Black ice everywhere

Lusk Doyle · 05-12-2012 11:09AM

seamus wrote: »

Clear skies at this time of year in these latitudes means that the temperature really only starts rising with direct sunlight. When it's cloudier the temp will start rising earlier as the heat is trapped.
In ice terms, it's literally darkest before the dawn as this is when the ice has had the maximum amount of time to freeze over.

Thanks Jean Byrne :pac:

seamus · 05-12-2012 11:13AM

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

Thanks Jean Byrne :pac:

Wait till you see my leather bib tights...

irishmotorist · 05-12-2012 11:13AM

kenmc wrote: »

FWIW, you can get a set of schwalbe winter touring in 700x30 for just over 50 quid - 60 inc delivery.
That's just over 3 weeks on the bus assuming 4 euro a day - I've no idea how much a weekly pass or anything is though

I hadn't done the sums but thought they'd be worse. Very good point!

Lumen wrote: »

Marathon Winter tyres are perfectly secure and the studs last ages. If I have a criticism it's that they're slow, noisy and corner oddly.

You need the clearance though, 35mm is the narrowest they do.

They have narrower ones here, which should do my hybrid...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-marathon-winter-performance-rigid-road-tyre/

OldBean · 05-12-2012 11:23AM

Around Dublin 8 is still pretty icy in spots, I took a wobble a few minutes ago.

Lumen · 05-12-2012 11:28AM

monkeybutter wrote: »

are there not narrower on wiggle?

irishmotorist wrote: »

They have narrower ones here, which should do my hybrid...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-marathon-winter-performance-rigid-road-tyre/

...although not sure I'd want to get studs that close to my road frame/forks.

Looks like I'll need a third pair!

PersonalJesus · 05-12-2012 11:31AM

Folks,

Would jumping on a old mountain bike with 26 x 1.95 knobbly tires be sufficient rather than changing the regular commuter bikes tires to studded?

Cheers

PersonalJesus · 05-12-2012 11:33AM

Mostly on pretty decently surfaced (and relatively ice free) main roads and cycle lanes btw.

colm_gti · 05-12-2012 11:37AM

kenmc wrote: »

FWIW, you can get a set of schwalbe winter touring in 700x30 for just over 50 quid - 60 inc delivery.
That's just over 3 weeks on the bus assuming 4 euro a day - I've no idea how much a weekly pass or anything is though

Have you used these tyres? Are the marathon winters worth the extra 50e per pair? I don't mind the investment if they're genuinely better...

EDIT: It's actually only a difference of about 15e per pair, marathon winters it is....how long do bike24 take to deliver?

kenmc · 05-12-2012 11:41AM

colm_gti wrote: »

Have you used these tyres? Are the marathon winters worth the extra 50e per pair? I don't mind the investment if they're genuinely better...

Not yet, but they're en-route. they MAY fit on my current commuter in which case I'll put them on if they do but there's a new build coming soon and they'll defo fit on that (kaffenback frame and fork, disc brakes, takes 35mm tyres)

saw your edit:
I ordered on Sunday night. On monday they asked for a pic of my credit card to ensure it was mine, with numbers blocked out. Sent that on tuesday. Said the package would be shipped today.
there was no marathon winters in stock (700x35) on sunday, and no indication of when they would be so I went with the tourings.

irishmotorist · 05-12-2012 11:43AM

Lumen wrote: »

...although not sure I'd want to get studs that close to my road frame/forks.

Looks like I'll need a third pair!

I'd have to have a look to be sure, but I thought there was a good bit of clearance. Actually, the seat tube might be a bit tight. I'll have a good look anyway.

Lumen · 05-12-2012 11:43AM

colm_gti wrote: »

how long do bike24 take to deliver?

n+1, where n is the number of days until your next crash.

Or 5.

kenmc · 05-12-2012 12:07PM

I just changed my order for the marathon winters instead, they said they'd be in stock in the next 2 days. Unfortunately that means my order will be delayed in shipping, but sure i've no frame to stick the on anyway

monkeybutter · 05-12-2012 02:08PM

Lumen wrote: »

...although not sure I'd want to get studs that close to my road frame/forks.

Looks like I'll need a third pair!

it just lists the sizes in the description, but when you go to buy, it's just 35

AdMMM · 05-12-2012 02:12PM

Had an embarrassing prolonged wobble crossing the road by The Beacon Hospital this morning. Managed to hold onto it this time! Again the off camber surface on the Clonskeagh Road had me slowly sliding into the kerb on the left so I had to go much slower than I usually would.

