The wimp list ...

eeeee · 01-01-2021 12:20PM

I've been in here for 8 days now- not a pedal turned :eek:
I'm still down home and the The nearest salted road is 2 miles away. White and icy the whole way there

Seth Brundle · 01-01-2021 02:47PM

I went out for a run this morning as I didn't have time to head out on the bike for a decent ride. Saw a fair few people out on bikes, (mostly in groups of two for some reason).
Anyhow, on both the paths and roads there was enough black ice in the shaded spots to make me think that I made the right call to leave the bike at home. Stay safe if you're heading out!

Daroxtar · 01-01-2021 03:03PM

3km done today. The road in the estate was like a bottle and about a km out the main road I met a club mate on his way back from a spin. He said it was fairly treacherous out so I just pulled the plug on proceedings and came back home for an hour on the turbo. Too soon after my latest adventure in orthopaedics to be writing another chapter.

magicbastarder · 01-01-2021 08:22PM

was just out for a walk, footpaths already slippy.

magicbastarder · 01-01-2021 11:21PM

https://twitter.com/METclimate/status/1345109847432433665

apparently (i had to ask and look this up) the mention of warming is a red herring to those who don't speak meteorologese, this is the sort of conditions which led to the beast from the east.

02-01-2021 12:10AM

magicbastarder wrote: »

was just out for a walk, footpaths already slippy.

Yeah anything the sun didn't touch today for long enough was lethal come around 4pm when I was heading out with the girls. Took one look at the footpath and marched them back in much to their disgust but wee bikes and scooters wouldn't have stood a chance.

I was looking to head out in the morning but I'm having a beer now, had the dog over to the main road there a while ago and it hasn't seen a gritter yet so to hell with that.

bazermc · 02-01-2021 11:04AM

Anybody been out yet in Dublin.
The overnight frost seems to have thawed and roads are now wet in D8

tnegun · 02-01-2021 12:15PM

Skipped yesterday and am skipping today the roads are wet with ice underneath around here took the car out for a look locally and lots of black ice and slippage around Maynooth.

CramCycle · 02-01-2021 04:11PM

Took a leap into some whin bushes on my way around the Sugar Loaf today

magicbastarder · 02-01-2021 04:19PM

do you smell all coconutty now?

dahat · 02-01-2021 04:30PM

Wimp list for the foreseeable, I’ve had bad experiences with sketchy road conditions this time of year before.

Time for the Wahoo to earn its keep.

Mercian Pro · 02-01-2021 05:31PM

Weepsie wrote: »

Roads were very mucky though but it was relatively quiet and everyone made space for one another.

I was just thinking yesterday how clean they were compared to the backroads of NCD. First time since the last level 5 that I didn't need to wash down my bike after getting home.

Heat_Wave · 02-01-2021 06:41PM

Do cyclists generally avoid going out in the month of January?

Fairly new to it so would like to get an understanding. I’d be very shook if I were to have a fall.

CramCycle · 02-01-2021 06:48PM

Heat_Wave wrote: »

Do cyclists generally avoid going out in the month of January?

Fairly new to it so would like to get an understanding. I’d be very shook if I were to have a fall.

Most of my cycling is commuting so it doesn't stop in January, some do, some take 3 months off, some take the cold days off and some make more of an effort on the bad days, there is no one size fits all. Certainly the majority will turn back if there is any sign of ice on the roads, having fallen myself loads of times, its not put me off but I would understand if it did.
If you are going out, lower your tire pressure to increase grip and get used to slowing earlier, as in ease off coming to turns and junctions rather than hitting the brakes at the turn.

rolling boh · 02-01-2021 07:44PM

Seems a lot of the cyclists who usually go at a good pace stay home more and use their trainers for me the road conditions at this time call for a more cautious cycle on my old bike just really to keep ticking over and use trainer during the week .I found i have to avoid the back roads more so just stick to main ones during the middle of the day and cycle at a slower pace than other times .

bazermc · 02-01-2021 08:14PM

I’m wimping out now in advance of tomorrow

07Lapierre · 02-01-2021 08:24PM

Well it looks like I'll be working from home for the next few weeks, so their goes my daily commute!

