Tales from today's commute....

[Andy in Germany]

I realised there was going to be another headwind/rain combo on my ride back from work so decided to try the local train service...

Nine minutes for 4€, which is a bit steep considering I travel regularly for 2 1/2 hours to Stuttgart for about 20€. Still, it was easy enough, within five minutes of punctual and kept me dry, as I took 4 min to the station, 9 min on the train and about 10 min from the train to my apartment. 23 min is an improvement on 45, except I went way too early and ended up waiting on the platform for about 10 min too...

When I got back I found a flyer for a season ticket (54€, all public transport in the region) in the letter box. Maybe worth it in winter...

 

[Arjimlad]

I realised there was going to be another headwind/rain combo on my ride back from work so decided to try the local train service...

View attachment 596680

Nine minutes for 4€, which is a bit steep considering I travel regularly for 2 1/2 hours to Stuttgart for about 20€. Still, it was easy enough, within five minutes of punctual and kept me dry, as I took 4 min to the station, 9 min on the train and about 10 min from the train to my apartment. 23 min is an improvement on 45, except I went way too early and ended up waiting on the platform for about 10 min too...

When I got back I found a flyer for a season ticket (54€, all public transport in the region) in the letter box. Maybe worth it in winter...

Well it would be rude not to at that price, as long as it doesn't tempt you to be lazy ! If only the UK were so enlightened.

 

[palinurus]

Meh.

At least I remembered my spare socks today.

 

[cyberknight]

I realised there was going to be another headwind/rain combo on my ride back from work so decided to try the local train service...

View attachment 596680

Nine minutes for 4€, which is a bit steep considering I travel regularly for 2 1/2 hours to Stuttgart for about 20€. Still, it was easy enough, within five minutes of punctual and kept me dry, as I took 4 min to the station, 9 min on the train and about 10 min from the train to my apartment. 23 min is an improvement on 45, except I went way too early and ended up waiting on the platform for about 10 min too...

When I got back I found a flyer for a season ticket (54€, all public transport in the region) in the letter box. Maybe worth it in winter...

I had a similar situation, absolutely pissing it down and wind but it was midnight and we dont have public transport even during "normal" work hours so i did a good impression of a drowned rat instead

 

[palinurus]

Started hammering it down- really heavy, soaked in minutes sort of stuff- just as I was about to leave work, sheltered under a car port.
Then got all the way home, got inside, got the tea brewing, then it started raining again.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I'm starting to meet the first cycle tourists: Last week I met a group cycling up the Rhine from Mannheim to Basel.

I suspect the commute will get a bit busy over summer...

 

[palinurus]

Not much to report except I was riding to work today and I realized how great it was. Watching the front wheel pull the road towards me and feeling my legs working- but not too hard.

Also I saw two cats, here's one.

The closed-off section of lane where I saw the cats ('Quietway') has been blocked off by barriers last few days, no indication of why. Email enquiry sent to Herts County Council.

 

[palinurus]

That quietway is good for cats, they can drink from puddles and investigate the verges in peace.

It's not so good for cycling if the weather is wet (debris, bad drainage) or cold (ice), or if it is inexplicably blocked by barriers.

But it is good for cats.

 

[cyberknight]

piss wet through going to work in a deluge so it was soggy clothes for the return commute on late shift , cycle path strewn with debris washed onto it by the rain so i got 3 punctures in a few miles even though i checked the inside of the tyre each time .Ended up phoning home at 1 am for mrs ck to pick me up .
Checked the tyre in daylight just now and there was a sharp piece of stone chip right through the tyre and puncture strip that has totalled the tyre and had to bin 2 tubes that wouldnt repair due to the holes being to close to a seam.
Taking the ribble build till i can get a new tyre for the commuter as i dont have any 28s in stock and 25s dont fit properly due to rim width

 

[palinurus]

The closed-off section of lane where I saw the cats ('Quietway') has been blocked off by barriers last few days, no indication of why. Email enquiry sent to Herts County Council.

Got a response from the leader of the local council on Twitter. The barriers have been placed until additional bollards can be installed as 'cars' have been somehow driving through (really surprised there is enough space but will investigate on the way home and look for tyre tracks!)

Also some work will be done to complete signage.

A few times I've come across drivers turning around by the bollards after presumably trying to escape congestion on the dual-carriageway- some of them have figured out how to get through!

 

[palinurus]

The bollards are really pretty tight- I'm dead curious to figure out how someone could drive around them.

 

[palinurus]

Today's very bad news- I needed something bready to eat with my lunch today as it was mostly veg with no rice or pasta.

Went to Tesco to get one of those big pretzels they do and realized at the checkout I left my wallet at work.

Fairly certain I will die at the roadside of the bonk later.

 

[palinurus]

I can't stop thinking about that pretzel- I had it in my hand! so close.

 

[Arjimlad]

In between Aztec West roundabout and the M5 junction 16 there's a lovely wide shared pavement. It stops at the Motorway!

A lot of confident cyclists (including myself) stay on the road. It's a short stretch of 40mph dual carriageway with an additional lane to the left to join the southbound M5. However, predictably, certain drivers see it as their role to punish cyclists for not using the shared pavement - by dishing out close passes.

I have emailed the council about this & been given a load of waffle about recommended improvements (this layout was unfurled in 2017) but they cannot tell me how a cyclist is expected to safely & lawfully use the shared pavement and get back onto the A38 northbound.

 

[palinurus]

Fairly certain I will die at the roadside of the bonk later.

I am home! a miracle! on nothing more than tofu and vegetables.