Tales from today's commute....

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Crikey what a ride home. Deserted on the bus way saw 3 cyclist and 2 joggers.

When I said earlier I have bonded with the MTB, when I got off tonight I thought I physically had! You know its a tough slog home when the muscles in your arse ache.

I really love the more extreme weather for some reason, an tonight although it was achingly tough it was some how enjoyable,

Anyway I am off for my dinner and the wife is going to massage my thighs like a true Tour de France champ!

 

[HLaB]

Just went to the supermarket on the way back to the flat and got back to local Armageddon reports on Faceboke. FFS I don't think they'd actually been out, it wasn't that bad; certainly nothing compared to the 90mph+ gusts and blizzards up north

 

[Hip Priest]

Had a terrible commute home.

1) 4 x 4 pulled out into my path forcing me to brake. Driver responded to my open-palm 'WTF?' gesture by winding his window down and either apologising or yelling abuse (I couldn't tell), so I blew him a kiss and we parted pays.

2) Almost got right-hooked at speed by a woman in a Ford Ka. Thankfully I could see it coming and was ready to brake.

3) Slid on black ice whilst taking a corner. Managed to stay upright, but still shaken.

4) Got overtaken closely by a woman in a Micra, who proceed to cut sharply into my path in order to get her wheels on either side of the approaching speed-bump. Again, I had to brake to avoid her whipping my front wheel away.

I've got to take the train tomorrow for other reasons, and I can't say I'm disappointed.

 

[400bhp]

not a great commute home - first time in ages I had negative words with a nobber cabbie. Undertook me and then got caught at the inevitable lights 200m down the road.

He wouldn't wind down his window and did the old looney sign with his finger around his ear - seriously fella, you want me to use the left lane to enter the mway you farkwit. I decided to cycle in front of him and just stared at him with the old ker gesture. Tosser

Traffic was pretty heavy - some of the narrow lanes and wide cars makes it difficult to filter too.

 

[fribbleblib]

New here - five mile each way commute.

Saw 100 or so soldiers walking into Cathedral wearing kilts this morning!

Spoilt a couple of minute later by very close pass by local taxi firm. I was doing about 18mph in a 20mph zone, so he was breaking max speed limit with school children aboard as he sped away from me.

 

[Keith Oates]

Pea Soup fog for me coming into work this morning, had to slow down many time as a black shape appeared in the fog which turned out to be peds or Electric Scooters. Glad to arrive in work safely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[steveindenmark]

Had a terrible commute home.

1) 4 x 4 pulled out into my path forcing me to brake. Driver responded to my open-palm 'WTF?' gesture by winding his window down and either apologising or yelling abuse (I couldn't tell), so I blew him a kiss and we parted pays.

2) Almost got right-hooked at speed by a woman in a Ford Ka. Thankfully I could see it coming and was ready to brake.

3) Slid on black ice whilst taking a corner. Managed to stay upright, but still shaken.

4) Got overtaken closely by a woman in a Micra, who proceed to cut sharply into my path in order to get her wheels on either side of the approaching speed-bump. Again, I had to brake to avoid her whipping my front wheel away.

I've got to take the train tomorrow for other reasons, and I can't say I'm disappointed.

Stop braking and start running into them. It is a national campaign we should start for 2014. :0)

Steve

 

[potsy]

Back on the bike after yesterday's rest day, bit nippy and some drizzle but a decent ride in.

Early morning cyclists are getting rarer though, only remember seeing 1 in the whole 10 miles

 

[BSRU]

Again lovely weather for riding, a little breezy but at least it kept the frost away and sunshine(after sunrise).

Encountered two separate cockwomble car drivers who seemed to think the they were on a race track of some kind.

 

[martinclive]

So - if all the RLJers give us a bad name - this morning redressed the balance

Had first puncture of the winter on the Cambridge Busway just south of Westwick - about 12 / 15 cyclist passed me while I was fixing it - at least 8 slowed and asked if I was ok / got what I needed etc (including one lady) - strangely it was almost an enjoyable experience!!!!!!

So thanks to all those people as individuals and for the good name they give cyclists in general

 

[apb]

There's a lady driving an suv who drives along Melville drive in the bike lane. I'm pretty sure she has no idea what she is doing is wrong or how wide her car is. I'm just glad i'm not in the bike lane in front of her.

She has kids in the back so i don't bang on her roof yelling abusives [sic], while SPDing her car.

 

[Gez73]

Traffic was a lot heavier than normal at six this morning on the early part of my commute. A little wet and a little windy but nothing to worry about. Didn't see a single cyclist until very near work. Can't say I blame them! Everything in boiler room for now. I don't mind Winter commuting but I always worry about the weather forecasts the night before. Stay safe however you choose to travel.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I just seem to be getting slower and slower. Roads were very wet this morning, so I was taking it easier on bends and turns but my speed seems to have disappeared over the last few weeks, at this rate by the time I need the ice bike, I will be going backwards. Also I think the pads on the disc brakes might need changing, I've done just shy of 7,000 miles on the current ones, anyone any experience on how long they should last?

 

[Origamist]

Felt a bit tired today. I have also developed a fetching red nose due to "cycling snot burn" (that's the official medical term, btw). Will have to start using Vaseline....

Looking forward to stuffing my face at an Indian restaurant tonight....

 

[I like Skol]

I have had some lovely commutes this week. IMO the weather has been quite mild, so mild in fact that I returned to wearing shorts. The expected wind was good enough to avoid the times when I was riding so there was no struggling with head and crosswinds.

I have also had some very pleasant smells to accompany my commute. When riding to work in the evening I get the whiff of curry as I go through the centre of Denton past all the curry takeaways. I have also had some fabulous aromas from the Sunblest bakery at Bredbury, one morning earlier in the week it smelled like they were baking Hot Cross buns or similar and today got a full waft of freshly baked bread. Just as I get nearer to home in Ashton I pass near the biscuit factory and often get a smell of Nice biscuits...... I always arrive at my destination feeling hungry????

The commute really is the best part of the day