Tales from today's commute....

[Dmcd33]

Very mild morning. Didn't take my snood and used summer gloves today!
Few cars red light jumping and the bike infront of me didn't seem to like stopping for them either! Apart from that pretty uneventful. Can't remember what frosty mornings feel like anymore. I'm sure Jan and Feb will remind me at some point!

 

[fossyant]

Bumped into @Edwards80 again this morning. Damp but mild commute. Extended loop done again at the end of my route. Missed last night's rain as well. Minor fettle needed to my new battery pack for my new chinese commute lights - added tape to the batteries to stop them rattling in the case causing the lights to switch off (using un-protected cells in this pack, so they aren't held as tightly as the protected 18650 batteries which are longer).

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Bumped into @Edwards80 again this morning. Damp but mild commute. Extended loop done again at the end of my route. Missed last night's rain as well. Minor fettle needed to my new battery pack for my new chinese commute lights - added tape to the batteries to stop them rattling in the case causing the lights to switch off (using un-protected cells in this pack, so they aren't held as tightly as the protected 18650 batteries which are longer).

I've got that issue with the battery pack, I've been putting little tin foil squares on top of the batteries to ensure a good connection, still doesn't work brilliantly. I am going to order protected batteries and try them next. When you say added tape, I presume you mean you have wrapped the batteries in electrical tape to make them thicker? I might try that if so

 

[fossyant]

I've got that issue with the battery pack, I've been putting little tin foil squares on top of the batteries to ensure a good connection, still doesn't work brilliantly. I am going to order protected batteries and try them next. When you say added tape, I presume you mean you have wrapped the batteries in electrical tape to make them thicker? I might try that if so

That's what I've done - added tape round the batteries (sellotape actually as no PVC tape at work). Don't have the issue with the protected (longer) batteries. I will test again tonight (23mm tyres at 110 PSI are a good rattle test).

 

[fossyant]

Just seen Katie Archibald with another female GB squad rider out for a lunchtime spin. She won the womens points race at Revolution last weekend. Very easy to spot with her blue/purple pony tail !!

 

[jagman.2003]

First commute in. Generally good. New Garmin worked well.

Cree front light died somewhere in the last mile or so. Had it checked in the electrical lab downstairs & it was the charge/discharge board on the battery. They have ordered a new board for me & will have a go at fitting it for me. Clever chaps..!
Just got to get home with low visibility tonight.

Did some hill climbing over the Xmas break which seems to have paid off today. Reasonably good ride in over the hills.
I even cleaned the commuting mountain bike during the break. That made it go faster too!

 

[Christopher]

back to work with a vengance. Schools are back and the nearby industrial estate is fully open again after the break. Seems total chaos after the long break. Fitness is coming back as well, after struggling the last three days I am feeling stronger now. Drivers not too bad, ta to the Renault Megane driver who let me through first at a pinch-point

 

[MrGrumpy]

Windy as f... this morning again :/ Looking better this afternoon though. Defo mild, overdressed which was probably why I wa a big sweaty mess.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Today was my first ride in of 2014.
Today was my first ride in for many months.
I had to execute an emergency stop on the first roundabout, just 50 metres from my front door, when a Ms Smidsy in a silver Yaris just pulled out in front of me when I was already on the roundabout turning right. She at least had the good grace to mouth 'sorry' before departing. I just gave her a nod and went on my way thinking 'twas ever thus.'
It was a deliberately slow ride in, took an hour and ten rather then the fifty odd minutes of last summer and the other 19950, or so, metres were uneventful other than for a slight boil in the bag feeling.
Hopefully the return, whilst darker, will be equally uneventful.

 

[fossyant]

Got lost.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Little wind, but replaced by lots of water

 

[fossyant]

Took an extended route home. Missed a left turn as the road had completely changed with all the metrolink works in Wythenshawe. Ended up down some backstreets, along a closed road, down a disused cycle way and ended up somewhere near the airport. Realised when I saw The Hilton and a plane on the runway. Doubled back along another road and got back to Styal Road from there back through Heald Green where I was supposed to be going. Added 2 or 3 lost miles making about 16.5 to home.

 

[I like Skol]

....... Realised when I saw The Hilton and a plane on the runway.........

Bl**dy tourists

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Took an extended route home. Missed a left turn as the road had completely changed with all the metrolink works in Wythenshawe. Ended up down some backstreets, along a closed road, down a disused cycle way and ended up somewhere near the airport. Realised when I saw The Hilton and a plane on the runway. Doubled back along another road and got back to Styal Road from there back through Heald Green where I was supposed to be going. Added 2 or 3 lost miles making about 16.5 to home.

Did you scalp the plane?

 

[I like Skol]

I must point out that I haven't turned a commuting wheel yet in 2014! Hope to do the first one when I go back to work on Sunday