Tales from today's commute....

[BSRU]

See this quite a lot on Londinium. Gutter hugging.
Strange that some people have the mindset that hugging the kerb may be safer.
Hitting all the carp in the gutter, drains etc, then swerving our without indicating.

Hopefully seeing me ride up the middle of the lane might make them think about their road position, you never know.

 

[Arjimlad]

Nice ride in on my 14-mile commuting route today, good to have some company with another rider I'd not seen before cycling from Iron Acton to Thornbury. He seemed slower but as soon as I overtook was grabbing a cheeky tow. We had a friendly chat for a couple of miles.

Made me put on a bit of extra effort as well, and I got 2 PR's going up Tytherington hill ..

 

[Twilkes]

Big chain skip this morning, just as I was pushing down on the pedal, sending my foot forward and the bike sideways. After watching many episodes of Silent Witness, I can see that the impact was initially taken by the ring finger of the left hand, followed by the majority of the force on the butt of the left wrist, before turning onto the right hip bone and dissipating the rest with a few judo rolls.

A second's self pity on my back before getting up, waving to the van next to me that I was alright, and walking my bike to the side of the road.

And then my trackies fell down.

By way of an update, I spent most of Monday resting my hand on a sock filled with ice cubes, which made an excellent makeshift icepack - and also, I should wager, a rather bracing weapon.

After a painful night, on Tuesday morning I went to A&E for an x-ray and discovered that a piece of bone had been pulled away by a ligament, so four weeks in a soft cast. It's annoying, but the worst is over with, and it underlines why not to leave maintenance for another day, as I've had a replacement chain and cassette sitting in my wardrobe since Christmas which would have prevented this.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

By way of an update, I spent most of Monday resting my hand on a sock filled with ice cubes, which made an excellent makeshift icepack - and also, I should wager, a rather bracing weapon.

After a painful night, on Tuesday morning I went to A&E for an x-ray and discovered that a piece of bone had been pulled away by a ligament, so four weeks in a soft cast. It's annoying, but the worst is over with, and it underlines why not to leave maintenance for another day, as I've had a replacement chain and cassette sitting in my wardrobe since Christmas which would have prevented this.

Ouch... I'll go and clean the 2 bikes now then!
we have a bag of peas kept in the freezer for this reason (I'm allergic to anti-inflamatory drugs)...

 

[mrmacmusic]

By way of an update, I spent most of Monday resting my hand on a sock filled with ice cubes, which made an excellent makeshift icepack - and also, I should wager, a rather bracing weapon.

After a painful night, on Tuesday morning I went to A&E for an x-ray and discovered that a piece of bone had been pulled away by a ligament, so four weeks in a soft cast. It's annoying, but the worst is over with, and it underlines why not to leave maintenance for another day, as I've had a replacement chain and cassette sitting in my wardrobe since Christmas which would have prevented this.

Ouch! Maybe I'll fit that chain and cassette soon myself....

 

[MisterStan]

By way of an update, I spent most of Monday resting my hand on a sock filled with ice cubes, which made an excellent makeshift icepack - and also, I should wager, a rather bracing weapon.

After a painful night, on Tuesday morning I went to A&E for an x-ray and discovered that a piece of bone had been pulled away by a ligament, so four weeks in a soft cast. It's annoying, but the worst is over with, and it underlines why not to leave maintenance for another day, as I've had a replacement chain and cassette sitting in my wardrobe since Christmas which would have prevented this.

Nasty! I hope you GWS.

 

[mrmacmusic]

Following yesterday morning's fall, my hip was quite uncomfortable cycling home last night and pushing up hills was tough, even in much lower gears than normal. I was pleased though that the chap from the LBS, who had initially been sceptical about being able to do anything with my bent front wheel, had actually managed to get it 98% true, or thereabouts. He also straightened up the rear mech, and fettled the rear hub whilst he was at it as he thought it was running a bit stiff (top marks for service, as I only asked him to straighten out the bent bits, and he only charged me £20 )

Climbing the stairs last night was more problematic than normal, so I was all set for seizing up overnight and possibly having to take alternative transportation today, but I felt much better this morning and enjoyed an un-dramatic commute this morning.....