Not all bad though, as I often have to make a judgement call at 7am, when it's dark. It can be difficult to tell if a road is just wet, or covered in ice at that time of the morning. Also I find the driveway can be lethal, yet the road (which is gritted) can be ok.

In short, Cycling at this time of year is a decision each cyclist must make for themselves.

02-01-2021 09:02PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

https://twitter.com/METclimate/status/1345109847432433665

apparently (i had to ask and look this up) the mention of warming is a red herring to those who don't speak meteorologese, this is the sort of conditions which led to the beast from the east.

Blocking high diverting in winds from the east and holding the usually south westerly airflow from the Atlantic at bay, but the origin of the winds is not as cold as it usually would be this year due to another giant blocking high stuck over Siberia. Very unusual set-up but there won't be any beast from the East any time soon. Looks fairly benign, with frosty nights and coldish days. That being said, I won't be going out on the bike until after midday any time soon.

magicbastarder · 02-01-2021 09:06PM

yeah, my understanding was that these conditions were a necessary precursor to the beast from the east scenario, but not enough on their own.

02-01-2021 09:10PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

yeah, my understanding was that these conditions were a necessary precursor to the beast from the east scenario, but not enough on their own.

Indeed, that giant high over Siberia needs to shift and we need Central Europe to cool down a lot more for a real blast of polar air.

02-01-2021 09:15PM

Heat_Wave wrote: »

Do cyclists generally avoid going out in the month of January?

Fairly new to it so would like to get an understanding. I’d be very shook if I were to have a fall.

I was a novice last year (still am!) and came off on ice just after Christmas. I was a bit shook for a few weeks after but the skin comes back, the bike can be fixed and you'll get your bottle back if you do come off.

Remember that if you are heading into the countryside or up to the hills that conditions are likely to be colder. Try and cycle after midday, be very careful in shaded areas and as per the post above lower tyre pressure and take it easy on descents and going into corners.

Enjoy!

C3PO · 02-01-2021 09:48PM

Heat_Wave wrote: »

Do cyclists generally avoid going out in the month of January?

Fairly new to it so would like to get an understanding. I’d be very shook if I were to have a fall.

I cycle every day no matter what the conditions but will sometimes take the mountain bike if it’s really hairy!

tnegun · 02-01-2021 10:20PM

Can I ask the guys the cycle year round are you urban or rural based and what distance are you covering? PreCovid I would of cycled in most weather conditions but there's certain times I won't e.g. if its wet the night before a heavy frost or the high end of the yellow wind warnings I just won't as its too risky and I've come off a few times and that's no fun 15k from home!! I've a 22k each way Maynooth to Park West commute though what are you guys doing?

C3PO · 02-01-2021 10:28PM

I’m based in Dublin - commute a 30k roundtrip and typically will cycle approx 60km on Saturday and Sunday. I never feel that there is a day that I can’t cycle.

Richard Hillman · 02-01-2021 10:32PM

I worked out that 8 degrees is my threshold. Also 20kph of wind. See you all in March :pac:

tnegun · 02-01-2021 10:51PM

I don't mind the cold but I know once the wind hits 20kph its going to make it tough!

Seth Brundle · 02-01-2021 10:56PM

tnegun wrote: »

I don't mind the cold but I know once the wind hits 20kph its going to make it tough!

Unless the wind is on your back

dahat · 02-01-2021 10:57PM

Cold is one thing but cycling in icy conditions is just plain reckless unless you’ve got a bike to match the conditions.

tnegun · 02-01-2021 10:58PM

Seth Brundle wrote: »

Unless the wind is on your back

I find with my commute it can be in my face in the morning and then 8 hours later in the face for the way home!! Those few precious days were you have it at your back both directions though!!

rolling boh · 02-01-2021 11:23PM

Icy roads and strong winds blowing across dragging me towards road or side are the two factors I consider before I go out on the bike .I don't commute so at least I can make a choice based on safety no desire to be the hero .Everyone has to make their own choice of course which is fair enough but going out in icy conditions will result in a fall at some stage so anyone should factor that in before they start .

The wimp list ...

Comments