Tales from today's commute....

[Smithbat]

Very misty and eerie this morning which I found lovely to ride in. I can't help a small smile when I ride past colleagues stuck in the traffic. I have raised the saddle slightly on my bike and I know it is probably all in my head but I am sure I am going a bit faster....

No idiots at all on my way to work, in fact a very nice chap in a convertible MG who sat behind me through the narrow bit and when he went past me at a safe speed and distance, now why can't all people be like that!

 

[fossyant]

Got to hand it to the ninja on a BSO MTB last night. He made it all the way down the A57 from Manchester over the motorway roundabout with no lights or reflectives. Skilz

 

[JD42]

From the coach parked across a marked cycle route to the half a dozen idiots who think cycling in the dark and fog with no lights is acceptable.. it was just another normal plod into Bristol.

 

[Simontm]

Roads looked greasy but bike fairly firm so that was nice. For the first time ever there was no traffic on the North side of Kew Bridge which threw me a bit when I realised I could just bomb up the bridge until I hit the traffic the other side.
Speaking of traffic - there was a broken down bus on the Roundabout for Twickenham/Petersham Rd. Police were there to look useful but that was about it so I had Petersham Road all to myself until the lights watching oncoming cars thinking 'that's a hell of a wait you're about to have'.
Numpty count: 1+5pedestrians. Another cyclist decided to just enter the main road without a care in the world but this time straight across me as he wanted to turn right. Just ahead of him about five pedestrians decided that walking across a busy road like Chiswick High Road in dull, dark conditions straight into cars and cyclists was fiiiinnnnneeee

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Came home at dinner time to swap the ice bike for the tricross, was nice riding up hills tonight without the extra two brakes slowing me down.

 

[hennbell]

Here in Canada we are getting our first blast of winter -20C, with the wind -32C, very cold indeed.

 

[Lonestar]

First ride into work in far too long due to various reasons. It was glorious, and I wore shorts. My legs were slightly nippy at the start of my ride, but quickly warmed up. Numpty count: 2 pedestrians. They were walking towards me on a narrow section of path, cycles coming the other way, so I stopped a few metres in front of them, waiting for some sort of clear way to proceed. Cue the evil death glare because how dare I stop and make them have to single out.

That's nothing.Almost saw a pedestrian run down by quite a fast moped about 10pm coming from south-north up to Blackfriars Bridge....I was waiting at the lights on the road up from Waterloo proceeding in the Southwark Bridge direction.The chicken dance saved her and she didn't seem bothered.Moped was definitely going too fast though.Pedestrian in dark clothing probably didn't help with pedestrian unaware of anything anyway.

 

[I like Skol]

Tired for my final ride home of the week last night. Felt like riding through treacle but my ave speed wasn't down at all at nearly 16mph? It was WARM though, took my fleece hat off just before leaving the bike shed and I was very glad I did

 

[Simontm]

Warm ride in compared with recently - just base layer and winter jersey on top. Very greasy on the roads and my make shift catcher seems to be working, shame I got splattered by a couple of SCRs who didn't want to ruin the lines of their bikes or add a gnat's arse of weight onto their bikes.
Speaking of SCRs, the closeness of their passing. If I did that to them in a car they'd be screaming blue bloody murder.
Numpty count:0 close passing aside

 

[Twizit]

Dark, damp, greasy but it beats getting on a train packed full of coughing, sneezing commuters.

Very dark and empty through Richmond Park this morning. So dark that I only spotted the ninja pedestrian when I got within 20 metres of him. Perfectly within his rights to be there but my god he wasn't easy to spot being head to toe in black, and no torch or reflective bits, and my front light isn't exactly short on power.

One numpty motorcyclist who tried for the classic pull out from a side road on my right, then try to overtake me and go for the left hook into a side road on my left 20 metres further up the road I was riding along. Thankfully he thought better of it and left himself stranded in the middle of the road with a view choice expletives from me in his ear.

Still enjoyed the ride in

 

[JD42]

Would like to thank the vw driver who wouldn't wait whilst going through a narrow section of roadworks..went for the overtake and forced me into the bloody traffic cones . Constant battle is doing my head in trying to get to and from work on the bike.

 

[Smithbat]

Well I had a lovely ride, I decided to go out earlier and do a couple of extra miles. Watched the sunrise over the town as I rode along the back streets. Only one daft bint who pulled out in front of me. Got to work 10 minutes before start time all rosy cheeked and glowing.

 

[ianrauk]

Well that was a very mild commute in this morning. Dispensed with the knee warmers. Almost tropical.

Had some great fun riding in today along the A21. I nice bit of friendly SCR with a couple of other cyclists meant for rapid progress. I managed to lose them for a while as I latched on to the back of a passing scooter. I got a most fantastic tow for a while. Got to a set of lights/junction, the scooterist (?) said he could see me in his mirrors, checked his speedo and said he was topping out at 27mph. Said it's amazing at how quick some of us cyclists are.
Jolly good fun.

 

[ianrauk]

Would like to thank the vw driver who wouldn't wait whilst going through a narrow section of roadworks..went for the overtake and forced me into the bloody traffic cones . Constant battle is doing my head in trying to get to and from work on the bike.

Always take a strong primary in situations like this, middle of the lane at least. That way there is no way they could get past. Don't feel bad about doing that either and try not to be intimidated. Once through, give a wave of thanks.

 

[Andrew_P]

Hot, Hot, Hot back in shorts and long sleeve. Left the boots on and long socks couldn't be bothered to find the other stuff and cleat up the summer shoes. 11 Degrees that's quite a serious wtf for the 7/12 still wore a hat and gloves still which is another, why?. Once in winter commute mode I find it strangely hard to switch around almost like disbelief of the weather forecast. I even packed my jacket and leg warmers just in case its cold tonight! Nothing to say about the drivers, made worse by road works and Southern strike just so fed up with drivers in charge of cars\lorries\motorbikes whilst mega irritated with everything and everyone!!


downside to shorts was getting salted legs and then topped off with Cow dung mixed with moisture from the road, lovely jubbly