Tales from today's commute....

[ManiaMuse]

Coldest it's been all winter I think and while sunny would prefer it to be milder and overcast tbh. Air quality seems to be horribly dry and dirty at the moment.

Stupid amount of traffic on the roads in places this morning for no obvious reason. Had to take it slow and cautiously because of filtering and worrying about black ice down the middle of the road and in cycle lanes.

Not really that fun tbh although glad the days are finally getting longer. Probably won't need the lights in a week or so (although may keep them on for another month). Switched to sunglasses instead of clear glasses now so look less like a geek.

 

[martint235]

Coldest it's been all winter I think and while sunny would prefer it to be milder and overcast tbh. Air quality seems to be horribly dry and dirty at the moment.

Stupid amount of traffic on the roads in places this morning for no obvious reason. Had to take it slow and cautiously because of filtering and worrying about black ice down the middle of the road and in cycle lanes.

Not really that fun tbh although glad the days are finally getting longer. Probably won't need the lights in a week or so (although may keep them on for another month). Switched to sunglasses instead of clear glasses now so look less like a geek.

Nah sunny and cold over that dank, overcast we've had so far this week.

I'm not using lights going home at the moment but do on the way in 6.30am. Won't take them off the bike until after the clocks have changed cos I'll probably need them for another week or so.

 

[Incontinentia Buttocks]

Pitch black and freezing cold. Beautifully clear black sky, bright moon and stars and I think I may have been looking at Venus too.
Cold but lovely.

 

[donnydave]

after Monday's puncture I had a psychological puncture today, couldnt help feeling like I was very slow and the back tyre was looking a bit squidgy. On inspection when arriving at work there was nothing wrong with it.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Minus 6.5 deg C this morning, 2nd coldest commute of the year so far. Having a squiz through some weather stuff last night and it seems we could be having cold spells even into April this year.
Legs have freshened up a tad since the weekend, good job too, did a food run today with a backpack loaded up for the coming days, makes the riding much more testing.
An absolute tool of a taxi driver, so so close to my rear wheel on a roundabout approach. Asked him if he wanted to read what it says on my mudguards. He started spouting off in a foreign language that I didn't understand. My reply was in a language that is known throughout the World.

 

[summerdays]

Had to wait to overtake a stopped bus, as I was going past and literally signalling right, I had to pull my hand back in as a car overtook me.... I've no idea how as it isn't that wide, I can only assume he used part of the pavement too

 

[Tin Pot]

I found one benefit to long train commutes:

Red wine.

 

[Richard.1]

Tiny accident today which was totally my fault. Two lines of cars queuing for a roundabout, long queue, I filter slowly but due to cones in middle of the road and my own carelessness I hit a car wing mirror. It was a big Mercedes estate and the gentleman inside asked if I was OK rather than have a go at me. I was pleasently surprised. Luckily no damage to his mirror, he simply pulled it back into position and suggested I be careful in a friendly manner. This will remind me to be more patient and careful on the road. Good to interact with a good guy for a change.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Bloody cold this morning, might need the base layer on tomorrow.

 

[robjh]

Commuting into Swindon along the edge of the downs continues to be marvellous (shame about the work inbetween - I spend 8 hours counting down to the ride home). Lovely cold clear day today - here are a couple of phone pictures, morning and evening

 

[HarryTheDog]

Ride in was a real hoot!

Coming into Barking saw another roadie ahead with tights and overly baggy grotty grey shorts, he had to be overtaken!

Went past him and he turned out to be probably less than half my age. He wasn’t too chuffed at being overtaken by a greying hobbit so immediately overtook and got back on the front. Bit silly really as when I met him he was barely doing 16mph now he was pulling along at the front at around 21mph.

Then we went past the guy on a fixed I had a duel with on Monday who was obviously a vet aged type person( thought it was a singlespeed, actually a Boardman fixed, at the time thought him a bit un-friendly ) who immediately jumped on my tail. Youngster was starting to rock and roll and sweat was trickling down the back of his neck in rivers, me and Mr fixed were exchanging knowing glances the guy was finished, after half a mile I thought we had tortured him enough and took my turn. Fixed guy then decides to take a turn and turns up the pressure. I think he’s was slightly mad and pushed it to 24mph ( 5mph headwind) youngster throws up his hand in surrender and disappears backwards.

A slight rise comes so I attack and drop Mr fixed for a while, then we get back on the flat and I know he is the stronger rider and is playing a game so take it down to a sensible 20mph and end up dragging him along again for a mile, we called a truce and had a chat. Turns out he is actually very friendly, doing a 16 mile each way, has never raced done sportives or any organized type of cycling. I encouraged him to try racing as he is stupidly fit, we finally have a bash at each other up the Cannning town flyover , I dropped him over the first 25 yds then he came back at me and we crested the top together.

Another quick commute!

 

[Arjimlad]

I'd noticed a woman using her selfie camera for doing her hair as she drove down the A38 in slow-moving traffic.

When she stopped near me at the lights I asked her whether she could be trusted with a phone and a car at the same time. She claimed that she could, and I explained how it was dangerous for cyclists like me for her to be distracted, but when I saw her later down the road she was still tapping away texting or facebooking or something !

I am feeling the urge to video these phone addicts as I see so many of them. No police about, of course.

 

[apb]

Black cab let me in at a t-junction this morning. true story

 

[palinurus]

Yesterday there was a heavy frost mostly on vehicles and on the grassy areas, little on the road.

Today- similar temperature- there was frost, not quite so heavy but it was fun frost- there was less on the grass but much more on the tarmac and it was textured and super-satisfying to ride through- made a great sound.

krrssss-skss-skss...

 

[Misusawa]

Had someone practically run me off the road dangerously overtaking when i was between an island and the pavement. Nowhere near enough room. Ten minutes later, stopped at lights, a van behind me... when the lights change he drives about 4 inches behind my ass because he wants to turn and also make me feel uncomfortable.