Mad to cycle in tomorrow on road bike

Jawgap

[rant] We had less than an inch of snow (2.5cm, to be Euro about it) yesterday and civilisation ended as we know it!! What a place! When people were heading from here they were acting as if they were Captain Oates!

This morning there's people almost high-fiving one another congratulating themselves on making it in from Castleknock! Although it was noticeable that those of us who had furthest to commute were in first a good hour before anyone living in Dublin "trudged" in on the buses, DART and trains"

IT'S ONLY A BIT OF SNOW!!!! [/rant]

*People living in, around and close to the Dublin / Wicklow Mountains are excluded from this rant

On a more positive note - hats off to Fingal Council - M1 in their area was very well gritted - you could tell when you hit the city council's boundary by the large sheets of ice on the "minor" roads, especially that minor road from the Port Tunnel to the M50!

Caroline_ie

rflynnr wrote: »

In a horrible admission of defeat I brought the kids to school by car.

I thought the schools were closed till monday?

rflynnr

Caroline_ie wrote: »

I thought the schools were closed till monday?

I think you'll find the children of Dublin 7 are made of hardier stuff.;)

(Actually I know this not to be true: although my kids' school was open, three others within a half-mile radius are all closed. Wimplist time?)

cdaly_

BostonB wrote: »

Its pathetic that so little snow can bring a capital city to it knees because they didn't have or didn't want to put down grit.

Of course, other European capitals which regularly get snow don't grit at all. Instead drivers fit snow tyres to their cars and drive a little slower.

Don't worry, with all this climate change, we'll be getting this sort of winter regularly and people will start the winter tyres thing...

blorg

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Injured myself yesterday on the way home from work. Just lost front wheel traction in an estate and whacked my knee. It seems okay just after the accident, but now its swollen quite a lot. Damn. Had to take a day off work.

Ice it ASAP if you are not doing that already, and alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol.

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/rehab/a/rice.htm

Chips Lovell

I've seen the same guy, two mornings running, cycling to work in shorts.

kenmc

cdaly_ wrote: »

Don't worry, with all this climate change, we'll be getting this sort of winter regularly

Promise? I hope you're right. Love snow...

Now if only we had some mountains....

dragon_lordMTB

Had the MTB in work for some lunchtime spins so left the car in work and cycled home from Phoenix Park to Lucan as in Feb this took me 3 hours. Was home after collecting my Daughter from creche in under an hour.

Happy days.

No fun though cycling without my chamois. Suit trousers are not a good substitute.

Seaswimmer

el tonto wrote: »

I've seen the same guy, two mornings running, cycling to work in shorts.

what part of the city. I may know him..

Chips Lovell

Seaswimmer wrote: »

what part of the city. I may know him..

Inchicore

Caroline_ie

[quote=breakingnews.ie]Cold weather 'set to continue into March'

The current spell of bitterly cold weather is set to continue until around March, according to predictions issued today.

According to Jonathan Powell from Positive Weather Solutions, the current cold snap will continue until "the latter part of February or early part of March", interspersed with the occasional day or two of mild weather.

"This would be the case for both Ireland and the UK, and most of northern Europe, in fact," said Powell.

The west and northwest of Ireland are braced for worsening weather conditions later today after the east ground to a near-standstill yesterday.

[/quote]
meh

Gavin

Roll on Schwalbe Ice Spikers (ho ho ho, pun intended)

tomasrojo

Caroline_ie wrote: »

meh

Have I missed a major breakthrough in meteorology? Even seven-day forecasts are not very accurate. There's no way anyone can forecast two months in advance.

poochiem

tomasrojo wrote: »

Have I missed a major breakthrough in meteorology? Even seven-day forecasts are not very accurate. There's no way anyone can forecast two months in advance.

erm yeah they can. The floods of 19th November were notified in October to the day and we were discussing the white Christmas that day and the following week. The australian long range forecaster had all this forecast - ask the farmers they all knew about it, cattle were brought to high ground the 2nd week of november ahead of the floods/ increased feed supplies were stored before the current freeze in december. Ok Met Eireann can't forecast two days in advance but we know that.

