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Cold Weather/Cold Tires

1K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  LEE 
#1 · (Edited)
I had a nice little reminder about how slippery sub freezing tires can be when you just start out on your morning commute.

Temperature went down to about 29 degrees last night. Riding in to work this morning, as I came to the first stop sign leaving the neigborhood, I shift into first and release the clutch at what I think is a very reasonable speed to ask first gear to slow me down. Apparently the bike did not agree. I was amazed at the amount of sideways slide by the rear tire at such a slow speed.

I thought it was a nice friendly reminder about how careful we need to be in those first few miles before the tires get any heat in them on these somewhat cold winter days.

Of course if your in the southern hemisphere you can begin to stop worrying about such things.
 
#2 ·
Excellent reminder. I once pulled out of my driveway on a frosty morning, and never even got to straighten the bike up from the turn onto the street. I very quickly found myself on my side, looking back down the street in the opposite direction. Be especially careful if your tires are nearing the end of their life. Rubber hardening from all those heat cycles makes cold tires/road even worse.
 
#4 ·
Had a couple of cold / bright / frosty mornings last week. Thing to look out for is shadows on the road, where the sun shines on the surface it will melt any frost, where the road is in shadow the frost may not be melted.

Add in wet Autumn leaves, drivers with only partially cleared windscreens and a low sun in your eyes and riding can get interesting.
 
#7 ·
...time to put the training wheels on those beasts Lee !
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Ride on ! :cool:
Earlier in the season I took Massive out and I had a short bout of forgetfulness or arrogance. I gave her to much of a goose of the throttle. The tires were not warmed up and the back end wipped out. I almost lost her...but I was able to get her back under control. A slight slip can be very expensive and painful. I hope I do not slip again. :D
 
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