Tales from today's commute....

[robjh]

New job, new town, new commute this morning. For a few months I'm going to be working in (or more precisely on the edge of) Swindon, and I did my first bike commute today. I've based myself about 12 miles out near Uffington, and just below the White Horse chalk figure on the downs. It was a cold morning and I went carefully on the unfamiliar roads in case of ice, but it was a beautiful ride in both directions, along the line of the downs in the half-light with big views and some real hills. I think I'm going to enjoy commuting here.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

A Tad chilly this morning and the wind returned when I nipped out at dinner time. Tomorrow afternoon it is either going to rain or snow, either way it's going to be a fun ride home.

 

[Jenkins]

When I left for work it was -4°C according to the sensor in the back garden so I took the MTB for stability, only to find that everywhere was well gritted (thumbs up to Suffolk Coastal Council) so a road bike could have been used. First try out for Northwave Celsius boots & On-One merino thicky socks and my feet were lovely and warm.

Anyone else spend the whole day looking out of the window wishing they had the day off? The weather here was absolutely beautiful with clear skies and the wind not picking up 'till late afternoon - perfect cycling weather.

 

[Origamist]

Light rain and a headwind made for hard work. Temp around 1C and roads full of tractor mud. Had a cyclist follow me for about 3 miles, 40 metres behind. I guess I was his pathfinder...

Would have bailed at Alderley Edge, but remembered that the line between Wilmslow and Crewe is closed due to work on the Holmes Chapel viaduct. Had to get my head down and mutter under my breath instead.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Minus 7.7 deg C registering on the Garmin this morning! Almost at work and something doesn't feel quite right on the bike, a quick up and down of the front wheel whilst on the move, feels fine, nips the back end up and down, ah, feels a tad squidgy. A minute or so later I test again and it feels about the same so I cut the ride short and have a look when i get to the bike shelter. The smallest, sharpest, arrow shaped stone had gone straight through the tyre, just nicking the tube.
Looking a wet, very wet day tomorrow

 

[martint235]

Well I'm getting quicker which suggests the fitness is coming back. Last 5 commutes are over 15mph and the last 4 are within a smidgen of 16mph. I accept it will be a combination of some fitness, half term and it getting lighter but even so it's a start. Just need some concerted weightloss now.

No muppets on the way in. I seem to be getting along with my fellow road users at the moment. One guy almost pulled left across the front of me but realised at the last minute, he over compensated with his swerve right I think though. But no drama, it wasn't even worth a mutter under my breath. I'm sure others would have posted it on Youtube and had a little rant.

One weird bit though, at the corner of Southend Lane and Worsley Bridge Road there was a police car at the side of the road with lights flashing. There was also a bike propped up against the side of the bridge fence with its lights on. The bike didn't look damaged in any significant way so I couldn't tell if there'd been an accident and it had been cleared up and the police were just waiting for someone to collect the bike or they'd pulled the cyclist for something and he was in the car. Curiouser and curiouser.

 

[Arjimlad]

New job, new town, new commute this morning. For a few months I'm going to be working in (or more precisely on the edge of) Swindon, and I did my first bike commute today. I've based myself about 12 miles out near Uffington, and just below the White Horse chalk figure on the downs. It was a cold morning and I went carefully on the unfamiliar roads in case of ice, but it was a beautiful ride in both directions, along the line of the downs in the half-light with big views and some real hills. I think I'm going to enjoy commuting here.

I know that road as I regularly visit friends at Britchcombe Farm under the white horse hill. Often see cyclists on a Saturday enjoying the undulating road and (in the winter) enormous puddles. Deeply envious of such a beautiful commute !

 

[ianrauk]

Last 5 commutes are over 15mph and the last 4 are within a smidgen of 16mph

Got to love school holiday's. My commute this morning was 16.3 which is one of the fastest of the year so far. There was so little traffic on the road this morning. And oh yes.. just a smidgen of SCR

 

[martinclive]

My feet were like ice blocks!

I was going to ask you this morning how you coped without overshoes - now I have the answer............frostbite!

 

[robjh]

I know that road as I regularly visit friends at Britchcombe Farm under the white horse hill. Often see cyclists on a Saturday enjoying the undulating road and (in the winter) enormous puddles. Deeply envious of such a beautiful commute !

funnily enough that's where I'm staying this week

 

[Arjimlad]

funnily enough that's where I'm staying this week

Make sure you get up the hill road to the west of the farm, then. I took a drive up there in January behind some MTBs and it is spectacular. Give my regards to Marcella (James from Bristol).

 

[Glow worm]

Lovely ride in. Very nearly got knocked off on the way home though. A car changed lane without indicating - the driver failing to see I was in the space she was manoevring into. A quick bang on the roof from me woke her up just in time- I had nowhere to go! A nice wave of apology from her though- (makes a change). Ended in smiles all round and I manged to get home alive and before the rain started.

 

[Incontinentia Buttocks]

Well that was a bit wet. And dark. And cold. Loved every second :-)

 

[summerdays]

Horrible commutes... Wet and cold ... And it seems Bristol traffic is grinding to a halt recently. Yesterday arrived at a junction (Zetland Road), as the lights turned red. There were cars stuck in the junction blocking other cars for the entire time I sat ther until it was back to green, not a single vehicle moved!

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Drenched.








That is all.