Originally Posted by
Mr IGH
I bought the Kendas Klondikes, much cheaper than other offerings, studs are carbide/long lasting just like the expensive tires. They ride like rocks in the cold but it doesn't bother me. I was attending a brewery event on Saturday, the weather went from wet to a flash freeze with snow on top. My Klondikes took me home safe and sound. Here it doesn't stay cold all winter long like Chicago, I'm building a second set of wheels so I can swap if it's going to go below freezing.
I was looking at same tire, probably the one I'll end up with, if it fits.
Originally Posted by
MichaelW
Black ice often forms in cold-spots on otherwise warm roads; places such as shadows, dips where cold air collects.
It forms on untreated cyclepaths alongside roads that have been safely gritted.
At near-zero C (ie freezing point) black ice may have a layer of meltwater for extra concealement and slipperyness.
There are other kinds of ice on the road, but black ice is the most hazardous. If you ride with any dependance on tyre traction (ie lean, steer, road camber, slick tarmac, brake or balance recovery) you are going down fast.
Studded winter tyres are a solution but black ice can sneak in on otherwise clear and cold mornings when you might not be using studs. If your winter is long, cold and icy, you should be using studs the whole time. In more temperate climates, cold days can be exceptional and no-one wants to use studs if they don't have to.
Black ice may form on rough surfaces (unworn chip and seal) but this presents no real danger. You need a smooth surface to be really dangerous.
Note the micro-climates on your route esp cold spots where black ice can form.
The crazy thing, is that I was riding over black ice that was in the process of freezing so I thoight the whole path was just going to be that odd crunchy clear ice that is more dangerous looking that it really is. The ice had a rippling pattern to it, like really old glass windows. Was so strange!
Originally Posted by
joeyduck
@
Darth Lefty. That is an appropriate title.
I went down once due to black ice, it was a late November morning many years ago. I knew I had the risk of black ice on this 90° corner, so I took it slow and cautious and made it through. Then as I went straight I thought okay I'm in the clear, only to have that thought disrupted by sliding along the road.
This reminded me when there is a risk of black ice never get complacent in your thoughts. Lucky for me there was no lasting damage to me or the bike.
I got studded tires this year and put them on any time the temperature was near freezing. I didn't want to take the risk.
Hey! Good to see you posting!! Hope your recovery is coming along quickly and completely! Ugh, ice on corners is the worst. The kind we get here is usually due to sloppy plow jobs & then freeze/thaw in the compacted snow. Thankfully there is usually some kinda visual cue like a snow pile so I can slow and swing a bit wide to avoid it. Sometimes I gotta stop and walk it if it's a narrow lane with a large batch protruding from the curb.
Originally Posted by
noglider
My hairiest encounter with ice was when I was in college. I was riding a squirrely racing bike with a rack on the back and my book bag strapped to the rack. I reached a pinch-point in the road, going under an overpass with a bike-tire-eating sewer grate. I had to move to the left to avoid the grate, but there was a bus coming up from behind, and suddenly, I hit ice. My rear end fishtailed, and I thought, OK, now I'm going to die, because the bus was right behind me. Somehow I stayed up and lived to tell this tale. I will never know how.
I've had a few of those moments where I couldn't see a good ending but somehow made it through. Potholes and by that I mean DOT mine shafts to China in heavy traffic with snow filling the shoulder has been involved frequently.
Originally Posted by
noglider
And I fell on ice twice in one ride last winter. I did not get hurt thanks to some interesting luck. I had previously taught adults how to ride a bike, and a technique I have for allaying their fears of falling is teaching them the "stage fall." This is how a stage actor falls, when the script calls for it. You bend your ankle to the side, then fall on your ankle, knee, hip, elbow, then shoulder. We do it on the grass in slow motion. Well, when I fell on the ice, that practice came into use without my thinking about it. The rehearsal paid off for the performance.
I recommend everyone practice falling. It will pay off eventually.
What I've done is slam on the brakes then try to stay upright to get my brain in "control recovery" mode on snowy or potentially icy/slushy rides. Helps loads.
- Andy