Beasty

tomasrojo wrote: »

Have I missed a major breakthrough in meteorology? Even seven-day forecasts are not very accurate. There's no way anyone can forecast two months in advance.

I forecast here and now that the average temperature will rise over the next 6 months or so, and towards the end of the year will start dropping again

tomasrojo

poochiem wrote: »

erm yeah they can. The floods of 19th November were notified in October to the day and we were discussing the white Christmas that day and the following week. The australian long range forecaster had all this forecast - ask the farmers they all knew about it, cattle were brought to high ground the 2nd week of november ahead of the floods/ increased feed supplies were stored before the current freeze in december. Ok Met Eireann can't forecast two days in advance but we know that.

Do you have a link to who forecast those and what it was based on?

As for this prediction of this cold weather persisting into March, that would mean that they somehow figure that the current zone of high pressure that is lodged over Scandinavia will not move for over a month. How do they figure that?

tomasrojo

Beasty wrote: »

I forecast here and now that the average temperature will rise over the next 6 months or so, and towards the end of the year will start dropping again

But, of course, I'm talking about weather, not seasonality.

I did some research in atmospheric science, but it was a long time ago. I'm not an expert, but weather, particulary in a country that has frequent fronts passing over it, is very hard to forecast with any accuracy beyond a few days. The calculations involved are massive and complex.

As for the failings of Met Eireann, they seem no less accurate than anyone else. They get their data from much the same place as forecasters in other places. I used to get data from a supercomputer near London, and other people doing atmospheric science work in Ireland did as well.

Met Eireann does too, according to Wikipedia:

For medium-term forecasts (between 48 hours and 7 days), Met Éireann relies on forecasts provided by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts in Reading in the United Kingdom.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Met_%C3%89ireann#Forecasting_methodology

cdaly_

el tonto wrote: »

I've seen the same guy, two mornings running, cycling to work in shorts.

I was in shorts (with knee warmers) up until my new 3/4 bibtights arrived yesterday. Would have been in them sooner but had to wait for Santa to not bring them and then order a set.

Mind you, with my stubby legs, they reach all the way down to tops of socks...

Jawgap

tomasrojo wrote: »

Have I missed a major breakthrough in meteorology? Even seven-day forecasts are not very accurate. There's no way anyone can forecast two months in advance.

Actually it's quite easy......

You get a sea gull (preferably from the west coast, where our weather mostly comes from) - eviscerate it on to a silver plate - spin the plate three times clockwise - run around the outside of your house naked anti-clockwise - and Hey Presto !! - Abracadabra - you can forecast weeks ahead.

Or look for some snails - if they're going backwards it's going to be cold for a while yet....

All this talk about high pressure over the Arctic is tosh.....:)

poochiem

tomasrojo wrote: »

As for the failings of Met Eireann, they seem no less accurate than anyone else. They get their data from much the same place as forecasters in other places. I used to get data from a supercomputer near London, and other people doing atmospheric science work in Ireland did as well.

Met Eireann does too, according to Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Met_%C3%89ireann#Forecasting_methodology

yeah i think it's Haydon Walker in Oz, his oul fella was a long-term forecaster. they get real weather down there not an inch of snow that brings RTÉ's switchboard to collapse

tomasrojo

I don't know anything about him, so I can't comment, but thanks for the name. I'll have a search round and see what that was all about.

But be very sceptical of people who claim to forecast the weather weeks in advance in Ireland. Zimbabwe is a different matter. When I was there, I noticed that the weather forecast for the whole country in the newspaper was about one sentence and it was completely accurate. Something along the lines of "today it will be very hot and dry". Then there's a rainy season and then it's hot and dry again. Much less changeable weather than here!

BostonB

Thats the fast show weather forcast. "invariably reporting a temperature of "scorchio!" (45 degrees) country-wide."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctaszjeaDK0

Its in the middle somewhere.

