so whos commuting to work then, along the canal on my day bike with slicks yesterday , wasn't actually that bad, had the fun bike today and just had a laff, roads are fine apart from the drivers :) and it's nice to see some other two wheelers out there
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
who's commuting
(53 posts)-
Posted 14 years ago #
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Me. Airdrie to the east end of Glasgow. Brompton M6R SWB, SRAM standard gearing, Marathon on the front, Marathon Plus on the back.
I sat it on a plastic bag yesterday so the melted snow didn't make a big mess on the floor.
Temp sensor in the garden was sitting at -7 last night but it's not working at all just now.
Longstaff on its back wheels in the garage. If the main roads were slippery I'd be using that.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I've used the canal path and Roseburn to Leith path last couple of days- put nobblies on my commuting bike and reduced tyre pressure.No problems except in the estates where cars have been coming out of junctions.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I took the Roseburn path to Trinity and back home on Tuesday, passed a dog walker with bike lights on his jacket which I made a point of congratulating him on "Let's start a trend" he said.
Sadly my knobbly tyred MTB had a very buckled back wheel worse than I thought and the brake pads wore through and there was a loud bang just as I was crossing the water of Leith near murrayfield... Naturally I thought Al-Qaeda were attacking so I ducked and covered.
SPD shoes don't half clog up with snow and make walking while pushing a dead bike that bit harder... So with the MTB off the road I took the hybrid bike today (lights needed charging yesterday) and yeah I can say I don't like the frozen lumps of slush that have been pushed into the cycle lane and are now like bricks. Charlotte Sq was treacherous with the gutter essentially 1 ft of sheet ice interspersed with more lumps of said water rocks
Drivers yes a 900 bus and a Highways van kept overtaking me for no reason (and forced me into lane closure barriers on Shandwick and the Charlotte Sq ice respectively)
I took the roads to get in to work quick but will take the cycle path home.Posted 14 years ago # -
knobblied up my tyres yesterday but keep forgetting to bring my back light from home, which I think is a minimum for riding at night at the moment! So the Roseburn to Leith path is okay, it's about half my journey home (the other bit is ingliston to Roseburn doon the corstorphine/st johns road, which I'm guessing is fine)
Posted 14 years ago # -
Once i push off my estate the roads are well treated, Carrick Knowe then along Corstorphine. But the bloody temperature is keeping me on the bus, the three season gloves are giving me frostbite.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I'm doing Polwarth to George Square, which is a doddle compared to what some of you are doing (enjoy watching you all on the canal...). I rode on Tues because I had to collect bike from shop, and while fine on Meadows, Gilmore Place less fun. Was going to chicken out yesterday until i read the Guardian blog, and gave it a try with lower pressure. Fine in morning, but less fun at night. Probably would be busing it, if not for you guys (and the Grauniad), so thanks....
Posted 14 years ago # -
PS If you see someone looking inquisitively at your back wheels (eg yesterday, west nicholson...) that's me, trying to see what a 'knobbly' tire looks like.
PPS saw a runner on canal with lights yesterday, and a buggy a few weeks ago with what looked like built in lights on front wheels. maybe it is a trend.
Posted 14 years ago # -
don't ya know that knog frogs on dogs are the mutt's nuts.
Posted 14 years ago # -
This is what I have on the back.
Posted 14 years ago # -
"UPDATE: Current cycling conditions in Edinburgh. Cycling conditions remain poor throughout the city. All bike paths, and many minor roads, are still affected by ice and compacted snow, making cycling hazardous. The situation is particularly bad on high ground, such as Liberton, Comiston, Colinton and Ravelston. Cycling is generally easier in the city centre and on main roads, most of which have been gritted. Organised rides scheduled for the next few days are likely to be cancelled, shortened or postponed; if in doubt, check with the organisers. I'll post further information on this page as and when I receive it.
Updated Wednesday 6 January 2010, 16.00 GMT."From http://cycling-edinburgh.org.uk which lists all known organised rides in Edinburgh - I expect they will be popular when the snow goes and people want to ride again.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Both those look fine.
Blocky pattern that ought to eject snow/mud.
Not a continuous centre ridge like most compromise town/trail tyres.
BUT 'problem' is ice/frozen slush, which is not really about tyres.
Ride carefully and not too fast.
Lowering tyre pressure usually helps - as you have found.
"Only ice is the real no-no, but riding a bike in snow is not only easy, it's even fun. And you get the added kudos because people think you're incredibly intrepid getting to work, as though you'd just pedalled to the South Pole or something."
