How do you react to wet leaves on tarmac?
09-12-18, 07:21 PM
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How do you react to wet leaves on tarmac?
I live in an area where a canopy of leafy deciduous trees covers the streets, and consequently, as fall approaches, we get a LOT of leaves on the street, often wet leaves. I try to steer around them, but I know that one of these days, I'm going to hit a patch of them and need to go across them. I could use some advice.
Assuming all other variables -- tire tread, skill level, amount of leaves -- being equal (and I realize that's purely hypothetical in itself), do you have any advice on how best to make it across this hazard without taking a spill? I know it might sound trite or improbable, but there really are a tonne of these leaves where I live, and when I've stepped on them, I sometimes almost go flying. Thank you!
Assuming all other variables -- tire tread, skill level, amount of leaves -- being equal (and I realize that's purely hypothetical in itself), do you have any advice on how best to make it across this hazard without taking a spill? I know it might sound trite or improbable, but there really are a tonne of these leaves where I live, and when I've stepped on them, I sometimes almost go flying. Thank you!
Last edited by streetlight; 09-12-18 at 07:31 PM.
09-12-18, 07:26 PM
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Are you afraid of slipping on them or hitting something that's been concealed by them? If the former, going in a straight line you should be fine. Slow right down if you have to turn. Come to think of it, slow down going straight is a good idea too. If the latter, hmm, not sure what can done about that.
09-12-18, 07:30 PM
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How do you react to wet leaves on tarmac?
Very carefully!
Very carefully!
09-12-18, 07:41 PM
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Are you afraid of slipping on them or hitting something that's been concealed by them? If the former, going in a straight line you should be fine. Slow right down if you have to turn. Come to think of it, slow down going straight is a good idea too. If the latter, hmm, not sure what can done about that.
09-12-18, 08:17 PM
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09-12-18, 09:36 PM
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I skid and fall down.
next question.
next question.
09-12-18, 09:50 PM
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Either correctly, or in a kissing the ground fashion.
Rule #1 for low grip surfaces? Smooth and gradual input in as few directions as possible.
Rule #1 for low grip surfaces? Smooth and gradual input in as few directions as possible.
09-13-18, 11:57 AM
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Watch out for negative cant especially, and go easy on the front brake if you're already turning or have to brake hard.
09-13-18, 11:58 AM
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I make sure that my body protects the bike.
09-13-18, 12:16 PM
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slow way down, don't brake while turning, and stop if you need to
09-13-18, 12:27 PM
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I don't mind em so much as long as it's just going straight. It's turning and hard braking that gets hairy.
Really hated em when riding a motorcycle.
Really hated em when riding a motorcycle.
09-13-18, 12:51 PM
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Slowly , with care .
09-13-18, 01:06 PM
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Main thing is to not do any braking or turning while on them - just coast across in a smooth straight line. If you can slow down well in advance that's fine, but get off the brakes completely before your tire hits the leaves.
09-13-18, 01:33 PM
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Straightline it's not an issue, just fly thru them.
In corners, that's a different story! Treat them like sand. Basically prepare to go down if you're going faster than 10 mph.
In corners, that's a different story! Treat them like sand. Basically prepare to go down if you're going faster than 10 mph.
09-13-18, 03:25 PM
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Keep in mind that the leaves are much worse after a day or two, when they get slimy in between layers of leaves. So you might fly over them one day, feel like it was no big deal, and become incautious the next.
Straight up, relax, straight forward as much as possible, no leaning at all.
Straight up, relax, straight forward as much as possible, no leaning at all.
09-13-18, 05:02 PM
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I leaf the ones with the worst puns alone, but often still fall autumatically for those less greener types.
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09-13-18, 08:50 PM
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I don't do no fussin' over leaves or anything like that. I might slow a little and not make any turns on them but no real adjustments. If I can avoid running over that stuff I usually do but it is part of my normal riding.
09-13-18, 10:05 PM
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SEMI THREADJACK WARNING:
Don’t you just hate it when the leaves get all stuck to your tires and you gotta listen to the fwip-fwip-fwip-fwip-fwip with the tire rotations? I had to peel a handful off my front tire this morning before rolling through the entrance because they wouldn’t fall off after a block and a half.
-Kedosto
*first world problems*
Don’t you just hate it when the leaves get all stuck to your tires and you gotta listen to the fwip-fwip-fwip-fwip-fwip with the tire rotations? I had to peel a handful off my front tire this morning before rolling through the entrance because they wouldn’t fall off after a block and a half.
-Kedosto
*first world problems*