...is there a technique for riding over these safely? I came off my bike quite hard two nights ago and have some spectacular bruising on my right knee and thigh. Car behind me was very friendly and stopped with her hazards on and came and helped me up.
I'd been turning off Bellevue onto East Claremont road following the diversion as you can't currently turn right onto Broughton Road by the big Tescos. Going from the road onto the cobbles my bike just seemed to disappear from under me pitching me heavily onto the ground.
I have ridden over this bit again since but feeling very apprehensive of them and not at all safe.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
Wet cobbles...
(17 posts)- Started 12 years ago by Zenfrozt
- Latest reply from chdot
- This topic is
resolved
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Posted 12 years ago #
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Simple answer is 'carefully'.
Which isn't very helpful.
To some extent it's a question of tyres - rubber compound, tread pattern, pressure etc.
But that's not 'simple'. A lot of people don't understand how slick tyres grip at all in the wet.
Basic advice - stay in a straight line(!) and don't lean 'too' much when you corner.
And make sure you spot the black ice/diesel spill/leaf slush...
Posted 12 years ago # -
"diesel spill" My wee girl gets _really_ upset when she sees the rainbow skim of oil spill on the roads, because she knows what can happen to bikes.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Zenfrost - a bit late for you now but it seems you can turn right at the neverending Broughton Ultraroadworkathon again. Though no doubt it will change again in a couple of days. I hope you recover quickly. I don't really know what to suggest other than to echo chdot and try not to brake, lean over or go too fast round the corner. Easier said than done when being tailgated by aggromorons.
I have just been walking across anyway as there is no way I am cycling down East Claremont Street.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Cool, Thanks for the all the advice :) And Min, thats welcome news. I was going to avoid riding East Claremont last night but felt that if I didn't I might not ever ride cobbles again because I was so spooked by the experience. Thought getting back on the horse was the best move.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"
I don't really know what to suggest other than to echo chdot and try not to brake, lean over or go too fast round the corner."
Ah yes, I should have mentioned braking.
That is usually involved, but you don't always remember when you're lying on the ground...
Posted 12 years ago # -
I've been cycling since I was 6, and I get nervous on wet cobbles and diesel sheen. Let's face it, even dry cobbles are awful.
Zen, my usual approach is to drop my speed right down, and try to pick my line to avoid any large gaps or subsided areas. Going slow also means you don't lean much when turning.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Coming off through slipping on the surface is horrible. You often fall quite suddenly, not having any time to "prepare". A big shock.
I have fallen on wet surfaces with diesel and ice. It's usually easier to avoid ice by simply not going to places which will have ice (e.g. that haven't been gritted). Diesel on corners much more difficult so I usually go around wet corners pretty slowly, without leaning the bike too much.
Cobbles are horrible when they are dry as well so I try to avoid.
Posted 12 years ago # -
they are used in holland in areas where cycles and pedestrians interact. nuff said.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Zenfrozt, if you're trying to get onto the path network, I haven't stopped riding down to Canonmills despite the no right turn.
At least half the time the lights are red and I just dismount on the oncoming carriageway and walk over (which I did anyway, pre-works), but if not, you can either signal right at the Bike Chain or a little further down and ride over to the opposite pavement to dismount. Both would save loads of time over following the diversion (assuming you're going onto the path - if not, ignore all that!).
You can either pull over on the left then cross with the lights (as if you'd ridden up the contraflow street, whose name escapes me) or turn right to the southbound cycle lane, effectively doing a u-turn
Posted 12 years ago # -
Firm grip on the handlebars, try and keep your weight shifted back a little and clench your core muscles. This will at least help to stop the "front wheel slip"
The above is a technique for riding on slippy mud, basically avoid having weight over the front wheel if you can.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Sorry. I completely[i] disagree with a firm grip on the bars. The more relaxed you are the less likely you are to fall. You only need to have enough grip to maintain control. A 'death grip' menas you end up fighting the bike and you have very little chance of recovering when a slide starts.
Posted 12 years ago # -
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Caledonia (@caledonia2k)
08/11/2012 11:51
@CyclingEdin "Wet Cobbles... " Slowly slowy catchy monkey! Tyres, speed and angles are all important, it hurts when none of the 3 match!"
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James (@jamesbattye)
08/11/2012 11:56
@CyclingEdin ride them as hard as you can. Just like the Paris-Roubaix!"
Posted 12 years ago # -
Definitely a nice loose grip on the handlebars and bum shifted slightly back. Don't do anything too sudden, but the twitter commentator above may be onto something in terms of giving it a bit of power, at least when going in a straight line. Helps the front wheel to glide over the bumps I think.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Agree with much of the above, my advice:
Backside on the saddle - puts weight on the back wheel for extra traction.
Nice and slow.
Try and keep in a straight line.
Avoid large gaps.
Take turns very gently and keep upright.
Minimal braking - use the back brake before the front.If you don't feel comfortable then dismount and push - it is allowed. Hope you aren't too sore and get better quickly.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Fair Comment with loose grip, I've been doing too much off roading recently.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"Fair Comment with loose grip"
So now the only 'conflict' is between 'take care' and "ride them as hard as you can. Just like the Paris-Roubaix!"
Posted 12 years ago #
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