Tales from today's commute....

[summerdays]

I'm so tired this week ... and this morning felt like hard work with the wind as well.

As I joined the path I noticed a couple keeping together in the distance, caught them up, thought about overtaking but knew a hill coming up so no point, and sure enough they pulled away. Caught up again and couldn't decide whether to overtake or not since their pace seemed similar but eventually decided to try and I stayed ahead for a short while. They overtook and then I just sat on their back wheel as I couldn't go faster than them and was dropped at each incline. Even after they separated my route carried on with the man and I ended up doing the overtake again just as he approached his office.

I felt awkward but too tired to get further ahead. I hope they didn't mind, we were obviously of a very similar pace this morning.

 

[MisterStan]

Legs are feeling it this morning, the wind is taking its toll this week. A nice sunny run in though!

 

[HarryTheDog]

Last night the Physio gave me the all clear to start cyling again so did my short commute this morning ( drive to Rainham then ride to Canary wharf, first in nearly 3 weeks)
In Dagenham I spied 2 roadies and a MTB bod up ahead. When I got closer I realized it was 2 young ladies in a chain gang, which on my commute is as rare as rocking horse pooh. The guy on the 29er was trying to hold onto them but he failed . I knew the light sequence at the junction ahead and knew I needed to get a move on to make the next light sequence on green so I pushed on past all 3.
Then in Barking another unusual sight, a bloke on a eliptical bike thingy,blasted past him up the hill ( on a cycleway) , halfway past I realised a guy was coming the other way so had to make it quick, I then apoligised to the bloke coming down as he had to brake, silly me!

Coming out of Barking I was overtaken by another roadie around my age ( grey and grizzled) , he gave me a cheery good morning as he went past so I responded in kind, I realised I had slowed so I just then shadowed him. In Canning town we stopped at the lights. It was only then we recognized each other as having cycled together before so we had a chat.
Looks like a tailwind home, hurrah!

 

[robjh]

What a difference from yesterday!
Then – cold, low clouds and windy, and out came the leg warmers and a thermal layer and big gloves that I thought I’d put away for the season.
Now – we’re back to summer, a beautiful sunlit morning, still a bit of wind but hey-ho you don’t want to get too hot.

On both days I had a car almost stop for me at white lines but then carry on drifting across into my path, but both jerked to a halt in time. In the scheme of things they were nothing serious and I carried on physically and mentally unscathed, and enjoyed the rides as I almost always do.

 

[fossyant]

Shock horror... Dry and sunny.

Despite a still dodgy chest dropped a guy on a Pinarello Rokh going up hill. He only managed to catch up going down hill as I was twiddling my fixed.

 

[ianrauk]

An absolutely stunning morning weather wise. Sunny blue skies with just a hint of a chill in the air. For some reason traffic was very light on the roads which made for a pretty good run in.

 

[Origamist]

Very pleasant this morning. Dry, lighter winds and 9C - was in shorts again. Saw a few more cyclists too which is always nice.

Tried a new DHB Large jersey for the first time this morning – it was described as “pro fit” (there was a clue there) and, as such, it fitted me tighter than a Victorian corset. However, when I was actually riding the bike it felt fine…I reckon it gave me an extra 0.5watts…

If it’s mid-teens Celsius on the way home, will add an extra five miles….

 

[ianrauk]

it fitted me tighter than a Victorian corset.

Suck in those guts boys... we are the ghost busters.

I also have a jersey like that 'cept mine is called race fit. Which means a blompy pink sausage like me squeezing into it, looking in the mirror thinking shall I or shant I? But when I do and am out on the bike. It looks (he says) and feels no different,

 

[Arjimlad]

I went the (for me) extra long route to work today only to find it was just 2 miles longer than the usual route but in the sunshine, most enjoyable nevertheless.

There were three other riders I passed going down the A38 - the sunny weather certainly brings a lot more people out on their bikes to work !

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

Bit of summer in the air today, long commute back tonight I think

 

[J1888]

Was at my folks last night, so day #2 without the bike.

Tube. Northern Line. Rush hour. Nightmare.

Can't wait to get back on the horse tomorrow

 

[donnydave]

Broken down lorry on the bit of country road I have to do at the start of my commute. Absolute chaos..... for people in cars

 

[fimm]

"Long commute" today. Headwind, and I was late getting going, and it was raining. Oh well going home should be better.
One very close pass, one of those where I was left wishing I'd slapped the car (I've never actually hit a car, but I've wished I had a few times).

 

[Rustybucket]

First clip-less moment on the way home yesterday, lucky it was onto a grass verge & not 50 meters futher up the path - as I would have fallen into the canal!

Tough head wind on the way home too! (especially with a bruised knee & ankle from my fall!)

 

[mythste]

had my first altercation with a car last night, a taxi driver (no surprises from those that cycle around liverpool)

Coming up on a two lane road to a 5 way junction, with about 150 metres to go, I check over my shoulder, signal to move into the outside lane as im turning right at the junction. start to move lanes, check again, there's a car well over 150 metres behind me, cool, I'll keep moving. Junction is on a red, no ones in any rush. As I CROSS the lane lines into the outside lane I hear an acceleration and a car flies past me in the same lane, within 25 meters of the junction, to then pull into the left lane as if going straight ahead?!

literally within an inch of my life, and the worst bit? When I pulled along side he said "yeah, I saw you signalling and look round, but you should just get a car mate".

Eh, what? Just admitted to a punishment pass... Sigh. A bit shaken up but back out this morning and the weather was lovely and mild.