old thumper in the ice

[maddogmargetts@yahoo.co.u]

I may have need of doing a journey starting in Oxford going to Reading at 0400 in the morning by M21. It's going to be, maybe
minus 8. If I were to lower the pressure on my tyres, would that give better grip?

[idie]

I wouldn't, there is always the risk of the tyre moving on the rim if you get wheel slip. Anyway the gritters have been out every night.

[chaz]

if the tyre slips you risk tearing the inner tube.

[Spaceman]

I honestly wouldn't risk it at that time of the morning at the moment - the temperature is predicted to be - 4 deg C in this part of the world and the damp roads could well hide areas of black ice. I assume your route will take you past RAF Benson which is notorious for being the coldest place in the country on days like this making riding a motorbike particularly hazardous in that area!

[Mike Farmer]

 

I can vouch for the Benson temp fact. I grew up just down the road. I would just stay in bed (Joking). Have a good safe trip.

No to the lowering pressure any slippage and your valve could well be divorced from the rest of the tube. Ouch bum on the cold road.

Mike

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

The two things that motorcycle tyres will never grip on are ice and diesel.  Both can be impossible to see.

Dave.

[Spaceman]

I've only ever come off a bike twice (unhurt) in many decades of riding - the first was on diesel and the second was on ice! I learned to steer clear of both ever since

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

I suppose another thing to consider is that if you end up sliding down the road then the vehicle following will more than likely be doing the same thing with you as a cushion between it and the lamp post.

Dave.

[Mike Farmer]

 

A few years back I dropped my A65 on ice whilst turning into a drive way.  Somehow the front brake lever bent "U" shaped and trappen my hand. All I could see was the bike following me along with hot pipes very visibly prominent. Yuck.

Mikie

[maddogmargetts@yahoo.co.u]

thanks for the advice. In short, 0nly a madman would venture out around Benson at minus 8. I have come off in black ice
before years ago and i remember as i was falling off thinking, wow that was interesting, there was nothing I could have done
to avoid it, except stay in bed.

[Spaceman]

The Met Office explained that Benson gets extraordinarily cold because it is surrounded on three sides by the Chiltern Hills and the cold air pours down the hills into it. That said, the A4074 from Oxford to Reading (if that's the route you would have taken) is one of my favourite roads for motorcycling (in good weather) especially the section from Benson to Reading up over the hills  

[Mike Farmer]

 

Thats a good choice.

Mike