Tales from today's commute....

[ianrauk]

Gloriously sunny this morning, but a little chilly so had to push those pedals a little harder and faster. Managed a good speed to work today helped by a little SCR. Cracking commute - even the car drivers behaved themselves.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Feck me Greg - where do you live? It's very rare I've had abuse from a driver. You seem to get it a lot.

The northern-eastern bit of West Sussex. I think it is a rural, sub- and intra-urban thing.

The A281 south of Horsham, where most conflict occurs, is a 'special' road, ridden and driven on by 'special' people. Cyclists, especially peak hour cyclists, are a relative rarity. Cyclists who hold secondary rather than gutter hug, or, God forbid, takes primary when the need arises , rarer still.

I used to think it was me and the way I ride. But I've too many colleagues who cycle to/from work (inc. one who uses an almost identical route to me) who experience the same as me, or worse - I've never had a MaccyD milkshake thrown at me on a commute, week in week out to feel that way any more.

I could change my route, and go where the hills have chevrons, but I prefer to ride in one way and home another. And I don't see why I, or anyone else, should be bullied off a particular road but a knuckle-dragging loft insulation operative in a defective vehicle.

 

[400bhp]

The northern-eastern bit of West Sussex. I think it is a rural, sub- and intra-urban thing.

The A281 south of Horsham, where most conflict occurs, is a 'special' road, ridden and driven on by 'special' people. Cyclists, especially peak hour cyclists, are a relative rarity. Cyclists who hold secondary rather than gutter hug, or, God forbid, takes primary when the need arises , rarer still.

I used to think it was me and the way I ride. But I've too many colleagues who cycle to/from work (inc. one who uses an almost identical route to me) who experience the same as me, or worse - I've never had a MaccyD milkshake thrown at me on a commute, week in week out to feel that way any more.

I could change my route, and go where the hills have chevrons, but I prefer to ride in one way and home another. And I don't see why I, or anyone else, should be bullied off a particular road but a knuckle-dragging loft insulation operative in a defective vehicle.

Completely - must get tiresome and grind you down though.

You have my admiration. I would have resorted to another route by now I guess.

 

[BSRU]

First opportunity to ride the road bike for a couple of weeks and how much more fun I had .
Need to make the most of it as it will soon be serviced, and for various reasons, stored for the winter being replaced by the bike equipped with ice tyres.

 

[benb]

Gloriously sunny this morning, but a little chilly so had to push those pedals a little harder and faster. Managed a good speed to work today helped by a little SCR. Cracking commute - even the car drivers behaved themselves.

I like the cold. The cold is just nature's way of saying "cycle faster"

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

Greg, you really are a Taliban Wheeler. Get a grip mate.

 

[J.Primus]

Going home would have been fairly uneventful if it wasn't for the fact that my sister had forgotten her bike lock combination and couldn't get her bike out of the lock up to cycle to work this morning.
As a result I had to cycle right past my house, up through Hackney and then to where she lives in Clapton all whilst riding a fairly flash looking bike whilst looking scruffy with a pair of bolt-cutters sticking out of my rucksack.
How the police didn't pull me over I'll never know...

 

[Beebo]

I worked late last night an drode home at 11.30pm, London at that time is a great place to ride. This morning I got stuck behind a tar lorry at the lights and almost choked to death!

 

[dodd82]

Had a nice ride in this morning - went for all road so that I could stop at Tesco for my lunch :-)

There are a lot of instances where a vehicle would be regarded as too close, but I think it's just one of those things - not worth stressing about.

My only frustration is having to stop twice to sort out my Magicshine light - those o-rings are a pretty average idea

 

[gambatte]

Cage today
Reminded me SO MUCH why I like the bike.
I really dislike driving.

 

[dodd82]

Have people on here seen the weather forecast?

Gulp.

 

[fossyant]

Have people on here seen the weather forecast?

Gulp.

Yes, I was hoping it was a lie, and that I could get back home at lunch (1/2 day) but it's now hissing down. Grrr

 

[400bhp]

Could have strangled the cyclist that decided to RLJ onto the A34 at what felt like he passed within 10cm

Too many lights down the A34 to catch the nobber.

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

Had a nice ride in this morning - went for all road so that I could stop at Tesco for my lunch :-)

There are a lot of instances where a vehicle would be regarded as too close, but I think it's just one of those things - not worth stressing about.

My only frustration is having to stop twice to sort out my Magicshine light - those o-rings are a pretty average idea

I wrap some old inner tube round my handle bars then put the magicshine on and the o rings, they grip to the inner tube, the o rings need to be stretched well so there tight, I've had no problems last winter with movement since I did that.

 

[dodd82]

I wrap some old inner tube round my handle bars then put the magicshine

Thanks - someone else suggested that too.

Is that to stop it slipping?