I'm looking for advice from people more experienced in winter cycling than me. I won't be able to go out for my normal group ride on Sunday morning because I need to be home before lunchtime. I'm thinking of doing a loop of the peatlands, up the A70 to Carnwath then back probably via Blyth Bridge and Whitmuir. In order to get back in time I'll need to head off around 7.30 which will mean doing the first hour or so in darkness. I have a decent light that will do me in total darkness. From the forecast it looks like it may get down close to zero overnight. So, my question is: is this unwise due to a risk of ice on the road? Should I just leave a bit later and do a shorter route?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure
Advice on winter cycling
(21 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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I would be a bit wary of going out on your own on dark and potentially icy roads. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing shorter rides during poor weather IMHO. Ride it a bit faster than you normally would and your fitness gain will be just as good, if not better.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Also nothing wrong with trying to keep the distance target by doing several shorter loops closer to home- means that you can bail at any point if conditions are poor. It may be repetitive, but if anything does happen you'll be glad you aren't out in the middle of nowhere.
Posted 8 years ago # -
MrSRD likes those roads too, but wouldn't an East Lothian loop be less prone to frost?
Posted 8 years ago # -
@SRD I don't know!
That's it though- I like the route and it's been a while since I've done it.
It sounds as though the consensus though is that there's a real risk of ice at that time of the morning with current weather conditions? I would expect to reach Carnwath before 9 providing it's not significantly windier than last time. I have zero experience of cycling in the countryside in winter so no idea when frost would likely clear if there was any overnight. It looks like it will be 4-7oC in the morning from the current forecast.
Posted 8 years ago # -
That temperature sounds okay to me. But you could make a contingency plan based on how cold it is when you get up. Remember it will be colder outside Edinburgh so if it is just not quite cold enough to be icy when you get up, it will be in the wilds. If you get to the outskirts and everything sparkles prettily, go back and try the shorter route in daylight!
Posted 8 years ago # -
On the BBC weather site I'm looking at there is no suggestion of freezing weather. The minimums are 2-3 degrees. If that is the case I wouldn't worry too much about ice. In general the main roads are pretty well gritted in icy conditions in any case. You need to keep an eye out, but in 90,000 miles of riding a bike in Scotland I've only ever once come off on ice and that was in exceptional circumstances ( I wasn't expecting it to be icy!)
Posted 8 years ago # -
I started cycling July 2014, done many miles since, I cycled last year in ice dark morning and nights, in the countryside( where l live) after getting winter tyres. If dawdle with winter tyres think it is ok, without winter tyres not sure, I have not used winter tyres yet this winter, at the end of last week the weather forecast was colder and did not notice any ice but may be more so in that direction. I dawdle with panniers so may be don’t go so fast as to be such an issue probably would not race in the cold, but then would not do that that on a sunny dry summer afternoon either. It was colder last week on the BBC and still seemed ok.
Posted 8 years ago # -
One thing East Lothian has in its favour at any time of the year is the chance to return by train from North Berwick, Dunbar, Drem etc. And if anywhere is going to be free of ice it's the coast road.
Posted 8 years ago # -
risk of ice on the road?
Rural microclimates are the problem, even on a regular commute i get caught out and hit the deck roughly once a year
If it remains crisp and dry toward the end of the week you'll be fine, but if its greasy on top wait til daylight
(if the dew point is around freezing)
Posted 8 years ago # -
Fietsclub Balerno was out last Sunday and the route we took was Balerno, a70 to west Calder turn, down to stoneyburn and fauldhouse then over to harthill and then over to blackridge. From there we went over the next range of hills towards Westfield and this was the highest and most remote point. Exactly where we expected the ice to be. And it was. We took the descent very gingerly.
The Lang whang/a70 is usually passable. You sometimes have to be out in the middle of the lane and indeed sometimes across in the wrong lane.
What time will it be light? 8.15?
In spring, summer and autumn We do the pentlands loop usually the other way round - Balerno to penicuick then west Linton back road. Blyth bridge, elsrickle red barn, then newbigging and kaimend (just before Carnwath) where we cut the corner over to hagrid's hut on the a70
Therefore, I am not sure what the other half of the loop will be like in winter at this time. However, I feel you can go to Carnwath have a coffee and cake for two pounds at the apple pie bakery then come back the same way without much bother. I think.
Posted 8 years ago # -
If in doubt, give it a miss. The fitness you will lose by missing one ride is as nothing to that you could lose by coming off on ice and getting injured. If it starts to be an ongoing issue fit studded tyres.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I'm not worried about losing fitness I just really fancy having a solo blast round that route :)
It sounds as though it may not be worth the risk though
Posted 8 years ago # -
Hard to say how accurate but the BBC forecast is 3-5 degrees with 18mph SW wind. Tough on the way out, fun on the way home.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Just home and would say that the long dalmahoy is near the brink of freezing in parts the shiny road with reflective crystals but not frozen.
Posted 8 years ago # -
46mph wind now on Sunday and snow at low level Saturday. Not sure therefore about cycling but maybe wind over ice
Posted 8 years ago # -
Ha! That removes the conundrum.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Och, just wait a couple of days and that will change. ;-)
Posted 8 years ago # -
True. I'll decide closer to the time and if I do go be prepared to turn back if it looks unsafe.
Not the most interesting cycle but I might just leave bit later and do some loops round Arthurs seat- the park road should be fine by 9ish, right?
Posted 8 years ago # -
@gembo ~20mph headwind with gusts to >40mph. I have cycled the A70 before in very similar conditions and it was hard going. It was pretty cold, wet and there was hail at one point....when I left Carnwath to head towards Peebles the wind immediately died down and was behind me, the sun came out and it was wonderful!
Posted 8 years ago # -
@smashfacethecat, the whang is a cruel mother but I have been coming back from Carnwath standing up and doing the whole 14 miles to Balerno in the biggest gear with roaring sou'westerly behind. Happy days.
Sunday looks wet still with gales Saturday night then again Sunday afternoon.
Carnwath forecast has snow symbol on Saturday mixed in with rain and wording suggests wintry showers on higher ground.
Character building
Posted 8 years ago #
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