View Full Version : Tips for riding in ice weather?
Ok im sat at work, and looking out the window dreading my ride home later!
The temp has dropped since this morning and the roads are starting to ice up. I have never ridden in icey weather, anybody got any key tips?
:(
kwak zzr
24-11-08, 03:58 PM
slowly and carefully.
madness
24-11-08, 04:01 PM
Don't!
dont even try if its really icing over...you might be ok on main roads but as sson as you trun into your own little deserted road , driveway, hill (god forbid) you can hit a world of trouble....seriously better safe than sorry;)
Easy on the front brake, and don't be too proud to put your feet down at low speeds (when you otherwise wouldn't) if it's treacherous.
plowsie
24-11-08, 04:06 PM
Slow, smooth, feet at the ready. Most of all, don't tense up!
madness
24-11-08, 04:06 PM
If it's really icy don't even try on a bike. I've had my car sliding downhill side ways and I could do nothing but wait for it to clear the icy section or hit something!
fizzwheel
24-11-08, 04:11 PM
Don't!
If its really icey and you have to ride on untreated roads then I agree.
However if you're riding treated roads, then its something that you can do. As said above, slow and smooth, avoid anything slippy ( manhole covers, white lines etc etc ) Just treat it like riding in the rain only its more slippery.
IMHO
For corners apply full lock and gas it up*, you will look like a riding god.
*Hint: don't do this.
Thanks guys....hmmm gunna think about it. See if Security will look after my bike tonight :-(
fizzwheel
24-11-08, 04:17 PM
Thanks guys....hmmm gunna think about it. See if Security will look after my bike tonight :-(
I rode all the way from Amesbury to Yeovil a couple of years ago. I had to defrost the bike when I got to work people were telling me that I was nuts and their temperature sensors in their cars were showing -6 - 7. I came down the A30 from Sailsbury to Yeovil it was fine. Like I said main roads should be OK if they've been gritted.
Its actually quite confidence inspiring to know that you can do it as well.
as above, if you are on main roads, it should be ok.......... and its not going to be that icy this afternoon ....is it? what time do you finish?
I rode all the way from Amesbury to Yeovil a couple of years ago. I had to defrost the bike when I got to work people were telling me that I was nuts and their temperature sensors in their cars were showing -6 - 7. I came down the A30 from Sailsbury to Yeovil it was fine. Like I said main roads should be OK if they've been gritted.
Its actually quite confidence inspiring to know that you can do it as well.
Yep, coming home from Selkent a few years back I got off the bike and then noticed that ice had just fallen off my jacket. I thought that it was a tad cold that night.
As Fizz says, it shouldn't be a problem on main roads, Take it nice and easy, smooth on the throttle, and don't hoon into corners unless you want to come out sideways and end up on your ****.
startrek.steve
24-11-08, 04:27 PM
When I used to be a Despatch Rider many decades ago, I got so cold, my lips couldnt move enough to talk coherently at the motorway cafe!
worked out with the wind chill factor it was about -25!!
Steve
Well i dont think its gunna hit -25 outside just yet, but i think i will take it rite easy
fizzwheel
24-11-08, 04:47 PM
but i think i will take it rite easy
Whereabouts are you riding to / from ?
from weymouth to bournemouth
fizzwheel
24-11-08, 04:58 PM
from weymouth to bournemouth
You'll be fine I would think. All main roads, should be gritted no problems.
fizzwheel
24-11-08, 05:02 PM
Smashin :-)
Just take it steady around the roundabouts, thats going to be the place you'll have a slippy moment if you're going to have one.
Dangerous Dave
24-11-08, 05:13 PM
Slow, steady, and smooth (throttle, brakes, body movements, etc....)
Oh... and do not tense up and panic, easier to say than do I know.
DanAbnormal
24-11-08, 05:17 PM
This is where apexing roundabouts is useful. Make sure it's safe to do so first though. Good luck and godspeed, just take it easy and ride smoothly dude you'll be fine.
This is where apexing roundabouts is useful. Make sure it's safe to do so first though. Good luck and godspeed, just take it easy and ride smoothly dude you'll be fine.
Apexing?
Ceri JC
25-11-08, 10:25 AM
As others have said, the main roads are usually not too bad. It's usually quicker/safer to take motorways, even if it's quite a circuitous route, rather than a shorter one across untreated roads. If you live down a cul de sac, I'd be tempted to chain the bike up on the main road and walking the last few hundred yards, rather than trying to ride it all the way home as it's usually the untreated bits nearest to either end of the journey where you come off.
If you're having to go really slow (5-10mph) for any length of time, consider stopping altogether and getting the bike off the road. Cars won't slow down anywhere near as much and there have been times where I was more in danger because of being rear ended by a car than anything I was doing. Last time I came off on ice the car who was right up my ***e (and who I was making "slow down/back off" signals to) was certainly a contributive factor.
Don't worry too much about snow, unless it is thick/has been packed down into ice by cars, it's usually not too bad. Remember, there are occassions where it does get too bad to ride on a road bike with road tyres, irrespective of your skill, but this is comparatively rare. If in doubt, it's usually cheaper to stop, stay overnight in a B&B and be a day late back than it is to crash on the ice.
