http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Urgent good advice needed en Wed, 13 May 2026 04:14:14 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18400#post-267765 Sun, 26 Nov 2017 19:35:07 +0000 Frenchy 267765@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Decided against cycling the route I'd planned along some back roads in Midlothian. Did cycle along the old railway to Straiton though, and it was frosty enough in places to confirm I'd made the right choice. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18400#post-267717 Sat, 25 Nov 2017 18:46:54 +0000 HankChief 267717@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Chapeau. That's one ride to remember. Glad you bagged the century and got back safely to tell the tale. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18400#post-267716 Sat, 25 Nov 2017 18:26:54 +0000 Greenroofer 267716@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So I set off from Morningside at about 0645 this morning. Morningside Drive was sparkling in my headlight. I stayed off bike paths on the way out of Edinburgh, and the roads were fine apart from a sketchy moment on the Low Road round Arthur's Seat. There was little traffic. A tailwind eased the ride east along the coast. The live traffic lanes were all fine, although bike lanes and shared use footways were all frosted and unusable ( no surprise there). The back wheel got a bit lively a couple of times near Whitekirk, but actually the biggest problem was my fear of encountering ice (which meant I couldn't let the bike freewheel unrestrained on the downhills) rather than ice itself. </p> <p>The steep down and up to Pease Bay was icy in places, and I nearly came a cropper as I dismounted at the ford. </p> <p>The worst bit of the whole ride was the climb to COLDingham, which had large patches of frozen field run off on it. The road wasn't busy, though, so it wasn't a massive problem. </p> <p>The return was windy. I ground out the miles and pedalled down the hills. It was definitely a bit nippy too, but I was quite comfortable. All credit to the Decathlon Aerofit baselayer: it has a windproof panel on the front, and in combination with an Aerofit warm jersey it's toasty warm. I had an extra vest on top of it today, and a gilet some of the time too. Double gloves, neoprene overshoes, a buff and a fleece hat kept the extremities warm. </p> <p>Thanks for all the advice. Glad to be able to keep up the habit of a century ride every month, and that looked at risk last night. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18400#post-267710 Sat, 25 Nov 2017 15:59:25 +0000 unhurt 267710@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Quite skiddy coming home from Corstorphine just after midnight last night, especially on side streets. I suppose I should wrangle on spikes too... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18400#post-267707 Sat, 25 Nov 2017 15:44:14 +0000 sallyhinch 267707@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It was definitely icy (and a bit of snow) on our back rural road at 9am this morning. By the time I'd wrangled the spikes on, it had thawed but that's a story for another day. I think you made the right call Greenroofer </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18400#post-267698 Sat, 25 Nov 2017 00:13:54 +0000 crowriver 267698@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hm. Maximum 3 degrees centigrade tomorrow. With 22mph wind that wind chill will feel like about -8 degrees centigrade.</p> <p>Get the base layers, toe cosies and lobster mitts out. Or just stay in bed... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18400#post-267694 Fri, 24 Nov 2017 23:39:52 +0000 HankChief 267694@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Good luck Greenroofer. Have fun and stay safe. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18400#post-267693 Fri, 24 Nov 2017 23:28:36 +0000 Greenroofer 267693@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>100 miles on studded tyres is an adventure I shall leave for another day...</p> <p>I've plotted a new route along the coast. The return will be 50 miles into the teeth of a stiff breeze, which I assume will be somewhat chilly... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18400#post-267691 Fri, 24 Nov 2017 22:50:37 +0000 Ed1 267691@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>With a fresh set of studded tyres on would guess it would be ok as is meant to be above zero but would guess there will be some ice. I only have one studded tyre just order a set today. I like the route down that way done the journey a few times Lockerbie, Moffatt, longtown that area. I prefer to cycle down and get the train back. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18400#post-267682 Fri, 24 Nov 2017 20:56:50 +0000 Greenroofer 267682@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks @HC - just seen those yellow warnings for ice, which have confirmed that Carlisle is off the cards. Anyone want a single ticket to Carlisle for 0615 tomorrow morning?</p> <p>Just spotted that @sallyhinch posted as I was posting. Thanks Sally - that's useful to know for next time. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18400#post-267681 Fri, 24 Nov 2017 20:55:58 +0000 sallyhinch 267681@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This may help <a href="http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/15589/Winter-treatment-route-map" rel="nofollow">http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/15589/Winter-treatment-route-map</a></p> <p>Basically in D&amp;G you can't rely on anything off road being salted, and the back roads are a bit hit and miss but the numbered roads should be done.</p> <p>That said, it was apparently wacky races on our roads today (I waited until everything had thawed) <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-42109338" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-42109338</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18400#post-267680 Fri, 24 Nov 2017 20:55:14 +0000 HankChief 267680@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Met office has a yellow ice warning from Carlisle to Moffat</p> <p><a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings#?date=2017-11-25&amp;lat=55.05895&amp;lon=-3.26455" rel="nofollow">https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings#?date=2017-11-25&amp;lat=55.05895&amp;lon=-3.26455</a></p> <p>A good couple of degrees warmer on the East Coast and closer to civilisation, </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18400#post-267677 Fri, 24 Nov 2017 20:52:41 +0000 HankChief 267677@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The roads should be gritted as they are main roads but I don't think it is worth the risk. I'd suggest a coastal run along to Dunbar instead. That's been my cold weather route. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18400#post-267676 Fri, 24 Nov 2017 20:47:37 +0000 Greenroofer 267676@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've got a ticket to Carlisle for me and my bike tomorrow morning (0615). Was planning to ride back, but now am having second thoughts. The temperature is due to be barely above freezing all night and into tomorrow. I'm assuming the roads will be damp, and will have field run-off on them after the recent rain.</p> <p>I'm not worried about the cold, but I <em>am</em> worried about ice.</p> <p>Do you have any experience of the main NCN74/A701 route via Moffat and Devil's Beef Tub in conditions like this? Is it likely to be covered in ice and totally unsafe? Do they salt it?</p> <p>So, please come on and let me know, should I stay or should I go? </p>