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From: mancello@acf4.UUCP (Mr. Mancello)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Falling On Ice
Message-ID: <5490011@acf4.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 21-Feb-86 23:10:00 EST
Article-I.D.: acf4.5490011
Posted: Fri Feb 21 23:10:00 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 24-Feb-86 05:59:14 EST
References: <458@tekigm2.UUCP>
Organization: New York University
Lines: 47

Date: Fri, 21 Feb 86 23:06:29 est
From: mancello (Mr. Mancello)
Message-Id: <8602220406.AA11271@nyu-acf4.arpa>
Received: by nyu-acf4.arpa; Fri, 21 Feb 86 23:06:29 est
To: josephl@tekigm2
Subject: Re: Falling On Ice
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
In-Reply-To: article <458@tekigm2.UUCP> of 20-Feb-86 15:38 EST

/* acf4:net.bicycle / josephl@tekigm2.UUCP (Joseph Dean Ludwig) /  3:38 pm  Feb 20, 1986 */

	I just took my second fall with my bicycle on ice within
	the last four months.  Whereas the first was on an uphill
	grade with minimal speed, the second was on a downhill
	at about 20 MPH.  The later has proved to be much more
	painful.  I'm amazed at how fast the bicycle slips out
	from beneath me.

	Now I don't live in an extremely cold area.  What do you
	folks who commute year round in colder areas do about
	this problem?  I don't want to stop commuting just because
	it's below freezing temperature.

	Maybe I need training wheels!!!


				Joe Ludwig
				Tektronix in Washington
/* ---------- */

Maybe you should be iceskating to work rather than bicycling.  I am assuming
that the roads are not pure ice but sprinkled with ice granules.  If the
road were completely covered with a layer of ice, why would you want to
ride on it unless you have a death wish or just like to feel pain.

If you are determined to ride in such hazardous conditions, you should use
the widest tires possible for your bike, underinflate them for better traction,
use tires with knobby treads (like ATB's), and keep more of your weight over
the rear wheel.  Stay low on your bike with your hands on the drops of the bars
(this will increase your stability).

Also, if you don't already do so, WEAR A HELMET!  It just might save your life
someday.


						-Dom Mancello
						(cmcl2!acf4!mancello)