Round abouts et al during winter.

[dandelion]

Hi all,

I'm curious about what your experiences are during this time of the year while riding. I refuse to use buses due to the terrible service in general so I will be riding throughout the winter, hopefully never in the snow.

Recently I've felt that roundabouts are extra slippery and was wondering if this is due to the season (grit and such)? There have been works on the parallel roads so these roundabouts have been busier than usual but I see no gravel or anything spilled.

On >4 ocasions my back wheel has slipped slightly on the roundabout even while going at slow speeds, no crash but near wee levels.

I'm inexperienced have been riding for perhaps 5 months now, never in winter. Advice and things to watch out for during winter are welcome.

cheers,

[Benno]

Do you lean over very far? I've never had any slippage on roundabouts. I definitely go slower and more carefully and make a wide turning circle, and keep the lean shallower, when it's wet or icy, or really cold.

Worst part is losing the back wheel on wet leaves, I'm always quite worried about that!
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[MC]

More worried about front slides than rear tbh. Are you going over the white lines? They can be slippy, think someone on here crashed going over a painted arrow (although that was in the rain).
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[Rogerborg]

Could be diesel, could be that you're taking an unswept line and hitting accumulated crud.

I don't mind the roundabouts so much as the mongtards that tailgate right on your arse, not knowing or caring what the conditions are like, or that if you bin it they'll go right over your skull.
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[map]

Treat winter when near freezing as like riding in the wet.

That's wet as in absolutely pouring down. Increase distance to vehicle in front (that 4 secs gap sort of thing)
Ride in lower gear than you would normally.
Ride smoother. Don't snatch at the brakes. Use engine braking and match revs to speed on the ups and down shifts.
Use a little more rear brake than you would in the dry / summer.
Short shift, that is change up earlier than you would normally (as in when riding with pillion).

Look out for rainbow colours on the road and avoid or if not possible go over as upright as possible. Roundabouts are notorious for this, especially near petrol stations.

Keep as upright as possible around corners/roundabout. This might involve some planning on the entry. Keep a constant throttle. Only accelerate when you exit and can see corner's vanishing point going away from you.

If it's wet I ride in wheel track of car in front on the basis that they have cleared some water (thinking bit like when F1/racing cars create a dry line). However, for icy conditions this not good as weight of car compacts the frost/ice and can be more slippery. Others may disagree with this though so do what you feel comfortable with.

Also wrap up warm and get good warm gloves/muffs/heated grips/furry kittens/etc. Feeling cold can affect your concentration.

Not sure if all that helps or answers your query
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[Matt B]

[charrington96]

Ive noticed the same on a roundabout near me, go slow and steady
Watch out for oil etc... But I dont lean in as much and keep at a constant steady speed
Higher gears help as throttle is not as responsive... I do have a 50cc trials bike though

[Dave70]

I think the good folks above have pretty much covered everything. Road surfaces at this time of year are generally worse, plus your tyres will take longer to warm up if it's very cold, so you'll have less grip to start with.

I always take it very slow and easy around roundabouts in particular and still get the occasional loss of grip.

[-Matt-]

The larger roundabouts with painted lines i find are particularly bad.

Roulette of diesel and leaves is far worse though as you often don't see it coming until you're on top of it

[iooi]

Also watch out for the joins between the surfaces. Where it cannot be laid in one section.

One near me is so bad that its breaking up between them.

So stick to the middle of your lane and do not attempt to cut the corner.
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[dandelion]

Thanks to everyone for commenting. Your advice is solid gold, all things mentioned I have seen and felt!
There was def a diesel or some sort of spill, because it feels less slippy today. Still will keep everything in mind..

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

What map said.

The following is something you can do when you've gained a little more confidence (experience).
On corners, roundabouts etc you can keep the bike more upright by having your bodyweight leaning to the inside of the corner. It doesn't have to be bum-cheek hanging off style, just a small shift in your whole body position before the turn. Dropping the inside shoulder will help, keeps the body straight.
For some when they first try this it will feel strange. Persevere, keep relaxed keep the throttle gently pulling....and if the back should move a little (it always feels a lot but rarely is) don't change a thing. Same body position same throttle. <<< That is a tough one to overcome..well it is for me, although the last year or so I have got better at doing nothing.
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[metalangel]

I always rode through the winter (unless there was snow) and would leave for work when the stars were still twinkling above... so the road would likewise be twinkling with frost.

Take it as gently as possible... smooth, gentle everything. Watch for everything you're normally cautious of being slippery when it's wet.

Get some anti-fog spray for your visor, and keep your lights clean.
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