On the commute today

[iddu]

Fair do's to the handcyclist lowdown darksider passing through Shrivenham this morning - you were shifting...

[Si S]

On the way home last night night came within a whisker of being toast as a tipper came alongside and then turned left, involved the full oh shit, oh shit and jump the pavement thing.

This morning an Audiout seemed to be surprised that neither myself or the approaching traffic island dematerialised as he attempted his overtake, Friday has been a long time coming this week.

[TimO]

Summer is over. I've started wearing my Marmite winter jacket in the mornings 

It hasn't quite got as far as jacket weather for me, but I did switch to a long sleeved, summer weight, YACF jersey and 3/4 length shorts last week.   That meant I got a mixture of a little brisk in the morning, and moderately sweaty on the way home, in the (sometimes) sunny afternoon.

I fear it's only a few weeks before I will need the full length cycling tights.

[Andrew Br]

The last couple of days I've taken it easy in both directions, mainly because I've felt quite tired. In addition, this evening I was running on empty courtesy of a literally and figuratively "heavy" shift.
I opted for a heavier LS top and leg-warmers going in and it was a good decision.
Coming home it was very chilly out so I put it away I donned a windproof jacket as well.
It'll soon be time for windproof gloves and a hat rather than a cap.

Today's commute was 4 of 4. I'm off tomorrow.
Next week I have Mon-Wed as work days then it goes rest-work-rest-work-rest. I'm trying to get a couple of the rest days put together by changing shifts.
No luck so far.

ETA: I was wrong. That was 5 of 5 bike commutes.
I always get a great feeling of satisfaction when I've used the bike to get to work on 5 consecutive days even if it's only a 21 mile round trip.

[nikki]

Cycling back from Wolverhampton yesterday I got stopped by the local traffic authority bods somewhere in the region of Smethwick. They were doing a survey to assess what impact the canal towpath resurfacing works had done to improve use of the route (National Cycle Routes 5 and 81)

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[Peter]

My god!  Your shoes stuck to the tarmac?!

[nikki]

Tarmac?
Tarmac?!
Ha!


That's not how resurfacing works around here 

[Cudzoziemiec]

The solution is clear: you need longer socks. And then a bigger washing machine!

[JonBuoy]

4 degC out there this morning.  I am trying to remember where I hid my winter commuting kit.

[Si S]

Yes, I had to go back upstairs and hunt out a lightweight base layer this morning, definitely the right decision, brrrr....

[SoreTween]

4 degC out there this morning.  I am trying to remember where I hid my winter commuting kit.

Me too. 12 whole minutes my ride in yet my hands were so cold I struggled with my lock which is far from fiddly.

[Chris N]

Beautiful flash of sunrise out there today.

[Feanor]

Cold here in Aberdeen.

First time I've seen the fields and verges white with frost this Autumn.

[Guy]

A couple of frosty patches here in mid-Beds too.

[matthew]

First day back after two weeks holiday.

1) it was bloody cold - full finger gloves were required.

2) what happened to my legs - power was lacking

3) leaving an hour earlier means there is much fewer cars on the road as I miss the school run.

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

First day back after two weeks holiday.

1) it was bloody cold - full finger gloves were required.

2) what happened to my legs - power was lacking

3) leaving an hour earlier means there is much fewer cars on the road as I miss the school run.

4 degrees in Chertsey.  Had thought about the rest of me but so wished I'd put overshoes on.  Discovered in Roehampton that the size of vehicle to do the school run is in inverse proportion to the child being dropped off.  So gave a big thumbs up to the mum who was riding along the cyclepath escorting her (I'm guessing) 5 year old pedalling along in good style.  She was dead chuffed with the recognition.

First London commute since (I think late April) due to client commitments elsewhere.  Looking forward to a rare gentle tailwind home. 

[Jakob W]

[...] I've an appointment on Monday at the police station to give a statement. Hopefully they'll get picked up on the tax at least...

Nice police officer basically said 'if you go for charges then it becomes your word against theirs, and unless you really felt threatened there's not that much we can do'; however, it looks like the registered keeper of the vehicle has been a norty boy; no tax, insurance, or licence, so they've set a flag and if he passes an ANPR checkpoint in the West Mids he should have his car stopped and seized. Works for me.

[Ashaman42]

Starting getting cocky on the comedy-off-road on the way home. Nearly went arse over tit into a muddy puddle   

I love cycling. 

[mcshroom]

I got stuck in late tonight and it was proper dark by the time I got home. Colder too.

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

It was getting Michael Parkinson again this evening.  Checked the records, first London commute since 1 June

[Andrew Br]

Nice and sunny going in the afternoon and really quite cold coming home.
I know it's Monday but it did seem very quiet both on the roads and in the bars. I'm not complaining; the lack of traffic meant that the lights changed very quickly for me.

[Si S]

Something felt a bit strange going home last night, not shifting quite right, but didn't think too much of it since most of the drivetrain on the commuter stands in need of replacement. Accidentally selected big/big this morning due to incompetence and laziness and the mech very nearly disappeared into the wheel so had to spend twenty minutes straightening that out and indexing the gears.

Other than that a bit of an annoying headwind but another glorious sunrise.

[matthew]

Nippy again this morning.

Though the bike felt rather better than last night when I had 25l of potting compost bungied onto the rear rack.  I must check the rear wheel over as it felt rather odd in a couple of corners.

[SteveC]

Tail wind on the way home this evening, which is unusual as I live almost due west of where I work.
Cars being very polite on the overtaking as well.
And five other cyclists, which is a huge number round here. Three going into town and two going my direction, both of which I managed to overtake.
But the long legs and coat will have to come out. Definitely nippy.

[Si S]

Enough of a tailwind last night to enable a 40kph cruise whilst chatting to the guy from Warrington Road Club  Paid for it this morning though