Sarunas

Cycling in this morning and it was a lot better than yesterday definitely, no smushy stuff. Cycling back was nice as well as very few cars around city center. Thought, the gf's rear wheel slid out when she was breaking downhill on grace pard road in the morning.

Ryaner

cdaly_ wrote: »

I was in shorts (with knee warmers) up until my new 3/4 bibtights arrived yesterday. Would have been in them sooner but had to wait for Santa to not bring them and then order a set.

Mind you, with my stubby legs, they reach all the way down to tops of socks...

There is another cyclist in shorts in Clonshaugh / Santry. Every cyclist makes me want back on the bike - until I get within 1km of my apt and hit the solid ice. Gonna get worse now that Dublin bus pulled the buses from this road too.

DualFrontDiscs

I've really enjoyed cycling in and out of town over the last few days.

The roads are safer than the footpaths and the trike is safer than two wheels (I assume).

I've lost traction only a few times, with the rear wheels slipping sideways, but with two front wheels, that's easily handled.

My only problem is that my either my discs brakes and/ or the brake cable is freezing up. I had to cycle home with the brakes almost fully on this evening, which was very tough and probably not the safest thing either.

I stopped at Hertz on the SCR to ask for some de-icer! They were very helpful but only had some glass cleaner or WD40 to offer. No luck.

Any suggestions?

DFD.

tomasrojo

I used a Dublin Bike to get half the way home. It performed very well, I though. Nice wide tyres, low pressure. The road was much better than the footpath, as DualFrontDiscs said.

kenmc

DualFrontDiscs wrote: »

I've really enjoyed cycling in and out of town over the last few days.

The roads are safer than the footpaths and the trike is safer than two wheels (I assume).

I've lost traction only a few times, with the rear wheels slipping sideways, but with two front wheels, that's easily handled.

My only problem is that my either my discs brakes and/ or the brake cable is freezing up. I had to cycle home with the brakes almost fully on this evening, which was very tough and probably not the safest thing either.

I stopped at Hertz on the SCR to ask for some de-icer! They were very helpful but only had some glass cleaner or WD40 to offer. No luck.

Any suggestions?

DFD.

I've been loving my commute this week too, and can't wait till more snow comes at the weekend. Great craic blasting by the cars,the sound of the snow and slush under the wheels. Wish we had this all winter! Only one or 2 hairy moments, and one fall. Seems like the drivers are all too busy concentrating on not slipping to try and kill us! I've had more drivers move out to give me room in the last 2 days than in the previous year! The only downside is the amount of crud that collects on the bottom bracket and derailleurs which can't be good for the bike.....

LastGasp

kenmc wrote: »

Great craic blasting by the cars,the sound of the snow and slush under the wheels.
I've had more drivers move out to give me room in the last 2 days than in the previous year!

Cars are so worried about being able to either stop, or get going, that they are just going at bike pace - perfect ! I was working away this evening, suddenly realised it was 6pm and the OH was supposed to be working at 7pm so I had to hammer it home, made it in 45 minutes, almost as quick as I normally would on the road bike ! (I did break most of the red lights though, which I wouldn't normally do !) No falls yet - bound to come a cropper in the morning now that I've put that in writing.
Should be a good test of my new Seal Skins mittens - it was minus 7 degrees outside a little while ago. They were toasty on the way home, but I think it was warmer then.

Surveyor11

kenmc wrote: »

The only downside is the amount of crud that collects on the bottom bracket and derailleurs which can't be good for the bike.....

I've noticed some pitting on my front forks (Suntour XCM V2) - suspect this is coming from the salt used in the road grit. Might pay to give any stainless parts a scrub after an outing.

kenmc

Surveyor11 wrote: »

I've noticed some pitting on my front forks (Suntour XCM V2) - suspect this is coming from the salt used in the road grit. Might pay to give any stainless parts a scrub after an outing.

Yeah I give the bike a quick hose down when I get home in the evening... once I defrost the hose that is!

