Arjimlad
Tights of Cydonia
- Location
- South Glos
Gorgeous picture Ian!
Tales from today's commute....
- Thread starter martint235
- Start date
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GeekDadZoid
Über Member
Left the house earlier this morning for a solo ride into the office and the roads where nice and quiet.
Bit nippy but warmed up nicely.
Bit nippy but warmed up nicely.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
A bit cooler today compared to my last commute. I think it was about 6deg and last week was 16deg and there was a wee bit of drizzle but nothing to actually get you wet. But that was enough to scare the fair weather commuters away and you could tell it took me around 5mins longer to get across town. At least I got across in time, I doubt the drivers did. It was a total stand still up the 5.6% hill but I was able to get half way up dodging between the cars and crossing the centre lines at times. When I got halfway up I was going to walk in the pedestrian access on my right but some eejit was sitting in their people waggon letting their kids out blocking the access and the road turned busy down the hill too. So I had to unclip and wait. They let (at least I hope they were aware of them) 5 or 6 cars or more go by. The 2nd last car was followed by yet another driver tailgating it and this coincided with her having let her last kid out. She immediately pulled out into the traffic. Thankfully for me I think she realised and skidded into the bank (verge) and the other car that had began skidding was able to skid straight down the road rather than into me waiting to turn right. If she had continued to pull out she would have pushed the other car into me.
HarryTheDog
Guru
- Location
- Basildon Essex
As per usual the worst part of my commute is the train bit. This morning already 4 bikes in the bike area. So I leant mine in the doorway and sat close to it so I could move it if people wanted to get off or on. Got to a station, left my bag and helmet on the seat and moved my bike to let people on. Now there were lots of spare seats but a large middle aged woman makes a bee line for my bag and helmet and dumps them on the floor, now I am a bit pissed off with this as there is a expensive computer in my bag and I came out with a rather strange "Oi cease and desist thats my stuff" which stopped her in her tracks. She gave me a stare but kept her gob shut and waddled off to a spare seat. Guy sat opposite me nearly choked.
Cycle in was surreal, On the West Ham green way I did not see one cyclist and its usually buzzing. I then did not see another cyclist for nearly 4 miles I was wondering if there had been a declaration of war and I had missed it.
At the 8 mile point I spied a cyclist ahead and slowly reeled him in. He was dressed in waterprroofs and wellies on a old BSO but still managing a steady 15mph (no it was not a E bike) . So I went past and tried to keep it a steady 16mph, he drafted me like a pro. After 2 miles he suprised me by saying my turn mate and instead of keeping at my 16 he pushed it to 17. Now he was half my age so I figured we were fairly evenly matched seeing as I am on one of the finest CX bikes you can buy but he impresed me for about half a mile ( remember this is hardpack not tarmac) then he started to fade and waved me past. We then had a little chat and turned out he was about to turn off anyway. We both said till next time and tootled off in our own directions.
Cycle in was surreal, On the West Ham green way I did not see one cyclist and its usually buzzing. I then did not see another cyclist for nearly 4 miles I was wondering if there had been a declaration of war and I had missed it.
At the 8 mile point I spied a cyclist ahead and slowly reeled him in. He was dressed in waterprroofs and wellies on a old BSO but still managing a steady 15mph (no it was not a E bike) . So I went past and tried to keep it a steady 16mph, he drafted me like a pro. After 2 miles he suprised me by saying my turn mate and instead of keeping at my 16 he pushed it to 17. Now he was half my age so I figured we were fairly evenly matched seeing as I am on one of the finest CX bikes you can buy but he impresed me for about half a mile ( remember this is hardpack not tarmac) then he started to fade and waved me past. We then had a little chat and turned out he was about to turn off anyway. We both said till next time and tootled off in our own directions.
My normal train service is starting to get busy, so I'm having to reserve a bike space for the all of 2 stops I need to go. But I digress, at least it guarantees me a space.
I am tired, my legs are fried, absolutely nothing in them today. I've been feeling under the weather/absolutely shattered the past few days. Covid is rampant at work, but I'm testing negative so in I go. I just need next Friday to get here and I'll finally have some much needed R&R.
