Author Topic: A warning to all (Read 5363 times)

Fizzy Pies · « **on:** 23 July 2013, 10:25:58 pm »

After a heatwave that's lasted a month in some places in the UK, the roads are dryer and grippier than they've been for a long time at the moment. However plenty of people don't realise a lot of that grip comes from the enormous amount of rubber laid down onto the tarmac from vehicles, combined with the fact that any oil, diesel or other spills soak into the warm tarmac almost instantly so don't prove a problem.

As soon as your local roads get that first sprinkling of rain after being hot and dry for so long all the rubber, oil and crap is washed out of nooks and crannies and lifted to the surface. The first few rainy days after a long hot spell can turn roundabouts into ice rinks and make the roads slippery as hell, so don't just treat them as the 'normal' wet road last time you rode it.

Be safe out there guys!

elbrownos · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 July 2013, 11:12:30 pm »

The rain itself is pretty unpredictable at the moment too!
I got caught out this morning and arrived at work soaked to the skin

Grahamm · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 July 2013, 11:35:23 pm »

Fizzy Pies: A very good post and a timely reminder

jon · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 July 2013, 06:15:56 am »

Woo hoo! Time for the mad skids!!!!

ChristoT · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 July 2013, 06:22:04 am »

Someone give that foccer a cigar. Or a used rear tyre, whichever he prefers to smoke!

red98 · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 July 2013, 06:32:25 am »

nice one fizzy.....a good reminder to us all

Stooby2 · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 July 2013, 08:47:10 am »

Add to that some of the country road that don't get a lot spent on them turn into liquid tar in places when they've had the sun on them all day. Makes for some interesting cornering.

Punkstig · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 July 2013, 11:37:08 am »

Knee down at 8am this morning on way to Kegworth for a 9.30 deadline (I was there for 9.10)
Roads were fine- but you're point is completely correct, more of an issue when the road has only just dried after a good soaking.

notoriusb.e.n · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 July 2013, 12:26:46 pm »

This caught me out a bit yesterday had the rear wagging about a bit after a spirited roundabout exit. wakes you up!

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 July 2013, 04:47:55 pm »

After recent heavy rain, also look out for silt and gravel washed out onto your favourite country lane twisties. Encountered much of this crossing the Cotswolds today. Some of it difficult to see until last minute where roads in tree shadow.

mr self destruct · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 July 2013, 06:27:34 pm »

Bloody hell, glad I read this!

This is all new to me, and it sounds like something only bitter experience would have taught!

Thanks for posting.

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 July 2013, 06:41:05 pm »

Autumn soon, so then it'll be wet leaves!

Punkstig · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 July 2013, 06:47:27 pm »

Quote from: nick crisp on 24 July 2013, 06:41:05 pm

Autumn soon, so then it'll be wet leaves!

That only stops trains!

dock · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 July 2013, 08:14:20 pm »

Great reminder,You could have just saved me a packet on bike repairs and hospital visits. cheers mate

pierre · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 July 2013, 08:25:31 pm »

Thanks for the warning.

Dave48 · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 July 2013, 08:55:00 pm »

Anyone had the "pleasure"? of riding over a semi-melted ridge of road that occurs at bus stops in the city where the buses are frequent & heavy

Lot of molten tar on rural roads where the preferred method of surfacing is to spray a bit of tar & lob a few tons of loose chippings around the vicinity-then they wonder why the drains block & the roads flood! Wear your proper riding gear- a flying stone bloody well hurts!

Dead Eye · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 July 2013, 10:23:54 pm »

They've just done that along most of the back country roads I enjoy - bloody stones and tar everywhere. Its calmed a bit now that its settled in and there aren't so many loose stones / chippings, but the tar certainly begins to melt with the heat we've been having

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 July 2013, 10:28:06 pm »

Is it just me, or have they gone mad with the chippings all over the country this year?

simonm · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 July 2013, 10:59:13 pm »

A link for people to share on facebook, Google plus or whatever :

http://www.righttoride.co.uk/top-issues/roads-infrastructure/diesel-spills/

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 July 2013, 11:05:23 pm »

You can report diesel spills to your local Highways Authority. I once did this in Hertfordshire. There was such a bad spill along my route to work that the fumes made my eyes sting. To Herts Authority's great credit, they had a team out to clear it up before I returned home from work that same day.

dBfazer600 · « **Reply #20 on:** 24 July 2013, 11:26:48 pm »

In my area there is new road surfacing going on and they have moved to the cheaper surface where by it takes up to 3 years of use before its to the usual standard of stopping distances.

Daz (Nice one Mr Pie)

Motorbreath · « **Reply #21 on:** 25 July 2013, 09:47:30 am »

Nice reminder, I had just forgotten it and I've been blaming my tyres since the last storm

Liroka · « **Reply #22 on:** 25 July 2013, 10:32:11 am »

They're resurfacing Testo's roundabout up here and it's a nightmare at the moment, even worse than it usually is. In the past couple of weeks I've seen two wrecked bikes; one bike in particular looked like it would never be used on the road again. Haven't seen anything in the local news about either crash so hopefully neither of the riders have been badly hurt. Then this morning with the combination of new surface and first proper rain I got some sideways action but managed to keep it shiny side up. Glad I'd packed some spare boxers all the same.