LastGasp

LastGasp wrote: »

Should be a good test of my new Seal Skins mittens - it was minus 7 degrees outside a little while ago. They were toasty on the way home, but I think it was warmer then.

Success at last ! I've bought 3 pairs of gloves in the last couple of months and none of them kept my fingers warm !
Wore these http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/106873.html in this morning. A couple of fingertips got a bit chilly for a while, but then all warmed up nicely. Mittens aren't the handiest for controls, but I found them fine on the MTB. Haven't tried them on the road bike yet. If you suffer from cold fingers I would definitely recommend these.

Caroline_ie

I havent tried to cycle in the snow with MTB yet. Would it be better to removed the SPD pedals and use flats?

kenmc

I'm in spds still, set them loosish

Gavin

Caroline_ie wrote: »

I havent tried to cycle in the snow with MTB yet. Would it be better to removed the SPD pedals and use flats?

Go for a lash in the pheonix park, great fun.

mmclo

OK had first fall this morning but it was entirely my fault, had a choice between main roads which were super all the way in from D.15 or to go downhill through minor roads in Stoneybatter and guess which I took.

Totally my fault and as I turned on to smallest of backroads which was sheer ice saw straight away what was going to happen. Bag and helmet well cushioned me, in fact head whacked the ground so well done helmet. Totally fine and not put off just will stick to main roads...slid for about 10metres though and bike double that.

Was talking to a woman on the path straight afterwards..."your mad to cycle in this etc." Me "no it's just this bit it's been fine all the way in" down I went again off my feet second time...rather proved the point.

Just exited lethal stoneybatter on foot and was back on

Thirty Thirty

Hi guys, I broke my finger coming off my bike on Tuesday and have been a bit of a chicken since then!

I have a hybrid, so it should be ok, but my slip came from moving forward at a crossroads and then turning right. Basically any turning on my bike is quite treacherous at the moment. Am getting sick of walking in and out of town (which is just as treacherous TBF) and for Monday, I'd like to know if there are any tips for cycling in this weather? Many thanks!

Caroline_ie

Thirty Thirty wrote: »

I'd like to know if there are any tips for cycling in this weather? Many thanks!

Yes right here -->

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Article

mmclo

Thirty Thirty wrote: »

Hi guys, I broke my finger coming off my bike on Tuesday and have been a bit of a chicken since then!

I have a hybrid, so it should be ok, but my slip came from moving forward at a crossroads and then turning right. Basically any turning on my bike is quite treacherous at the moment. Am getting sick of walking in and out of town (which is just as treacherous TBF) and for Monday, I'd like to know if there are any tips for cycling in this weather? Many thanks!

http://theradicalsac.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/4/

Thirty Thirty

Thanks guys, although I will be leaving the high speed turns for next year's blizzard!

blorg

Some good tips here more appropriate to riding on the road.

Many of the things you need to do are completely opposed to good riding technique in non-icy conditions so it takes a bit of a mental shift.

Turning keep your bike as upright as possible and do not brake. Steer into the turn rather than lean your bike. Take them slow.

Probably the single most important thing cycling in ice is braking. If you have good cycling technique you will know that the front brake is by far the more powerful and will use it almost exclusively.

In icy conditions you need to do the exact opposite: do not go near your front brake. Back brake only. If your back wheel skids it is relatively easy to control; if your front wheel locks you are going to crash. Don't use the front brake even if the road looks clear, there might be something you don't see and in any case forgoing it for the entire icy period will retrain you somewhat to use the rear. I leave my left hand covering the rear brake and my right firmly on the bars so I won't be tempted.

seamus

blorg wrote: »

In icy conditions you need to do the exact opposite: do not go near your front brake. Back brake only. If your back wheel skids it is relatively easy to control; if your front wheel locks you are going to crash. Don't use the front brake even if the road looks clear, there might be something you don't see and in any case forgoing it for the entire icy period will retrain you somewhat to use the rear. I leave my left hand covering the rear brake and my right firmly on the bars so I won't be tempted.

