Tales from today's commute....

[13 rider]

Strange frost this morning parts white over 50 yards later no frost then frost again . Still a lovely ride in not too cold 14 miles in . Ride back tonight was in glorious sunshine but with winter longs on I was a bit warm but still extended the homeward commute something I normally don't do . Took the route through Bradgate Park which was packed as I forgot it's school holidays so slow progress .Turned the 8 mile trip into 13 .

 

[alecstilleyedye]

first nobber for a while. on a road with pretty severe speed humps (clifford road, poynton, cheshire for those in the locale), pulled along side me to berate me for riding in the "middle of the f**cking road" (aka primary position) and getting most abusive, to the point of nearly grounding himself over the speed humps to keep up (in a tatty old mark 1 vauxhall zafira), all the while yelling and, at one point, spitting (and missing by a mile).

i did play the "you're on camera mate" gambit, but he replied with "don't f**cking car ya dick".

he looked neither a regular commuter, nor a local. got to love the great british public eh

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Cracking weather in Leicester today, brilliant sunshine this morning and a bit of frost once I got out to Gilmorton. Dinner time it had warmed up a bit and tonight apart from a downpour for a couple of minutes a cracking ride home, a little bit of wind and no need for lights,

 

[rugby bloke]

Nice ride through Central London. Not sure if the Boris Bikes have any fettling done to them since Santander but they certainly seem to ride better. Noticed a new category of rider - the "Confused Cyclist". All kitted out in high viz and cycle helmet yet jumping red lights and wearing earphones ....

 

[RoubaixCube]

All kitted out in high viz and cycle helmet yet jumping red lights and wearing earphones ....

I watched a video on youtube some while ago either on Gaz's or Evo Lucas's channel where a cyclist who jumped a red actually reached back into his jersey pockets, took out 3 balls and started juggling as he rolled past.

I think these people deserve a whole new category of their own.

 

[martint235]

Nice sunny ride in. Fairly quick but still losing time in the last 3 miles or so probably due to traffic/road conditions.

I've noticed that it's other cyclists that up my risk assessment levels. Had one last night that pulled back into the kerb every time there was a gap in parked cars but then pulled back out again without looking at the next car.

 

[Ciar]

Nice ride through Central London. Not sure if the Boris Bikes have any fettling done to them since Santander but they certainly seem to ride better. Noticed a new category of rider - the "Confused Cyclist". All kitted out in high viz and cycle helmet yet jumping red lights and wearing earphones ....

must be a considerable number of those confused cyclists, i see a few every day commuting in London ;-)

 

[13 rider]

Lovely ride in this morning bit chilly 14 miles . Spent all day working outside in glorious sunshine got back to depot got changed walked out with its raining great !! . Aldi raincoat is a bit boil in the bag so just put up with it 5 mins later it's stopped but rode home under grey sky's where did the sun go ?. Stopped at the co-op before home just to stuff 4 litres of milk in the pannier just to make the climb home more challenging! .Another 12 miles done

 

[hennbell]

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Still a bit of frost out in the sticks this morning but a definite feeling of spring in the air.

 

[The Rover]

Rode in this aft, perfect cycling weather, no nobbers and quite a few PRs on strava.
Change of base layer for the ride home at 11 as it was a bit parky and the only nobber tonight was me losing my concentration which meant I got swiped by a over hanging branch!

 

[glenn forger]

saw a Pontiac Firebird in red with two black stripes. Jim Rockford's motor.

 

[martint235]

Well that was a shock to the bare legs! A bit chilly out there. Managed a sub-45 minute 12.2 mile commute which is pretty good. Commuting bike has a knackered spoke in the back wheel that just won't tighten so will be taking it into the LBS when I get home. Hopefully I'll get it back by the time I need it on Weds or I'll have to commute on Lelly for a couple of days . Then I'll find out if I'm quick or not.

No real numpties. Couple of MGIFs but I just shake my head sadly at them.

 

[Tin Pot]

Rollicking rides!

In in 1hr49 (breaking the 1hr59 barrier for the first time) and back in 1hr53 (including a chain off debacle thanks to some halfwit trying to flatten me in Croydon)

So much nicer in dry and light traffic.

Starting to sweat too much already though - I can see that summer is gonna be a challenge...

 

[HarryTheDog]

After over a week off, now back to it, I have set the bike up ready for Paris Roubaix on the weekend with brand new 28mm conti 4 seasons. Last night I thought the mudguards would not fit but had another go at them this morning and no problem at all. The 28mm 4 seasons felt faster than the 25mm gatorskins and more comfortable.
The Summer cyclists are out, in Barking came across a young guy with what looked like 8 carbon spoked carbon wheels, silly thing was the bike was way too big for him, and he was quite slow, so I ambled past.

However the next person I came across was the opposite. He was probably in his forties on a Trek flat bar with normal clothes on and his trousers stuffed into his socks with flat pedals with probably 30mm+ tyres. I went past and thought nothing of it, 1 mile later the guy is on my wheel with a very determined look on his face. Then we had a game of I drop him, he then catches me at the lights. This went on for 4 miles.

Finally I had enough and gave it beans up the Canning Town flyover, must have been the motivation I needed, set a PR and equalled the age group KOM despite having mudguards and 28mm tyres on!