Tales from today's commute....

[fimm]

Nearly, nearly, nearly got taken out while cycling down the station car park - I expected that at some point the driver would actually look in the direction I was coming from, but he didn't. Genuinely thought I was going to be hit. To give him credit, he did stop and apologise and say

wait for it

"I didn't see you"

Yeah, you wouldn't have pulled out on me if you'd seen me. So look next time.
(I was on a road. Taxis and cars come down there.)

 

[Arjimlad]

Stationary traffic all down the A38 from Tockington to Bradley Stoke this morning on an enjoyable 12.5 mile ride taking in Tytherington.

There's a small private road and cars from there routinely nose out into the cycle paint lane to join the traffic.

Captain Cockwomble did so this morning without looking through his very tinted windows but I was anticipating his tomfoolery and on the brakes in good time to stop. He simply didn't look for bikes and was intent on nudging his way into the almost stationary traffic. I stopped and made the point and he reversed with vaguely apologetic waving.

 

[jahlive905]

Stopped at the traffic lights this morning when I noticed the lass next to me had a Giant Defy. I leaned over and muttered to her, 'Nice bike'. She looked up, more than perplexed and replied, 'Uh..thanks..'
At this point I thought I was coming across as a bit of a weirdo because she hadn't noticed my joke so I pointed down at my own Giant Defy. A smile crept on her face and she squealed 'Oh they're twins!! I prefer your colours though!'
Made me giggle as I absolutely did her for speed when the lights went green.

 

[DWiggy]

Ride home is much nicer now done in daylight!

 

[IBarrett]

Fitted a new Specialized Armadillo tyre to the rear of my MTB commuter last night.
First thoughts are
it seems hard - perhaps thats just because I pumped it up harder.
the bike seems to be harder to pedal. Not sure if thats me or the bike but I checked out and oiled various moving bits last night and there were no issues. I'll check the brake isn't rubbing (disks though so shouldn't be)
It was nicer riding in the semi light this morning. I am so looking forward to riding to and from work in the daylight.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Found the ride this morning really tough, not sure why, legs just felt really heavy so trimmed it to a 22. I'm going for a spinny ride home to hopefully freshen them up a bit.
A real noticeable difference in light now, I love this time of year, when Spring is just beginning to tease you.

 

[Tin Pot]

Fibrax Acience brake pads did their duty admirable a few times this morning.

Notably when some ginger moggy made a sudden sprint across the A245. Needs to learn the green cross code, that cat.

 

[HarryTheDog]

Last night got home with toothache. This morning started commute with no toothache, finished it in agony.I had my head wrapped in my buff, headscarf style to keep the cold off but did no good. No commute tomorrow as I will be at the dentists, then the London bike show.

 

[Heisenberg71]

A car deliberately changed to my turning right filter lane before the lights. He then skims past me at speed, bangs his horn all the way past then cuts back to the left lane to carry straight on. Only the lights turn red so he's stuck there whilst I pull up alongside him.

He winds his window down, I say "what was that, what do you think you're doing"? "You're supposed to be at the left side of the road, not stuck in the f***ing middle. You don't even pay f***ing road tax you idiot. F*** off to the kerbside and stay out of the f***ing way of cars".

I am then veciforously explain that to turn right I need to be in the right lane. To go straight on he needs to be in the left lane. There's no need for him to be anywhere my lane. I then called him "f***ing idiot and told him to f*** off". Probably not the most productive contribution, but I feel better.

I am convinced that one day I am going to come to serious harm due to one of these idiots.

Rant over, sorry.

 

[Tin Pot]

A car deliberately changed to my turning right filter lane before the lights. He then skims past me at speed, bangs his horn all the way past then cuts back to the left lane to carry straight on. Only the lights turn red so he's stuck there whilst I pull up alongside him.

He winds his window down, I say "what was that, what do you think you're doing"? "You're supposed to be at the left side of the road, not stuck in the f***ing middle. You don't even pay f***ing road tax you idiot. F*** off to the kerbside and stay out of the f***ing way of cars".

I am then veciforously explain that to turn right I need to be in the right lane. To go straight on he needs to be in the left lane. There's no need for him to be anywhere my lane. I then called him "f***ing idiot and told him to f*** off". Probably not the most productive contribution, but I feel better.

I am convinced that one day I am going to come to serious harm due to one of these idiots.

Rant over, sorry.

They're animals, treat them as such.

 

[Heisenberg71]

+1

 

[martint235]

Well 3 mins faster than yesterday isn't saying much but it's an improvement. It feels like I'm getting there. Got involved in a bit of SCR which was fun, clearly quicker than both of them but with one I made a poor call on the approach to a roundabout and he went past. I didn't get another opportunity to overtake until he'd turned off but it's all a fair part of SCR so no complaints. The other, traffic lights near work. They change quite quickly for my direction, 3 cars in the queue I'm turning right so I wait behind, other rider takes the cycle lane, stops at the red and then pulls right across the front car. I would probably have said something but my office is right after the turn.

No real muppets (2nd guy above is just something I wouldn't do rather than muppet behaviour).

I must start taking my phone in my pocket rather than my bag though, glorious sunrise over Hither Green cemetery.

 

[Rasmus]

Summary of my morning: ICE!

Luckily my commute distance is such that I arrive just as I begin to lose feeling in the fingers.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Lovely ride this morning, -4 deg C with quiet roads, perfick. The guarded hack has been given a day off and what was my previous bestie had its first run out of the year. Looking forward to hometime ride time already!

 

[RoubaixCube]

Started my commute, sunny yet bloody freezing!

Rather the cold then gales of the previous 2 weeks