Manchester has not been any fun since the snow froze and became impacted into ice. My 7 mile 80% cycle path route through Trafford Park (past Uniteds ground) to work in the city centre has been too much to cope with.

I ordered the spike embedded tyres very late considering the continuing weather conditions and they arrived this week (3 days on a special delivery before midday, ha – I guess manchester was not the only part of the country suffering from the frosty weather.) And now it’s all thawed so they’re pretty useless but still super stable.

Crawling along past Old Trafford Cricket Ground, out in a lane where a car would be (because they don’t leave space for cyclists – I miss my cycle path!) As usual I was able to balance while stationary and while looking over the cars up ahead I had amazing grip on wet tarmac. Rock solid cycling.

Not much tread depth so going in the snow wasn’t an option as I didn’t order the (downhill mtb style) Ice Spiker tyres. I’ll keep them on until the end of Feb though. They’re fine for commuting on normal roads. Today I cycled in the pouring rain, for the first time wearing overshoes stretched onto a pair of size 11 caterpillar boots. So many weather conditions. So little inner moisture since I finally bought the right base layer / waterproof jacket / trousers. You have to love Manchester for it’s climate.

I was worried about my precarious balance as I ride on my toes at 6′ 4″ on a high seat post attached to a steel framed mountain bike. The spike tyres have put my fears to rest. Very happy with my choice to buy them, although on most online cycle shops they are out of stock regularly. It takes more effort to get the bike moving from a stand still but once i’ve got going they feel like regular mtb commuter tyres apart from the riding on rice krispies noise.

My advice if you’re going from Urmston to Manchester city centre.. Avoid the faster traffic / narrower road lanes through Trafford Park and get onto Chester road past Stretford Arndale. A slightly wider road lane and slower traffic so you can act confident and push yourself out into the traffic when the traffic slows down (and they won’t allow you cycling room near the kerb). I even shaved 10 minutes off my commute time. I guess I must be taking it too easy on the cycle paths. I always feel pushed to go faster when i’m on the road. Makes me sweat but I feel more comfortable at a faster speed.

Lots of bus / taxi rides later and I’m back on the bike. And I need it. My waist line has expanded so much my trousers for work barely fit. I want my fitness level back! And to think I would never ever consider the use of a cycle trainer. I just might do next winter.

Bob