Tales from today's commute....

[HLaB]

Fastest commute of the year for me but then again it was only the 2nd, and this was on a road bike and the 1st was on a gravel bike. I had took the gravel bike the other day due to the threat of ice but it was dry. Today a few days later was the exact opposite mild and wet again. It'll probably be icy again next week #globalwarming

Other than the weather I got a get on the cycle path on a really wide and empty road. The shared foot/cycleway is on the wrong side of the road and was strangely busy for 6.35am. Not conducive to getting to the station in 20mins. I gave him "a Happy New Year to you too!" and waved but I doubt they even heard or saw anything 😂

Other thing that cracked me up was the mini driver who desperately swerved in in front of me to join almost hit the back of the regular half mile queue, I just sailed down the middle 😂

 

[skudupnorth]

Stunning weather this morning, used the classic Elswick folder which caught the attention of Luke and Bruce who could smell treats in my bags 😁 Also thinned out the stack of scrap bikes at school and claimed the 20” wheel pile for spare tubes 😁😁

 

[GeekDadZoid]

Nippy out there.

First commute into the city centre on the Boardman and it was great. Noticeably more nimble with the very short stem than my Super Galaxy, also the wheelbase must be a fair bit shorter too as it was much easier to get into the store room at work (it is not officially a bike store so its a bit awkward)
There is a subway I use under a roundabout most days and the exit has switchback which is only just doable on the Dawes, how ever this was much more like on the brompton, so that's a plus.

I hope it warms up a little

 

[ianrauk]

After yesterdays 120 miler, my knees this morning were reminding me the miles that i already did, complaining all the way in on todays commute. Not help by minus temperatures. Nice and dry though with sunrise giving up clear blue skies.

I hope it warms up a little

Not looking like it down here in the south east. Get colder mid week, getting milder and wetter from the weekend onwards.

 

[biking_fox]

Cold enough to stay on the roads avoiding the risk of un-treated cycle paths, but not too bad with full gloves (passed one rider without any gloves on at all!). Couple of closer than I'd like passes, I think the same van 3 times plus a merc, but no problems.

 

[fossyant]

WFH today, but it's a four day week in the office, so early to bed each night. I'll be knackered by Friday evening.

My new Magicshine SeeMee 300 has been fitted - flipping heck it's bright. Has a handy 'downlighter' that floods the ground below in red. It's also 'smart' - it will switch mode for day cycling to 'day flash' then revert back to the chosen mode (no cycling through each function each time you switch on). It also has a brake function so will see how that works. It's no big deal if it randomly flashes all 300 lumen because it detects a pace change.

 

[wafter]

Out the door late after another crap night's sleep; further delayed by having to defrost the car then getting stuck behind some unassertive, doddering individual which was compounded by the fact that the dual carriageway to Yarnton is down to a single lane for the next month..

Coldest morning yet but clear and dry with a lovely sunrise. Took it steady due to the wind chill and frost on the tow path; although got no indication from the tyres that they were struggling for grip.

I passed two fellow Brompton riders today; one on a Flame lacquer model, the other Emerald lacquer so a trio of posh finishes along with my own

The second rider didn't ingratiate himself - shooting out from the blind side of a bridge apparently without looking; stopping pretty much broad-side across the tow path and taking a lot of abuse from the bell before he evidently became aware of my presence. Perhaps a new and inexperienced rider, given the colour of the bike..

Since I was late I also encountered a fair bit of school traffic; not a problem apart from the one group who seemed physically incapable of not taking up the entire width of the tow path, despite having been warned of my approach in good time with the bell

On this subject, the bell has proven difficult to use with my particularly fat-gloved hand, so operation has boiled down to a numbers game of repeated, over-exaggerated pawing with floppy fingers to elicit at least some noise...

No time for sausages today and got to work a bit late, but probably less-so than would have been the case had I driven; given the state of the traffic.

Now sat in the office getting slowly fatter - already a sandwich, a large bag of crisps and three chavvy energy drinks deep..

 

[wafter]

Coming down a road a car coming toward me turned across my path. Enough time to react and slow down but still bumped the car. Driver was adamant i was in the wrong as he 'was signalling'. Driver said he'd exchange details but instead hopped in his car and sped off.

Unfortunately for him my helmet camera captured the relatively low-impact crash, the back and forth with him and him jetting off.

Coppers popped round today to get my statement so the muppet will be getting a visit from them in due course

Excellent work for catching the scumbag out - doubt he'll get more than a mild telling off but technically they could do him for leaving the scene of an accident..

 

[fossyant]

three chavvy energy drinks deep..

Yikes, gut rot stuff. What's wrong with a propper cup of coffee - drink of cycling gods.

 

[wafter]

Yikes, gut rot stuff. What's wrong with a propper cup of coffee - drink of cycling gods.

Indeed, and not grown-up enough for proper drinks..

 

[GeekDadZoid]

Out the door late after another crap night's sleep; further delayed by having to defrost the car then getting stuck behind some unassertive, doddering individual which was compounded by the fact that the dual carriageway to Yarnton is down to a single lane for the next month..

Coldest morning yet but clear and dry with a lovely sunrise. Took it steady due to the wind chill and frost on the tow path; although got no indication from the tyres that they were struggling for grip.

I passed two fellow Brompton riders today; one on a Flame lacquer model, the other Emerald lacquer so a trio of posh finishes along with my own

The second rider didn't ingratiate himself - shooting out from the blind side of a bridge apparently without looking; stopping pretty much broad-side across the tow path and taking a lot of abuse from the bell before he evidently became aware of my presence. Perhaps a new and inexperienced rider, given the colour of the bike..

Since I was late I also encountered a fair bit of school traffic; not a problem apart from the one group who seemed physically incapable of not taking up the entire width of the tow path, despite having been warned of my approach in good time with the bell

On this subject, the bell has proven difficult to use with my particularly fat-gloved hand, so operation has boiled down to a numbers game of repeated, over-exaggerated pawing with floppy fingers to elicit at least some noise...

View attachment 718909


No time for sausages today and got to work a bit late, but probably less-so than would have been the case had I driven; given the state of the traffic.

Now sat in the office getting slowly fatter - already a sandwich, a large bag of crisps and three chavvy energy drinks deep..

Bells and thick gloves can be problematic, I actually rode in this morning without a bell, I missed it on the various blind corners I like to provide a little warning I am there.

 

[wafter]

Bells and thick gloves can be problematic, I actually rode in this morning without a bell, I missed it on the various blind corners I like to provide a little warning I am there.

Indeed - I think part of the problem is that the gloves are perhaps a little large so I get a bit of flop at the end.

A bell's certainly a necessity on the tow path for pedestians / when passing under blind bridges!

 

[cyberknight]

Poggies on for tonight, shoes have toe covers with overshoes on top .

 

[dhd.evans1]

-3.

That's highs of -3. Proper baltic stuff, an unenjoyable flat 14.5mi ride in.

 

[skudupnorth]

Absolutely love this weather !!!

Overlooking Manchester from the guided busway

Two busses passing the Elswick on the guided busway