Caroline_ie · 05-12-2012 02:33PM

I have the Marathon winter on my CX. Paid 32 euro each from eBay.de
I stayed upright this morning on the same spot I miserably slipped on and crashed yesterday. They're worth it IMO. Even on corners.

silvo · 05-12-2012 05:01PM

I was heading up the Stradbrook Road this morning at about 8am, and a poor commuter turned onto a patch of black ice, hit his face, broke his light, and water bottle went flying. The poor guy was pretty shocked but in one piece. Lots of black ice all over the Southside this morning. Be careful out there

Wishbone Ash · 05-12-2012 05:30PM

bcmf wrote: »

Wasnt till I hit the back road at the airport that the temps seem to drop and accompanied by a biting S/SW wind

I was up round there last night on a 40k spin. I think it was the coldest I've ever been on the bike. Despite wearing about 6 layers, my chest felt cold, I thought my ears were going to drop off and, even with overshoes, my feet were numb. When I got back to the Lusk/Rush area, it felt positively balmy in comparison!

CardinalJ · 05-12-2012 06:45PM

Loads of main road gritted but the entrances to side roads or estates are lethal.

wobbles · 05-12-2012 06:50PM

Havnt seen any of this ice in waterford, although saying that, im on the road around half 5 in the morning. Most of this ice must be happening after i get to work. Girlfriends car door was frozen shut this morning

Plastik · 05-12-2012 07:11PM

Bit dodgier out there this evening than this morning. I had one sphincter tightener when I thought the front was gone, but that was it.

lennymc · 05-12-2012 07:25PM

kenmc wrote: »

FWIW, you can get a set of schwalbe winter touring in 700x30 for just over 50 quid - 60 inc delivery.
That's just over 3 weeks on the bus assuming 4 euro a day - I've no idea how much a weekly pass or anything is though

ordered a set of these to put for the turbo trainer.* Just in case it gets cold in front of the telly like.

*not really. Despite all my whinging im still doing about 10 k a day. The park was particularly slippy this morning with black ice. These will go on the cx bike now that cx season is over (until the nationals)

ROK ON · 05-12-2012 07:31PM

I cycled in this morning. Tbh it was just hardship. A 15min commute normally took the bones of 40mins due to taking a different route to avoid the Phoenix Park.

Walked back and glad that I did. The footpaths up the Navan Road have varying depths of frost and black ice. Sheen off the roads doesn't look to inticing.

No interest in getting a specialist bike/tyres for weather that usually lasts 2-3 weeks.

Will try to walk any day that I can't cycle - detest buses.

Dermot Illogical · 05-12-2012 08:39PM

Anyone out and about in NCD this evening who can give an update on road conditions? Am in work for a couple more hours and then heading home on the bike, or the train if it's icy.

gerrykeegan · 05-12-2012 08:42PM

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

Anyone out and about in NCD this evening who can give an update on road conditions? Am in work for a couple more hours and then heading home on the bike, or the train if it's icy.

was in phoenix park at 4 this evening and cycle lane was still icy, can't offer any more help.

colm_gti · 05-12-2012 08:42PM

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

Anyone out and about in NCD this evening who can give an update on road conditions? Am in work for a couple more hours and then heading home on the bike, or the train if it's icy.

Went for a spin out through garristown earlier and some of the roads were pretty lethal if that's of any help to ya...

Lusk Doyle · 05-12-2012 08:45PM

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

Anyone out and about in NCD this evening who can give an update on road conditions? Am in work for a couple more hours and then heading home on the bike, or the train if it's icy.

I was running in lusk a few hours ago and it was getting icy. Going for a walk now and just looking outside would confirm that it is indeed now icy!

Discretion something something valour...

columbus_66 · 05-12-2012 08:51PM

I haven't see it getting frosty this early in the evening, the bus lane on the N4 was getting sparkly at 7.45pm.

doozerie · 05-12-2012 08:51PM

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

Anyone out and about in NCD this evening who can give an update on road conditions? Am in work for a couple more hours and then heading home on the bike, or the train if it's icy.

<RyanAir>Well, the roads on the southside were not bad this evening, why not try those instead. </RyanAir>

Consey · 05-12-2012 08:59PM

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

Anyone out and about in NCD this evening who can give an update on road conditions? Am in work for a couple more hours and then heading home on the bike, or the train if it's icy.

Train I'd be suggesting - different set of muscles hurting today - and I got away lightly without any breaks ! It isn't worth it.

I share ROK ON's dislike of buses but 11km might just be a bit much to walk - especially when its so icy !

Dermot Illogical · 05-12-2012 09:06PM

Thanks all. Going to check the train timetable..

Black ice everywhere

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