Black Ice

[charlie13]

I got a sharp reminder about environmental observation this morn. There was no ice or frost on the cars or pavements, and the air temperature didn't feel very low, there was no frost on the drive. Guess the road must still have been a bit chilly but it just looked wet.

I wasn't even 5yds out, turning off the drive down the slope of the road before the front folded and we slid ungracefully into a pile. Bruised pride only but I served to give me a serious reminder that sometimes conditions are not what they seem. Ride safe and take care out there folks. :)

[fatneck]

Roll on summer!

[FeRoL]

Yep, twas very greasy out today!
Sounds like you had a lucky escape :smt023

[maultin]

glad only bruised pride only - bet you will feel it in the morning though

[charlie13]

Yep, was v lucky. Vodka is taking the aches away! :)

[Beenz]

Roll on summer!

Roll on Spring, it's nearer ;)

[wheelnut]

I was driving in France last week, I was doing about 50 mph in the truck when I came across an accident. I put my hazards on and stopped without any problem, a Gendarme walked across to me and promptly fell on his ****. The road was like glass yet the temperature wasnt that cold

[Fizzy Fish]

It's a very useful point that you raise re black ice being a hazard even when it isn't that cold/frosty.

Wikipedia explains why:

Black ice may form even when the ambient temperature (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambient_temperature) is several degrees above the NTP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_temperature_and_pressure) freezing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melting_point) point of water (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water) (0°C).

This occurs typically (and treacherously) when terrain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrain) contours (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contours) and/or prevailing winds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prevailing_winds) cause a local steep differential of atmospheric pressure and/or temperature, or when the atmosphere has warmed up after a prolonged cold spell that leaves the temperature of the ground and roadway well below the freezing point.

Bridges and overpasses can be especially dangerous. Black ice forms first on bridges and overpasses because air can circulate both above and below the surface of the elevated roadway, causing the temperature to drop more rapidly than on regular pavement.

[charlie13]

Nice one fizzy fish, I love a good fact!

[northwind]

I nearly fell down my back steps last night :rolleyes: And then, I actually did fall down the garage steps. Then I nearly fell up the back steps. Probably just as well I didn't try to ride the bike all things considered.

[charlie13]

Hope you :bounce: bounced Northwind.

To quote Steve Parrish, "He's sliding around like a wet dog on lino".

[Bluepete]

I nearly fell down my back steps last night :rolleyes: And then, I actually did fall down the garage steps. Then I nearly fell up the back steps. Probably just as well I didn't try to ride the bike all things considered.

Were you being escorted by two burly police officers? :D :D :D

"Honest Guv'nor, he really did fall up and down three sets of steps" ;)

[Fizzy Fish]

I nearly fell down my back steps last night :rolleyes: And then, I actually did fall down the garage steps. Then I nearly fell up the back steps. Probably just as well I didn't try to ride the bike all things considered.

was that down to ice, or had you maybe had one too many? ;)

[$tevo]

No permanent harm done Charlie, thank goodness.

I once got into a 2 wheel drift on black ice on me CX. Frightening? The seat had to be crow-barred from me backside before I could get off. I just sat there waiting for the inevitable but for some reason, it didn't happen:)

[shonadoll]

Glad you were ok, that's the sort of thing that really scares me.

[charlie13]

Thanks for all the kind words folks. The black ice about the only thing I ever worry about as well cause you never see it til it's too late, just like this weekend! At least with a good frost you have some obvious signs, you can't miss snow sleet rain wet leaves drain covers and white lines, and diesel stinks. Black ice is just too darn sneaky.

On the plus side, it's been an ideal opportunity to reduce the length of the mangled rear brake lever and fashion a new ally end piece for the pedal. Inside every cloud.....

[charlie13]

No prizes for guessing what I've been doing at work today! :D

1063

[bad-sv650]

Looks like a nice weld job there, wish I had tolls like that at my work :rolleyes:

:smt024

[yorkie_chris]

Drilled and bolted isn't it?

Nice job anyway, mine just a chunk of mild steel drilled and tapped, then slurked with cold galvanising paint :-P

[charlie13]

Drilled and bolted it is, M6 button head from the rear side of the lever into a piece of ally rod from the nice chaps in our toolroom, and a bit of time by yours truly to turn it down.

[$tevo]

M6? Toy thread! Hope it's high tensile:shock:

[charlie13]

Yep, with 20mm of engagement and glued in with vibration resistant threadlocker. One of the advantages of having stores in our machine build department to raid, they only use HT stuff ;)

[$tevo]

Breathing again..

[charlie13]

lol . . . if nothing else, being an design eng is good for when it comes to making bits for the bike and fixing stuff!