Tales from today's commute....

[summerdays]

Beautiful commute both ways though the roads were really quiet this morning and temperature perfect might just beat the home commute! Also met a large cargo bike on the Bristol ring road this morning, who replied to my good morning.

 

[Exile]

First full five day week of commuting. That deserves a pint and a chippy supper I think!

In other news, I appear to have developed, manufactured and fitted a cloaking device to my bike whilst I slept. That or the drivers who tried to share the same bit of road I was using just didn't care I was there. First was on the way in when a left turning taxi came very close to turning in to the side of me, never mind across the front of me. The second was on the way home when a car just drove off the forecourt of a shop and took his time moving back to his side of the road. Sometimes I do wonder if I should carry stink bombs and just pop one through the open window of any car who acts like a fool

At least the weather was nice enough to me, which lifted my mood a bit, and had a nice little chat at some lights with another cyclist whilst we were stopped at some lights which was nice too, even if it does mean I nearly missed it when the lights went green.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

A excellent day all round, my first 100km commute day

About time

 

[Origamist]

Almost bonked last night. Felt weak and light headed for the last 5 miles. Had no gels, so that was my fault.

In a bit of a bind, as can't spend more than 90mins each on the commute, so need a 19.5 to 20mph min av speed over the distance, regardless of the conditions. Will have to give up the crisps and work on the endurance. A Wednesday rest day looks like an increasingly sensible option.

 

[uclown2002]

You need gels on a 90 min commute?

 

[Origamist]

You need gels on a 90 min commute?

On a Friday, into a headwind, I need a thick crust pizza, not a gel...

 

[EthelF]

Context: Van driver has pulled aside at side road to let oncoming car pass. I am cycling a little way behind the car. Van pulls out in my direction. Road is quite narrow, parked cars mean it really is only single file traffic. In consequence, I nearly put a scratch down parked car's side as I avoid aforementioned van.

Additional information: I live in the corner house next to side road where van driver had pulled in. Thus car that nearly got scratched was that of friendly neighbour.

Conclusion: Don't call dickhead van driver a dickhead outside one's own house. This avoids the need to insert an additional local circuit to ascertain whether said dickhead van driver has 1) heard one's assertion that he is a dickhead van driver, 2) upon reflection on dickhead-like behaviour, taken umbrage at being called a dickhead and 3) decided to act as said dickhead accordingly.

Fortunately, dickhead van driver was either deaf or remorseful, or just couldn't be arsed. But still, I'm 42, for pity's sake, will I EVER learn?

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Having finished the shifter adjustments after replacing my shifter cables, and also the handlebar tape, and having installed a GoPro on the seat post facing backwards, it was a good commute this "morning" . To make room for the rear GoPro, I had to remove the Topeak Dynapack saddlebag, replacing it with a top-tube mounted bag, and was surprised at how much quieter the bike was! It seems that the dynapack saddlebag was making more noise than I'd realised.

The helmet-mounted GoPro generated 14GB of video for my ride to work, and the rear GoPro about 10GB, and that's just for the ride to work: the ride home is about 50% more time. I'll be making a video of my commute, showing the front and rear views simultaneously, probably top and bottom, because they record at 1080p with 16x9 aspect ratio. I just need to find video-editing software that will let me do that: any suggestions?

 

[Nigeyy]

Friday: I decide (perhaps unwisely) to cycle in as the weather forecast calls for a shower later in the day, past 6:00pm. No problem I thought, as I cycled cheerily in knowing I'd be leaving work at 5:00pm. I'll be out in plenty of time to get my kids (as my wife is away).

What happened: delayed at work getting out as a meeting overran, got out at 5:15pm..... no problem.... I'll just get going. Look out of the window and its p**sing it down. Oh well, that's what I have mudguards for. Get to bike, in a hurry, swing leg over bike..... pun*cture fairy at work in rear wheel! I have not had a visit in hundreds -maybe well over a thousand -miles. I couldn't believe it. Fumbled around in pouring rain changing inner tube, not pleasant.

The only day when I was late, it was raining, and I *had* to be somewhere. Unbelievable. What are the chances?

 

[GrasB]

You need gels on a 90 min commute?

Depends on how fast/hard you ride. You ideally want to replace the energy you burnt in-ride rather than post-ride so the body has lots of energy left over to aid recovery.

For most 90 min rides I do nutrition management is needed as I tend to ride on the swift end of the scale, from my impressions of Orgamist he rides in the same way.

 

[BSRU]

What a disaster, a painful bang the back of my left heel on a piece metal gardening machinery on Friday evening. Stupidly tried to ride Saturday morning but had to abandon it after 6km. Nice big very sore lump on ankle(the tendon I think, very painful if pointing the toes, like walking down stairs or cycling.
Desperate to cycle to work this morning but the lump is still there, although almost gone and not sore but still a little painful when walking down stairs.

 

[Stephen C]

Sun, tail wind and fresh legs... 'nuf said

 

[MichaelO]

+= +

 

[Shut Up Legs]

+= +

I second that! Not that Melbourne had much of , thanks to Autumn and a bit of , but the was very enjoyable, due to

• no incidents;
• legs felt fantastic;
• helmet-mounted and rear camera were being used for the first day, and performed very well.

Now I've worked up an and look forward to .

 

[GrasB]

Cool but not cold morning & lots of sun... I still want to know what they've done with the mountains & why my office is in Italy

Now I've worked up an and look forward to .

Surely that's "Now I've worked up an and look forward to ." ??