Tales from today's commute....

[geekinaseat]

yes I was riding my 8c Elliptigo to work

You are mad... but fair play!

I am intrigued about them though, are they harder work than a bike? How quickly can you go?

 

[Ollie W]

Finally picked up the Crosstrail after a week and a half and by God was it worth it. Have never used thumb shifters before but will never go back to twiddling the handlebars after today - they may only be Shimano Acera but they're brilliant. Rode from the LBS to work and found a neat cycle path along the main road utilising the pavement. Promptly got to work and realised the keys to the lock were cable tied to the lock and I had no scissors, but a street seller let me use his scissors.

The ride home was tough. Wet, dark and hilly and I was in a hoodie and jeans. That will change after a little trip to Evans Cycles up in Guildford tomorrow I think. The bike needs the seat lowering but apart from that it's perfect. Can't wait to get going properly!

 

[Spartak]

Drizzle in Brizzle this morning

 

[ska1903]

Nice quiet cycle to work for me which is the usual considering the route I take, thought I might see some other cyclists considering it's cycle to work day but hey ho.

 

[MisterStan]

Mizzle.

 

[Beebo]

That was the first properly damp autumn morning of 2013. Lights on all the way in.

 

[Nocode]

Yep, dark and drizzly this morning. Bike was nice and filthy when I got into work. The baby-wipes made a brief appearance!

 

[fossyant]

Just slightly damp on the roads, foggy in places, longer route taken !

 

[robjh]

Rode home in full-on rain last night, in full-on waterproofs for the first time in yonks. I haven't missed this weather.

Better ride this morning though, just the finest drizzle and no special protection needed. Had a brief chat with another rider going through Cov, which is rare, I don't see many other cyclists on my commutes.

 

[Frood42]

Up at 05:00, ugh, went for another 30 mile roundabout trip (~2hrs 20mins) into work this morning (direct route is 4 miles ).

It was still warm enough for shorts, but there was quite a bit of drizzle about, and my lights were on and flashing all the way into work.
Started off with a drizzle, then the rain was on and off as I moved across London (in and out of the rain clouds), got a little wet, but hopefully the radiators will dry everything off before I head home.

I ended up getting into work an hour early (rather than half an hour early) so I took my time, had a nice long hot shower, and then ready at my desk for nice relaxed 09:00 start.

 

[morville78]

Despite several weather forecasts saying it would be dry today, my 18 mile ride into work this morning (through south London into the City) was wet. I'm pretty certain it got wetter by the mile. In fact, I think I was following the rain clouds.

It's amazing how much better a hot shower can make you feel.

My dilemma now is how am I going to get my soaking wet cycle clothes dry before my journey home this evening.

 

[Ciar]

I normally reside in newbie progress, but i only really post my commutes so on that basis I have switched allegience, this morning was fun until I was just in front of the welcome to Leytonstone bridge and the fairy whos name shall not be mentioned came to visit, had fun as this was the first time i had to fix a puncture with the new marathon plus tyres on, 10 minutes later nearly up and running, got to the war memorial realised it was still a tad wobbly, checked deflated pushed in tyre inflated and got into work 15 minutes behind time!

all in all not bad, just wish it happened closer to work, now have to pick up some correct innertubes as the one i am using isn't built for the new tyres ;-)

 

[HLaB]

Lol, they got that forecast wrong Grey, Still but Dry; well they they got the first two right I think after last nights 24miles in I was drier! Took me a while to warm up this morning but by the time I got to the Fens in the absense of a headwind I was flying and the average started to creep up. The same school bus as yesterday caught me just as I got to Yaxley and I rembered he was good yesterday so when I saw a good driveway I pulled into it and let him by. Shortly round the corner he was stopped to pick up kids, Lol. Overtook there with just over 3 miles to the school (Stanground Academy) I was expecting him to catch me again but he never did I was going a good pace. Got to the school however, and had to stop for the pelican; it killed my speed but hey ho. Unfortunately just as I was pulling off I was too busy watching to see if a school run van would pull out and didn't see the diesel which caused a tiny shimmy but led to a clipless moment The following MPV driver was very concerned (to which I'm grateful) but I was more embarrassed A bit of a cut on my knee and a red not even road rash, pinky and shoulder was the only damage. Picked my self up and got motoring again, talking of motoring, when I got to town the little bit of rain had encouraged everyone into the car and I had to filter carefully through quite a bit of traffic.

Actually now I've finished typing I think the forecast is finally coming true.

My Route

 

[ianrauk]

Nearly got taken out by a school run mum on the A21 this morning. Good thing one of us was paying attention. No indication from her or nothing. Just pulled straight out into me. How I didn't crash into her I don't know. So when I had finished giving her a piece of my mind, she pulled out again, once again without looking and nearly took out another cyclist. Jesus wept woman. WAKE UP.


Oh yes, it was drizzle rain all the way in.

 

[Frood42]

Unfortunately just as I was pulling off I was too busy watching to see if a school run van would pull out and didn't see the diesel which caused a tiny shimmy but led to a clipless moment The following MPV driver was very concerned (to which I'm grateful) but I was more embarrassed A bit of a cut on my knee and a red not even road rash, pinky and shoulder was the only damage.

Bike ok?
Good to hear there are drivers who will stop to help.