Author Topic: On the commute today (Read 2501166 times)

The Family Cyclist · « **Reply #21650 on:** 26 January, 2024, 04:35:15 pm »

By and indeed eck, should have checked the weather or at least paid attention to the wind in the chimney. To work was a battle. 40+mph gusts and with loaded panniers was all over the place. Couldn't even drink on the go as needed both hands in bars

Ride home was better, loads of traffic passing through one of the villages which was cutting through. Stopped as didn't fancy passing a lorry as no room either side and hear a metallic ting

Start riding and yup there's an odd noise so pull over. Looks like the daily hammering on way to work often with loaded panniers and down some fairly crap cycle paths and cut through has taken its toil and one of my spokes had snapped. Odd it was when not moving

Taped the remains to another spoke as always carry electrical tape and made it the last few km home. Do have a spare wheel in shed which needs bearings adjusting so a job for tomorrow

The Family Cyclist · « **Reply #21651 on:** 30 January, 2024, 05:31:01 pm »

Nothing very exciting about the last few commutes other then my bike felt so nice after giving it a service on weekend when replacing the rear wheel.

However noticed I'm close to 500km for the month which has been entirely commuting or utilitarian, havent been for a social ride yetthis year. Infact if id not learnt of cut through which misses lights and takes about a km off ride I'll already be at 500.

So tonight took a little detour in way home and if I don't use the cut through on way in and take same detour on way home I'll just creep over 500km for the month, think I managed about 1200km last year so this is a big jump although won't be able to keep up as change work location in April

I did get unduly annoyed after being over taken by a young lad on an ebike on way home. He went past me up an incline with no effort so chased him down. Was planning an overtake once leveled out but we went separate ways

L CC · « **Reply #21652 on:** 05 February, 2024, 09:48:43 am »

It was windier here than the Norwegians predicted. It's a while since I've played 'plucky cyclist' battling gusts. Thankfully the drivers got the memo so no stupidity this morning.

Tim Hall · « **Reply #21653 on:** 05 February, 2024, 12:23:34 pm »

First (bike) commute of the year. Hurrah. I am ~~a riding god~~ not looking forward to the againsterly on the way home.

CrazyEnglishTriathlete · « **Reply #21654 on:** 05 February, 2024, 01:45:54 pm »

Meeting in Reading today. Cycled in courtesy of Aslef who decided not to run either Cross Country or Great Western trains today. It's 10 years since I last cycled into Reading and it's noticeable how much bigger cars are as in North Hampshire about 75% of the vehicles that passed on the once-upon-a-time easy to pass lanes were SUVs. I need a cycling top that says: "If you want to pass get a smaller car!!!"

On the positive side - there is secure cycling parking in our Reading office, so might work from here a bit more often.

The Family Cyclist · « **Reply #21655 on:** 07 February, 2024, 04:42:09 pm »

A few days to catch up on. Monday windy on way in but glad did, a because always feel better after a ride and b the wind picked up and flew home setting several strava PBs, oh and c a lorry had overturned on A12 so by cycling avoided all that.

Skived Tuesday due to wind, today didn't fancy it but did as weather's crap tomorrow and need to drive Friday. Was much colder then last week or so but no wind so fairly even times each way rather then a slog then a race.

pumpkin · « **Reply #21656 on:** 13 February, 2024, 03:20:51 pm »

l/h pedal failed to release on the way home. one of those moments where you focus just on that. realized to unclip on the r/h side but I was going...going...gone and am laid there under the bike and the pedal wont release. had to take the shoe off. insult to injury I had a visit from the fairy on the ride home

CrazyEnglishTriathlete · « **Reply #21657 on:** 14 February, 2024, 07:53:05 am »

Went the summer route back via Ascot last night. 54 miles of headwind, dark, and wet roads. And, unlike Steve Abraham, the headwind didn't get tired and give up. On the plus side, neither did i, although I did delve into the saddle back for an emergency flapjack at Bramshill.

L CC · « **Reply #21658 on:** 14 February, 2024, 09:41:52 am »

Thick fog up the hill on the way in - cloud base is about 100m ASL which is where I start.
Drivers had not got the memo and 2 close passes had me swearing.
On Sunday riding to swimming the boab-word was yelled at a submerged pothole and I had to apologise to the gent waiting at the bus stop for my unladylike verbal ejaculation. Today there was no one listening so I gave it large.

