Tales from today's commute....

[paul04]

A day off work today so no commute, so it gave me a chance to clean the commuter bike, its amazing how dirty a bike can get just by cycling on the road.
even the bike pump (which is next to the bottle holder) had water in it, so had to clean that+plus put a bit of oil on it

Checked all the lights over and changed batteries where needed, cleaned and oiled the chain.
I even washed all my wet weather clothes, so a busy day

 

[Ollie W]

Didn't cycle yesterday due to my knackered legs but rode in today in my nice new Wiggle Honda top - shame I look like a bit of a tit because it's a little short with my belly! Had a compression layer on underneath at least. Bike made some weird clanging noises from underneath me on the way home, will have a little look tomorrow on my day off and see if I can work out what it is.

Really need something to go over my undershorts that isn't jeans!

 

[wilkotom]

Nearly got wiped out by an RLJer trying (and failing) to avoid being stopped by Plod at the junction between Stonecutter Street and Farringdon Street.

Then later on down Balham Hill the bus in front of me slowed right downto about 8mph just after Burger King. I couldn't see what was up ahead so hung back. When the bus eventually pulled in to the next stop, I overtook to find the source of the delay - some guy on a cheap MTB wearing a hoodie riding impossibly slowly in primary and puffing away on a spliff, the aroma unmistakeable.

 

[MichaelO]

Didn't see the actual accident, but came across a cyclist who'd been right hooked as he headed down from Tooting Bec to Broadway. Looked shaken, but OK. Made me extra alert all the way home!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Very windy ride home tonight, at least it was sunny

 

[HLaB]

Seemed really slow in town with drivers/peds and jams all over the place but once out of town and headed into the countryside, despite the strong headwind I was going a continuous pace and other than the wind it was the perfect night.

http://www.strava.com/activities/83291348

 

[crazyjoe101]

1. Why do motorists always look left before pulling onto a road, surely you should look right?

I think it has something to do with the Catford one way system if yours happened there too. I once had a guy pull out in front of me (from my left out of the entrance to Catford Station) whilst looking left, he was going left so there was absolutely no reason to be looking that way. He didn't see me until I hit his car (albiet very slowly after attempting to brake but locking the back wheel). The next day the exact same thing happened except I managed to stop before I hit 'em.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Bloody tough going coming home, big head wind, but at least it was dry, looking forward to the better weather as soon!

 

[kipster]

Had a MGIF this morning, doing 24mph in a 30 limit, wasn't too bothered though as I drafted him for the next mile or so and with him in front the pinch points were much easier to get through,

 

[BSRU]

A good ride in today, dry, light breeze and about +9 plus no problems with traffic.
The Bianchi road bike that I thought was going to be used in some decent SCR yesterdayturned out to be a 1885 Bianchi, a black one.
The user looked inexperienced, too big a gear when pulling away from the lights and too much time looking at his left pedal trying to get the cleat engaged.

 

[ianrauk]

Nearly got wiped out today by a left hooker. Scary stuff. Good thing I reacted quickly and have very good brakes. Was scooting along the A21, about 20mph in the bus lane. A silver Merc pulled alongside, overtook and did a sudden left turn into Lewisham Hospital. I managed to turn left also whilst scrubbing off the speed. Stopped within an inch of my front wheel hitting his passenger door. Damn near shoot my pants. Tosspot driver.

 

[fossyant]

No rain this morning which was a bonus. Couldn't try out the new (replacement) overshoes !

 

[ianrauk]

A good ride in today, dry, light breeze and about +9 plus no problems with traffic.
The Bianchi road bike that I thought was going to be used in some decent SCR yesterdayturned out to be a 1885 Bianchi, a black one.
The user looked inexperienced, too big a gear when pulling away from the lights and too much time looking at his left pedal trying to get the cleat engaged.

I see this all too often on my commute. All the gear roadie cyclists too. Nothing like a little bit of anticipation to go into the lower gears when slowing down so you can pull away quicker.

 

[subaqua]

Nice ride in this morning, decided to try out my new items from wiggle, my new tights not something i have ever worn in my life previously and my buff, even though it was 11 degress, once i got going the benefits of both items was obvious, all in all got to work without any real incident apart from some twat messing around on maryland r/about, actually two twats one being a minicab yay..

Maryland RAB has a cockend of a design. The taxi office at the station is always a PITA as the cabs park on the zig zags for the zebra ( as does the driving school cars !!)

 

[BSRU]

I see this all too often on my commute. All the gear roadie cyclists too. Nothing like a little bit of anticipation to go into the lower gears when slowing down so you can pull away quicker.

Maybe my example of sprinting away in a low gear might register with the rider, especially as I pulled away very easily despite going up a 1km drag on a bike at least 14kg heavier than his Bianchi.