Tales from today's commute....

[ianrauk]

I know it's absolutely fine, but your rear mudguard makes me feel uneasy.

I could lower it with shims, but I can't be arsed.

 

[lazybloke]

"Emergency road closed" on the way home, turns out it was a sinkhole appeared at the bottom of a hill. Very pleased it wasn't there this morning, it was about a metre or two across and I'd have done myself a proper mischief as it was on a bend, no notice at all before the road was closed.

Inevitable motorist at the other end complaining they wouldn't let her through and it was "miles" to go back.

(Spoiler: all of about one mile back and shed have disappeared if they'd let her try to go forwards)

I'm all for filling sinkholes with the cars of stupid drivers. Preferably with them still inside

 

[postman]

On the big boys bike today.
Like you @markharry66 , it's work from home day by the looks of things. Seems to be a normal thing now for a Friday. Station and trains far emptier then usual. Hence the big boys bike.
View attachment 759174

oh i like that, like that very much.

 

[HLaB]

My commute was quite dull today, a 4 mile ride to the station and 3/4mile to the office and the reverse at night. The only thing slightly interesting, the train in front tripped the overhead lines. We got going again, on the fast line, but it must have kept on happening all day some of the slow line trains Southbound were cancelled. Including unfortunately my colleague. He has been put off his full commute due to section of road he doesn't like but I could tell he desperately wanted to cycle so he tried a train/cycle commute too.




Not strictly a commute as I came home dropped off the back pack and picked up a strong light and went out for a slow ride on unlit Fen roads.

 

[markharry66]

Monday again (always quickest day to come round) having killed my giant defy over the weekend its on the critical list out on Triban 3 this morning trying out a new set of continental sport tyres. Great day to try and get speed up had everything this morning bin lorries, temporary traffic lights and the usual close pass moron. Nice journey in despite this par for course these days dickheads over taking next to a traffic island.
Feet were like blocks of ice by time got in two pairs of ski socks and some overshoes still didnt stop the damp cold, gloves with inserts started to feel cold as well. New bike time what to buy? new or second hand?

 

[Arjimlad]

Muscle pain in my neck meant I only did 6 miles in today.

 

[Marchrider]

Muscle pain in my neck meant I only did 6 miles in today.

how far is it normally, and how did you reduce it to 6

 

[straas]

Short cycle in to Manchester Piccadilly to get the early train to brum to grill some graduate candidates for the day - so on the brompton - felt a bit warmer this morning.

Really need to sort my gears out - I only have 1 or 3, so either legs spinning madly and going nowhere, or grinding around.

 

[wiggydiggy]

First commute of the year as my early January test ride showed I needed a new wheel. LBS sorted that and now back on the bike after 2 weeks on train (bleugh), did a little fettling with the rear gears barrel adjuster to get changing right despite a ride yesterday to make sure all is well.

I'm only 2 days a week in office so my 'routine brain' isn't engaged, it seems to take ages for me to leave the house or get sorted at the office as I'm constantly forgetting something or mixing things up.

 

[wafter]

Despite precious little kip, a fantastic start to the week

Dry, overcast, about 2-3 degrees apparently with a modest headwind.

Out on time dressed appropriately, as usual cold to start once out on the bike.. although the bike itself felt great for the weekend's work on the brakes.

Felt guilty for not stopping to help an older woman pushing a bike with a flat on the rear, but realistically I doubt I'd have been much use given the total lack of feeling in my digits at that moment in time. Had circumstances been different I'd have been happy to help...

On to the tow path; startling a heron into flight from where it had apparently been having a chat with a cormorant. For a few yards it flew along the canal just ahead of me; a bit like a council re-imagining of that scene in Top Gun with captain scientology on the bike chasing the plane as it takes off...

Stopped for a quick dangle as work on the tow path routed me through the park and literally straight past the bars... the Brompton's slick little tyres struggling more than usual on the wet, muddy grass.

Lots of happy, friendly people about; exchanged waves with a mate's mrs as she disembarked from the bus and got lots of smiles from ladies on bikes - oddly since I was wearing my cycling cap which IMO makes me look like even more of a tosser than usual. Maybe I'm doing it wrong..

There was quite a bit of interesting metal about; saw a bloke on a nice looking hearing aid beige Brompton and passed a chap on a black variant coming over folly bridge - which looked a lot like that owned by @Gunk although I couldn't say whether it's highly visible rider was the man himself.

The ride felt fast but wasn't particularly; legs more comfortable than usual for a rest over the weekend and perhaps my new lazy bed time glute-stretching regime. Heartrate / speed relationship still seems poor; while my mean speed is down from about 12.5 to 11.5mph since the middle of October - the only reason I can think of being post-viral fatigue / long Covid

Still, really grateful to have this ability to get out on the bike and escape the horrible, confirmist rigors of the modern world

 

[Arjimlad]

how far is it normally, and how did you reduce it to 6

I usually do 10 miles, but that's less direct - I have 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, or 20 mile routes I take depending on the time available/weather etc.

 

[Gunk]

which looked a lot like that owned by @Gunk although I couldn't say whether it's highly visible rider was the man himself.

Not me guv, up in Northampton this morning meeting our accountant. Plus black Brompton’s are ten a penny in Oxford!

 

[straas]

Bit (very) wet on the way home.

 

[wafter]

Not me guv, up in Northampton this morning meeting our accountant. Plus black Brompton’s are ten a penny in Oxford!

Indeed and thanks for confirming I'd have looked like a tit had I waved

 

[markharry66]

Cold start but clear when left this morning on Flat Bar road bike knew wasnt going to break any records took my time as I know any change for the worst in the weather would bring out the dickheads and of course I was right. Got the bottom of the welling end of upper wickham lane they have closed road off again (this is done a strict rotation these days one week open three shut). Walked round to other side of barrier, car coming the other way decides this is the best place to do a three point turn I am yelling at the runt but still takes no notice (absolute prick of the highest order). Second dickhead of the morning at the bottom of Plumstead there is a set of traffic lights as the road curves round with cars parked either side of you cant see for a short time what is coming in opposite direction. Normally I ride in the middle of the road for whatever reason today I was slighty off centre and bus decide to overtake on a blind spot pushing me straight into curb its not the first time its happend so slowed down but if I had been going full speed I would have hit parked cars. I am guessing there is no point reporting this as nothing will ever happen. Or it will be case of usual pr bullsh**t. Go to Abbey wood feet were freezing had enough. Found out I have now broken zip on a second set of halfords over shoes (my own fault never buy from halfords).