The Family Cyclist · « **Reply #21659 on:** 14 February, 2024, 07:42:51 pm »

Due to reasons haven't cycles since Thursday, possibly even Wednesday, trying to remember who I've got a lift with into work
Checked strava was definitely Wednesday so a week between rides. Back on it today and was far too warm in lings, reflective jacket and waterproof. I'm digging out the shorts for tomorrow

CrazyEnglishTriathlete · « **Reply #21660 on:** 15 February, 2024, 09:25:59 am »

2nd quickest commute ever into Oxford today. Just like the quickest, it was nothing to do with legs, but a steady tailwind and half-term. Minimal traffic saves me about 8 minutes along the Cowley Road.

pumpkin · « **Reply #21661 on:** 15 February, 2024, 12:36:31 pm »

no windshell, no l/s base layer. Instead l/s jersey, gilet and knee warmers. Also sans gloves. fantastic!

The Family Cyclist · « **Reply #21662 on:** 15 February, 2024, 05:01:45 pm »

Seemed to have a headwind both ways, pushed hard on way in....maybe too hard as legs just didn't want it on way home. Definitely shorts weather, was over heating with ling sleeve t shirt and reflective gilllet as not bright enough in way in yet to lose that

rogerzilla · « **Reply #21663 on:** 19 February, 2024, 05:39:34 pm »

Stiff headwind in, with drizzle. Not a breath of wind on the way home. Flag outside work as limp as the audience for Anne Widdecombe's first porno.

fd3 · « **Reply #21664 on:** 19 February, 2024, 09:35:17 pm »

At the lights idiot ped.om phone tried to walk through my bike as my light turned green. I was no on the crossing,.they were taking a diagonal.

fimm · « **Reply #21665 on:** 20 February, 2024, 09:59:47 am »

I need to find a less wooly hat.

fd3 · « **Reply #21666 on:** 20 February, 2024, 10:13:13 am »

Massive standstill traffic-jam on the way in.
Which I breezed past.

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #21667 on:** 20 February, 2024, 10:23:40 am »

First shorts day. Could easily have switched to mitts as well.

Pingu · « **Reply #21668 on:** 20 February, 2024, 07:47:10 pm »

Last ever cycle commute today.

hbunnet · « **Reply #21669 on:** 20 February, 2024, 09:12:29 pm »

Quote from: Pingu on 20 February, 2024, 07:47:10 pm

Last ever cycle commute today.

That's a big deal. Congratulations.

The Family Cyclist · « **Reply #21670 on:** 22 February, 2024, 05:04:40 pm »

Quote from: Pingu on 20 February, 2024, 07:47:10 pm

Last ever cycle commute today.

And hopefully the start of more time for leisure rides

I'm counting down as at most have 12 left before I change work locations to one that's too far to realistically cycle

Todays was wet on way home, have been doing it since October and probably only maybe 4th time I've got really wet and wouldn't have been too bad if my jacket was still waterproof. The shorts are soaked but turning cooler so longs can come back out for a few days

A few colleagues while leaving and the wife when gotnhome commented they couldn't believe I was cycling, yeah I could have blagged a lift but the wet just doesn't bother me, nor the cold. Infact I think the only times I've skived off due to weather have been due to named storms bringing wind

sg37409 · « **Reply #21671 on:** 23 February, 2024, 08:21:08 am »

Quote from: Pingu on 20 February, 2024, 07:47:10 pm

Last ever cycle commute today.

Jeezo. I hope you enjoyed it. What was your first ?

sg37409 · « **Reply #21672 on:** 23 February, 2024, 08:24:09 am »

Pretty grim today. Pissing rain and on a Friday with lighter traffic they really don’t like slowing down for a bike. Took the more direct route to be quicker but means staying on main road. Many close passes.

fd3 · « **Reply #21673 on:** 26 February, 2024, 09:28:44 am »

Last week's rain was pretty rough, but okay. Made my 8yo cycle to school in it so it couldn't have been that bad.

My grumble for today is the fecking motorists who think you should signal that you are pulling out when you drop someone off, then just pull straight out without further worning.

Point three, I will be joining FC at having a longer cycle ride after Easter, but mine will be going from ~3-4 miles to double that, so a bit better really.

sg37409 · « **Reply #21674 on:** 26 February, 2024, 09:42:53 am »

Cold but nice. Canal iced over on many parts.