Hi all

My Fat Bob is my only mode of transport so I ride it all year round. Living in the UK I get a fair bit of crappy road conditions, this morning being a fine frosty example!

Sadly given the frost this morning I slid the bike out on a down hill bend on my way into work scratched up my lovely new pipes and bent the forward control rear brake lever (that saved my ankle though!) Among a few other bits of cosmetic damage.

No matter how many times I replay the event in my head I cannot think how I could have prevented it. Less brake? More brake? Coasting?

So to save me getting stuck underneath my hog at 5am again, what tips have you for riding in ice/frost conditions. No matter how basic all wisdom is appreciated!

 

Best advice is not to ride in ice

 

Yep won't, don't do it. I would find an alternant mode of transportation.

 

If you insist on riding on ice regularly, plan on spending some time on the ground. Sorry, but riding a bike on ice is in no way like driving a car on ice. There is ZERO margin for error, and once your bike starts sliding (especially on hills or in corners), you're pretty much done.

Just to avoid a rebuttal, I'm talking about road bikes, not ice racers......

 

If you insist on riding on ice and snow, you need to do this!

 

Not much you can do beyond the obvious. Avoid ice when you can. If you absolutely can not, then smooth, smooth, smooth is the name of the game. No abrupt inputs at all. Well, that and slow, slow, slow. Figure the ice is going to be in the worst possible place, and in particular, assume every curve is covered.

There is this one particular curve I take on the way to work. Big sweeper on the Interstate. On nice days, I take it comfortably at 75MPH+. Problem is there is a huge bridge overhead that casts a large shadow. That always wiggs me out on frosty mornings, and I slow way down for it.

Sorry you stacked, but glad you're ok.

 

I wouldn't ride my bike in ice if you paid me, that's what I use sick days for. If you were going over 25, perhaps slow it down some or bum a ride. No reason to wreck your only form of transportation.

 

When I got my first Harley as a kid, I brought it home and decided to ride it in the snow.
It had ice under it, and the only way I could keep it up was to put my feet down and use my boots like skis. Probably not a recommended thing though..

 

Ice is a no win anyway you look at it. Studded tires would be the only improvement that would work on a bike

 

I agree 100%