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Thread: On yer bike...or off it!

  1. #1
    LUSE Galant's Avatar
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    On yer bike...or off it!

    After riding since last spring I suffered my first fall today. It's only a small Peugot scooter/moped that I use for work to go from job to job around Gib.

    We've been having rainy weather thanks to storm Emma and now the incoming Felix, and so far I hadn't had any issues.

    Then on the way home, traffic was moving slowly, I was maybe doing about 15mph (really not sure) and without any warning I found myself on the ground. Really bizarre. No idea what happened, was riding straight on, no turns, normal road, not quickly. Didn't see anything on the ground. I think the front wheel went (slipped?) to the right and the bike went down at an angle. It's odd because I've ridden in windy and wet conditions and found the bike and myself to be quite stable. Still, conditions can surely vary a lot depending on quantity of rain, condition of the road surface etc.

    I came off my bike without any warning and next thing I know I'm picking myself up, the bike, laptop and case, and gathering myself.

    Physically just a couple of grazes on my knees and what will probably be a bruise on my left hand and left knee. Didn't slide on the floor at all, just shoulder rolled once and ended up on one knee.

    Only thing I can think of it that maybe my tyre pressure was a bit low. I'm going to check it, but I would have thought a lower pressure might actually be better for grip in wet weather...maybe not?

    Anyway, glad I'm alright. It's a nice eye opener as to the realities of riding a bike. Will be a bit more careful from now on think, especially in wet weather.

    Anyone any advice on wet weather riding?
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    Pork & Beans Powerup Phage's Avatar
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    Re: On yer bike...or off it!

    Usually oil/diesel on the road... I speak from experience
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    DDY
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    Re: On yer bike...or off it!

    Patch of oil or a greasy road would be a strong possibility.

    Also, you're right to suspect low tyre pressure to be a factor. Bike tyres are round, unlike car tyres which are square*, so they have a single point contact with the road, this means on wet roads, water gets squished to the sides of the point, but if the tyre is slightly deflated, that point becomes bigger, more like a patch and the water doesn't get squished out as easily. You can end up in a situation where that patch skates over the water on the road, rather than squishing the water to the side and gripping the road surface.

    So top tips? Look out for that characteristic rainbow sheen of oil and diesel on water and keep your tyres properly inflated

    Oh, and wet gravel on the road. Nasty stuff.

    EDIT:* Just read that myself. Square tyres, lol. You know what I mean
    Last edited by DDY; 09-03-2018 at 08:37 PM.

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    Not a good person scaryjim's Avatar
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    Re: On yer bike...or off it!

    Quote Originally Posted by Galant View Post
    ... I was maybe doing about 15mph (really not sure) and without any warning I found myself on the ground. Really bizarre. No idea what happened, was riding straight on, no turns, normal road, not quickly. ...
    I once did exactly the same thing on a pushbike. Was probably doing more like 20mph (was on the flat, one evening on the way to work) and I went from upright to horizontal before I had time to even register the movement.

    In my case I know exactly what happened - I was biking past a stand of pine trees, and they'd sheltered the road surface from the winter sun, leaving a patch of unthawed black ice across the entire road. The rest of the 6 mile route into work was completely clear and dry - it was just that 50m or so. I suspect that black ice is unlikely at this time of year in Gib, but an oil or grease patch could probably have a very similar effect. Not sure there's an awful lot you could've done differently, based on your description; sometimes the road just gets you...

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    Re: On yer bike...or off it!

    As above, probably diesel.

    If it's been dry for a spell, followed by heavy rain, then that will often wash all the road crap up out of the pits in the tarmac and make the surface slippery too.

    Chalk it up to experience, saddle up and get back out there. All part of life on two wheels.

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    Re: On yer bike...or off it!

    Quote Originally Posted by Phage View Post
    Usually oil/diesel on the road... I speak from experience
    this... and perhaps a wet metal manhold cover/grate/water hydrant cover.

    Quote Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
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    Re: On yer bike...or off it!

    but it does make you realise the importance on quality protective clothing I reckon. Not just paddding, but abrasion resistance.

    Quote Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
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    Re: On yer bike...or off it!

    As Zak33 says ATGATT, all the gear all the time. Never expected to be using that phrase on this forum.

    This time of year is dangerous for riders, the temp has risen to an acceptable level and the ice and snow are gone, but whats left behind are piles of grit and salt that have not washed away and in some cases this residue forms a slimy paste thats almost invisible (in the case of salt) and this can be as dangerous as ice, especially on road markings or drain covers. Tires also don't get up to temp quite as quickly in this sub 10 degree weather.

    Hope theres no lasting damage, my bike comes out the garage this week (been an all year biker last few years, not this year though) after battery problems, hoping they are resolved.
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    Re: On yer bike...or off it!

    Did this on a pushbike last year and my left arm was out of action for weeks while my elbow repaired itself, I felt like a t-rex as my arm felt tiny where I couldn't reach out.

    That was a rainbowy patch on the road......they can be pretty dangerous and leave you with zero time to adjust
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