General Cycling Discussion - Gravel Sticking to Road Tires

Hi,
I've been riding the same bike with the same type tires for a while. Recently I started commuting to work. In the last week or so, I've noticed that on the way to work, I get a *lot* of gravel sticking to both tires, to the point where I can see it while riding, and I can definitely hear it. The road conditions haven't changed as far as I can tell; it's not wet, but it's early (6AM), so the road is probably colder, and it could be a little moist. The roads I'm traveling are well paved; they don't have excess gravel. It just seems like the conditions are such that any little rock I run over sticks to my tires.

What's weird is that I've never had this problem with these tires, and further, I ride home using the exact same route and I have no problem then!

Has anyone else had this problem? I'm wondering if it's tire specific. My tires are Performance Fortes with kevlar. I can change the tires, but if it's not the tires I'll just have the same problem.

Thanks for your help!

Someone could have spilled something sticky on the road like oil or some kind of car fluids, soda (spills of that are more common than you'd think) etc., I run Conti Gatorskins and the odd little piece of gravel sticks, no problem.

You're going the same route, but I bet the other side of the road on the return trip, that says even more for a spill in a localized area.

The problem should go away after a while and especially after a good rain.

lilHinault,
You were pretty much right. There's a stretch early in my ride where they recently did some road work, and that's where the problem starts. I checked it out this morning, and the road is extremely sticky there. My tires get sticky, and they stay that way all the way to work (another 10 miles or so!) I think I'll ride around this area for a little while.

Guess I'll keep my tires too. :-)

Thanks!