Tales from today's commute....

[fossyant]

Icy fun this morning. Burst water main meant traffic backed up. Took the off road route, nothing better than smashing through frozen puddles on the studded MTB. Knew a few were deep, so lifted the front, for the rear to smash through scattering ice everywhere ! Hooligan I am. (PS decided the lifting the front was the best idea after the first one I hit at speed, the front end dropped right down into the puddle - squeeky bum)

Oh and had a little pop at an off road segment I have KOM on, only to find Strava hadn't picked it up on the ride. Nearly crashed going for it. Oh well, there is always tomorrow. (PS this was off road, no pedestrians or fluffy animals were hurt in this sillyness, nor no helmet camera cyclists to upset).

 

[fossyant]

Weird one today. I usually really enjoy my commute. Today I found myself surrounded my miserable folks, all grumpy, none saying "good morning" like I normally get from fellow commuters, it took longer than usual and was less comfortable.

I then realised I had been robbed as my wallet was lighter when I got to the office.

Turns out I got the train, explains everything. Had a few slippery moments yesterday night and our road was icy this morning, better safe than sorry I figured. 1st missed bike commute of the year! Miss it already.

I took the car Tuesday because I had an 'appointment' - just one day was enough to realise, get the bike out.

 

[Beebo]

Bloody cold this morning, I think the coldest day of the year so far. The roads were well gritted and dry, but there was loads of icy puddles in the bike lanes. Had to keep away from them.

 

[fossyant]

but there was loads of icy puddles in the bike lanes. Had to keep away from them.

Shame, you are missing the fun !

 

[Hicky]

Driving this week, my route has too many shaded areas with downhills to risk it(im not buying studded tyres)....arrived this morning to find a colleague in plaster having fell off his bike on ice

 

[martint235]

First bike commute of the week for me today. It was a touch brisk and I took it easy as I was unsure of what the road surface would be like. However despite me considering my current commute to be on back roads, they are well treated and free of ice.

No real incidents with motorists apart from one woman who pulled out in front of me. It was obvious she hadn't seen me, largely because she couldn't see anything through her passenger window. Hadn;t bothered to clean the ice off at all.

As I'm on call at the moment, I also had the joy of my phone going off. It's much easier in summer when it's just in a back pocket and I've got fingerless gloves on!!

 

[Nocode]

...apart from one woman who pulled out in front of me. It was obvious she hadn't seen me, largely because she couldn't see anything through her passenger window. Hadn;t bothered to clean the ice off at all.

This is one of the things I thought about last night when I was wondering whether to cycle into work today. I did cycle today in the end, but even if you're careful there's an increased risk in the mornings from all those car commuters who don't clear their windows.

 

[Matt1705]

My normal route involves back roads but knew they would be icy this morning so decided to use the main roads instead, adding 3 miles to my 15 mile commute.

I was surprised but very pleased with myself in that it didn't take me as long as I thought it would

Very cold, toes hurt, water bottle froze but still arrived with a smile on my face

 

[fimm]

Some impatient person barged past me to get to a pinch point first. I must remember that one of the points of being in primary is that you can move left in such circumstances... The driver immediately moved into the right filter lane but had to wait for oncoming traffic, so I passed them. Someone shouted "<something> idiot" at me (not sure if driver or passenger). Just ignored them.
I'd quite like to get a headcam and post some footage of what I do on this road, as every so often I get an incident like that. My b/f would probably leave if I got a headcam, though... (he thinks all headcammers go about looking for trouble).

 

[Christopher]

bit icy this am, not too cold. Got warned of ice by some school kids, nice of them, I said thanks very much. Had a bit of a time getting through the industrial estate where I work as there were lots of artics fighting for road space as most of the roads were wide enough for one vehicle at a time due to other artics being parked up at the side. Jeez louise! I stopped several times and let traffic past rather than fight it as well.
Rain and snow is hitting the office windows, gonna be interesting gong home tonight.

 

[Graham]

After falling off yesterday morning I'd toyed with the idea of getting the train home last night. Glad I didn't - the sun had dried out the roads during the day and it was an awesome ride home Couple of slushy bits, but I kept it pointing straight and skated straight through!

FIMM, get a helmet cam then film him as he walks out. And say "you haven't heard the last of this". Result: Amicable split as his point was proved.

 

[martint235]

Some impatient person barged past me to get to a pinch point first. I must remember that one of the points of being in primary is that you can move left in such circumstances... The driver immediately moved into the right filter lane but had to wait for oncoming traffic, so I passed them. Someone shouted "<something> idiot" at me (not sure if driver or passenger). Just ignored them.
I'd quite like to get a headcam and post some footage of what I do on this road, as every so often I get an incident like that. My b/f would probably leave if I got a headcam, though... (he thinks all headcammers go about looking for trouble).

I'm sure it would only take a small amount of imagination to convince him!!

 

[donnydave]

I don't particularly like driving it. Haven't cycled it yet! Thinking about coming back from Fen Ditton via the villages as an alternative to my somewhat boring Busway commute.

The B1050 is fine on a bike once your on the twisty bit. I think the proximity of the river focuses the drivers minds into making sure they pass you safely. The long straight bit coming out of Willingham sometimes gets interesting with cars trying to overtake cars which are overtaking me (if that makes sense). I used to live in Bar Hill in the days before the busway was finished and did the little cut through to Dry Drayton, then over the A14 to Oakington and onwards. For a couple of months 2 winters ago before I discovered the cut through I was doing Bar Hill to the next junction actually on the A14. In comparison the road to Willingham by the river is quite nice.

 

[Sandra6]

Really pleased it wasn't icy this morning on the ride into work, much less pleased that I was convinced it wouldn't rain so didn't take my waterproofs.
I was meeting a friend in town after work so had to brave the very busy main road that I usually go to great lengths to avoid.
Waiting to pull out from the car park, small gap in stationary traffic with the car almost level with me but enough room to let me go when the traffic started moving. Passenger looks at me, turns and speaks to the driver. They both look at me and mutter to each other laughing. Traffic moves and yep the car pulls forward leaving me waiting. There really is no need for that sort of rudeness. Had a big enough gap to move onto the road straight after her. Followed her close in very slow moving traffic and then, oh look, cycle path! Straight passed her I go and holy hell she's honking on the horn like there's a fire!!! Honestly, just no need for it. Needless to say I was all the way into town before she would have passed the first set of lights! Almost made up for my very wet backside!

 

[mark st1]

Got to work fingers stuck to the padlock eventually got in the lorry temperature said -5 when is Summer coming lol