Dublin Bikes in the snow

xoxyx

I thought that when the snow fell, the DBs would be completely out of commission, but I saw a fair few hardy souls cycling around this morning. What's the consensus - is it safe to cycle them in the city in these weather conditions? I want to cycle but I don't want to die.

Mutz

Was waiting at a red light at Islandbridge today around 10.30am when a poor fella who was balancing waiting for the light went on his ass about 5 feet ahead of my car.

He was visibly embarrassed but okay and indicated so to the cars at the front of the queue. The whole falling procedure seemed to take ages as he struggled for balance.

Seems a bit dangerous IMO.

Ole Rodrigo

I went from Parnell Square to Molesworth St this morning - no incidents thankfully, but I found it dangerous and wont be doing it again.

chubb22

just came across this post and wanted to have a say.myself and 5 friends cycled 50km yestarday and it was dodgy in places but no accidents thankfully!! just be careful and take your time.also wou;d anybody be able to tell me any info on trek mountain bikes.im lokking at the 6500 model and its takin my fancy so any info/advice would be great,thanks

seamus

I rode them last January when the snow was at its worst. They've relatively wide tyres, poor brakes and gentle gearing, so they're perfect on paper. Take it easy, stay out of the snow (cycle as much in the car's tracks as you can) and avoid using the front brake if at all possible. Ride in such a way that you never have to brake in an emergency. Never use the paths or cycle lanes.

Dead handy for getting around the city when the weather's this crap because busses and cars are going nowhere.

Capt'n Midnight

seamus wrote: »

I rode them last January when the snow was at its worst. They've relatively wide tyres, poor brakes and gentle gearing, so they're perfect on paper. Take it easy, stay out of the snow (cycle as much in the car's tracks as you can) and avoid using the front brake if at all possible. Ride in such a way that you never have to brake in an emergency. Never use the paths or cycle lanes.

Dead handy for getting around the city when the weather's this crap because busses and cars are going nowhere.

Ditto

Walking on the paths were more slippery than cycling on the roads.

seamus

Oh, and if you're planning on using them, bring a cloth or something that you can use to wipe snow & ice off the saddle and the handlebars. Doing it with your hands, even with gloves on, is not pleasant about five minutes later when the cold gets in.

tomasrojo

seamus wrote: »

I rode them last January when the snow was at its worst. They've relatively wide tyres, poor brakes and gentle gearing, so they're perfect on paper. Take it easy, stay out of the snow (cycle as much in the car's tracks as you can) and avoid using the front brake if at all possible. Ride in such a way that you never have to brake in an emergency. Never use the paths or cycle lanes.

Dead handy for getting around the city when the weather's this crap because busses and cars are going nowhere.

I haven't tried them this month, but I used them through the last icy period in January and found them quite good, provided you do as Seamus says.

Also, it's worth remembering that on a DublinBike the levers that control the front and rear brakes are reversed from what you're probably used to. The right lever controls the rear brake; it is this brake and this brake alone that you should use if the road is icy.

km991148

I've been well pleased with my b-twin vitamin in the snow - it has ridiculously wide tyres and an easy (single) gearing!

Although for day-to-day the above features have been p!ss!ng me off, I am happy enough in the snow!

Jawgap

Went from the Customs House to Trinity on one over lunchtime and back again - and found it ok. As others have said, as long as you take your time and display a bit of common sense it shoudl be ok.

went out yesterday morning, had a couple of wobbles and thought better of it - according to the Garmin I did 2.15km.

penexpers

Cycled my Brompton from Heuston Station to Kilmainham this morning. Roads were fine, avoided the cycle lane though because it was full of ****.

Also cycled from my home in Newbridge to the train station there. That was also fine. The footpaths still had reasonably fresh snow so just took it easy.

littleredspot

Cycled around the city center today with no problems. All the main roads were cleared.

Capt'n Midnight

seamus wrote: »

Oh, and if you're planning on using them, bring a cloth or something that you can use to wipe snow & ice off the saddle and the handlebars. Doing it with your hands, even with gloves on, is not pleasant about five minutes later when the cold gets in.

Carry a plastic bag to put over the saddle 'cos there is always a last little bit of moisture you can't wipe off with your hand

expectationlost

chubb22 wrote: »

just came across this post and wanted to have a say.myself and 5 friends cycled 50km yestarday and it was dodgy in places but no accidents thankfully!! just be careful and take your time.also wou;d anybody be able to tell me any info on trek mountain bikes.im lokking at the 6500 model and its takin my fancy so any info/advice would be great,thanks

u cycled 50k on the dublin bikes?

seamus

expectationlost wrote: »

u cycled 50k on the dublin bikes?

Stranger things have happened. A couple of lads took them to Belfast when they were first released.

And I spotted someone in Rathfarnham shopping centre last weekend with one...

tomasrojo

penexpers wrote: »

Cycled my Brompton from Heuston Station to Kilmainham this morning. Roads were fine, avoided the cycle lane though because it was full of ****.

Also cycled from my home in Newbridge to the train station there. That was also fine. The footpaths still had reasonably fresh snow so just took it easy.

I'll probably be out on the Brompton tomorrow, leaving from Kilmainham. Good to know it was ok today. Of course, tomorrow could be quite different.

What is it with RTÉ and snow? Rainfall is in mm, but as soon as rain turns to snow, they have to give every measurement in inches.

Capt'n Midnight

tomasrojo wrote: »

What is it with RTÉ and snow? Rainfall is in mm, but as soon as rain turns to snow, they have to give every measurement in inches.

if the snow is light then one inch will melt down to a mm ?

cdaly_

The usual conversion is 1cm snow == 1mm rain. 1 inch would melt to 2.5mm rain. Forecast was in cm rather than inches IIRC.

xoxyx

Ok - I took mine out this morning and let me say, never again until the snow clears!!! At first I thought I was great cycling along the main roads watching the pedestrians slip and slide around. Then I turned on to a slightly less used road and the bike went e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.!!!! I barely managed to stay on and thank God there were no cars around. Seriously, there was zero grip from the tires and the road wasn't pure ice, just relatively compacted snow. I had to walk it for the rest of that road.

That was bad enough, but I had seen the road coming. If I had hit a random patch of ice when I was cycling along an otherwise clear road it could have been the end of me.

Still, I felt like a hero cycling past everybody. Cycling in snow and ice!!!