Tales from today's commute....

[Panter]

Just as I was about to leave. The mother of all cloud bursts hit. And boy it was a big one. There was no way I was going to head out in that, so decided another cup of tea was in order. 20 minutes later it had stopped and blue sky appeared. So got out of the door and was on my way.
I didn't change the gear cable of my commuter last night, I'll do that at the weekend. So I grabbed my Sunday best Van Nich Ti. The first time I have used it on a commute. And Jeez.. what a joy. It really was lovely, such a difference ride to the Alu, panniered commuter. It was so much smoother, quicker and nippier. The only downside is that I had to use a rucksack.. boo to weights on your back, really uncomfortable, even though it's a cycling specific rucksack.

That's the one I got caught in.
Left home to Blue, sunny skies and a fierce headwind. Within two minutes, the sky had turned Black and the heavens opened.
Halfway though the first coffee at work, and Blue skies again!

 

[Arjimlad]

6 miles north with the wind behind me and 5 miles south with it in my face today. Had to stay in a low gear all the way down the A38 - but at least I stayed dry and enjoyed the ride nevertheless.

 

[LoftusRoadie]

Bloody lovely commute home last night - set a pb without really trying. The tailwind was just pushing me along - can it be like that every commute please? Please!
And this morning was a struggle. Set out and the sun was shining, within 2 minutes it started to rain. And cycling along the towpath with a headwind pushing me back plus puddles and gravel that seems to stick to the tyres made it not exactly unenjoyable but a definite struggle.
Apparently it won't rain tonight (not that I trust the BBC weather updates anymore) but the puddles will still be there!

 

[summerdays]

It was blooming hard work today! On the way in someone had dropped a jar of paint over a bridge so glass hidden by the white paint! I had my first go through the tunnel since it reopened .... Considering it's been closed 9 months I was kinda of hoping they were going to fix the drips.... But no, all the regulars were still there! And then I had the detour around the new bit of closed path ... Last time I'm taking that diversion!

Homeward journey was nice along the bottom of the Frome valley which gave some shelter from the wind which is definitely getting worse, at one point I was stopped at a junction (thank goodness), as a builders rubble sack completely wrapped itself around my front wheel. I assume I would have been on the floor if I'd been moving.

Get home to discover one of the main branches of a small tree in our garden is down.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

The ride home from work tonight was a tad damp, what was annoying was that the rain stopped about a mile from home.

 

[Simontm]

Since it's a Wednesday, I did my train commute so I could pick up my daughter in the afternoon (she is reading over my shoulder and insists I add "who is awesome")
A few weeks/months back I set out my usual Wednesday commute and why I cycle but today was a humdinger and I have to share.
7:00 Leave house
7:25 Watch in disbelief as the train goes past the station on the other line without stopping. Station master comes on tannoy; "I have no idea why it did that."
7:30 Station master: "Signalman has no idea why it did that but I suggest you go over to the other side, catch the 7:37 to Hampton Court and come back up to make sure at least that you get it."
7:47 train arrives. Everyone piles on.
7:56 Train leaves Hampton Court. Gets back to Thames Ditton on the wrong side but this time stops. Everyone on the other side starts running down to get to our side. Guard notices and tells the driver they're not going anywhere.
8:10 Train terminates at Surbiton
8:34 Make it onto bridge to go to the platform.
9:00 Squeeze onto train going direct to Waterloo
9:35 Get to Waterloo. Ask official which platform for the next train back to Clapham. He says: "Oh, platforms 1-4." I say: "I've been travelling for over two hours, which is the next to leave." he shrugs.
9:42 See a train leave whilst standing next to the one a useless official said would be the next to leave.
09:54 Get to Clapham to find out that Southern has joined in and there is a ten minute delay to East Croydon
10:48 Get into the office. Hour late for appraisal (was texting boss so that was sorted)

Every other day:
7:00 Leave house
7:45-8:00 Get to East Croydon
8:15 Showered, having a coffee, ready for work

and that Ladies and Gentlemen is why....

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Got away with that, dry all the way home, apart from the last mile but that section was a tail wind so got in a bit wet, but cold have been so much worse.
Hopefully the wind will die down tomorrow!

 

[Bazzer]

Journey into work a bit harder in places; straight into the wind, but great seeing a gorgeous sunrise over the fields only half a mile into my commute. A lot warmer as well. Managed with shorts and a single base layer under my soft shell.
Had a clipless moment right outside work security gates. Not sure what happened but unclipped left and right feet, to straddle bike to swipe myself in. Left foot got caught on the pedal and timberrrrr. Luckily no one behind me, but suspect a few giggles is security cam footage reviewed.
Soaked on journey home and regretting the shorts for much of the journey as it felt a lot cooler.

 

[MisterStan]

Got away with that, dry all the way home, apart from the last mile but that section was a tail wind so got in a bit wet, but cold have been so much worse.
Hopefully the wind will die down tomorrow!

I got wet too, right at the end. Lots of close passes coming out of town, sure one of them was intentional.

Wind is due to drop tomorrow.

 

[Spartak]

Wind has dropped today ! Nice ride in this morning on my singlespeed 8-)

Managed to average over 23 km/h ( over the 20 km journey ).

Only think to report was one dead fox on the roadside in Henbury.

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Came into work on the road bike instead of the hybrid for the first time this morning. Unsurprisingly, got to work quite a bit earlier than usual. All the makings of a nice morning coming into Leeds. I'm actually kind of looking forward to the homeward trip and The Hill, masochist that I am.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Enjoyable!
My legs do actually work!

 

[Simontm]

Lovely. sunny, windless!!!!, ride in today but the traffic... Jeez, dunno where that came from.

Numpty count: 3. One very close pass, two school girls, deciding not to use the Zebra crossing as I head for the Waddon humpback bridge, looked straight at me and still started crossing I shouted "OiOi!" and got an apology from the men crossing the Zebra . Third was a woman who blithely pulled out in front of me to turn right. I waved at her and at least she had the decency to put a hand up in apology.

And a very big thank you to the British Gas van driver who started coming up besides me right at the pinch point/cycle turn for Sutton FC. As I was about to swear at him, his window came down and said: "Mate, your chain's about to come off."
I thought: "Chain?" Looked down, nothing wrong. I thanked him and turned into the Rec ground, thought about it and stopped. My secondary lock was hanging out of the pannier, hidden from view so Cheers British Gas man! At the best could have lost a £10 lock, at worst, going down Westmead at 24mph...

 

[MisterStan]

Nice gentle tailwind, sunny and cool - perfect cycling weather. Nearly a 20mph average and lots of scalps.

 

[andyfraser]

I found an idiot with a death wish this morning. I had turned left then indicated right and taken primary ready for the upcoming mini roundabout. Two or three cars were coming the other way. I suddenly became aware that a car was to my right. There followed much beeping of horns as the moron nearly ploughs into the oncoming traffic!

I don't know whether this driver just wasn't paying attention or had such an acute case of MGIF that they were prepared to crash because of it.