Tales from today's commute....

[BSRU]

Thankfully for my route to work I can't ever imagine needing to use studded tyres. I managed to commute into central London in snow a couple of years ago on 23mm (interesting experience!) so with 25mm marathons on I should be ok.

The main roads are always gritted, it is just the side roads, shared paths and the country lanes which tend to be icy. The country lanes being the most likely as it is usually(always) colder out in the countryside.
Even in the town the odd unexpected ice patch can be found, normally after someone has thoughtfully defrosted their windscreen with hot water from a kettle.

 

[martint235]

The main roads are always gritted, it is just the side roads, shared paths and the country lanes which tend to be icy. The country lanes being the most likely as it is usually(always) colder out in the countryside.
Even in the town the odd unexpected ice patch can be found, normally after someone has thoughtfully defrosted their windscreen with hot water from a kettle.

Yeah thankfully in winter (not so much thankfully in summer), I'm on main roads all the way in. I did have issues with the Blackheath Tea Hut a couple of years ago cos they used to empty their washing up water into the cycle lane!!

 

[Twilkes]

After getting punctures in both tyres from hitting a pothole in the dark last week, I was getting disillusioned with the amount of cycling I have to do to get to work, and the weather, and the money I’ve ended up spending on parts and clothes and innertubes that won’t take a patch because the split is on a seam etc etc.

But I worked out that I’ve probably spent only half what it would have cost to insure a car, let alone buy one and feed it, and the weather will get better, as will my general fitness and health.

And this morning I hocked a snotter into the gaps of a drain cover at 20mph whilst 2 metres from the kerb – can anybody beat that?

 

[Matthew_T]

Well that was wet. Got soaked on the morning commute and was late to college (didnt really matter though).

On the way home, massive tidal waves and just a little bit of sleet. The waves were bashing the coastline and causing water to come right onto the other side of the path. It made for some interesting handling.
A SUPER BIG wave splashed up the path and went right into me. I tried to avoid it but the water went right into my shoe. One soggy sock later and I nearly fell off after riding into some boggy sand.

 

[mark st1]

What a difference 24 hours makes Sunday drinking coffee in view of the Queens modest bungalow in the sunshiiiiiiiiiiine. Today Snow rain and a bitter wind. Better than public transport though .

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

[QUOTE 2254389, member: 1314"]SW London was alright - devoid of idiots..[/quote]

Few worrying ones today,cars drifting from right to left and a gutter hugging car on Tower Bridge,lots of fun on the return including me swearing at one of those "pre-booked" idiots for cutting in.Got scalped by a cool fixie dude who must have been about 12 down Montague Road,hecame a weird way from Harrow Green.Real lack of cyclists back tonight sadly.Can't think why.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Light sprinkling of snow overnight in Coventry, side roads iffy but main roads clear,
Rode my fixed today as usual, left about 5 minutes early and rode round the Griff island instead of using the cycle path, apart from that it was just business as usual.
snowed this morning but rained later on, roads clear tonight so just a normal commute, all in all today has been just a normal Mondays commuting.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

It's ruined my commute back,having a go at that moton.Im annoyed with myself.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Worried about the corrosion from the grit on the roads. How does everyone keep their chain running smoothly in the face of grit? I don't really want to have to wash and lube my bike every day, but will if it's necessary.

This time of year I wipe and relube the chain once a week, wash the bike down with soapy water once a week and polish the bike once a month.

 

[Andrew_P]

Cold and wet, not the best combo.

Got close passed by a Tipper chasing his mate through a pinch point, and a Recycling skip lorry, not only drenched but both completely pointless and dangerous.

Had a run in with one of the recycling drivers before at traffic light having given me one of the closest passes ever, they must run to and from a tip in Redhill not the most consderate drivers.

 

[Hip Priest]

A tricky commute due to slippy roads and damned inconsiderate drivers. Multiple MGIFs. Mind, I made an error myself whilst filtering on the right, and hung myself out to dry, but the white van next to me slowed and let me nip in front.

Got a thumbs up and a "sorry" for his trouble.

 

[Sandra6]

It was a lot warmer and drier than expected and there was no snow. Can't decide if I'm disappointed or not.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Just shy of 11 miles tonight, decided to skip the cycle paths and bridleways and stayed on the main roads.

 

[jarlrmai]

tale from my dads ride today, after picking his bike up from the shop he got a close over take from a 4x4 whilst going through a lane with cars parked on both sides, the driver then pulled out across a give way at a crossroads and got t-boned at some speed by a minibus on the main road.

 

[campbellab]

some brave soul cycling up the a419 in the early morning. despite a clear dual carriageway most couldnt bother to deviate their line and pass him at 70... arses.

(i was snug in the car)