to bike shed. Now my bike computer is showing journey times of between 42-44 minutes and my average speed has dropped from 18-19mph to 14-15mph . Could swapping from shorts and a T-shirt into tracksuit bottoms, over trousers, fleece, coat and today another fleece over it all be accounting for the extra time?

 

[fossyant]

Mr Skol, this bravado will have you off.

My route is more or less solid ice, the only bit that isn't is the main road into Stockport. Too much lying water and ice to take out the fixed road bike...not worth smashing that up and myself. There have been a few folk on here and BR that have come off recently, one has smashed hip (i.e. broken it) and could be off the bike for a long time.

A few weeks taking it cautious is better than a few months layed up.


Studded tyres still have to be treated with caution, but I was cycling along where a neighbour was walking.

 

[fossyant]

I also used to cycle the route J4cko uses to work (many moons ago - Stockport, via Woodford, Wilmslow, Mobberley, 'Frozen Mop' and on to Ollerton and Knutsford). Most of the route is untreated.

I had a very bad ride one morning doing that, black ice everywhere - came off 3 times, all going at a good pace (one at 30 mph)...... even on a fully equipped MTB..........ordinary tyres don't grip on ice.

 

[dodgy]

I'm a fairly experienced rider, but the only time I don't go out is when it's icy or at least, very likely to be icy. It's frustrating, but as fossy says, better than the alternative. I last went out on Saturday in the rain (rain is usually a sign of relative safety) and heard lots of stories at the cafe of local riders falling on the ice.

I sometimes go for a run in bad weather, but it's not even safe enough for that!

 

[I like Skol]

Mr Skol, this bravado will have you off.

Aye, probably!

 

[potsy]

Mr Skol, this bravado will have you off.

I used to be the same whilst drinking cheap lager

Having read a few tales of injury and near misses due to the icy conditions,I feel like a couple of weeks off the bike is no bad thing. Just hoping the BBC have it right and Thursday is thaw day.

 

[skudupnorth]

Hybrid now in use due to bit's on the MTB being worn out ! Bit fun on the Marathons but once i'm on the main routes it's all good except for my frozen buff and water bottle !

 

[Hacienda71]

Cycled up to Macc this morning. Rear mech froze up just before my first climb . Was on 23's and it was a little icy this morning so came back on all main roads tonight just to be safe. One of my clients came in today told me how he had been on his turbo last night. Sorry but nothing can beat being out on the bike, turbo would do my head in.

 

[Bigbud]

Both the road bike and mountain bikes front and rear mech were froze up this morning

Gave in and used the motorbike, think all the mechs need a good clean out and lube. Think its because its all getting wet but never actually drying

 

[fossyant]

It's apparently started to thaw.............. dunno about that - anyone hear the traffic reports this morning.....OMG multiple accidents on most motorways and major highways....black ice.

Looks like warming up, so might get the fixed out tomorrow - I need to be at another site first thing, and extra miles on the slow MTB are not invting, especially as it's all on road.........

Was flipping cold last night though - my car was well frozen when popping to a few shops for Xmas presents - didn't de-ice. - Even went to Decathlon and didn't buy any bike stuff - just running and golf kit for my bro and bro-in-law.

 

[dan_bo]

Just came a cropper in the works car park this morning, lulled into a false sense of security with the slightly warmer weather. 'One last sprint' I sez to myself, turned the corner back onto the sheet ice- bugger.

managed to recover twice when the back end stepped out, then SLAP!

Lay there chuckling to myself then limped the last 10 yards to the door. Funny.

 

[potsy]

Minus 6c again last night when I left work. Meant to be cycling in today as I thought it would be OK, still looks icy out my window. Will probably go for it as it's meant to be warming up this afternoon (4c)
Just been watching the news and there does seem to be a bit of chaos out there on some of the M-ways.

 

[skudupnorth]

Minus 6c again last night when I left work. Meant to be cycling in today as I thought it would be OK, still looks icy out my window. Will probably go for it as it's meant to be warming up this afternoon (4c)
Just been watching the news and there does seem to be a bit of chaos out there on some of the M-ways.

Mrs Skud said it was carnage on her way to Alty to buy pressies and the East Lancs is shut with black ice ! And i thought it was warmer this morning LOL

 

[fossyant]

It is warmer, but you'll get more freezing water about - looks like that's what's happened on many motorways today - took someone over 4 hours to get in this morning.

 

[400bhp]

Well, the weather finally got to me this evening.

Cycling home, entering Hardy's farm from the Chorlton end, went down like a sack of spuds on the track and slid down it for 15ft. Shortly followed by another commuter. We then both tried to cycle again, only for us both to fall off again

Like Laurel & Hardy on two wheels.

I realised about a mile up the road I'd lost my garmin - had to risk going back and looking for it, Very luckily for me I managed to find it.