Tales from today's commute....

[Shut Up Legs]

I was just reading the UK weather report online. Felt freezing just reading it!
Much credit to you all for continuing to bicycle-commute in such weather.

 

[fossyant]

Added two seconds to one of my current KOM's and joint a joint KOM on another section (both off road). Knackered now. Both long ish KOMs, one 1.8 miles, the other 0.7. Also joint 5th on a road secment, on a MTB... eh ? Oh well cheers one up on a cold day.

PS anyone riding the Old Tunnel section, be careful, there is a log placed over the exit to the tunnel headding towards Tesco - it's on the left side. I spotted it in time - was approaching at some knotts, so swerved for the right hand exit. I'll move it tonight (for tomorrow's repeat attempt)

 

[Sandra6]

Pootling along yesterday, clear road (just a side street) lost concentration for a moment ,looked up to find a white van bearing down on me. Eek! Brakes squealed (only mine I might add!) and I swerved out of his way.
This was on my side of the road though. Almost wish I'd stopped dead (not literally!) in front of him. Idiot.

 

[dodd82]

Decent commute last night - the wind decided to blow into my face just as I embarked on my new nemesis, the beast of a hill, as I like to call it.

Only stopped once this time, and whilst that's probably a weak effort compared with some on here, I was proud of myself.

Already looking forward to my next crack at it!

Thanks to those discussing clip in pedals. Does anyone have any stats about how much it improved their performance?

 

[MisterStan]

First commute on the bike since last Thursday, obviously that meant I had to get a visit from the fairy.
A couple of close passes and one of those 'edging driver' situations made life interesting.

 

[HLaB]

Decided to repeat yesterday's commute but a little faster; sub 12.5mph travelling north and east out of town but once I turned round 14.8mph average. Got a SMIDSY at the very last mini, although they and I were moving slow (I was practically trackstanding in the middle of the roundabout and they were edging in and through but couldn't go anywhere the exit was blocked). when they continued to edge into the rbt I did trackstand and even though she saw me continued to edge out then stopped and saw me again and then edged out again then showed her discust that I didn't get out of the way

 

[ianrauk]

1st puncture for ages last night on the way to my night shift, didn'y fancy getting hypothermia so did a pump and run for the last mile or so.
Fixed in work with a warming coffee.

Battled the cold easterly wind again, really not fun this.

I was just reading the UK weather report online. Felt freezing just reading it!
Much credit to you all for continuing to bicycle-commute in such weather.

Also had a puncture. First one this year. Luckily I noticed it when I went to get the bike ready this morning so could fix in the relative warmth of the house. Cause was a tiny piece of wire. Took a bit of finding.

This time last year Victor we where bathing in Aussie type sunshine. This cold weather is dragging on a bit and is quite draining. Looking at the weather report we have at least another few days of the same. But we get on with it.

 

[mangid]

Could have done with crampons today!, Going up hill, came across 4m of sheet ice/slush across width of road, start going across it, maybe too gingerly, back wheel spinning, getting slower, no way I'm going to make it. Feet unclip, and start to slip all over the place. Manage to get stable, and direct bike to muddy gutter, and by hook crook, and spinning get to the other side. It's not supposed to be like this in March !

 

[GrasB]

Where was this hill?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Snow flurry on leaving home, very little wind for the first 3/4s of the ride in but bitterly cold and the air is incredibly dry, could almost feel it sucking the moisture out of my lungs. Last 1/4 the wind was up and agin me and Mallions Lane, the last large climb and a single track rural road, was covered in ice because there is just so much water running off the local fields.

But the 2013 route in is working very well. It's slower, no main road use to get out of town and get south/east and it's much hillier but for most of it now if I encounter six cars it is a busy ride. The first 500m is busy, the last 2km is busy unless I use the cycle route/path but otherwise very very quiet.

 

[Stevie Mcluskey]

Strange start to todays commute. Noticed just as leaving the house i was a front light down (never noticed last night when putting bike away) so presume lost on last nights journey home.
Other than that a nice bright fresh run in to work. Starting to notice and appreciate the lighter mornings and nights at last.

 

[DWiggy]

Going to start using SPD clips and shoes for the first time this week. Does everyone fall off at first 'cos I really don't want to ?

I fell of at least 3 times (Once in front of work colleges in full leotard!)

 

[DWiggy]

A very windy ride in today head/side winds and quite cold, couldn't spin my legs as fast as usual! (Still prefer riding in over driving though)

 

[mangid]

Where was this hill?

Alms Hill (has Hill in it's name ;-) ), climbing out of Bourn, just before the junction with Caxton Road.

 

[Lyrical]

Wind... more wind and some more wind.

Also an eerily quiet stretch along CS7 from Colliers -> Bec. Where is everyone?