Posted 14 years ago # -
Similar tyres in use in Edinburgh
Posted 14 years ago # -
keep your weight even on the bike and steady pedaling
Canal is quite easy at the moment due to the depth of snow, it's snowy not icy :)Posted 14 years ago # -
I'm using the 2.1" wide Panaracer Fire XC tyres, similar to Anth's. I didn't buy the folding version though. They're pretty damn good in the snow, although the effort and concentration needed to ride up some of the steeper hills where I live got silly, and it was as quick to walk the bike!
The Conti and Specialized tyres (such as the Gravity and Chunder models) look good in pictures but the knobbles are too small and too low for snow. The Nokian tyres are huge downhill things which wouldn't fit my 19 year-old Specialized's chainstays. And they weigh a ton!
A nice alternative I didn't know about until today is the Schwalbe CX Pro cross tyre; only £14, 400g and 35mm wide (so good for recumbents too). Should carve a nice deep route through the snow and dig in nicely.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I'd be happy if my route was on the canal - but my kitchen window overlooks it, so I enjoy vicariously. In meadows, I'm finding off-path much better than 'proper' cycle paths. Cycling in snow really is fab. And I thought a friend who cycled all year in Alberta was crazy.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Not me. I'm taking the train this week.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I ride from Davidson's Mains to Edinburgh Park, but I (even when it's not snowing) take a longer route to avoid the Queenferry Rd / Barnton / Maybury racetrack.
This morning, it was out on the mountain bike via Cramond Brig, Cammo and Gogar on paths and little-used roads. The snow is compacted and crunchy with plenty of grip from the knobblies (Conti Gravity, fwiw). Didn't see any other cyclists today, and few cars to worry about. It was gorgeous with the crisp air, blue sky and sunshine - it reminded me of skiing. If every day was like this, winter would be excellent!
Takes a while though. Longer route, slower going, more clobber to put on/take off, long hot shower (to thaw the extremities) at the end. I arrived flushed and somewhat tardy, but elated...
Posted 14 years ago # -
"I arrived flushed and somewhat tardy"
And your co-workers?
"elated"??
Posted 14 years ago # -
This week has been fun, the MTB with Schwalbe racing ralph tyres has been stable and my Lupine front light has let me see and be seen. Drivers, as ever overtake me and then get overtaken by me and one neanderthal took exception to the very idea of a cyclist using the road when its icy - bless- . The best fun is riding past stationery lines of traffic the worst bit is numb fingers Sealskins gloves are OK but not great when it is below freezing. This week I have managed 74 miles but I am missing the speed of a racing bike.
Posted 14 years ago # -
@chdot:
Co-workers were either absent (commuters from Fife and Midlothian seemed stranded with their cars) or astonished I'd made the effort. They mostly think I'm some kind of weirdo for cycling in the first place...
As for elated - definitely. "Extremely happy and excited; delighted; pleased." It's a great way to start the day.
More crispy white stuff please!
Posted 14 years ago # -
@effemm
I meant were your co-workers elated...?
Some cyclists are weird.
Some non-cyclists are just jealous.
Most people who cycle are normal.
Most people who don't cycle are just missing out...
Posted 14 years ago # -
took the roads yesterday and today with the cycle path home yesterday in the daylight (decided to leave early) the compacted stuff was OK this time as it was a different type of snow last time it fell, powdery stuff that won't stick to itself to make a snowball or compact into ice.
As a result the ligther stuff got thrown up under the mud guards and ended up flying out the top at the front only to be blown back by the wind making a little "halo" effect. I would have taken a photo if I wasn't moving at the time...
Tested the bike on the slush and crud thrown to the side on Russell Road, not very good at all. I think I will take my knobbly bike to the shop for a new back wheel and tyre tomorrow along with the gears and brakes health check which I never do well nor have the time to attempt (and always end up swearing the air bluePosted 14 years ago # -
So tempting to ride home tonight... my bike is champing at the bit. It is, honestly. How the paths looking?
Posted 14 years ago # -
THIS thread is mentioned in latest EBC Newsletter!
Posted 14 years ago # -
Hello EBC readers
Posted 14 years ago # -
"Hello EBC readers"
About 300 so far today.
I hope some register and join in.
This is such a friendly/useful forum!
Posted 14 years ago # -
Canal at night!
Photo byronv2
Note- the water's a bit frozen too.
Anyone fancy this?
Photo by xKeiNstx
Posted 14 years ago # -
There are a set of tyre tracks along the middle of the canal near me...
Thing is it makes me want to try it just because
a) it has been done
b) so I can say I did itPosted 14 years ago #
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