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All these posts are cheering me up no end after what was fair to say a fairly dismal ride.
Set off as planned at 4am, ticked the first 30 miles off with a fairly decent average despite the cold. Using a new Garmin bought yesterday after my old 800 packed in, not fully understanding it I ended up taking a turn to the right late notice, lost the front wheel and went down, partially on my knee and partially using the rear mech. Result - spannered knee and bent rear mech hanger. Walking back to the junction I confirmed that it was black ice by falling over on it.
Obviously being the amazing mechanic I am, I continued to the next village (castle headingham) with the gears jumping about all over the place to the point where I had to stop to try and fix them. Checking my (rubbish!!) garmin, I noticed it was -8 at this point, then also noticed that my right knee is utterly buggered. Then noticed that I was shaking like a defecating dog and that I was cold....very cold. i then managed to break the hanger, got in a proper strop and stormed round Castle headingham kids playground swearing as best I could while limping. At 6am in the morning...
Called my mum, who was an utter legend and set off to pick me up. Found a garage with a coffee machine and the grumpiest cashier I've ever come across, bought two coffees and a hot chocolate and proceeded to sit outside and sob quietly/shake whilst waiting for mum.
Quick trip to A &E confirmed I've just twisted my knee. Frame could be a write-off as I think I've bent quite a bit of the drop out too. Definitely bust an sti lever which is a pain as its one of the new hydro ones so that'll be a fortune to fix.
Anyway, I'm down but not out. I need warmer stuff to wear - despite two base layers, castelli winter tights and a rapha jacket I was stupidly cold. Garmin 1000's are utterly rubbish so that'll be going back. And I need to drop a bit of weight from the bike as I'd packed too much stuff.
Standing in the garage waiting for mum it did all feel like an impossible challenge at this time of year. But now I've thought about it, I think a pair of leg warmers over the tights, another base layer and overshoes on my winter boots.
For anyone interested, I'm putting myself through this to raise money for children in Syria. I won't put the link on here as I don't want people thinking I'm fishing for donations but if you email me I can fire the link across to you. The route I took is the dulwich dynamo in reverse. However on reflection I'll find another route as the majority of roads I was on this morning hadn't had a sniff of the gritter and were lethal!
Thanks for all your kind words and support, it's massively appreciated.
Hey, you got the being scared bit right!
Heal quick.
Crap luck there, but it was a hell of a cold day to attempt it.
You're down but not out, pick a warmer day and you won't need more layers. Good luck!
Good effort even attempting it in those conditions flange, sorry you came a cropper. Hope you and the bike heal soon. Sliding on ice is horrible, I've done it a few time commuting in stupid temperatures, it's also very stressful riding in icy conditions and it's just no fun.
despite two base layers, castelli winter tights and a rapha jacket I was stupidly cold
That's my standard winter kit but usually one base layer, but in -8 the cold starts to bite and you would struggle to stay warm for more than a couple of hours.
Unlucky buddy, let us know when you attempt it again! Also please make it easy for us to donate!
Cheers folks!
You're right Gary, it wasn't a lot of fun and with the freezing fog I didn't get much of a view either. Having a Hare running along in front of me for a few hundred yards was nice though. You're right about the clothing too, I was fine for the first hour but properly started to feel it after that. Normally I'm fine with one less base layer but that's a commute of an hour maximum.
Frame is a write-off for definite, which is no bad thing as I quite fancy one of those Masons, so it's not all bad! Did manage to hole my new castelli tights though, bastard!
Depending on how bad my knee is I'll be trying again in a week or so. Will update this thread when I do. Third time lucky eh!
Sorry to hear about your fall, but respect for attempting the ride in the cold conditions. Hope you mend soon.
I personally wouldn't ride whenever there's a chance of ice without studded tyres. However, they do take more effort to keep rolling. The furthest I've ridden on them was a winter 200k in the Scottish Borders on a fixie, and it was hard going at times.
I know they're unfashionable, but a pannier is also worth taking along on a winter ride to hold extra clothes - a Buffalo top is bulky, but great for pulling on over your other gear if you have to stop.
I don't want people thinking I'm fishing for donations
What's wrong with that? Stop being silly and post the damn link!
Hey Flange, tried your profile but can't see an email address...
Awesome effort.. Heal quick.
Hope the bike pulls through
Jezebels.
You need moar MTFU 😆
At least you got out of bed 😛
I used studded tyres on my commuter a couple of years ago, wasnt too much of an effort but that was for 20 miles, not 100. Still didn't like riding across icy patches and again it wasn't much fun, and I also couldn't fit my guards so it made it double no fun.
Crap your frame is broken, but those Masons are very nice 🙂
Ok, if people do feel inclined to donate then the link is [url= https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Wil-Kitcher ]Here.[/url] although I'd rather folk didn't as it means I definitely have to do it again!
