On 2006-05-14, Bleve (aka Bruce)
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
> Rim brakes, when wet, don't work nearly as well (which is a blessing in
> disguise, it helps prevent front wheel lockups!).
>
> Ie: brake a lot earlier, and be aware that wet roads are a lot less
> consistant than dry roads - oil, diesel etc float up and make
> intersections in particular, very slippery. Anything metal has *zero*
I had a moment this morning. Downhill slope, red light, about to turn
green. Had front brake on, and was clipping in (I know I should have
the back brake on in such moments, but despite trying, it still has
not become a habit), and the front wheel went slideys on a bit of a
diesel patch.
> grip - tramlines (N/A in WA), manhole covers ... and white painted
> lines are also an extra hazard. Braking and cornering have to be done a
> lot more carefully than in the dry. On the plus side, a slide will
> cause less damage if you do go down!
Heh heh. Apparently Ess is still going to sting later today
Conering -- on 25mm tires, if you are silly enough to use them in the
wet -- really have surprisingly little grip. Look out and go *super*
slow on corners with camber facing outwards (negative camber). The
roundabout in question today is a horrible one for that -- it probably
slopes about 10 degrees outwards. Usually bikes can go through a
roundabout much quicker than cars, and even the cars (well, all except
the 4WDs) were taking it carefully today. Still, I wouldn't be happy
going as quickly as them, in such a situation. I unclipped and
semi-walked on all tram crossing today when I couldn't take them at 90
degrees. I no longer give a stuff if I am holding up cars behind me
-- I've hurried before in such situations, and chose not to in the
future (besides, it takes a lot longer to clear the intersection when
you have to pick yourself up and all your scattered bottle cages).
>> Or perhaps I would be better of just avoiding the wet?
>
> I ride all year round, wet or dry .. treat the conditions with respect
> and choose your route carefully, and you'll be ok.
And it can be fun -- when you don't expect it because the radar is
being a misleading miserable peice of ****, once you get drenched, you
no longer care, and revel in the wet late night riding. Zoom zoom!
Just wash and lube the bike afterwards
--
TimC
Kleeneness is next to Godelness.