Tales from today's commute....

[L Q]

Rubbish ride in today,

1. Fog to start then into the sun and couldn't see a thing
2. Had a puncture after 5 miles.
3. Then the wind starting getting up and shock I was into the headwind.
4. Legs didn't want to work properly this morning and felt really heavy.
5. Just moved my bike out as it was in the way and the back tyre is flat so now going to have to fix the puncture as I used the spare this morning.

I might if I am lucky get a tailwind home.

 

[Ciar]

what incident on Leytonstone high road ?

and were you on the bit of CS2 leading into stratford when some nobber on a bike nearly took another guy with panniers out .

the stabbing by the plough pub guy ran to the corner shop next to the lights where i stop quite regularly, didn't see the incident with the panniers what happened there then?

 

[subaqua]

the stabbing by the plough pub guy ran to the corner shop next to the lights where i stop quite regularly, didn't see the incident with the panniers what happened there then?

some plum on a BSO rode straight into the cycle lane . I did a fine bit of evasive action and stayed upright. uttering FFS , and a rider who I thought was you went past added " nice work"

 

[Ciar]

some plum on a BSO rode straight into the cycle lane . I did a fine bit of evasive action and stayed upright. uttering FFS , and a rider who I thought was you went past added " nice work"

no missed all that mate glad you managed to avoid the numpty, i switched bikes recently to a bright green ridgeback if you see it shout haha, ive not seen much action lately apart from the usual cyclists undertaking me in the smallest possible gaps ;-) and the twat who rode it to me at a red light on burdett road talk about tool.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Felt rough this morning then even worse on the way home so took it pretty easy. I've lost my appetite too and that is not like me at all. Early night needed to try and sleep it off I reckon, and will definitely be taking the speed easy tomorrow.

 

[HarryTheDog]

Left work late so homeward journey was with cyclists I never usually run into. I wasn't feeling like hammering it and was quite happy to pootle behind another cyclist leaving a huge gap ( over 20 ft) as I read his body language as someone who did not want to engage in idle chit chat etc.
I was very suprised when we stopped at a junction that he quite curtly told me he did not like to be followed. Pity the only witty remark that came to mind occurred to me 10 minutes later. As it was I just gave him a suprised look and offered to lead off after the lights. He strangely then sat at the lights after they went green, let me get a 50yds head start then sprinted onto my wheel, he then slowed and repeated it twice more. Arse was trying to annoy me but I just ignored it. He soon turned off so I was left in peace.
Got a suprise 5 miles from home, my missus waiting for me with her car at the top of harold hill, I had told her I was leaving late and she had come to pick me up so I could get home in time to watch the Vuelta highlights, Thats love for you!

 

[fossyant]

The nice weather commuters were in today.

 

[Jenkins]

The nice weather commuters were in today.

View attachment 103347

Aside for one mountain bike and a BSO that's been there for over 5 years (from new!) the bike shed at my place was empty when I arrived mid morning. When I left late afternoon, the mountain bike had gone and the only new arrival was a Pashly Princess.

Don't know why so few of us biked in today as it was a beautiful day apart from being a bit windy.

 

[steve keay]

After a hard night shift I decided to take a slightly longer ride home. Only 4.1 miles at 12.8 mph. But it was lovely. Cycling through the morning mist with a lovely view of the town. Just having some toast before bed.

 

[martint235]

Was really trying for 17mph today. I had it up at 18.5 for quite a while but I'm starting to think a 17mph may not be possible on my route to work. I don't think the traffic patterns and contours allow for it. By contours I mean that the traffic doesn't allow you to gain as much from the descent as you spent on the ascent. Shooters Hill is a case in point: on the way up it's 7 to 8 mph and on a clearish road I can make 40mph on the way down but in a morning the traffic means I'm lucky to hold 25mph and usually less. I did get a 16.4mph in the end.

And my word was it cold in the dips this morning, where I cross the A21 in particular.

Numpty count 2: the truce with the Fiat 500 driver seems to be over but even she was eclipsed by the woman at what used to be called the World of Leather roundabout. It's now called the Big Yellow Box Place Where You Store All The Cr*p You Should Have Thrown Out Years Ago Roundabout (A20/A205 junction). I had a clear view to my right so hit the roundabout still pedalling. She joined from my left creeping out and just carried on creeping until I was screaming at her driver's side window. It still didn't seem to register with her. Even the van driver behind her was shaking his head at her.

 

[Simontm]

Last night had a van driver jump out shouting that I should be using the bike lane when I had a go at him about not giving priority on a squeeze point - quite funny how he jumped out all pumped up then slowed down dramatically when he saw I was a 6'2 ex-forward who was making no move to avoid him and still staying on the bike to boot (wasn't going to leave it unattended c'mon ) and he then stayed firmly out of range shouting how stupid I looked in the lycra before throwing his chewing gum at me and driving off. I normally would have continued cycling when he shouted at me originally but for some reason him shouting about the bike lane got to me far more than 'C' word he spat at me. Stupid of me I know but a long bad day at work made me think "No, you're not getting away with that shite".

Severe cases of wtf-ery from drivers today - must be the low sun, how they don't hit anyone I don't know. Anyway, lovely crisp ride in with nothing much to talk about, couple of vans passed a bit closer than I would like and some old boy decided to make me guess which way he was going to turn from the lights (I moved to his right so I had plenty of room to move when he did actually turn right).

Numpty count: 1 A mum was crossing with her tween daughter and stopped dead in the road like a rabbit when she saw me causing me to brake hard as I was expecting them to just carry on crossing.

 

[Origamist]

Tough into the headwind last night and had to stop for a comfort break and managed to piss on my handlebars as I was too lazy to dismount. Classy.

After being softened up last night, I struggled this morning. I ignored a stupidly close overtake from a Barratts coach on the way to Middlewich, but when a Highway Maintenance truck forced me into a side road, I theatrically shook my head hoping he would note my displeasure. However, given the way he had been driving, I doubt he checked his mirrors. Oh, and when on a path behind an industrial estate near work I saw a cyclist in the bushes, I slowed (hoping he was not relieving himself) and as I did a big branch fell in front of me. He had sawed it off! I’m guessing he was being public spirited and it was low hanging or damaged previously. If not, maybe he was a stick enthusiast who carries a saw on his commute.

 

[MichaelO]

A new commuting bike always makes the week more enjoyable.

 

[Arjimlad]

So, I've largely given up indicating left when there is an oncoming vehicle waiting to turn right, into the road I also want to turn left into. (Hope that makes sense)...

Yesterday evening on the way home from work an oncoming VW Golf was approaching the turning I needed to take, indicating to turn right into it. I was going fast down the hill (which for me is about 25mph) and didn't indicate my intention to turn left. He then started to make the turn slowly.

I shook my head and he stopped mid-turn in the mouth of the road as I too turned in, letting me past on his inside.

Perhaps I need to revise my policy of not indicating. But 9 out of 10 drivers who see me indicate would also have turned in front of me.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I was happy that I have hit 400 miles over Monday to Friday twice now this year. Please go for 500, that would be phenomenal chap! !

@MickeyBlueEyes Done it, 534 miles, having the week off work helped, don't think I could do it and a weeks work.