Still Spooked By The Ice

Falling over on the ice at the beginning of last month has left me quite spooked - today was only the second or third time since then that I’ve ridden to work (though thanks to the Brompton, lots of riding once I’ve got to work), and yet again there was a frost last night. Not a heavy frost - just enough to whiten the footpaths and the very edges of the roads.

So I spent the entire ride in talking myself down from being convinced that I was just seconds away from taking a painful slide across the road.

Basically I need to get my Mojo back - a few days of warmer nights and dry roads will do it nicely. If you have any of those around the place, please post them to the usual address.

Thank you!

Workout:

  • Type: Cycle
  • Date: 02/08/2011
  • Time: 07:28:55
  • Total Time: 00:55:00.00
  • Calories: 669
  • Distance: 14.5 miles
  • Average Speed: 15.82 mph

Filed under: Cycle

3 Responses to “ Still Spooked By The Ice ”

  1. Graeme on February 8, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    I had a spill on black ice in October 2008 leaving me with a smashed cycle helmet and a concusion. I’ve been super cautious about it ever since. Even the light frost we had in the West Midlands this morning was enough to make me fear the sections of my commute that are prone to frost (including the cycle path where I fell).

    I did do some riding in proper snow and ice this year on my hybrid with Schwalbe Marathon Winters, which I would highly recommend, they were confidence inspiring and tonnes of fun!

  2. Magicroundabout on February 8, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    I confess that your experience influenced my travel choices over the last few weeks a bit too. In previous years I’ve ridden in all weathers other than deep snow on what are really three-season road tyres. I’ve only ever come off twice at low speed. But this year I’ve been more wary. Am I older and wiser, becoming more risk averse?

    Spring is on its way - take it easy and look forward to the long, warm days!

  3. dr2chase on February 14, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    Have you considered studded tires? I know they are expensive and a pain to push on the road, and 95+% of the time (usually) they are complete overkill, but they make ice manageable.

    (For your commute, sounds like either commuter-grade Nokians or Schwalbe Marathon Winters would do the trick; Nokians seem somewhat more sure-footed to me.)