Some more timely advice from Ken Ruffel on how to ride when the icy weather arrives:
Group training in icy weather
Keeping fit during the winter is something we all need to do. A complete lay-off should not be an option! If you can fit into one of the Meudon training rides on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, then you’ll keep fit.
But when the icy weather comes, you’ll need some special skills. Training in a group on icy stretches requires special attention. The group rides on any one of these days will differ in ability, skill and overall safety.
Our elite groups might go a bit faster, but the safety element will always be to a maximum. It’s a bit like F1.........you can always trust the wheels in front of you! Some of our other groups of novice or lower category riders may not feel as confident in the wheels in front of them, so a few tips here might help:
• THREE MAIN RULES FOR RIDING ON ICE IN A GROUP!
1. Stretch out! - ride at least a bike-length gap from the rider in front of you.
2. Do not even think about touching your brakes.
3. Ride on the tops of the bars with more body weight over your rear wheel.
• Riding on icy road stretches can be a bit daunting. You will still be riding in two lines, at tempo, and the safety of the whole group will depend on the judgement of the leading pair. Their eyes will see what’s coming up. They should verbally warn the group behind of an icy road ahead, just as they do for holes and gravel.
• Always be aware of your situation on the bike and in the group. Pay attention to where you are in the group. Be alert at all times. Keep your eyes focussed ahead. The more you know about any possible danger, the more in control you are.
• React appropriately to any warning signs from the front pair riding tempo. Don't overreact. How you react can have a major impact on what happens to you and your club-mates with you. Your goal is to enjoy the ride and get home in one piece. If you panic, you won't be able to help yourself.
• Of course, it’s still partly social and we all want to chat as we ride, but stay vigilant!
Dancing on ice with Ken R
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1 comment:
After having a fast encounter with the tarmac this morning on the way to work, here's a few more ideas/tips.
Avoidance:
-In 'tranisition' temperatures when bits of the road are at freezing point bigger roads with consistent gritting can be a safer
-go out later in the day
-take an off road route
Weather
-Dont trust the weather forecast. I have mostly come off in the ice when the air temerature is above freezing, even up to +10'C.
-Watch out for rain at night followed by clear skies in the morning. Sometimes gritters cant get out between the rain and freeze.
Equipment
-An MTB with lower tyre pressure and larger contact area, have more grip and better stability in general.
-Wider tyres on a winter bike. Same as above.
-Softer compounds, found on race tyres and Mtb tyres (e.g maxxis 62a). again better grip.
Awareness:
-Look out for frost in the verge
Watch out for drivers who dont know the road condition. I was nearly hit last year by someone loosing control from the opposite direction.
-Take it slower and if you know you are going to loose control (i.e someones just lost it in front of you)aim for something soft to land in!
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