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  #1  
Old 4 Jun 2011
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road surface
been out on the bike today and enjoyed every minute,but not being very experienced just wondered about road surfaces,there doesn't appear to be one type of tarmac but is there anything i should be looking for mainly in the wet .there seems to be a lot more signs indicating skids? or should i just plough on
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Old 5 Jun 2011
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Try your hand at trail riding...... and ditch the zega's.

To be more helpfull, put your weight on the outside peg when you're worried about traction.
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Old 5 Jun 2011
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As noted already, experience riding off-road helps enormously.

I've found the biggest danger of rain is that it will leach oil out of the road that has leaked from cars. The longer traffic is stopped in a single location the bigger the danger, so be careful at stoplights. Careful turning at intersections as well because you already have the bike leaned over a bit. I've had a few "fun" moments and an occasional sliding foot because of this, but never gone down.

The good news is that the worst of it washes away within about the first 15 minutes of the rain starting. I would guess this is more of a problem in dry climates (like where I live) where old oil doesn't get washed away very often.

Other than that, I assume all the standard surface hazards exist but will be almost invisible and 10x more slippery and adjust my riding accordingly.
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Old 5 Jun 2011
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some thing they warned me for in driving school ages ago...
avoid this canal duct lids or just any metal plate in the road in the wet, they can act like ice on the road, so use the brake and acceleration very carefully the same or worth with tram rails if you get forced to follow them and suddenly have to cross this regarding the road layout. This tracks are tricky and dangers ones you get caught up with your front wheel... I came off the bike ones and the tram behind me had to do an emergency stop... not very funny...
just be aware about this hazards but nothing to worry about.
Yes the habit of putting pressure on the outside peg dose wonder... gives you this extra little bit of down force grip to the surface.
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Old 5 Jun 2011
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so does anyone know when they replace the tarmac now they put up signs saying pos skid when this area of road waz fine before
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Old 5 Jun 2011
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I think the biggest mistake riders make in any type of riding is keeping their distance from the car/bike in front or not giving themselves enough breaking distance for a corner or potential road block, accident etc...

You always read on the hub of riders crashing into each other in a group.. The rider behind is busy looking at the stunning scenery and doesn't notice that their partner has slowed down for a pot hole etc..

Ever watched the sunday bikers on a ride out ?? See how they sit 30cm behind the car they're waiting to overtake ! They have NO chance of stopping in the car has to brake suddenly.. It's actually slower overtaking like that too. You don't have time to accelerate and your view point is much shorter too..

So, keep your distance, take your time.. Always assume there is a pot hole or road works around the next corner..

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Old 6 Jun 2011
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Resurfacing
When we resurface the road in Stone Mastic Asphalt which is the quiet type that doesn't throw up as much spray, the stones, which are the part that has the grip, are coated in bitumen which takes a little while to wear off. We end to leave the slippery road signs up for 6 months after resurfacing but they get the grip back a lot faster.
Immediately after surfacing there are also some oils that bleed out of the surface for a week or so depending on the weather and traffic.
The other time skid signs go up is after surface dressing, that is Tar and Chippings, when depending how good the contractor is will leave more or less chippings loose on the surface, take it smooth on that stuff.
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Old 26 Sep 2011
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I have seen programs on tv showing where new tarmac has been layed, and it is very very slippy and rubbish for braking for several months. Usually council contractors get away with putting skid car triangles up. Litigation nation hey.
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Old 27 Sep 2011
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Always ride well on the outside of your turning circle and do not cut corners when wet avoid crossing white lines as they are often slippery.

Also it may be better to ride in the car tracks even though that surface will be more worn as the bit between the tracks is where the oil gets dropped.

as said before, ride well within your capabilities leave yourself plenty of space because space equals time.

Best of all, ride figure of eights around a grassy field, dry at first, then wet.

Many people would choose different bikes if they had to do that regularly.
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Old 27 Sep 2011
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A others have said just riding a little slower and allow enough space to do everything a bit slower. Stop, corner, change lanes and so on.

Here in Melbs, Aus we have Tram tracks to dodge in the wet too. Once again no big deal. I have found that a slow creep across them is more problematic than a safe fast move from one side to the other. Anyway only a problem where you have bare metal tracks level with a road surface.

The thing to help your riding and confidence more time on the bike in all conditions.
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