@steveo I did have my stud tyres/ wheels off until I saw the forecast lat night and put them back on.
Didn't enjoy the snow as much this morning though, it was a bit wet and slushy. I prefer dry harder packed snow.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
"Severe weather warning"
(7379 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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I saw a fabled mini-tractor, neither outside the council offices or the parliament.
It wasn't doing much - just parked on the pavement, blocking a corner by a pedestrian crossing, but had presumably been clearing snow up until it got there.George Street cycle path hadn't been treated, but I was expecting that and had deliberately gone that way to get a feel for slicks on ice again.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@Stickman - I had a lovely ride on the crispy snow this morning.
I get the impression that snow crackling under my wheels has been frozen harder than powder snow, so actually increases friction on the road? Didn't want to test my hypothesis!Posted 9 years ago # -
Given that I've a big ride at the weekend and feel lazy today, I forsook the snowbike and got a lift in.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I cycled on the main road from Corstorphine today on standard tyres. No problems.
Posted 9 years ago # -
The cooncil has helpfully demonstrated its commitment to cycling and the George Street cycling project in general by leaving it covered in slush ice and snow while the general vehicle access lanes were plowed and scattered. I saw one cyclist come down while slowing at a junction, fairly slow-mo and they picked themselves up again, but should never been allowed to get like that.
The vehicle tyre tracks in the snow show just how easy it is for cars and vans to enter the lane even where there's a bollard - the position of the single bollard leaves a greater width than a vehicle unbollarded.
In other news, a carpet of mainly slush between Roseburn and South Gyle was handled admirably on studs.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I walked to the 'main' road through Roslin, over pretty slippy refrozen snow and slush, squinted down at the wee road that takes you to the priority gritted routes, poked at the frozen slush in the black bits of the road, then got the bus.
My studs have started poking through the carcass, so putting them back on wasn't an option.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Took the cross bike round Arthur's Seat - little slippy at the steepest bit of the ascent, but the bit exposed to the sun were already seeing snow as a lost memory. Descent was taken carefully however.
Main roads, nae bother, Christian Path surprisingly ice free, cycle path at the Jewel to Kinnaird Park I had to stop.... to let a mini-tractor that was gritting come the other way.
Got home and our street, a very 'side street' that holds onto snow for quite a while, is virtually completely snow free now.
Posted 9 years ago # -
It seems that the sunshine is warming things up rather more than was forecast. Any updates on the state of the canal towpath would be appreciated - I imagine that it was treacherous this morning, but I hope to cycle home cautiously after abandoning my bike at work yesterday.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Boyfriend Of Fimm reports no ice on the towpath (between Harrison Park and Wester Hailes).
This is probably of no surprise to anyone, if the amount of snow visible from my office window is anything to go by...Posted 9 years ago # -
Excellent, thank you for the update - I shall cycle home!
Posted 9 years ago # -
everything's thawed away, edinburgh to fife-side
Posted 9 years ago # -
Was very slushy on way into work tis morning. All cars driven with care. Very sleety on way home but still no days lost to the weather since August.
Posted 9 years ago # -
You'd think torpedoing in sleet wouldn't be too bad, wouldn't you? I had to ride some of the way today without eye protection because my glasses were steaming up from the tropical microclimate that I was generating inside.
I was going to go for a ride up Queen's Drive but looked at the wind direction and thought North Bridge might be the better option.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Edit: Accidentally double-clicking the 'Send Post' button has some interesting effects.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Simon and Garfunkel being stuck in your head?
Posted 9 years ago # -
Went for an early evening meal at the Bridge Inn in Ratho this evening. Came out at about 1845 to a sleety blizzard, which I wasn't expecting. Rode back to Morningside on the towpath. No ice at all, but the bit between Ratho and Hermiston was full of huge puddles. Oddly enough, only passed one bike on that bit of the ride.
Once I'd resigned myself to the wet gloves and steadily dampening feet, it was reasonably enjoyable pottering along through all the puddles in foul weather in the quiet darkness.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@greenroofer I rode the other way, probably about an hour before you out to Clifonhall.
I know what you mean about the puddles. I gave up trying to dodge them as I was soaked anyway. Ended up plouging straight through them all and "rinsing" the bike.
Posted 9 years ago # -
My Endura MT500 neoprene overshoes and Gore Tex Extremities mits keep my extremities dry and warm on my commute.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Took the studded tyres off yesterday. I hope this doesn't provoke a weatherbomb of some kind.
Today's ride in was lovely. The bike just floated along, quietly and quickly (although I heard some new squeaks and rattles that had been drowned by the rice krispie noises). It was also much better behaved: the studded tyres were quite twitchy at high pressure and tended to track all the linear features they came across.
So, much as I am grateful for the benefits of studs, I'm really glad to have got shot of them for the next few months.
Posted 9 years ago # -
'Weatherbomb' - the BBC weather app is predicting the end of the world! 50mph winds in DMains, itchy chin more like!
Posted 9 years ago # -
The BBC weather app seems to have been updated recently so that it now shows gust speeds when the wind is going to be particularly strong; it is currently showing gust speeds up to 53mph using black arrows until ~2am, while the BBC website merely reports wind speeds up to 30mph.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Today is one of those wonderful days when the weather gods are smiling on (some) cyclists and arranging for tailwinds both to and from work.
Of course, they've also smited people who head in the opposite direction that I do...
Posted 9 years ago # -
@kaputnik I wasn't going to gloat, but, now that you've mentioned it, it does make a nice change to be favoured, although I fear that it might not be entirely clear-cut in terms of the directions of the gustiness later on...
Posted 9 years ago # -
Yes Kapps, you and indeed Greenroofer who has not factored wind assist into his floating to work today (just stud removal). Alas I have a headwind in both directions.
Yesterday in the Bathgate Alp[s was tough but did the turn from West Calder onto A70 to Balerno in about fifteen minutes due to tail wind.
YOu win some you lose most
Posted 9 years ago # -
@Gembo. Hmm. Good (if disappointing) point. The canal was glassy smooth this morning, so I don't think I had a strong tailwind. There wasn't a headwind though, so I'm sure it made things feel easier than usual.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Serious gusts folks. Watch out for crosswinds on side streets.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@greenroofer, not as big a tailwind as you had tonight on the way back, when the canal had waves upon which you could surf making the poor oarsmen and women of the charity schools rowing practice tricky
Also spotted chap from Peter's yard, he sometimes has two toddlers in his bike heading west but tonight heading east not encumbered. Nice chat with Big John and earlier today Morningsider buying his messages. Quite a CCE day.
Was very tough getting home up through Heriot watt particularly
Posted 9 years ago # -
@gembo.. That's not just any two toddler bearing chap. That's chdots' right hand man and the power behind this goodly forum @chrisfl.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Thanks shug, spotted you going over the bridge this morning before I presume you took to the canal.
Next time I spot chrisfl I will know better.
Posted 9 years ago #
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