....with the replacement Marathon Winters fitted

Yes, I know it was milder today, but the forecast is for the temperature to dip again towards and through the weekend, so I reckon there's no point in not using the studded tyres, at least for a few more weeks. Heck if it starts to get warmer, I can switch over to the Madone anyway

 

[BSRU]

Following yesterday morning's fall, my hip was quite uncomfortable cycling home last night and pushing up hills was tough, even in much lower gears than normal. I was pleased though that the chap from the LBS, who had initially been sceptical about being able to do anything with my bent front wheel, had actually managed to get it 98% true, or thereabouts. He also straightened up the rear mech, and fettled the rear hub whilst he was at it as he thought it was running a bit stiff (top marks for service, as I only asked him to straighten out the bent bits, and he only charged me £20 )

Climbing the stairs last night was more problematic than normal, so I was all set for seizing up overnight and possibly having to take alternative transportation today, but I felt much better this morning and enjoyed an un-dramatic commute this morning.....




....with the replacement Marathon Winters fitted

Yes, I know it was milder today, but the forecast is for the temperature to dip again towards and through the weekend, so I reckon there's no point in not using the studded tyres, at least for a few more weeks. Heck if it starts to get warmer, I can switch over to the Madone anyway

Seems to have turned out not too bad for you in the end.
I have a choice of two bikes for the winter, well three, my main commuter with normal tyres and my old main commuter with studded tyres, so all I have to do is decide which one to use and change the Garmin bike setting.

 

[HLaB]

change the Garmin bike setting.

I've set up the different profiles but most of the time I forget to change it All my current bike have 23mm tyre and the device is set to auto calibrate (wheel sensor) if present, so other than calorie calulation (based on my lightest bike) I don't think it matters and Strava recalculates that anyway.

 

[mrmacmusic]

Seems to have turned out not too bad for you in the end.
I have a choice of two bikes for the winter, well three, my main commuter with normal tyres and my old main commuter with studded tyres, so all I have to do is decide which one to use and change the Garmin bike setting.

Cheers BSRU Yes, it could've been a lot worse...

I suppose I have two choices as well – the Boardman (back sporting studs), or the Madone. Thankful I was on the hybrid yesterday, and really rather enjoyed the 'snap, crackle and pop' accompaniment to today's commute having the Winters back on, even though they were technically not required for the under-tyre conditions. Having been on the Contis for the last week whilst sorting out replacements, I'd forgotten how well the Winters roll when run at maximum pressure.

Cheered me up a bit when, despite not being 100% myself today, my legs still managed to reel in a chap who was riding a road bike (turned out to be a Cube). I've never seen him before on that section (Sauchie to Alloa, A908/B908/B909), although at first I thought it was Specialized-guy who I do see occasionally and who scalps me every time on the subsequent section of my commute!

Having reeled Cube-man in, I'm sure I would have at least momentarily passed him had he not been turning right at the roundabout where I turned left. We exchanged pleasantries about how it was a nice morning as we both headed different ways at the roundabout, but I'm sure he had a puzzled look trying to work out why I had been making so much noise approaching him from behind, or maybe he was just wondering how I managed to catch him up on my heavy hybrid with breakfast cereal tyres.... frankly, I was wondering how I managed that myself, but I'm not complaining

 

[GrasB]

Now that is good......
Makes me want to move to Cambridge lol

Thing is it works & is obvious when it's not working, the same can't be said for http://www.wunderground.com

 

[fossyant]

Hmm, studs and heavy thermals might be coming out for tomorrow. Minus 4, cloudy, chances of rain.

 

[400bhp]

Sort of new bike today with new wheels and other bits and bobs - first time out since before christmas. Forgotton how enjoyable it is.

Had an arse try and undertake me here when i was going right. I knew it was going to happen from the engine note approaching the prior junction (10 yards behind the street view). I just stopped in the middle of the road-called him a cock and continued. Apparently I should be on the left.

He stayed a distance behind me from then on

 

[Kies]

I have no idea mate low speed road was a bit rough but nothing id worry about tbh but as you can see something went horribly wrong somewhere...................



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stop being a jezzabel - a couple of cable ties and your good to go!

 

[fossyant]

Blimey, that was a cold return. Strong cold wind. Brrrrr