Tales from today's commute....

[Exile]

Icy this morning, but I was already late and didn't have time to swap to studded tyres so just dropped the pressure in my tyres a little. Didn't come off at all so I'd say that's a job well done.

Should have a new front brake waiting for me when I get home. Just as well, really, seeing as how three(!) separate cars brake tested me this morning, decimating my brake pads in a horrible combination of yanking and grit.

The first one decided to slam on when I was going near 30 down a hill. Not sure he expected me to swing left, pass between him and the kerb then smash it to the next set of lights though. From the way he stared straight ahead until the lights went green I'm guessing not.

 

[donnydave]

My first full commute on a road bike in the snow - started off very slowly as the roads in my estate had barely been used - I discovered that it's easier to cycle on the fresh snow, than in the tracks as the snow in the tracks felt like compacted ice.

I did a snowy commute on my road bike last year (snowed during the day and had no choice on the way home) and found exactly the same thing, it was ok on fresh snow but as soon as there were tracks from other cyclists it became a lot more difficult.

Looking at the roads I was really annoyed that I hadn't just gone for the bike today but I suspected the busway would be dodgy so played it safe.

I expect to be back on the bike tomorrow if the busway-goers on here would be so kind as to give a busway condition update on the way home this evening please!

 

[Hacienda71]

Lovely sunny day today only marred by someone overtaking me with little extra speed in a van as I rode in primary around a left hand bend through some lights. Technically I am not sure if he was wrong, it wasn't a left hook, but it certainly seemd an odd and dangerous thing to do. I wouldn't overtake a car going around a blind bend.

 

[subaqua]

properly snowy on the way in to Kings X for the train to Cambridge. was like a snowman when I got there. canal towpath was brilliant as I was only one on it - no tracks or footprints woo hoo.
Victoria park was a wonderful sight.
guided busway to addenbrookes- slippy but stayed upright. tomorrow might be a little different if it freezes on this.

 

[MisterStan]

I expect to be back on the bike tomorrow if the busway-goers on here would be so kind as to give a busway condition update on the way home this evening please!

I will report this evening! I've tweeted the council to ask why it wasn't cleared this morning - no response yet...

 

[subaqua]

I will let you know later when I have rode back to the station from addenbrookes. the slope up was Ok to ride but down was sloooow and careful

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

What a lovely evening commute home. Very cold and crisp but very dry roads and no wind made for a very enjoyable spin home. AND a nice clean bike still after it's weekend clean.

Wasn't arriving home on a clean bike yesterday a break from the norm! I had the same, made a nice change not have to give it an evening clean, well, I still cleaned the tyres and pads but frame was fine.

 

[fossyant]

Roads very dry and not much ice so took the off road route to work. All the mud was properly frozen for the first time this winter. Nearly came off going over a massive puddle. It had been frozen but now it was smashed large chunks from folk going to feed their horses. The bike just stopped dead.

Saw one cyclist dusting himself off near Fallowfield. Looked like he had taken the chicane too quickly. Asked if he was ok and he said "yeh" rather sheepishly. Think he'd already been asked a few times.

 

[subaqua]

Guided busway from addenbrookes hospital to Cambridge station is snow free. No sign of salt ( much like the super duper segregated highways in London) and if it freezes tonight will likely be a little slidy tomorrow

 

[Glow worm]

A bit dicey on the way in but at least finally got some use of the ice tyres after a couple of years.

All the paths/ roads clear now locally- just a bit of slush.

Now to hose off all the muck and salt from the bike. Amazing how cruddy the bike gets in snow.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

all I will say is tricky.......

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Was quite pleasant in Leicester, all the snow (what little there was) has gone and the temperature was above freezing so felt tropical compared to this morning. Only downside is the wind is now definitely coming from the north so even though not strong was a bit chilly when heading into it.

 

[ianrauk]

Lovely ride home tonight. Cold, crisp and dry. A nice little tailwind to boot.
I kept on being overtaken at lights by a chap on a leccy bike, so wasn't going to have that. I turned on the afterburners and left him in my wake a few times. But, with Bromley Hill coming up I knew I had to play it a bit canny as he would have taken me on the hill and got away. So I let him over take and I jumped on his wheel. Now on a good day I can get up Bromley Hill at +15/16's and know that on the flat leccy bikes are restricted to 15's. So watched his gears and low and behold he started shifting up the cassette. But I stuck with him whilst trying not to expel my screaming lungs through my nostrils. I kept with him to the top of the climb (¾ of a mile), then saw my chance and took him again. that took him completely by surprise. Lit what was left of my afterburners, said thanks for the tow and cheerio and I was gone.
2 hours later I am still recovering from the exertion Fastest ride of the year home...

 

[fossyant]

Oxygen on the way for you @ianrauk

 

[alecstilleyedye]

the roads were fine once out of macclesfield, but so cold the bidon started to freeze…