For anyone using a dublin bike this week - rear brake is on the right-hand side, and they work very well (drum brakes?), so keep your left hand away from the brake lever.

buffalo

Bus in, and then dublinbike across the city centre. Not a bother really, but does anyone know what the story with O'Connell bridge is? All the main roads in the city centre seem clear, but the bridge has great bit blobs of ice all over it! There was a Bus Eireann bus after rear ending a taxi as I crossed.

Any suggestions - the material in the road on the bridge doesn't heat up as well as tarmac? Or did the gritters just miss it? I have this image in my head of two gritters each doing north and south city centre, and neither doing the bridges.

blorg

seamus wrote: »

For anyone using a dublin bike this week - rear brake is on the right-hand side, and they work very well (drum brakes?), so keep your left hand away from the brake lever.

Jaysus that is a bit of a design problem given that any other bike in this country is the other way around. They should consider fixing that, it should not be difficult.

-K2-

buffalo wrote: »

Bus in, and then dublinbike across the city centre. Not a bother really, but does anyone know what the story with O'Connell bridge is? All the main roads in the city centre seem clear, but the bridge has great bit blobs of ice all over it! There was a Bus Eireann bus after rear ending a taxi as I crossed.

Any suggestions - the material in the road on the bridge doesn't heat up as well as tarmac? Or did the gritters just miss it? I have this image in my head of two gritters each doing north and south city centre, and neither doing the bridges.

Bridges always freeze before/harder than roads: cooled from above and below.

On freeways in the areas of the US prone to cold weather there are warning signs indicating this.

serendip

Has anybody cycled the Portmarnock to Clare Hall stretch in the last few days? I'm thinking of putting some knobbly tires on my hybrid and giving it a crack next week.

Thanks.

tomasrojo

ElectronEng wrote: »

Bridges always freeze before/harder than roads: cooled from above and below.

On freeways in the areas of the US prone to cold weather there are warning signs indicating this.

I'm learning a lot about physics from this cold spell. This is really like living in another country. Every day is fascinating.

LastGasp

Thirty Thirty wrote: »

I'd like to know if there are any tips for cycling in this weather?

Straight Lines only ! Chunky MTB tyres much better than Hybrid, slowly down icy hills, Back brake only. As someone said a few days ago "the bitch is in the bend". Problems occur when starting, stopping, turning.

privateBeavis

cycled in this morning, I cycle along the grand canal into work. Road was gritted so not too bad only thing to remember is that most of the cycle lanes still have build up of snow on them, side of the road is quite rough with snow and when freezes hard is dangerous enough. So end up cycling on the road most of the time.

Gavin

Preferably don't brake at all. To slow down in an emergency, steer into the side of the road, into the slush and crap. Even rear brakes on sheet ice will just cause the bike to slide out, it's not controllable

chakattack

Caroline_ie wrote: »

I havent tried to cycle in the snow with MTB yet. Would it be better to removed the SPD pedals and use flats?

Cycled on a borrowed mtb today and yesterday. I put my speedplays on but had to take them off straight away because the cleats get jammed with snow and ice easily.

I reckon stick to flats...much handier if you slip and want to bail off the bike.

I stuck to the road yesterday out the full length of the N3, took the lane where neccessary and stuck to the left of the left lane for most it. 99% of drivers were understanding and only marginally faster (when moving!) apart from one b*tch who I had to uncharacteristly give the fingers after she beeped at me for the 3rd time despite having an entire lane on the right to overtake me and I was on the far left of the left lane. RETARD

N3 around cabra and blanch was covered with patches of black ice this morning between the hardened snow tracks which can derail you on the far left and the centre of the road. Traffic was moving faster today so couldn't really take the lane. After somehow recovering a front wheel slide I decided to stick to the footpaths, giving pedestrians priority and friendly waves when they yield.

UNCOMPACTED snow covered footpaths are the safest option if you can find them, no traffic to worry about behind you and the extra resistance gives you a good workout (but increased journey time)