December 28th - The winter boots are on. These Schwalbe Marathon Plus Winter are on their third season now. A 38mm 700c tyre with grippy central rubber tread, flanked by twin rows of proud, carbide studs, they grip well on black ice and make short work of snow. They're not infallible but give me confidence when cornering and feel sure-footed and secure when the chips are down.
They are, however, noisy in use and not terribly fast; but they're home for the next few weeks at least.
If you're out on the roads over the cold spell, here are my tips for safe cycling, even if you don't have winter tyres...
Stick to main routes where possible. Avoid backlanes and canal towpaths.
Ride on the road, out of the gutter where standing water freezes.
Take it steady, and ease off on the speed - particularly downhill.
Use your momentum and judge it - avoid braking where possible.
Turn gently without braking.
Use your back brake rather than your front, and pulse it don't clamp it on. Just light touches.
Move with the bike. Go with it if it slides, don't fight it.
If you lose the back, you can pull out of it with care. Lose the front and you're gone. Bear that in mind in a slide.
Give other roadusers more space, and consider the consequences if they slide.
Let a little air out of your tyres to increase contact area.
Take it easy, folks.
