Tales from today's commute....

[Supersuperleeds]

I left work to a clear sky. Within 5 minutes it had turned dark gray and the heavens opened. And when I say opened, the bomb bay's were at their widest. How much rain can fall in half an hour? More then I can remember. A cloudburst of epic proportions.

'twas good fun though....

Cloudburst of epic proportions - had that at dinner time, was like a drowned rat when I got back to the office. Never seen roads flood so quick, couple of hours later everywhere was pretty much dry.

Kit was still wet at home time, but with the nice fresh wind it was dry within a couple of miles..

 

[martint235]

I managed to get home in the relative dry. Feet were still wet from the mornings commute. Traffic was horrendous all the way from Croydon to the A21 then it eased.

Then a miracle happened, I reached 45mph down Shooters Hill. That's not the miracle though. It was how. At the top of Shooters Hill is a pinch point, I usually let one car pass me then move over and stay on his tail in a very strong primary to discourage people from nicking my safe stopping distance which they often do anyway. However tonight, the car behind hung back, no close follow nothing. I passed the pinch point to realise that the car in front of me was now a good 50 yards away. "Ah here it comes" thought I, "the car behind is bound to try for a gap that big" but no he just let me have it. Stayed well away from the back of me so, it being the first time with an open road on that descent in ages, I gave it everything. Shame the commuter only has a compact, would have liked to try for 50mph on Lelly with the 53/39 but I'll take anything good!!

 

[400bhp]

Second day with lights on today (in the morning).

On the way home, in a fairly long line of traffic I hear a rattle then a noise like a dropping of spanners. Pulled over and my rear light bracket had sheared off. I then hear a "I'm just stopping because some of your bikes parts hit my car". I turn around and see some bloke in a mini droptop in the direction where the voice had some from. He then repeated himself. I really had to try hard not to shout a string of abuse, instead muttering on your way it's just a plastic light. Tosser, no thought on whether me or bike was ok, just bothered about his hairdresser car.

Oh and on the way in it was raining so I decided to try the Aldi helmet cover. 20 minutes later arriving at work (going the short way) the helmet cover was no longer attached to my helmet. Verdict - helmet covers are pap.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

tyre blowout on the way home; perfect timing in burnage with a work macbook pro in the rucksack. fortunately nobody gave me a second look, and the spare folder in the rucksack saved the day…

 

[Nocode]

I left work to a clear sky. Within 5 minutes it had turned dark gray and the heavens opened. And when I say opened, the bomb bay's were at their widest. How much rain can fall in half an hour? More then I can remember. A cloudburst of epic proportions.

'twas good fun though....

Yup, had the same. Heavens opened as I was heading down Bromley Common and by the time I got home I was soaked. Of course, there was always that little bit of blue sky in the distance just to tease me... Within 5 mins of getting home the rain had stopped.

At least tomorrows looking like a cracking day weather-wise!

 

[martint235]

Great ride in today. And compared to the last two days it was ruddy marvellous!!! I need to start having a camera to hand for during my commute just to take pics of stuff. Where have all the idiot drivers gone? I haven't had any issues all week. Maybe I'm just becoming Zen-like

Numpty count: 1. A cyclist. In the last few weeks the numpty ratio seems to be about 2:1 in favour of cyclists! I was turning right off a main road and has stopped to let a car come the opposite way. This guy came out of the side road I was turning into without even slowing for the car. Car driver let him get away with it (I wouldn't have done) even though he had to brake pretty sharpish so as not to hit him.

 

[Origamist]

Bright and a bit chilly at around 6.5C - windproof toe-covers now employed. Lights on too.

Startled a pheasant this morning and boy do those things take a while to get up to speed. Had to brake to avoid skimming its wing.

Driving all very good and cycling numbers in Manchester still holding up.

 

[DCLane]

Not today's but last nights:

Going home was fine - the low sun didn't help but all was OK until 1/2 a mile from home ...

... there's a long queue of cars and vans down the main road. So I slowly filter along the left but coming to the local Co-Op a van turns and indicates whilst turning.

I shouted but got shoved left. The driver realised but by then we were in the car park!

Staff in the Co-Op saw what was going on and came to help. Normally I'd be shouted at by a driver but this one was apologetic. I got patched up by the Co-Op, he gave me his details and I got home. He also offered to take me but it was 2 minutes away and I scooted home with the R arm bandaged up.

This morning I've a sore arm which is scraped. Now my question: do I bother claiming? Yes, I'm injured but not seriously so. The bike's fine. Personally I'd not bother.

 

[ianrauk]

Glad to hear you got off lightly Dave.
The driver seemed to have done the right thing. Would I claim? No I probably wouldn't. Now if he had acted like a complete arse.. then yes I would.

 

[400bhp]

+1, perhaps the only thing to do is send an email to the Co-OP and state what happened, there's no apparent damage currently and the driver was more than apologetic and bothe driver and staff were really good.
That way you're covering your ass if anything changes to both you or the bike in the nect few days, plus you're helping the co-op as they may put out a note for drivers to watch around cyclists.

 

[ianrauk]

Lovely sunshine this morning, but a little nippy so on with the windcheater.
Bloody hell the traffic was so backed up as well. The school run has a lot to answer for.
I also had a classic, oh here comes a cyclist, let's move over a little so he can't over take me moment. Except it didn't work did it Mr Moron Mini Cab driver.

 

[G3CWI]

My 12 mile ride in was rudely interrupted today when my commuting buddy hit a rabbit. His subsequent fall resulted in some spectacular amounts of blood (looked worse than it was). The adrenalin worked wonders on him with several PBs along the rest of the route for him while I struggled to keep up.

He did e-mail me to say that he was okay when he got to work.

 

[Simontm]

Bloody hell the traffic was so backed up as well. The school run has a lot to answer for.

Having to drive and having to take my daughter in to school this morning, it is the first time I have driven at that time. It truly is unbelievable. I don't know why there doesn't seem to be any car runs like when I was a kid and with a lot less traffic then now. Can't wait to be back on the bike - faster and fitter
Oh and yes, I am aware of the irony but:
1) Something's up with the second bus my daughter usually gets and was an hour late into school yesterday leading to...
2) My daughter has dyspraxia and it freaked her out a bit.
3) It is a brand new school and we still haven't worked out who lives near us - think we are the furthest away attm anyway...
4) I am reviewing a car so couldn't do a car run anyway as I don't own a car. Could offer a backy spose

 

[ianrauk]

Having to drive and having to take my daughter in to school this morning, it is the first time I have driven at that time. It truly is unbelievable. I don't know why there doesn't seem to be any car runs like when I was a kid and with a lot less traffic then now. Can't wait to be back on the bike - faster and fitter
Oh and yes, I am aware of the irony but:
1) Something's up with the second bus my daughter usually gets and was an hour late into school yesterday leading to...
2) My daughter has dyspraxia and it freaked her out a bit.
3) It is a brand new school and we still haven't worked out who lives near us - think we are the furthest away attm anyway...
4) I am reviewing a car so couldn't do a car run anyway as I don't own a car. Could offer a backy spose

... a trailer even....

 

[Simontm]

... a trailer even....

Do they do them for 11-year-olds?