Well today was a bit exciting.
Set off this morning in sub-zero temperatures but clear skies so not too dark. I noticed a bit of frost on the landlord's car. Clue #1
The road looked wet. Clue #2. At position #1 I thought I'd have to take it easy because there might be ice on the road.
I was going slower than normal down the hill and a car was quite close behind me. I decided to pull into the bus stop at #2 to let them pass. They did, but only eventually as they were going soooo slowly. Clue #3
After they over took me I came back onto the road and followed them round the two 90° bends as we proceeded down the hill. I was frustrated at how slow they were going. Still clue #3.
As the van in front accelerated a little bit, on the flat by the vet's I also put my foot down. This is where I slipped onto the left side of the bike. Position #3.
As I slid along, I almost managed to get back onto my feet. Thankfully it was smooth black ice as it meant I didn't scrape too much off the clothes. Later I found out that the left pedal had been flattened.
As I was picking myself up I heard some skidding going on behind me. Initially I thought it was a car heading my way, but when I looked round it turned out to be another bike slipping over as well. Looked like they'd seen the car stopped behind me with its hazards on and tried to goa round it.
What struck me most was how black he was. Black bike, black hat, black top, black leggings and black shoes. There didn't appear to be any reflective material and certainly no lights in evidence. If he hadn't have fallen over I doubt I'd've seen him at all.
In comparison I have a bright yellow rain jacket, white helmet with two flashing lights (one red, one white), two pannier bags with reflective piping and a flashing light on each. At least people would be able to see me if I crashed and was unable to get up on my own. Doesn't stop the inital crash of course but reduces the risk of it getting worse.
In the shower at work I noticed some scrapes and bruises to my lower legs. Left neck muscles not too good either. Still alive though.
So that means it's the end of the current tyres, which have been hard used during the season and don't have much track left on them anyway. Spikes will be put on tomorrow morning before I go or do anything else.
Can't do it tonight as I'm going out socialising in Sandvika.
Set off this morning in sub-zero temperatures but clear skies so not too dark. I noticed a bit of frost on the landlord's car. Clue #1
The road looked wet. Clue #2. At position #1 I thought I'd have to take it easy because there might be ice on the road.
I was going slower than normal down the hill and a car was quite close behind me. I decided to pull into the bus stop at #2 to let them pass. They did, but only eventually as they were going soooo slowly. Clue #3
After they over took me I came back onto the road and followed them round the two 90° bends as we proceeded down the hill. I was frustrated at how slow they were going. Still clue #3.
As the van in front accelerated a little bit, on the flat by the vet's I also put my foot down. This is where I slipped onto the left side of the bike. Position #3.
As I slid along, I almost managed to get back onto my feet. Thankfully it was smooth black ice as it meant I didn't scrape too much off the clothes. Later I found out that the left pedal had been flattened.
As I was picking myself up I heard some skidding going on behind me. Initially I thought it was a car heading my way, but when I looked round it turned out to be another bike slipping over as well. Looked like they'd seen the car stopped behind me with its hazards on and tried to goa round it.
What struck me most was how black he was. Black bike, black hat, black top, black leggings and black shoes. There didn't appear to be any reflective material and certainly no lights in evidence. If he hadn't have fallen over I doubt I'd've seen him at all.
In comparison I have a bright yellow rain jacket, white helmet with two flashing lights (one red, one white), two pannier bags with reflective piping and a flashing light on each. At least people would be able to see me if I crashed and was unable to get up on my own. Doesn't stop the inital crash of course but reduces the risk of it getting worse.
In the shower at work I noticed some scrapes and bruises to my lower legs. Left neck muscles not too good either. Still alive though.
So that means it's the end of the current tyres, which have been hard used during the season and don't have much track left on them anyway. Spikes will be put on tomorrow morning before I go or do anything else.
Can't do it tonight as I'm going out socialising in Sandvika.
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