Now looking at studded tyres...they look....draggy!
Regarding panniers and carrying stuff - I think with a bit of forward planning I could do away without needing to take much at all. Currently have a carradice long flap but it plus the carrier support weigh a ton on their own, let alone with the kitchen sink I thought necessary to take. Extra base layer and my security card plus tubes and food should fit in the back of the jacket, hopefully.
Also, don't listen to DJ shadow riding dark Suffolk lanes on your own....
Bad luck... sounds like an awesome challenge...
Now looking at studded tyres...they look....draggy!
Happy to lend you the set I have but if it's icy I would find another day to do it. You want to enjoy it, well as much as you can, so pick a day the weather is warmer. 5+ hours solo riding in the dark will be hard enough without ice, you just can't relax at all in the dark no matter how good your lights are.
let me know if you want them.
Now looking at studded tyres...they look....draggy
They are; I used to use them on a 6m e/w commute when zero or below and it made me v.hungry, as isounded either like Rice Krispies or frying bacon (when not rolling on ice). Worthwhile, as there was a section that was often black ice, and twice saw vehicles the wrong way up.
I can also confirm that, thanks to Dom's test bike, the Mason Bokeh is very nice indeed.
Cheers Gary, that's really kind of you. Will give you a shout if bike24 doesn't take my monies!
Yes that Bokeh does look lovely but being the owner of a rarely used 'gravel bike' I'm wondering if a definition would be a better bet. It's a lovely looking thing though.
I've just been out and cannibalised parts from the old frame and put them on an even older Airborne Carpe Diem. There's a joke in there somewhere but I'm too tired to work it out...
Sorry to hear you got hurt, glad it wasn't badly
Bikes and ice just plain don't mix, add in fog and you are really stacking the odds!
You run the risk of black ice at 4c and wet or 3c and dry. It's not just you but the other road users who may lose control and hurt you.
Those may seem like pretty high temps but everytime I've broken that rule I've found ice or it's found me, in one case at 25mph in a dip
Good work flange and good to see you raising money for a good cause! Sorry to hear about your crash. Better luck next time! 🙂
Your mad but good mad. Donated.
Also, don't listen to DJ shadow riding dark Suffolk lanes on your own....
In cold weather listening to Slayer* causes you to move faster, generating greater warmth and less hesitation on corners.
*other fast aggressive music has the same effect
I reckon leaving the house is by far the hardest thing in all of this, and you did that so respect!
But yeah, conditions were somewhat adverse.
Sorry to read the update about the slide and likely frame write-off, plus your damaged knee and more importantly... your new clothing! 😉
But at least you didn't wake up with a paramedic over you and no broken bones from the sounds of things. 😀
That's one serious challenge, and not one I'd take up. Good on you for trying and I hope you succeed next time.
Councils tend to grit the main roads first - exactly the ones you'd most like to avoid. Spikey tyres are OK. Ive commuted a fair bit on them, and done some longer rides. Pumped up hard, they're not ridiculously draggy but them I've not tried them for 100 miles 😕
Glad you're OK though. I trust you had an extra insulating layer with you? I tend to carry a Primaloft jacket at this time of year in the event I have an unplanned stop. Even one of those wee foil blankets is worthwhile having.
Top effort Op.
Sorry if didn't come off (no pun) this time, but you'll be back. Happy healing.
Bad luck. Did the garage attendant make you site outside in -8 temps or was that out of choice?
Good effort. After the crash I don't think anyone could argue that it's reasonable to reschedule for late spring when you'd be doing most of it in daylight without an ice risk. 100 miles each way with a day of work in between. Still impressive.
Impressed you actually tried, I would have waited till march for that distance. -I only have 28km to work
not meant as an ad but I have 2 spare Sti RS505 levers, barely used, if you want a cheap replacement for your bike, write me an email.
Nice try op.
Hope you mend quick. Use the lay up time to shop for new frames...
Folks - can't express my thanks enough for the donations made. That you'll sponsor an idiot riding in the ice through Suffolk is hugely touching, thank you!
I'm pretty sore today, made it into work but the knee is certainly not happy. However I'm going to book a few sessions at the physio (I should have a DD set up for them!) and hopefully that'll sort it. Next attempted is planned for a week on Monday all going well although this is dependent on how the knee recovers. If not, it may be the 16th. But it'll get done, I'm more determined than ever.
Goss - thanks for the offer chap. I've actually ordered two new 685 levers so replace the buggered ones. What a flippin swindle they are!
Dazh - not so much told me, but when I asked if I could stand in the shop to warm up he replied with 'well how long are you going to be'? So I took myself off outside for a little cry. His coffee was rubbish as well...
I would have gone on the sick if I'd hurt myself like that just before work. There's no way I'd have gone in. Especially if its an injury bad enough to require physio.
Couldn't you have engaged him conversation about Japanese cars? 😀