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Well, that didn't work
Dec. 28th, 2015 04:03 pmSome time back I saw a suggestion on FB to put zip ties around bicycle tires if one doesn't have snow tires. (Only works with disk brakes, of course, as they would get in the way of brakes that grab the tires).
I tried this a couple of weeks ago, the first time it got icy, but we didn't have so many zip ties in the house long enough to go around the tires, so I only put them on the back tire. I noticed much improvement in the grip, but the front tires were still sliding around.
Therefor I resolved to buy more, and finally remembered to do so last week. This morning, before heading to work I took the time to put the zip ties on both of the front tires. Then I started pedaling and discovered that at -15 C I don't have breaks--both brake handles had frozen into position. I decided to ride in anyway, since there aren't many times I actually need breaks, and determined that it works fine to slow down and stop by just lowering my foot to the ground. Though that probably isn't the best for the lifespan of my boots.
Riding home this afternoon I noticed that the bike path is now lined with a trail of broken zip ties. The cold, plus the thick layer of gravel over the ice in the path, turns out to to have been to much for them, and they broke off. Not one left on any of the tires. Oops. I confess that I didn't stop to pick up the pieces, either.
The goon news is that it wasn't a problem till I was nearly home--the long gentle up hill as one approachs the houses in my neighbourhood truns out to be too slippery, and I hit a place I couldn't pedal forward and had to get off and push for a bit. Then I reached an area with more gravel, and tried again to sit down and pedal. Remember that part about no breaks? I started rolling backwards and couldn't get started forward. So back to walking/pushing. Try again. Roll backwards. Repeat four times, till I finally reached the crest of the hill and could continue on home.
Now the trike is parked in the shop; if I ride in tomorrow I am starting out with breaks!
I tried this a couple of weeks ago, the first time it got icy, but we didn't have so many zip ties in the house long enough to go around the tires, so I only put them on the back tire. I noticed much improvement in the grip, but the front tires were still sliding around.
Therefor I resolved to buy more, and finally remembered to do so last week. This morning, before heading to work I took the time to put the zip ties on both of the front tires. Then I started pedaling and discovered that at -15 C I don't have breaks--both brake handles had frozen into position. I decided to ride in anyway, since there aren't many times I actually need breaks, and determined that it works fine to slow down and stop by just lowering my foot to the ground. Though that probably isn't the best for the lifespan of my boots.
Riding home this afternoon I noticed that the bike path is now lined with a trail of broken zip ties. The cold, plus the thick layer of gravel over the ice in the path, turns out to to have been to much for them, and they broke off. Not one left on any of the tires. Oops. I confess that I didn't stop to pick up the pieces, either.
The goon news is that it wasn't a problem till I was nearly home--the long gentle up hill as one approachs the houses in my neighbourhood truns out to be too slippery, and I hit a place I couldn't pedal forward and had to get off and push for a bit. Then I reached an area with more gravel, and tried again to sit down and pedal. Remember that part about no breaks? I started rolling backwards and couldn't get started forward. So back to walking/pushing. Try again. Roll backwards. Repeat four times, till I finally reached the crest of the hill and could continue on home.
Now the trike is parked in the shop; if I ride in tomorrow I am starting out with breaks!