Folding Bikes - Black Ice Spill!

So there I am, riding along on a frosty, sunny morning. 'Oh - I think I'll take a quieter route today,' says I. 'This quiet tree lined residential road will be more pleasant.' I turned the corner, rode a few hundred yards and then leaned into a sharp right turn........

'Why am I lying on the road? Why is my bike pirouetting along on its side?' I try to get up and fall back down again as my feet slide on the slippyest and most invisible ice sheet I have ever encountered. Two young women rush to assist me.

As it happens, I am fine. I don't have the slightest bruise or scuff, and the goddesses pay me a lot of attention. I act all brave and noble..... One of them even stokes my brow because it has a wet mark on it.

LOL It was great! I'm going back to do it again after lunch.

When I crashed I got all busted up and two ,,,older gents picked me up. Not fair.

I needed that, thanks. When you go back hold your breath and maybe they'll try mouth to mouth.

Hey, you forgot to tell us the most important detail - was the bike OK?:p

Shame on you, throwing yourself on the ground like that to get attention!

I fell on my MTB the other day, had studded tyres front and rear. Nobody picked me up :(, but my dog looked wery happy I did not land on him. He is tied to the bike with a short rope and has therefor learned to jump FAST when needed.

I made some chains the other day for my MTB. Was thinking of making for the folder too. Smaller wheels = lighter chains.

I *hate* ice!:mad:

When driving, my first clue there is ice, is when I feel a tire slip when accelerating, decelerating, or turning.

When cycling, my first clue there is ice, is when my elbow and hip hit the ground simultaneously.

You know the Schwalbe Marathon Winter is available in 20"?

http://peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp

Chains is approx £3 for two small wheel. tempting. I fell with studs.

Thinking of making studded tyres for the folder using screws from the innside. Must find out what tyre to butcher first.

When I crashed I got all busted up and two ,,,older gents picked me up. Not fair.

You just were in the wrong place at the wrong time old chap.

:)


I needed that, thanks. When you go back hold your breath and maybe they'll try mouth to mouth.

LOL - That sort of thing has to have the right intent though doesn't it - but funny all the same.



Hey, you forgot to tell us the most important detail - was the bike OK?:p

The back end of my Brompton knock off tucked under as it does when folded. I think this brought them running because it looked like a terrible accident had happened to the uninitiated. The chain came off though, so I had to upend it to sort it out. It's the first time the chain has been off in months. Other than that, no damage to either me or the bike.


Chains is approx £3 for two small wheel. tempting. I fell with studs.

Thinking of making studded tyres for the folder using screws from the innside. Must find out what tyre to butcher first.

We don't really get that much in the way of icy roads here or that would be a realistic project. I suppose you'd need to put a lot of screws in since the contact patch is so small, but how would you stop the heads puncturing the tube? Some form of rim tape I suppose.

Glad you are OK.

Our avenue was just one long sheet of ice the other morning and I thought the Schwalbe Kojaks where going to be lethal.... but I was surprised to find that they gripped rather well. I’ve been riding for a year now (since taking up cycling again) and can thankfully say that I’ve not even come close to having an accident.

Glad you are OK.

Our avenue was just one long sheet of ice the other morning and I thought the Schwalbe Kojaks where going to be lethal.... but I was surprised to find that they gripped rather well. I’ve been riding for a year now (since taking up cycling again) and can thankfully say that I’ve not even come close to having an accident.

It's odd, I've been riding in snow and ice half of the last week and in general have felt more secure on the bike than on foot. I just hit the 'perfect ice patch' and there was no warning at all. One minute I'm breezing along at about ten miles an hour on a damp looking road, glanced over my shoulder to turn right (we drive and ride on the left remember you non-uk folks) and as I made the turn the back wheel just WENT AWOL. Next thing, I'm on my back laughing in amazement. I couldn't even regain my feet it was so slippy.

Yikes, this is a good reminder for me to be careful on my morning commute. Speaking of, does anyone have winter tire recommendations for a Dahon Speed Pro TT? It has 20" tires on it, but with the road-brake style it's sporting, I don't know if it can accommodate anything wider than a road slick. Any advice? I don't have nice people on my route who will come to my aide in the even that fall flat on my bottom. Thanks!

Funny when I was growing up having winters with ice and snow was nothing unusual. Remember sliding away for fun? Glad such an accident didn't happen when a car was around and that all you encountered was a bruised ass and some lovely young ladies :D

Funny when I was growing up having winters with ice and snow was nothing unusual. Remember sliding away for fun? Glad such an accident didn't happen when a car was around and that all you encountered was a bruised ass and some lovely young ladies :D
yes - your right F. We don't really get winters anymore. Now - back in the late seventies and eighties we saw four foot of snow around here on occasions.

I didn't even get a bruised arse. It was like a really good skiing fall, just a rush and a laugh.

I'm about to bid on a fake strida on ebay.... 7 minutes to go and it is £75. Even an unethical wretch like me can't resist punting hundred quid at that!


Edit
Na - it went for £104.75

I came *really* close to a bad black ice spill last February or March. On my commute I have a 300 ft vertical downhill and I get to 30 or 35 MPH. There is a moderate curve halfway down. It was dark and I had a blinky but no good light.

Most days there is little or no traffic at 7AM and I have the road to myself.

This morning, there were 5 or 6 cars stopped halfway down. I came to a stop, inched past the cars, and noticed a police officer turning people around. Just below the curve was a car on the opposite side of the road, crumpled against some trees. There was a full SHEET of black ice running across the road from the hillside, and even inching down with my feet it was treacherous for a good 100 feet, and then I could continue on my way.

Had that previous car not been in the accident, the accident could have been with me.

Wow now thats a dangerous place to have it especially at such speeds on a bike!

I came *really* close to a bad black ice spill last February or March. On my commute I have a 300 ft vertical downhill and I get to 30 or 35 MPH. There is a moderate curve halfway down. It was dark and I had a blinky but no good light.

Most days there is little or no traffic at 7AM and I have the road to myself.

This morning, there were 5 or 6 cars stopped halfway down. I came to a stop, inched past the cars, and noticed a police officer turning people around. Just below the curve was a car on the opposite side of the road, crumpled against some trees. There was a full SHEET of black ice running across the road from the hillside, and even inching down with my feet it was treacherous for a good 100 feet, and then I could continue on my way.

Had that previous car not been in the accident, the accident could have been with me.

Ouch!!

I am glad that you missed that Dave. This would not have been a laughing matter like mine was. I was just pootling along and got up with a grin on my face.

I was just pootling along and got up with a grin on my face.

Was it an evil grin lol? :P

Was it an evil grin lol? :P

How did you know? Are you stalking me?

How did you know? Are you stalking me?


No, I'm not that hard up :P

No, I'm not that hard up :P

I should hope you aren't!
:eek:

Ah, you guys are a scream. Cheers!:beer:

Remember sliding away for fun?

Yeah, but that was before I had to start paying for my own health insurance. :(

Hey glad to see you're OK EvilV. It looks like you did a most inopportune thing at the right time :thumb: