Tales from today's commute....

[wafter]

Return leg - as per yesterday but colder with no snow. Traffic marginally better if still horrible.

Notable annoyances were the bloke on an illegal e-fatbike on the woodstock road; not confident enough to weave it between the twat-parked bellends outside the shops and static traffic; thus holding me up. On the one hand, screw his illegal obstructiveness; on the other I guess on balance it was better than him being in a car.

Next was the stupid woman in her chelsea tractor trying to turn right from a junction across the lane I was travelling in. When I spotted her she was obstructing just half the bus lane; by the time I'd got to her she'd crawled out to block nearly all of it. I was just going to go around her, but it seems that throughout her manouver she'd paid zero attention to traffic that might have been travelling in the lane she was blocking; so I thought better of it as she was clearly totally oblivious to my presence. A couple of stout smacks to her bonnet with an open gloved hand resolved that issue, and I was once more on my way.

No more drama after that; onto the tow path then back to the car. Glad to be home; the luxury of warmth and relaxation appreciated so much more for the rest of the day's activites

 

[fossyant]

The "Bog of Doom" was crossable tonight on treaded (studs) tyres. There was a relatively dry section across it due to the wind drying the trail out a fair bit. Didn't bring most of it back clinging to the tyres.

 

[Jenkins]

Temperatures only just above zero both ways today, roads dry and the main ones had also been gritted but I kept away from the 2.5 mile country lane on the way in as it's still getting plenty of water run off from the surrounding fields. Absolute barsteward of a headwind straight off the North Sea on Felixstowe seafront for the homeward ride wasn't helped by having knackered legs from overdoing things at work. I must remember how old I actually am, not how old I think I am.

 

[united4ever]

Give me this cold, dry weather over the last 3 months of rain any day. Great how it is just above freezing here so no ice.

 

[HLaB]

A pretty quiet and slow commute for me today in what was my first commute of the year. With all the flooding in the media when I was away and overnight freezing I feared the worst when I got off the train and took the gravel bike instead of the road bike. I needn't have worried though the roads were bone dry and it wasn't quite as cold either.

In the morning I took a route out of the development that was open pre Christmas but coming back tonight I found they've opened another more direct route. They've still not surfaced part of it but when its dry I'll be able to bypass the problematic roundabout on my route to the station even though its slightly less direct in the middle and on shared footways, given I've saved time at the start 🙂

 

[wafter]

Once more into the breach!

 

[mangid]

Icy and colder than I expected from weather reports and real time online reports, wasn't supposed to drop much below zero, if at all, but plenty of icy patches around. One field runoff I was expecting was sheet icy. On a fixie going up hill this is bad :-) Attempted to go navigate it, back wheel immediately slid out, managed to get foot out and after a bit of Bambi impression stayed upright. Walked a few meters and carried on.

Might take the bike with studded tyres tomorrow

 

[fossyant]

OK this morning - trying to rain but not enough to bother with waterproofs. Hit one patch of crunchy ice. Flood still there under the bridge on the Floop at Levenshulme - looks like it's not draining at all. Popped the full beam on this morning, and the water is pretty clear - could see the bottom with the lights on.

 

[biking_fox]

Last night's tailwind was great fun and more than made up for the morning struggles. Proper spinning out on the single speed, toasty warm. Was following another chap on a SS, probably 1 or 2 gear ratio lower than me - he'd accelerate away from the lights faster than me, but then max out at a lower top speed and I'd gradually catch back up. fun.

Today, less windy slightly warmer. no complaints.

 

[GeekDadZoid]

Quite enjoying the extra sensors on the bike at the moment, not that they tell me loads as a fair amount of my commute is dictated by traffic and traffic lights, but interesting to see nonetheless.

Left 15 minutes later than normal today, traffic was grim and there was a little bit of cold icy drizzle for a few minutes.

Hey ho

 

[wafter]

Again, very cold but clear, bright and dry. Delayed for a few minutes by the exertion of the week catching up with me, having to wait for the car to defrost and traffic at Yarnton thanks to yet more roadworks...

Lots of frost about so took it steady and was OK, although I think I took longer to warm up as a result. Traffic appeared static on the A34 as I passed closeby on the tow path. Stopped at the butchers; wish I'd bought more sausages.

A nice ride, however I'm looking forward to getting home later - I think both the cold and lingering effects of last month's flu are hammering me and this week all I've been good for in the evening is dinner, shower, a few beers and an early night; although this feels deserved

 

[Jenkins]

Dry, allegedly warmer but didn't feel it in with the wind. Lovely sunrise over the North Sea.

 

[ianrauk]

Dry, allegedly warmer but didn't feel it in with the wind. Lovely sunrise over the North Sea.

The wind is the cold. Don't think I can ever remember such a cold, biting wind.
The upside though is that it's giving me a great push for the commute home.

 

[mustang1]

Really enjoying my e-bike commutes. Just wear normal clothes (don't have to faff with lycra), don't get sweaty (don't have to faff with taking a shower), get to work and straight to desk (time saved).

Then reverse the journey on the way home.

Caveat: don't get as fit though! Although I could reduce the e-power for the homeward journey. But I don't - it's full pelt all the way.

 

[Dadam]

Really enjoying my e-bike commutes. Just wear normal clothes (don't have to faff with lycra), don't get sweaty (don't have to faff with taking a shower), get to work and straight to desk (time saved).

Then reverse the journey on the way home.

Caveat: don't get as fit though! Although I could reduce the e-power for the homeward journey. But I don't - it's full pelt all the way.

Me too re the full pelt all the way. I just want to get home quick, and particularly I want to keep up with the traffic better up the hill (or not hold things too much). I normally change clothes in case it's wet on the way in, though not normally lycra.