Skidding on leaves

[Gubbe]

Since autumn is upon us and the leaves are falling on wet roads and tracks, please take care.

Yesterday evening I had my first cycling accident on well-used cycle track that makes a sharp turn. As I entered the bend on the track I hit a film of mushed-up leaves. Despite my low speed (15 km/h) my bike lost its grip and sent me flying.

I was happy to have helmet and apart from few grazes and bruises, I think my pride took the worst knock.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

 

[Wicky]

Yes a few years back at this time of year and it was Freshers week at Essex Uni when I took a short cut through their grounds - I luckily managed to avoid the leaves but found student puke was about as slippery...

Thankfully after doing a bloody face-plant (helmet not much good in this situation) I managed to get my front tooth shoved back in by my dentist and it's still in place.

 

[LeighPing]

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

I found that wet mud and wet wood has the same effect.

Actually, looking at the path and that bridge, you're right about the 'film of mushed-up leaves'.

 

[Gaz]

Acorns. Acorns are dropping nicely over the lanes and cycle paths I use. The ones that ping off to the sides are fine. The ones that don't are like chuffing marbles

Grrrrr

Gaz

 

[Nealh]

Time for the studded tyres to go on, I left it to late last year as it was mild and came a cropper on black ice which only appeared for a few days. My swollen hand and bruising of many shades and took about 4 weeks to disappear.
Leaves I tend to be cautious with the studs will go on next week.

Have to agree with you Gaz, the oaks are producing a bumper crop this year, the squirrels will be extra busy. I've
heard a few bouncing off car body work as they have pinged off as my tyres have caught them, also have had a few twitchy commutes.

 

[Gubbe]

I'm compiling the ultimate skid list...
Ice
Mud
Puke
Wood
Acorns
Tree roots
Pine cones

The puke story from Wicky was a first for me. If there are any other unexpected dangers lurking out there please add them with your story.

 

[Gaz]

If there are any other unexpected dangers lurking out there.....

Wasn't Barry Sheen off'd at speed once by a particularly large earthworm? (Although for bragging purposes, I wondered if it was just an ordinary sized worm that merely covered a larger area after its fateful encounter with a motorcycle slick?).

Gaz

 

[Gruff60]

Hi, can I add cobble stones to the list. Just got back on my bike after having my shoulder reconstructed, 9 screws and titanium plate. Lost front wheel on cobble stone and landed on my elbow shattering my shoulder. All well now and back on bike after 4 months.

 

[Gubbe]

Hi, can I add cobble stones to the list. Just got back on my bike after having my shoulder reconstructed, 9 screws and titanium plate. Lost front wheel on cobble stone and landed on my elbow shattering my shoulder. All well now and back on bike after 4 months.

Sounds awfull, I'll add cobbles to my "look out" list as we have a few cobbled street where I live,

 

[LeighPing]

I'm compiling the ultimate skid list...
Ice
Mud
Puke
Wood
Acorns
Tree roots
Pine cones

The puke story from Wicky was a first for me. If there are any other unexpected dangers lurking out there please add them with your story.

Add leaves, cobblestones and worms to the list then..

Oh man! with all those hazards I might just get one of those training wheels, and a treadmill for the dog, and go biking in front of the telly!

 

[Gubbe]

Ice
Mud
Puke
Sand
Wood
Worms
Leaves
Acorns
Tree roots
Pine cones
Cobblestones

I'll stop in and watch TV with LeighPing.

 

[Benjahmin]

Not to forget wet manhole covers (pc version - services cover plate).

 

[spanos]

Not to forget wet manhole covers (pc version - services cover plate).

One of my two worst ever crashes due to this.

I am very very wary these days !

 

[anotherkiwi]

Hoses and electric extension cables running along the cycle path, rolled off one yesterday (without falling).
The EU1 Atlantic cycle path itself is a danger in places.
Second manhole covers, my regular route has one in a roundabout...
Chestnuts anyone? Big Bens are the best acorn and chestnut crushers around, you just have to stop worrying that your tyre has exploded with the noise they make!

 

[Gubbe]

An ode to skidding

Ice and grit and mud and puke,
You better brake and take a look.

Sand and wood and cobblestones,
Are lurking there to break your bones.

Manholes, leaves and slimy worms,
Give high-speed skids on real hards terms.

 

[Nealh]

Wet/damp weathered wooden stream/ditch bridges, I've come a cropper in local large recreational park. Front wheel entering on at any angle bar straight on and you bite the deck.

 

[Danidl]

Tram tracks, ships hawsers (ropes,) , field run off

 

[Danidl]

An ode to skidding

Ice and grit and mud and puke,
You better brake and take a look.

Sand and wood and cobblestones,
Are lurking there to break your bones.

Manholes, leaves and slimy worms,
Give high-speed skids on real hards terms.

Except braking is the worst thing you can do....

 

[Old1Eye]

Here in north finland, we have upto 8 months of deep snow and ice, and when i say ice, oh boy is it ice!
Imagen the road, pavement and everything inbetween, a giant ridged ice sheet about 5cm thick!

Locals keep telling me to get spiked tyres.
After 4 years, i still dont have any.
Only come off twice in all that time, and i cycle every day, every where.

 

[cycling weakly]

The bumper crop of acorns may lead to huge squirrels, which may or may not be slippery!

Steve.