Tales from today's commute....

[Miquel In De Rain]

In case you come on this forum, if you were the cyclist commuting on the A49 near the M56 roundabout this morning at about 7.05, please ask Father Christmas for a hi-viz jacket and some new batteries for your back light - and then put the light on your right hand pannier - You were almost invisible. Not trying to be preachy, but you're putting yourself in danger.

But you saw him.right?

 

[400bhp]

In case you come on this forum, if you were the cyclist commuting on the A49 near the M56 roundabout this morning at about 7.05, please ask Father Christmas for a hi-viz jacket and some new batteries for your back light - and then put the light on your right hand pannier - You were almost invisible. Not trying to be preachy, but you're putting yourself in danger.

That is one r'about I would want to be seen on a commute

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Refreshing. That's what it was, refreshing. A character building ride. Not that my character needs a small conservatory but ho hum.

Every beemer passed me with at least 1m to spare, I guess they were just astonished that someone was cycling. Two volvo's tried to ruin my mood but failed and one driver even put the imaginary pistol to his head and shot himself. My how we larfed. A man in a Jag coming t'other way stopped and yielded to me on the edge of one vast puddle and there was no one in a car behind me! Shocking!

Feet got very wet. The usual pond in the usual place but unusually deep even for Warninglid in winter.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

It seems like the close passes increase in the crap weather,i've toyed with the idea of sticking a rear light on a stick.

 

[martint235]

Refreshing. That's what it was, refreshing. A character building ride. Not that my character needs a small conservatory but ho hum.

Every beemer passed me with at least 1m to spare, I guess they were just astonished that someone was cycling. Two volvo's tried to ruin my mood but failed and one driver even put the imaginary pistol to his head and shot himself. My how we larfed. A man in a Jag coming t'other way stopped and yielded to me on the edge of one vast puddle and there was no one in a car behind me! Shocking!

Feet got very wet. The usual pond in the usual place but unusually deep even for Warninglid in winter.

I'd have been scared witless to see a car behind me with no one in it!!!

IGMC

 

[akb]

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/bedford-route-51-flooding.118560/

My interesting morning commute today! I may have to take the road route today; first time since I started commuting!

 

[Graham]

But you saw him.right?

Ha ha, yes I suppose you're right. I wasn't sure for a while though - Is that a cyclist? yes I think it is, wait it can't be, is it? Oh yes it really is.

 

[MichaelO]

The Redhill decent southbound was interesting this morning, in the middle of the road to avoid the overflowing gutters and the heavens were cranked wide open strange large icey cold droplets smacking me around the face worse than a wet kipper. A few times this morning a rather strange unpleasant stench, guessing the sewer system is getting close to overflow Very erm refreshing...

What time were you heading down? I was on the way up at about 7.40/7.45 this morning (an hour later than usual for me) - and it was tipping down as I went up toward Hooley. Couple of cyclists heading south looking equally "pleased" with the torrential rain..

 

[Andrew_P]

What time were you heading down? I was on the way up at about 7.40/7.45 this morning (an hour later than usual for me) - and it was tipping down as I went up toward Hooley. Couple of cyclists heading south looking equally "pleased" with the torrential rain..

would have been around 7.30ish. Thinking about it there was someone on fixie about 100 yards infront of me so could well of been me..

Not sure how far you go along the A23 but if you go along the Hooley --> Coulsdon dual carraigeway be careful on your way home there is a collapsed manhole (first manhole of the duff 3), and the metal top is now cracked in two and hanging there, looked deeper this morning, remembered it from late last week so got out beofre defintely looking worse than Friday morning.

 

[Andrew_P]

Was it bad on your side? Never seen the stream so deep going south, seen a deepish stream a few times on the north side after a deluge but not on the south side before.

 

[MichaelO]

Not sure how far you go along the A23 but if you go along the Hooley --> Coulsdon dual carraigeway be careful on your way home there is a collapsed manhole (first manhole of the duff 3), and the metal top is now cracked in two and hanging there, looked deeper this morning, remembered it from late last week so got out beofre defintely looking worse than Friday morning.

I know the ones you mean - will keep an eye out on the way home tonight

 

[MichaelO]

Was it bad on your side? Never seen the stream so deep going south, seen a deepish stream a few times on the north side after a deluge but not on the south side before.

I was well outside the cycle lane going up the hill from Merstham - very flooded, even well away from the kerb - almost stream like in parts! Lots of water pouring off the hills to the left (West) of the road, so full of leaves/twigs etc.

 

[benb]

It was lashing down this morning, and I was tempted to drive. Then I remembered that people forget how to drive properly when it's wet (even more so than usual!) and that would probably annoy me even more than the rain.

The moment I got on the bike, the rain stopped, and was dry for my whole commute. The cycling gods were smiling!
Also, I overtook at least 150 cars on the A24, so definitely the right choice, even if the rain hadn't stopped.

 

[redcard]

Nice and dry throughout central Scotland this morning, didn't even get my socks damp.

Hopefully it'll keep up for the return journey

 

[Matthew_T]

Massive tidal waves on the commute today. Got covered in sea water!