Tales from today's commute....

[A Cyclist]

There was this car that turned into me (red line)near Wiggenhall depot while I was coming downhill (blue line) but I managed to dodge and continued without a crash or going off the bike. I was with floure..jacket and enough lights etc. Somehow the driver thought he could get away faster. I sped past him (with a loud 'Oiii') and waited for him. He stopped and lowered his screen to apologise. I gave him a quick talk about cyclist's safety and their dependents and the driver to live with that in case of an untoward incident. He felt very bad, apologised again and promised never to repeat.

What would you have done in a similar situation?

 

[potsy]

My winter boots made their first outing of the season today. Toasty.

Mine make regular appearances throughout the year, definitely glad I had them this morning though
Skullcap and buff were needed too, and the long fingered gloves.

Nice and bright coming home, every now and again I felt the heat from the sun and thought I was overdressed, then turned the corner and felt the biting wind and was glad I was wrapped up.

 

[Origamist]

Virgin Super Voyager today - faster than cycling, but nowhere near as pleasurable.

 

[donnydave]

There was this car that turned into me (red line)near Wiggenhall depot while I was coming downhill (blue line) but I managed to dodge and continued without a crash or going off the bike. I was with floure..jacket and enough lights etc. Somehow the driver thought he could get away faster. I sped past him (with a loud 'Oiii') and waited for him. He stopped and lowered his screen to apologise. I gave him a quick talk about cyclist's safety and their dependents and the driver to live with that in case of an untoward incident. He felt very bad, apologised again and promised never to repeat.

What would you have done in a similar situation?

covertly follow him home, note the address, return in the night and hammer frozen sausages into his garden

 

[paul04]

Got all my clothes ready last night as I knew it was going to be cold this morning. so glad I did, nice and warm on the way to work
seen a ninja rider this morning, all in black, no lights on the bike and even worse, had headphones on
Also seen 4 cars without any lights on

The ride home was a challenge, headwind/crosswind 3/4 of the way home, at one point I was doing 7 mph, but still the sun was out and even went the long way home

 

[Vikeonabike]

The bike seem in better state than me (but my main injury is limited to my right calf, thank god the hill climb was last week ); just the brake lever needing straightened on the face of it; it held together for the tailwind assisted ride to work and thankfully I didn't have to use the calf (going home might be different ).

Your colleagues didn't say what the next step was to be if any.

I'll try and find out but if she has run into the back of you on a straight road without any other contributing factors, then due care would be the minimum.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Brutal ride tonight, 17 miles of tailwind followed by the hardest 9 miles of headwind I have ever ridden into to. I was stood on the pedals going downhill trying to get some speed. Then to top it all it started to rain for the last couple of miles, bitterly cold rain straight in the face, lovely, plus I had to stop and turn my lights on. Still wouldn't swap my bike for the car though

At least it has built up my appetite

 

[Vikeonabike]

Brutal ride tonight, 17 miles of tailwind followed by the hardest 9 miles of headwind I have ever ridden into to. I was stood on the pedals going downhill trying to get some speed. Then to top it all it started to rain for the last couple of miles, bitterly cold rain straight in the face, lovely, plus I had to stop and turn my lights on. Still wouldn't swap my bike for the car though

At least it has built up my appetite

I've only got 17 miles.. but its heading into 17miles of the best headwind the fens can muster!

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

The weather today was sadistic, in fact all week its been sadistic. 26 mph on the flat going in, 14 on the way home.
My legs are very tired, in fact I need new legs, I have worn these out I think.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I was dropping the car off for service this morning, drove to the mechanics house, got the bike out the car, gave him the keys and pedalled of to work, down to the roundabout flying with a tail wind thinking this is fun, then I turned on the roundabout and almost stopped, that wind was wicked, that was the hardest ride to work for sometime, and it was cold, I'd swapped to a winter jacket but hadn't put any gloves on, my hands were freezing! The ride home was better, warmer with a tail wind, I'd got the hammer down a bit flying before the wind trying to make the garage before it closed, great fun, between Nuneaton and Coventry I encountered just one green light, all the others on red, I recon thats just about typical.

 

[Spartak]

Cold ride into work tonight, luckily I was prepared & wore my winter jacket and bibtights

Passed a cyclist on Gloucester Rd. mentioned to her that her rear light wasn't working ! To which she replied I know the batteries have ran out !

Why do people ride at night with NO lights ???

 

[BSRU]

This time of year weather wise can be a pain, needed to wear the windproof stuff as the wind was bitterly cold but out of the wind it's too warm for the windproof clothes.

 

[MisterStan]

Well, as has been mentioned by @kevin_cambs_uk the wind last night did bite back. Still managed to average over 16 mph home, just over an hour for the journey which is a normal run if i'm pootling.

This morning I did a trial run using a Dahon folder that I've borrowed from a mate. I've never ridden a folding bike before - they are fun! Left the house half an hour later than usual, jumped on the bus to Cambridge. Alighted at the Science Park and unfolded the Dahon, then a quick jaunt over the river and got to work in time to make a cup of coffee.
So I probably saved about half an hour, also a bonus was that I got to have breakfast with my daughter and a smooch with the wife.

 

[HLaB]

Just a short slow commute for me today but thankfully my right calf is easing off it was agony yesterday (sharp pain and ache) just a dull ache today; I think I'll postpone that visit to A&E further. Took the path of least resistance/conflict which is pretty easy in the morning; at night if I want to do the same it involves a bit of a detour.

 

[apb]

Put on a thermal top, thinking it was going to be bitter. Sweating on the way in.