Soaked Feet

[mgarl10024]

Another first for me...

On my way home today, I was zipping down the steepest hill on my route. It was dark and had been raining all day (and being an unlit road it is difficult to spot potholes), so I was taking it steady (around 20-25mph).

At the bottom of the hill (which is normally very clear), I noticed something that didn't look right - the road appeared a different colour, as if that bit of the road had been resurfaced.

As I got closer, I realised that it was in fact surface water but thought "it's probably not all that deep" and that at 10-15mph I'd just sail through. It was only when I got to about half way in (it was about 20 meters across) that I realised that it was about 6 inches deep in the middle!

I made it out the other side without stopping and managed to keep on going. However, I had water all up my legs, my brake blocks started rubbing when not applied, and my poor trainers squelched with every pedal stroke all the way home. It did clear the muck out of the mudguards though!

 

[adds21]

I cycled through a flood this morning which went over the top of my chainring! Luck I've got spare socks / trousers at the office. Not sure my shoes will dry out by the time I need to cycle home though...

 

[Hop3y]

I cycled through a flood this morning which went over the top of my chainring! Luck I've got spare socks / trousers at the office. Not sure my shoes will dry out by the time I need to cycle home though...

Gutted!

Do you not get changed at work? I couldn't bike to work without getting changed..

 

[adds21]

Do you not get changed at work? I couldn't bike to work without getting changed..

No. It's 7 miles downhill in the mornings, so nice and easy, although of course it means the trip in the evenings is a little more sweat inducing!

 

[Hop3y]

I suppose it's what facilities you have too!

 

[brickisred]

On the Ely Trail last night I went through about 35cm of flood water from the river. Had to stop to make sure I wasn't cycling over the bank as the trail had disappeared

this morning I had to turn back as it was up by at least another metre. Should be interesting tonight

 

[billy1561]

On a run last year after heavy rain the road i was on about 10 miles from base was completely flooded and about a foot deep in the middle. Went through it very carefully. Never peddled underwater before!

 

[brickisred]

The lane I cycle down towards the River Ely was closed this morning, I went down it thinking it would be like last night which was up to my overshoes but it was much deeper with several abandoned cars.
Decided to try, thinking I would carry the bike if it got too deep. Um.. after a couple of metres the front wheel was lifting and it was over my thighs so I waded back.
Took an alternative route accross a footbridge and underpass, which was flooded also but only up to my overshoes. So soggy ride in

 

[mgarl10024]

I went back to where this happened the following day, and looked at the flooding in the light. I wasn't far off - it was indeed about 20 meters long and I'd say 6 inches deep at worse. I walked along the pavement and the water was even coming up over that - which is quite considerable when you consider that country lanes normally have higher pavements.

It just surprised me as it is something I'd not seen before (being new both to commuting by bike and this route), and it added a little excitement. However, reading some of your comments here it sounds as if I've got off lightly!

 

[billy1561]

Bought myself a pair of waterproof Karrimore boots for the commute which also double up as walking boots.