daily Black ice reports?

marvin42

My commute this morning was ok, but it seems the next days we might experience black ice on the roads.
Black ice is the one thing that realy freaks me out, and it would help me a lot to make me feel safer on my commute if i would know if, when and where there was black ice spotted before i cycle of to work.
Could there be a post (maybe sticky) were we could post and exchange dangerous spots on a daily basis?

07Lapierre

The thing is....black ice is invisible, you only know black ice is there if you slip on it. You could have cycled on/past black ice this morning on your commute without realising it. It could have been pure luck that you didn't fall.

marvin42

07Lapierre wrote: »

The thing is....black ice is invisible, you only know black ice is there if you slip on it. You could have cycled on/past black ice this morning on your commute without realising it. It could have been pure luck that you didn't fall.

I realize that black ice is hard to notice,and dont expect to be 100% safe, however I think it still would be useful to know If/when and where someone encountered black ice.

inc21

Black ice on various shady places yesterday, my hip and broked DR can prove that if necessary. Looking out the window, today is no different.

carltonleon

inc21 wrote: »

Black ice on various shady places yesterday, my hip and broked DR can prove that if necessary. Looking out the window, today is no different.

Ouch !!! Where did you fall ?

Balheary at the back of Swords can be really bad for black ice. Came off there a couple of years ago, luckily there were no cars on the road. It was about 4c at the time if I remember correctly.

07Lapierre

I think it's better to just assume there is ice on the roads once the temperature drops below freezing the night before. If you must cycle the next morning, leave it as late as possible, reduce your tyre pressures to provide more grip, avoid sheltered sections of road etc.

carltonleon

07Lapierre wrote: »

avoid sheltered sections of road etc.

That was my mistake !!

07Lapierre

carltonleon wrote: »

That was my mistake !!

Me too! ( about two years ago) but I was lucky... Just Some road rash, torn bib tights and a damaged bike!

stecleary

cycled from coolock to city center this morning(7:30), main roads are grand, avoid paths(goes with out saying) and enjoy the beeps from drivers as you avoid man hole covers.

tomasrojo

stecleary wrote: »

cycled from coolock to city center this morning(7:30), main roads are grand, avoid paths(goes with out saying) and enjoy the beeps from drivers as you avoid man hole covers.

And bits of the road painted white, such as zebra crossings. I found out the hard way (not all that hard though, just got a fright) that the ice above white paint melts last.

hognef

Are studded tyres available in this country? If so, they will provide all the grip you'll need, black ice or not.

stecleary

hognef wrote: »

Are studded tyres available in this country? If so, they will provide all the grip you'll need, black ice or not.

the problem with studded tyres is they work well in one condition. Snow/Ice.
If you are hitting patches every few KM the studs aren't going to last at all and will be useless by the time you hit a patch of ice

Alek

If you are hitting patches every few KM the studs aren't going to last at all

BS - unless you're talking about some DIY solutions or cheap Kendas with steel spikes.


I rode Schwalbe Snow Studs (carbide) for a month or two last year, mostly on tarmac, and studs are like new.

07Lapierre

stecleary wrote: »

the problem with studded tyres is they work well in one condition. Snow/Ice.
If you are hitting patches every few KM the studs aren't going to last at all and will be useless by the time you hit a patch of ice

I thought studded tyres were for snow/ice?


Example:

http://images.wrc.com/News/1894_sweden_michelin-tyre-2013_896x504.jpg

(I know its a car tyre but.. )

Alek

As you can see, the center is clear of studs so they roll quite well on dry road. Still, studs are always touching the surface and prevent sideway slips on ice - this is enough for a confident ride, unless you are riding through solid, glass-like and wet ice, where full studs are a must.