A warning to all

[Fizzy Pies]

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]

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]

Fizzy Pies: A very good post and a timely reminder :thumbup

[jon]

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

[ChristoT]

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

[red98]

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

[Stooby2]

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]

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]

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

[nick crisp]

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]

Bloody hell, glad I read this!  :eek


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


Thanks for posting.

[nick crisp]

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

[Punkstig]

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

That only stops trains!

[dock]

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

[pierre]

Thanks for the warning.

[Dave48]

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 :eek  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]

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

[nick crisp]

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

[simonm]

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


http://www.righttoride.co.uk/top-issues/...el-spills/

[nick crisp]

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.