Mega arse - I crashed again

[Mr Moofo]

Front wheel folded in under me - on a straight stretch of the SDW. I had two choice - ride the wet chalk ( which had been unpleasant all ride in exposed places) or go for the leaves. The leaves looked best because there would be loam underneath ... wrong.
Landed on my head and shoulder -. The shoulder was fortunately not the one I broke 1.5 years ago - but I thought I had done it again. A&E visit says no breaks - AC joint fine- collar bone fine - but soft tissue damage. Hurts like fuck.
No concussion - Giro deliver great protection again ...

But here’s the question - I have two choices - either give up riding when it has been wet and slimy ... which is probably favourite at the moment. Or better tyres that work in slippy conditions. Currently have Speciallized Hillbilly front and back _ this came as a muddy tyre recommendation - but not impressed TBH.
Can’t go bigger that 2.35 - and it’s is 27.5 wheel.
Anyone ever had good slippy contain tyres for South Downs chalk n shit ?

[weeksy]

In truth, not really. The SDW is horrific stuff when wet. Been there and crashed on it.
The Ridgeway is same stuff.

Basically, we pick different routes in winter. It's a bit longer to get to the trails, maybe 1.5 miles instead of 300m. But they're far more enjoyable in the bad weather

Gws and don't be too hard on yourself

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

There is a 3rd choice, learn to slow down a bit when it's slippery

[weeksy]

There is a 3rd choice, learn to slow down a bit when it's slippery

on chalk like the SDW it really doesn't matter, you can fall over standing still. It really is that slippery.

[Mr Moofo]

There is a 3rd choice, learn to slow down a bit when it's slippery

on chalk like the SDW it really doesn't matter, you can fall over standing still. It really is that slippery.

Unfortunately, this is the case . Max speed yesterday was 47 kph coming down a hill - that I know was safe. The bit I crashed on I was doing maybe 15 kph at the most - in a straight line

[Beancounter]

Ouch. GWS fella.

I think I'd just pick a different route/avoid the wet chalk. It's one of the things that puts me off riding the SDW, probably just my imagination but it seems very easy to come a cropper on it.

Re. tyres, I really like WTB Vigilante and Trail Boss but I doubt they'd be any better of wet chalk and also bear in mind 99% of my riding is the sandy loam of the Surrey Hill/FoD/Cwmcarn, the other 1% is the tarmac in between the trails.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I wasn't really serious, I 've ridden motorbikes on chalk (I grew up in one of the few places in Suffolk with a chalk ridge) and I know how slippery it is when wet, especially if a lot of people use the track, it creates a slimy, slippery film.

The best answer is to avoid wet chalk altogether.

I've learned not to jump through a series of whoops when it's wet, you can land in the mud at the bottom of the whoop which will stop the bike very quickly, sadly 13 stone of me doesn't stop as quick.

[MingtheMerciless]

Mr Moofo, glad you’ve not snapped any sticky out bits, GWS. Michelin Wild Muds (2.25 width) are so far the best mud tyre for the south downs I’ve come across, Kenda Grand Mudda’s are a close second but the Michelin’s clear better. Still don’t work to well on green chalk though. Just learn to relax and fall with grace.

[lostboy]

I'm going to disagree with Ming here - the best, bar none, for the South Downs and any other chalky, slimy shite is Bontrager Mud-X/Team XR Mud or whatever they're called now. They're not trendy because they're narrow (2.0) but that's why they're brilliant, they cut through mud beautifully and the widely spaced blocks clear superbly whilst also clearing very effectively (so effectively that you'll need very good mud guards/protection or a good jet wash when you're done.

That chalk is the worst, it becomes almost soap-like for the top several cm so it's vital you get through it.

Specialized Storm Control or whatever they are called now are a good second best - again, narrow (2.0) so cut through the shite.

