salcedo

It was a couple of weeks ago. The weather was still nice-ish and I didn't expect to find any ice or snow. But there was this ONE back road that had an icy patch, and it caught me by surprise. Yesterday I installed my winter tires. It is the first time I try studded tires. Let's hope this is the last wipeout of the season

crazyravr

Yeap. It happens. I will be puting my studded tires on this weekend.... but its suppose to hit +10C so who knows

mcours2006

I wouldn't ride under those road conditions without studs on my tires. I'd rather suffer for the bulk of my commute without the studs than that one fall without.

BikingTech

The first fall of the winter is the best one I only used my studded tires 2 times last year and this winter looks like it might be the same since we've only had rain in the valley.

nomadmax 

Kudos for not using curse words, I couldn't have passed that test without letting fly a few choice %&*&^*^

JonathanGennick 

That fall hurt just to watch. You have studs now, yes? With studs you'll fly right through the icy patches.

rumrunn6

well done. pretty hard not to put your hands out, right?

alan s 

mcours2006

It's too difficult to tell what the condition of the road is like once you're out of your street, especially if you ride on MUPs, trails, side roads, etc. There's too much variability, especially in conditions such as the OP's, and with temperature around freezing. It's an awful feeling when you're part way there and realize that conditions are much worse out there, and you've got slicks on.

Daniel4

It probably won't be your last spill. Studs definately decrease your risk but you might take a turn somewhere too quickly and with too much confidence or you might accidentally hit an ice bank of 45degrees.

Bikewolf

Falling LEFT - RIGHT: 1–0 and counting ... ;-)

Leebo

Studs keep you upright. Worth every penny. And last years.

GrainBrain

My stomach dropped the moment I saw the bars twitch!

BikingTech

I only had one ice fall where it came out of nowhere. Normally when I know a fall is coming I put only one arm out and let the thigh take the hit. I don't know if that is planned but just realized that is how I fall.

rumrunn6

I had 2 slow speed falls this past autumn (off-road) onto dirt. it was interesting to analyze what happened, why & how I made contact with the ground. my Wife had a fall at the beginning of the summer, which broke her wrist & she recently had surgery on the same hand & the carpal tunnel damage may have been related but not definitively, so this year, I have a heightened interest in bike falls ...

rumrunn6

haha good for you, I forgot about that, mentioned in some previous "fall" thread!

rumrunn6

not to hijack, but, reminds me of my 1st winter commuting season. I swore to a colleague at work that despite all the gearing up I was doing to bike commute, I was NOT going to buy studded tires. that just seemed too outrageously extreme to me. then one morning, I managed to get out of my condo complex, onto the roadway which begins with a decent down hill section. out of nowhere I felt the slightest indication of invisible ice & realized what I just rode over. that weird sensation in the pit of your stomach that you don't have traction. I stayed upright. decided immediately to stop where I could, & turn around, so I could drive in. as I got back to my walkway, as I was getting off the bike, as my foot hit the ground it slid but I stayed upright, but got an exception groin stretch. ordered studded tires without any hesitation. surprised I got as far as I did before realizing the potential peril awaiting me. I could have slid under a passing car, etc

55murray

You got up quick! I usually lie there and meditate for a bit. I'll probably put my studs on in a couple more weeks, we have had a bit of early snow here, so far I have taken my chances.