Tales from today's commute....

[cosmicbike]

Nice fast ride into work last night with a hefty tailwind, but coming how this morning was sooo slow and I had no energy. I may succumb to the car tonight

Volvo got pressed into service. Pick up the new commuter tomorrow, I'm not getting any younger and with the airport likely to become part of the ULEZ next year (and owning no compliant cars), I've opted for some assistance and the 2014 Boardman CX Team will be replaced with a Cannondale Topstone Neo SL2. The Boardman will be retained for shopping, and at nearly 21,000 miles owes me nothing. Meanwhile I look forward to some lightly E-assisted commutes through the Winter.

 

[cyberknight]

last 2 days the main route through a village has been closed due to a burst drain , now i dont use that route anyway as i prefer to take a single track lane that has only the odd vehicle but as you can guess rather than follow the diversion some have been coming "my way " and squeezing past at full speed with only about a foot or so between us even though its clearly not safe to do so .
One even had the temerity to shout " watch where you going " as they blasted past
Next week im on late shift so at least there will be no one about for the return trip

 

[Andy in Germany]

last 2 days the main route through a village has been closed due to a burst drain , now i dont use that route anyway as i prefer to take a single track lane that has only the odd vehicle but as you can guess rather than follow the diversion some have been coming "my way " and squeezing past at full speed with only about a foot or so between us even though its clearly not safe to do so .
One even had the temerity to shout " watch where you going " as they blasted past
Next week im on late shift so at least there will be no one about for the return trip

I tend to ignore diversion signs on the basis it's safer for me to navigate the roadworks, which are predictable, than deal with the drivers trying to find a short cut past, because they are almost by definition driving too fast and looking at their Navi, not the road and are highly unpredictable.

Also, because I can generally find a way through I also get to watch all the drivers who also ignored the diversion signs trying to turn around in a very small space...

 

[cyberknight]

I tend to ignore diversion signs on the basis it's safer for me to navigate the roadworks, which are predictable, than deal with the drivers trying to find a short cut past, because they are almost by definition driving too fast and looking at their Navi, not the road and are highly unpredictable.

Also, because I can generally find a way through I also get to watch all the drivers who also ignored the diversion signs trying to turn around in a very small space...

this is my normal route , in this case its locals who know the area ignoring the diversion for a shorter but trickier route .if another vehicle was coming the other way there are only a few passing places so if they met another vehicle at full speed then it would be carnage .

 

[skudupnorth]

The Buff is back in service 😁 It’s wearing thin but still works

 

[ianrauk]

And the older version. Still in use and still going strong.

 

[DCBassman]

The Buff is back in service 😁 It’s wearing thin but still works

And the older version. Still in use and still going strong.
View attachment 663825

I need one of these. I have a merino Buff, but NEED a Cyclechat one...

 

[ianrauk]

I need one of these. I have a merino Buff, but NEED a Cyclechat one...

Unfortunately you're out of luck. They haven't been made for years.

 

[HarryTheDog]

Well its been a while since I commuted, week off for trapped nerve in my back, week off for holiday then a week off for flu. This morning started off very wet then receeded to just a drizzle.
Came across this young lady who could have had a nasty accident wih her scarf. I pulled it out of her chain etc and plonked it in her hand and warned her it could get jammed in the chain. She thanked me which was nice. However at the next set of lights she pulled up behind me and still had it flapping around her chainstays.

 

[ianrauk]

After a week off work I was really looking forward to getting back on the commute. I even spent a good part of Wednesday stripping down the bike and giving it a good clean. So what happened today? It was bloody raining when I woke up. Ok it was only a light drizzle. So just suck it up I thought to myself. What further happened? The rain got heavier and heavier, it came down in sheets. Bloody hell. It was dark too. So luckily I did put lights back on the bike.
So... uneventful, wet, dark and miserable commute.
Got to work and guess. Blue sky and sunshine and it's stayed for it for the rest of the day. Oh well, at least it will be a nice commute home. Still in shorts and short sleeves. But wont be long until that changes.

So, rainy commute # 24 for the year.
Same period last year 30 rainy commutes.

 

[Tom...]

After a week off work I was really looking forward to getting back on the commute. I even spent a good part of Wednesday stripping down the bike and giving it a good clean. So what happened today? It was bloody raining when I woke up. Ok it was only a light drizzle. So just suck it up I thought to myself. What further happened? The rain got heavier and heavier, it came down in sheets. Bloody hell. It was dark too. So luckily I did put lights back on the bike.
So... uneventful, wet, dark and miserable commute.
Got to work and guess. Blue sky and sunshine and it's stayed for it for the rest of the day. Oh well, at least it will be a nice commute home. Still in shorts and short sleeves. But wont be long until that changes.

So, rainy commute # 24 for the year.
Same period last year 30 rainy commutes.

At least you missed all the wind last week

 

[ianrauk]

At least you missed all the wind last week

Yep I did. However I did do a 121 mile ride in it one day last week

 

[palinurus]

And the older version. Still in use and still going strong.
View attachment 663825

I still have one of those. Rarely wear it on the bike, instead put it over my head if Ms P is watching something on her tablet so I can sleep without being disturbed by the flickering light (works great).

 

[palinurus]

Bit of rain this morning but I was happy because I just got a new jacket. Stopped after 10 minutes anyway.

 

[cyberknight]

Clear , sunny but cold wind on the way in forecast is 5-6 c for the homeward trip so carting extra gear ⛄