Tales from today's commute....

[John_S]

It was a nice sunny commute in today which made a nice contrast to lots of recent rides.

As of this mornings ride I clocked up over 500 commuting miles for August. I know that this number of miles is small fry compared to lots of other commuters on here but I was still pleased with clocking up this mileage. Having two young kids at home means that I don’t get the chance to take much of an extended ride if the weather is nice and pretty much have to get from A>B as quick as I can so managing 500 is a number I’m pleased with.

Following the comment above from Berk on a Bike about the weather it seems to me like the entire year has been bad for strong winds.

Hope that everyone has a good bank holiday weekend if fingers crossed you can get the time off.

 

[Glow worm]

The first 'hedge cutting' signs of the season have popped up by one farm around here. Right bloody thorny mess they've made too. I don't think it's legal to do it until September, so if I get a visit, I'd be tempted to report the sod!

 

[martint235]

Thanks, just needed an easy day. Normal service should be resumed next week.

Related to the weather, has this year also been terrible for cold mornings? I'm sure I remember previous years where I would don shorts and short sleeve top without even thinking but all this summer I've been wearing longs and thermal tops, and on a couple of occasions a coat

Really? I've been in short sleeves and shorts since around the end of March. I've worn a waterproof jacket a couple of times this week but I've tended to just get wet most days.

 

[Ciar]

Well my commute home yesterday was decent no complaints until i got close to my house, heard a rubbing sound and checked it at the front door, god knows how but my 2 week old new bike's back wheel is buckled already and proper buckled like i had taken it for a spin in some dirt jumps!

So in the car today and would have much preferred to have ridden

 

[Ciar]

Is it me or has this been one of the worst Augusts ever for wind and rain? I only worked two days this week but day one was miserably wet on the way in and leg-achingly windy on the way home. It was my first early start in a while too and my shoulders slumped a little at the realisation that, hey, it's completely dark at 5am. Winter draws on, as they say...

I wouldn't say its been overly miserable but the climate in London is definitely different to where you are, what i will say is this year has been decidedly windy and generally in my face compared to the last two years.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Running some errands for work at dinner time, I'm coming down the cycle path and a bike is coming the other way. He points to his head and says to me "Helmet." I wouldn't have minded but the numpty was wearing a cap himself, I was that bemused I just laughed.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Wow.
Sorry to hear that.

I must say there are times that I do feel like that, but have never actually not cycled. Once on the bike the 'not bothered' just slips away.

I was just saying this to a lad at work who started commuting by bike yesterday. I told him when he gets a can't be bothered day, just get on the bike, because within 5 minutes he will be happy.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Is it me or has this been one of the worst Augusts ever for wind and rain? I only worked two days this week but day one was miserably wet on the way in and leg-achingly windy on the way home. It was my first early start in a while too and my shoulders slumped a little at the realisation that, hey, it's completely dark at 5am. Winter draws on, as they say...

In Leicester we have had hardly any rain this year but yes it has definitely felt a lot windier

 

[Salar]

The first 'hedge cutting' signs of the season have popped up by one farm around here. Right bloody thorny mess they've made too. I don't think it's legal to do it until September, so if I get a visit, I'd be tempted to report the sod!

Same here,

The farm in my lane was at it full pelt yesterday, the joys of rural village life .

 

[ianrauk]

Is it me or has this been one of the worst Augusts ever for wind and rain? I only worked two days this week but day one was miserably wet on the way in and leg-achingly windy on the way home. It was my first early start in a while too and my shoulders slumped a little at the realisation that, hey, it's completely dark at 5am. Winter draws on, as they say...

August last year I suffered 3 rainy commutes. August this year, 4.

Thanks, just needed an easy day. Normal service should be resumed next week.

Related to the weather, has this year also been terrible for cold mornings? I'm sure I remember previous years where I would don shorts and short sleeve top without even thinking but all this summer I've been wearing longs and thermal tops, and on a couple of occasions a coat

Weather has been very mild this year in the SE. Haven't worn long sleeves or longs for months.

 

[ianrauk]

I was just saying this to a lad at work who started commuting by bike yesterday. I told him when he gets a can't be bothered day, just get on the bike, because within 5 minutes he will be happy.

It does take a certain mindset. Some people just haven't got the drive to commit to a daily grind commute day in and day out in all weathers and that's quite understandable. I had to get the train last night and this morning because of the mechanical I had. It really reinforces my resolve to only ever cycle commute. There is no better way, even in the pissing rain.

 

[andyfraser]

Having been run off the road this morning I was hoping for an uneventful ride home. About 0.75 miles from home I reach the T junction at the end of one road where I turn right. I see cars coming from the left so I stop at the line ready to turn right. As I stop I'm aware of an elderly gentleman coming straight at me! He's completely cut the corner and has entered the road where cars turning left out of the road I'm on come out. Luckily he stopped in time!

 

[martint235]

Well I didn't get wet. I think that's a first for this week. It was a really nice day out there today and no numpties. I entered an almost Zen like state and came up with a new Operation Kalm (this was when I forced myself to calm down and stop putting my bike on the floor in front of cars). I'm going to have some Sept Resolutions. Here's the first few:

• I will not kick off at drivers for close passes, racing me into pinch points etc. By the time I kick off it's over and therefore pointless.
• I will not put my bike down in front of cars in order to hold them up while I bang on the driver's window
• I will wave my thanks and give a cheery smile to drivers that do nice things. Even if they are things that they really should be doing. Examples include hanging back at pinch points; giving me more room than I need (and judging by some youtube videos I don't really need a lot)
• I will attempt to be calm; zenlike and enjoy the ride
• I will remember that it should be more than just getting it to work, it should be a fun start to my day.

Right, now I'll start up the book on whether or not I get to the end of Tuesday........

Well I did say they were Sept resolutions!!! So the 3 motons I had a go at on the way home (actually all within 2 miles of home) don't count

 

[John_S]

It was an uneventful commute home apart from the two doves which nearly flew straight into my head.

As I approached two doves sitting by the side of the road they predictably decided to fly off as I got close to them. However instead of taking the sensible option of flying away from me they decided to fly up and then straight in the direction of my face causing me to duck and take rapid evasive action to avoid being hit in the face by a dove.

 

[Glow worm]

Odd one on the way home. Very lightly brushed a stationary moped's mudguard with my pannier - the moped moron was sat at lights in the middle of an ASL as they often do. The bloke went mental wanting my details! I just laughed and told him to f%ck off. Which he did which was very satisfying indeed ! There are some right fruitcakes out there.