Tales from today's commute....

[Deleted member 1258]

Whilst joining the A13 at Canning Town i noticed that no attempt has been made to grit the cycle super highway (CS3). Do I assume that the safety of cyclists falls well behind that of drivers.

Yes, going to work I use the cycle paths around the Griff island, its quicker than going round the island, when its been snowing or its icy I go round the island, its been treated the cycle paths haven't.

 

[HLaB]

The big melt has started in London Town.
Melting surprisingly quick.

Accurate Forecast

 

[potsy]

Avoided the last section of 'face plant' mud near Parrs Wood, and turned right at the final 'gate' upto the main road past the school grounds.

Did the same tonight but didn't have a clue where I was going
Eventually worked it out and was back on my way, better than the mud-fest anyway although you didn't tell me there was a 20% hill to climb

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Left work late so only did 6 miles home. Broke 400 miles for the month, hopefully if the weather improves will break 500 miles by the end of the month.

 

[Sandra6]

Two too close passes on the way home, one before the railway bridge and one right after.
First one pulled out of a side street behind me, then tried to get passed me despite there being no room due to parked wagon on one side and my primary position so I could avoid the massive potholes. He finally pulls in front of me with a few yards to go till the junction so I had to brake hard to avoid pulling alongside him.
Then as I'm pulling out -signalling - for my turn a car decides to pass me even though the first close passer was right in front of me also making the turn.
Not another soul in the way for the rest of the ride.

 

[ianrauk]

I have been taking the direct route home of 11 miles rather then the roundabout route of 14 miles I usually take.
This is due to all the snow and ice on the back routes.
I also decided not to cane it home rather then pootle along. And you know what, I have forgotten how enjoyable it is just bimbling along at a slower pace

 

[Matthew_T]

Had a bit of fun on the commute home. Had plenty of time so threw a big rock into a puddle and did a nice slow mo with my camera.
Some crazy woman overtook me at the worst place to do so, just before a junction going downhill. We arrived at the junction side by side as she cut in on me. She seemed to not be concentrating and then pulled over behind me. No idea what she was thinking (I was in primary at the time and had indicated right).

 

[fossyant]

Did the same tonight but didn't have a clue where I was going
Eventually worked it out and was back on my way, better than the mud-fest anyway although you didn't tell me there was a 20% hill to climb

Oh yeh forgot to mention that. Heh heh. Granny ring in the wet on that.

 

[Rustyoil]

Got a pair of shwalbe landcruisers in post last night. Thank goodness! My semi-slick marathons would never have coped. Several inches of slush and wet horror on way into work. Was doing a sort of bucking-bronco over the footprint-packed snow on some of the paths; "Don't stop pedaling!!!" I was shouting to my self inside.
Praying it doesn't actually freeze over tonight.

Only one XXXXhead who passed in 4x4 on slushy ridgelone of road, too fast, showering me from side with gunk. Everyone else passed slow and with plenty distance. After waving my fist and shouting very loud obscenities at the 4x4 I gave the others a cheery wave and a thumbs-up.

 

[Black Country Ste]

One look outside this morning: 'Nope. I'm driving.'

Well, that was the plan. Got to the car, both doors frozen solid. I daredn't pull too hard on the handle and had nothing useful to lever the door open. Too late to walk, it has to be the bike. Riding on 23mm Gatorskins, I did OK.

 

[potsy]

Oh yeh forgot to mention that. Heh heh. Granny ring in the wet on that.

Powered up it

 

[martint235]

I've realised just how much fitness I've lost. I think I've been bimbling on my commute and making excuses: "Marathons are heavier"; "It's dark"; "It's wet" etc. I think now I've got my commute settled onto some fairly quick, safe roads I need to start hammering it a bit more.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

More snow overnight, all roads round our end are slushy, luckily as I got to towards the city centre they cleared up, forecast is it to be above freezing the next two days, so hopefully the melt will start and I can get back to my normal route.

 

[martint235]

I gave it some welly today and got a speed of 15.77mph moving average. I reckon that's at least 1mph down on where I should be. Excuses for today are:

1. The traffic patterns on my current route are different to my benchmark route which was the Old Kent Road.
2. Parts of my route are still new to me and therefore I will get quicker over them with familiarity.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I'm getting to the point where I've had enough of the ice now. The roads are totally clear so I last night I 'retired' the MTB and put the lights and whatnot back on the Single Speed. While the roads were fine the cycle paths were a flippin' nightmare - it was very difficult to tell which slush you could plough straight through and what was going to pull your wheels out from under you.

Hurrumph.