daven1986

Hi guys,

It snowed here in london - not too much, but still snow! However I am commuting tomorrow and am going to go by bike! I am taking my hybrid (no sort of weather for a road bike!) and while giving it the once over noticed the tyres were a little soft, I know that the recommendation is to run tyres a bit softer when there is snow about but the roads will be gritted (at least 99% of the ones I use) so I was wondering:

Do I leave them a bit soft, or shall I pump them up? (By a bit soft I mean probably 80% of their normal psi).

Also any other tips for this kind of ride?

Thanks

Daven

ban guzzi

80% is fine.
Do your braking before turning. Minimize leaning in said turns. Light grip on bars, death grip in ice insures an accident.
Dress appropriately.

Have fun!

daven1986

thanks

crhilton

I fill them normally (which means they end up low before I fill them again). I also ride a road bike in the snow. Although I put 35c studded snow tires on my road bike, but still a road bike!

Light snow is easy.

Roody

When you say the roads will be "gritted" I assume that means they threw down some sand and salt. If so, keep your pressure normal and ride normally. You will notice little if any difference in the ride.

You should go out riding today or tomorrow, beside your regular commute. If it doesn't snow much there, you should get out in it as much as possible when it finally does snow.

Roody

I just read a news article that says London could get 6 to 10 inches. I was thinking less when I wrote my previous post.

So you might have a little trouble getting to work tomorrow. But I still can't see changing your tire pressure--that's more for mud than snow. I never change my psi, and 6 to 10 inches is a common amount of snowfall where I live.

Ride normally but allow extra time, and you should have extra fun.

PS-- I have a couple questions about the article I read:

"The snowdrops have been delayed this year." What does that mean?

How do they do snow removal there? We usually put salt or brine on curves and hills, and plow (scrape) snow off roads and streets. Do you have snow plows or only "gritters"?

markhr

Normal TP, ULTRA careful handling, warm and windproof clothing (extra warm clothing in backpack/bag/pannier just in case), watch out for idiot drivers travelling too fast for the conditions. Make sure your light batteries are either fully charged or fresh and you have spares as they run down quickly in cold weather.

It's only 6 inches of slightly damp snow, that is, it's not dangerous sleet/freezing rain.

The safest place to cycle is the tyre track left by other vehicles. Avoid the painted lines in the road as they tend to build up into icy ridges as the road spray re-freezes. Be prepared to spend up to twice as long on your commute.

edit: be VERY careful tonight and tomorrow as the forecast is a for a slight thaw and then re-freeze with more snow predicted to hide the ice patches.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/...t_weather.html

mustang1

What's it like riding 23mm road tires in these conditions?

Roody

Here we get that kind of weather every week--or more often.

Snow-virgins take it slow. And for God's sake have fun!

markhr

Stay away from metal/painted surfaces and ice (not that difficult to ride if you're sensible/slow) and you'll be fine.

mustang1

Thanks markhr. I might just have to take the bike today. I'm more concerned about how I'm gonna come back from work rather than get in to work btw I should have mentions d my 23mm tires are slicks on race bikesith clipless pedals. Still ok? Probably the tires are at around 80psi (down from 120) coz my air pump is at work.

daven1986

well I only have to go into uni for 1 hour, so as all the transport is broken hardly anyone will be in (plus uni students just love an excuse for a day off) so I will be taking a snow day today!!

If it had snowed less then I would have gone, but there is over a foot of snow of my road! My dad tried driving to work but soon gave up and walked (like I told him he should in the first place!)

Fun fun fun

Tourfan

It is definitely not just a little snow (for London)! Thought it was a step too far, and I'm glad I didn't as it's mounds of ice and slush where I am in the City now. Cars stuck on inclines and unable to make forward progress without being pushed.

daven1986

it is a bit crazy! Not sure the gritting lorries really thought it'd snow this much. Might go for a cycle though on my old mountain bike - might be fun!

AEO

packed snow and wide slick tyres don't mix too well. even wide tyres with light treading are questionable in packed snow.

markhr

Forecast is for up to 40-50cm (16-20") of snow on the ground by tomorrow with more to come as the week progresses.

Roody

hehe

mustang1

Well great that'll be interesting.

markhr

Maybe - the forecast is changed since then. Now it's for ice in the SE and snow in the midlands, NW and Wales.

daven1986

ye, it is going to be REALLY icy tomorrow. Very dangerous on the roads.

J.P.W.

Useful thread people. Snowing here as well so l was wondering what l should do. lt took me 2hrs to get to work this morning in the car, compared to 30 mins by bike on a normal day and l'm keen not to repeat that experience .

AndrewP

Snowdrops are nice little white flowers that bloom in January.

Snow removal is done by waiting a day, although this time it might be 3 days.

My daughter walked her daughter a mile to school this morning, but nobody else was there. She didnt go to work because the commuter trains were not running on her line.

scoatw

Make some homemade snow tyres. (See winter forum) They should last you another 20yrs. So when you do get another blizzard, you've got em' when you need em'.

OldBen

Snowbikers live by the motto-when in doubt...let air out. However they usually have fatter tires so they aren't risking pinch flats.

;^)

tatfiend 

From what I have read of history be glad that you did not live in London when the Thames used to freeze over most winters. I have seen old paintings showing it then. No central heating back then either!

In preparation for winter I bought a pair of Schwalbe Marathon Winter studded tires and the winter in Reno has been the mildest I can remember.