Dangerous Dave
25-11-08, 10:27 AM
looking out the window dreading my ride home later!
Did you make it back home, the roads weren't to bad down here?
Did you make it back home, the roads weren't to bad down here?
Yeah was fun! lol Was fine on the main roads, but near osmington was a bit hariy, felt my back wheel go a few times....but you'd be proud...i kept my cool :cool::D
Dangerous Dave
25-11-08, 10:53 AM
Yeah was fun! lol Was fine on the main roads, but near osmington was a bit hariy, felt my back wheel go a few times....but you'd be proud...i kept my cool :cool::D
Well done....
DanAbnormal
25-11-08, 10:53 AM
Apexing?
Straightlining.
Well done....
:D
(is it wrong that i kinda feel like im getting praise from my dad?! lol no offence of course)
Dangerous Dave
25-11-08, 11:02 AM
:D
(is it wrong that i kinda feel like im getting praise from my dad?! lol no offence of course)
Cheeky, although I'm mid thirty's and had a wild youth so you never know? ;)
Cheeky, although I'm mid thirty's and had a wild youth so you never know? ;)
LOL scary thought but true!
Dangerous Dave
25-11-08, 12:44 PM
LOL scary thought but true!
Are you grumpy and slighty insane, if so then that will narrow down the possibility....
Are you grumpy and slighty insane, if so then that will narrow down the possibility....
Im female so isnt that a prerequisite? :rolleyes:
Dangerous Dave
25-11-08, 01:00 PM
Im female so isnt that a prerequisite? :rolleyes:
Very true....
Welcome my long lost daughter, shh... don't tell the miss'.
plowsie
25-11-08, 01:13 PM
As per my experience 30 minutes ago...My tip for riding in icy conditions in a car is this - don't hit a patch of ice, listen to what your instructor says and turn into the slide, this innevitably throws you into the...yes that ditch. All because you gained traction and carried on going! Grr, tracking needs doing now.
Dangerous Dave
25-11-08, 01:34 PM
All because you gained traction and carried on going!
Ha, ha..... Uhh... I mean sorry to her that.
plowsie
25-11-08, 01:36 PM
Scarier than crashing the bike that was. Luckily it was an empty B road. Not even going fast.
scooby2102
25-11-08, 01:39 PM
I rode all the way from Amesbury to Yeovil a couple of years ago. I had to defrost the bike when I got to work .........
Its actually quite confidence inspiring to know that you can do it as well.
yep, with fizzwheel on this one, like others say, best bet is to go careful since once you have done it you will feel better for it
Very true....
Welcome my long lost daughter, shh... don't tell the miss'.
lol i always knew my mum had a dark side!
:D:D
yep, with fizzwheel on this one, like others say, best bet is to go careful since once you have done it you will feel better for it
Yeah like I said it wasn’t too bad last night, but I fear I will have to face worse conditions over the next couple of months. Thanks for all of your help guys.... really really appreciated :D
KnightRider
25-11-08, 02:37 PM
Think the most important thing is to be extra careful when starting out (as the roads around your home will be the worst) and even more careful when you arrive (as you may forget that the small roads are still iced.
I've been out a few times and after gaining some confidence on the major roads I have then forgotten to turn the wick down when turning off of them. Lucky nothing bad came of it!
chakraist
26-11-08, 01:42 AM
It's been quite icy down here, I dropped from 4th to second at reasonable speeds coming off the A2 to head to Folkestone and produced a lovely slide which eased me into the corner. Have to say was quite scary, but I got used to sliding the rear about throughout the summer so I guess that's paid off a little.
I hang off like a loon when it's icy and put real pressure on the opposite peg, try and keep the thing from leaning. I also sit much further towards the back of the bike than normal to keep the weight off the front too much as I'm quite comfortable with the back slipping about, it gives plenty of warning, unlike the front.
This post probably doesn't sound like I'm being too careful, but to me it's just not panicking, if the rear steps out a little I'll just carry on as per normal. Have dropped my speeds round corners right down though when it gets much below 3 degrees (can see it on the cars in front sometimes when stopped). It does make you feel pretty good that you're out on your bike in that weather.
I hate riding in the ice ever since I was unlucky enough to fall off because of it (my fault for not riding slow enough though). The longest ride I've done in the worst conditions was Aylesbury to Shaftesbury mostly in the snow, on an RS125, character-building stuff that!
It's no problem if you ride smoothly I don't think, although if you don't have to it's not pleasant so I avoid it when possible.
captainsmelly
26-11-08, 01:16 PM
question - how fast/slow do you go on icy roads?
wyrdness
26-11-08, 01:20 PM
When I used to be a Despatch Rider many decades ago, I got so cold, my lips couldnt move enough to talk coherently at the motorway cafe!
I've had that happen a couple of times, on especially cold days.
Dangerous Dave
26-11-08, 01:21 PM
question - how fast/slow do you go on icy roads?
To what feels comfortable.
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