[weeksy]

I'm going to disagree with Ming here - the best, bar none, for the South Downs and any other chalky, slimy shite is Bontrager Mud-X/Team XR Mud or whatever they're called now. They're not trendy because they're narrow (2.0) but that's why they're brilliant, they cut through mud beautifully and the widely spaced blocks clear superbly whilst also clearing very effectively (so effectively that you'll need very good mud guards/protection or a good jet wash when you're done.

That chalk is the worst, it becomes almost soap-like for the top several cm so it's vital you get through it.

Specialized Storm Control or whatever they are called now are a good second best - again, narrow (2.0) so cut through the shite.

Ran them on my 29er and yeah they're good. I'd say the hillbilly must run them close based upon tread and reviews though. Surprised the OP isn't feeling them based upon what I've read on them.

[Mr Moofo]

I'm going to disagree with Ming here - the best, bar none, for the South Downs and any other chalky, slimy shite is Bontrager Mud-X/Team XR Mud or whatever they're called now. They're not trendy because they're narrow (2.0) but that's why they're brilliant, they cut through mud beautifully and the widely spaced blocks clear superbly whilst also clearing very effectively (so effectively that you'll need very good mud guards/protection or a good jet wash when you're done.

That chalk is the worst, it becomes almost soap-like for the top several cm so it's vital you get through it.

Specialized Storm Control or whatever they are called now are a good second best - again, narrow (2.0) so cut through the shite.

Ran them on my 29er and yeah they're good. I'd say the hillbilly must run them close based upon tread and reviews though. Surprised the OP isn't feeling them based upon what I've read on them.

I have XR muds on my Cotic ( but not at the moment)
I chose the hillbilly’s based on them being very like storm controls , having a similar tread to SC ... but being available for bout 20 quid a tyre less.
Would have gone for Maxxis shorties - but the local shop wanted 59 GBP per tyre ... the Hillbillys were 25 quid each .... and very well rated.
Will go and check the pressures - maybe they are too high ...

[MingtheMerciless]

Much as I like Bonty Muds I've killed two on Sussex flints very quickly, the Michelins can br run as low as 18 psi if you get the Enduro casing version and still not suffer rim or tyre damage hammering down Wendover Express Elevator.

[Mr Moofo]

Much as I like Bonty Muds I've killed two on Sussex flints very quickly, the Michelins can br run as low as 18 psi if you get the Enduro casing version and still not suffer rim or tyre damage hammering down Wendover Express Elevator.

Perhaps I just need to MTFU, learn to fall off , and wear some shoulder armour. I get the feeling I am looking for something that may not exist.

Ming - running at 18 psi -how much do you weigh?

[MingtheMerciless]

11st, maybe 11.5 fully laden......

[Mr Moofo]

11st, maybe 11.5 fully laden......

FFS go and eat something before Bono and Geldolf turn up .

103 kgs ... 18 psi isn’t going to work ....

[MingtheMerciless]

The only benefit of FODMAP and gluten intolerance/IBS is eating all 5 fat groups and not putting on weight (though my bowl movements can resemble that scene in Alien when Bishop tries to cut the face-hugger off John Hurt).

Deep fry/shallow fry/roast/double fried and cooked with cheese before you ask.

[Skub]

Damn,I keep reading thread titles like this,going 'shit',then realising it's only bicycles.








GWS fella.

[Mr Moofo]

Ming - my IBS made me put on weight. Ironically, I got rid of it by losing weight !
Front tyre was 28 psi ... so will start at 24 psi in future ...
Run tubeless ....

[lostboy]

Much as I like Bonty Muds I've killed two on Sussex flints very quickly, the Michelins can br run as low as 18 psi if you get the Enduro casing version and still not suffer rim or tyre damage hammering down Wendover Express Elevator.

Nothing stops flints! We've got a flint/chalk descent that's been further carved out by the enduro bikes trying to get up it and it's a lottery with any tyre - including DHF and DHR!

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

my IBS made me put on weight. Ironically, I got rid of it by losing weight

Interesting, I've got IBS as I've got older and I've put on weight (I weigh 30% more than I did 15 years ago)
What did you do to lose weight, I can lose a stone but seem to be stuck getting any lower