Tales from today's commute....

[kevin_cambs_uk]

The return to Hardwick was ok. The places I thought I'd be nailed were fairly tame. The last 30 yards of the old A428 had me going backwards.

its so flat the wind just rolls in !

 

[Bazzer]

Looks like it is back to normal on the roads. Busier than last week.
Ice across the surface of side roads and main roads had frozen puddles and splash zones ready to catch out the unwary. Might take the train for part of the journey tomorrow as my legs had no strength and its only Monday morning. Will also have to give my old Raleigh hybrid a once over tonight, as I was accompanied on the journey into work, by what I suspect to be a creaking bottom bracket. This one was replaced only 3000 miles ago.

 

[dhd.evans]

Holy Hell it was cold as balls this morning. Forecast said -6 and by fark did it feel it. Almost rode out in autumn kit as well! Thankfully wife came in to remind me that outside was, in fact, colder than her icy glacial heart and i should wrap up.

Even then i was cold!

 

[Sixmile]

Very cold but got my layers spot on. The first five miles were pretty much me and some freshly frosted crisp country roads. Then the traffic, it was noticeably heavier but gave me the opportunity to enjoy whizzing past stationary cars again. First 'full length' commute of the year half complete.

 

[rivers]

Not too cold down in the southwest today. I put too many layers on and well, was a bit warm the entire ride in.

 

[si_c]

First commute of the year. Cold feet.

 

[Hopey]

Old couple on the path in front of me today. Dinged bell three separate times, from a good distance, then medium, then right behind them. Slowed down, called out "on your right" and crawled past them. Old fella was talking hella loud to his wife. As I went past he stopped and said "Could he not have rang his bell?"

Tried a new route home. Wasn't too bad but I came to the conclusion there is no "easy" route home - just different shades of hard.

 

[JhnBssll]

Cold and blustery both ways but mainly dry I need a 'medium' weight glove - I seem to either have stone cold or sweaty hands, never just right

 

[ianrauk]

Cold and blustery both ways but mainly dry I need a 'medium' weight glove - I seem to either have stone cold or sweaty hands, never just right

Get a pair of silk glove liners. They work wonders with thinner long sleeve gloves for the colder rides and also fingerless ones for the less cold.

 

[ianrauk]

Very little wind in my neck of South London this morning and this evening. With the very dry roads it made for a very pleasant commute both ways.. It is a tad chilly though but got my clothes choice spot on.

 

[13 rider]

Proper icy this morning felt I was pushing my luck but made it ok .Caught a fellow commuter on an E bike who I see every now and then and normally I get a nice tow into the headwind ,but tonight with a help of a tailwind I past him and he wheel sucked me for a change so I won't feel so bag next time I get a tow

 

[rivers]

Overall a good first day back commuting (and in general), as I haven't been out on my bike in about 3 weeks due to holidays, being away, crap weather, and being unwell. Overall, fairly dry, and not too cold. The only annoyance is bits of mud and debris keep getting caught up in my front mudguard and rubbing against the tyre, slowing me down. I might lose the front mudguard if I can't sort it. Also, saw a chap that I've seen a few times now on my commute home lit up like a Christmas tree. A couple of front lights, rear lights, flashy arm bands of various colours and a green cycle sign that comes off from somewhere on his person and shines on the bit of path/road in front of him. Bit of a distraction if you ask me...

 

[Sixmile]

Much darker this morning compared to yesterday. I had a side/headwind for the first 20 minutes which was tough going. Two slightly irritating drivers but although the roads are busy, no real incidents thankfully of note. It's still a bug bear of mine though that when I'm riding on the inside of a two lane (each way) road, a car on my right or even behind me, would flash someone out of a junction or a turning car across both lanes. It's only on some occasions I'll see the reflection of the lights off something ahead that'll warn me to the danger.

 

[si_c]

Tough going this morning not really sure why. One car crash with Police in attendance, didn't look like anyone was injured, from what I can see a driver pulled out from a side road turning right, smashed into another car on the carriageway. Just not looking clearly.

 

[mjr]

It's still a bug bear of mine though that when I'm riding on the inside of a two lane (each way) road, a car on my right or even behind me, would flash someone out of a junction or a turning car across both lanes. It's only on some occasions I'll see the reflection of the lights off something ahead that'll warn me to the danger.

That's fairly common. I've even had a vehicle behind me on a one lane each way flash and encourage the oncoming turner to drive at me. But the most surprising remains an oncoming horse rider waving following cars to overtake them, putting me in the hedge! Trust no one any more than you must