I am tired, my legs are fried, absolutely nothing in them today. I've been feeling under the weather/absolutely shattered the past few days. Covid is rampant at work, but I'm testing negative so in I go. I just need next Friday to get here and I'll finally have some much needed R&R.
GeekDadZoid
Über Member
Route in was busy, I left later than normal and also tried a new route which was rubbish.
Home was pretty quiet but plenty of bad drivers.
Didn't get too wet either way though.
Home was pretty quiet but plenty of bad drivers.
Didn't get too wet either way though.
Arjimlad
Tights of Cydonia
- Location
- South Glos
Yesterday before leaving work I had just read this case report here about a woman driving her Range Rover Sport along having a text conversation with her boss.
http://www.civillitigationbrief.com...ut-enthusiasm-but-the-evidence-is-compelling/
Distraction meant she could not react promptly to a developing dangerous situation ahead, and her last-minute swerve sent her off the road altogether into collision with a train. Her own child passenger was suing her for civil damages because he was catastrophically injured in the collision.
Imagine having that on your conscience!
On emerging from work I filmed and reported two handheld phone users. I hope that police action will help them to put their phones away. I could not believe the first one, he got his phone out as I passed & started a conversation with the phone brazenly to his ear, in slow-moving traffic. I had to ask him to stop his call, as I was going to be in front of his car and didn't fancy getting squashed.
http://www.civillitigationbrief.com...ut-enthusiasm-but-the-evidence-is-compelling/
Distraction meant she could not react promptly to a developing dangerous situation ahead, and her last-minute swerve sent her off the road altogether into collision with a train. Her own child passenger was suing her for civil damages because he was catastrophically injured in the collision.
Imagine having that on your conscience!
On emerging from work I filmed and reported two handheld phone users. I hope that police action will help them to put their phones away. I could not believe the first one, he got his phone out as I passed & started a conversation with the phone brazenly to his ear, in slow-moving traffic. I had to ask him to stop his call, as I was going to be in front of his car and didn't fancy getting squashed.
Jenkins
Legendary Member
- Location
- Felixstowe
Winter has returned. Only about 3°C with a 20mph constant northerly wind, plus stronger gusts on top of that taking the windchill to below zero. Add in hail, sleet & snow and that was my commute in this afternoon!
Tom B
Guru
- Location
- Lancashire
Had to take an alternative route today. Was battling a headwind uphill head down in the dark when at the last moment I noticed a strange object sticking it from the gutter and almost ran over it. Turns out it was a police stinger with two cops at the other side holding a rope to extend it at the key moment.
I think it was a training exercise but never the less it almost got me.
I think it was a training exercise but never the less it almost got me.
Thorn Sherpa
Über Member
- Location
- Doncaster
Nice sunny ride from work to the in-laws after my shift, steady one through Shaw Wood Doncaster
HarryTheDog
Guru
- Location
- Basildon Essex
Dismal and wet ride in, at the 11 mile point my front chainring started being very noisy like the chain was rubbing on the chain guide. Stopped, it wasn't the chain guide, the chainring seemed out of alignment and the noise was the chain mis-engaging with the teeth. Checked I had not got wide to narrow ( single chainring) So I thought the crank must be loose and its moved. Got my hex tool out ( I have a small adapter to fit the big hex bolt), nope its tight and there is no play in the cranks at all. A mystery so just had to carry on with it. At the 16 mile point had to go through a mile of whats known as the pothole challenge a very rough track and came out the other side with the noise gone.
I will have a look again at dinner time, knowing my luck it will come back on the way home.
I will have a look again at dinner time, knowing my luck it will come back on the way home.
Yep, gotta agree with @HarryTheDog
A dismal, cold, wet ride in. Not at all pleasant. Only made slightly better as the schools are off for easter half term.
Rainy commute # 11 for the year
Same period last year 6 rainy commutes
A dismal, cold, wet ride in. Not at all pleasant. Only made slightly better as the schools are off for easter half term.
Rainy commute # 11 for the year
Same period last year 6 rainy commutes
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Left home about 4.30 am and going through the country lanes exposed to the wind and rain I was wondering wtf I was doing out here
Yep, I hear ya.
I think I have asked myself that questions hundreds of times over the years.
But we keep doing it don't we.
GeekDadZoid
Über Member
Proper drizzle today, but as others have said nice quite roads.
