Tales from today's commute....

[ianrauk]

First cyclo-commute into work for a long time today. Not sure I really like the last couple of miles on my new commute from Greenwich along the A200 into London Bridge. The rest of my commute (down the A21 from Orpington) remains unchanged, but it's that last bit (A200) that is much busier and full of ninja cyclists.

However, was a lovely sunny morning. Forgot how much I like getting my exercise fix done as part of my commute.

Thought you have been quiet bud. Yup the A200 can be a pain with idiot cyclists. I do the road now and again when I have felt the need to stretch the commute, but only to Rotherhithe Roundabout (then back to Greenwich through Surrey Quays).

 

[Stevie Mcluskey]

Went longer way home last night (approx 15 miles). Felt most of the journey that something wasnt quite right with some gear changes and pedaling up last hill seemed to notice some play at chainset.
Checked out when in house and it looks like bottom bracket at chainset side is slack and plenty of play in spindle when moving pedals.
Bit annoyed as its my new Sirrus (5 weeks old) and has only done about 50-60 miles. Phoned Evans and i'm taking bike in on Friday. Should i be requesting new bottom bracket as i dont know how long its been loose or will it be okay for them to check and retighten.
Was due its 6 week check over but bit disappointed with this.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Went longer way home last night (approx 15 miles). Felt most of the journey that something wasnt quite right with some gear changes and pedaling up last hill seemed to notice some play at chainset.
Checked out when in house and it looks like bottom bracket at chainset side is slack and plenty of play in spindle when moving pedals.
Bit annoyed as its my new Sirrus (5 weeks old) and has only done about 50-60 miles. Phoned Evans and i'm taking bike in on Friday. Should i be requesting new bottom bracket as i dont know how long its been loose or will it be okay for them to check and retighten.
Was due its 6 week check over but bit disappointed with this.

I had an issue with my BB on my Sirrus, turned out it wasn't fitted correctly, LBS took it out and refitted it and it was fine until it packed up a few months later and they replaced it under warranty.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Doc's appointment this morning so in a hurry
Pulling a trailer so more cumbersome

Of COURSE the fairy would visit this morning!

 

[benb]

I was filtering past heavy traffic, and saw a car had not started moving when the traffic in front of them had. I thought "I bet they're texting or something" and lo and behold I was correct. Their window was open, so I sarcastically called through "Maybe if you hadn't been texting you would have seen the traffic had started moving".

They uttered some foolishness in response.

 

[ianrauk]

I was filtering past heavy traffic, and saw a car had not started moving when the traffic in front of them had. I thought "I bet they're texting or something" and lo and behold I was correct. Their window was open, so I sarcastically called through "Maybe if you hadn't been texting you would have seen the traffic had started moving".

They uttered some foolishness in response.

See that a lot. Car not moving, usually because the driver is otherwise occupied with a phone.

 

[Nocode]

I do the A200 every day, it's the worst bit of my ride , especially from the bit from the Surrey Quays one way system to Tooley Street. As you say, full of nobbers who cant ride bikes in a sensible way, either roadies trying to win the TdF or noobies who havent got a clue. I tend to just take it easy for that section, no point getting into a incident caused by someone elses mistake.
I saw an arguement outside Bermondsey Tube this morning caused by two nikes coming together as they tried to get round a parked bus.

Absolutely agree. I've just been taking it easy down that road. There's a fair bit of traffic at points and I'm just inclined to stop and hold my position in the lane rather than weave in and out of traffic (even if stationary) to get to the front. Even saying that, I don't particularly like the road - it's pretty bumpy at points!

Thought you have been quiet bud. Yup the A200 can be a pain with idiot cyclists. I do the road now and again when I have felt the need to stretch the commute, but only to Rotherhithe Roundabout (then back to Greenwich through Surrey Quays).

Yeah, been reading the forums periodically. Haven't commuted on the bike for a while because of triathlon training and the specific bike sessions it entailed. Just couldn't afford the extra time/fatigue that cyclocommuting would add. However, I've already had my A race of the season (Outlaw Half in Nottingham) so just enjoying getting back to my non-specific training!

Never know, one of these days I might see you on my A21 commute!

 

[ianrauk]

Yeah, been reading the forums periodically. Haven't commuted on the bike for a while because of triathlon training and the specific bike sessions it entailed. Just couldn't afford the extra time/fatigue that cyclocommuting would add. However, I've already had my A race of the season (Outlaw Half in Nottingham) so just enjoying getting back to my non-specific training!

Never know, one of these days I might see you on my A21 commute!

Nice one...

Yeah, surprised we haven't bumped into each other seeing as we live so bleedin' close. You still on the Trek?

 

[Nocode]

Nice one...

Yeah, surprised we haven't bumped into each other seeing as we live so bleedin' close. You still on the Trek?

Yeah, and I look really daft because it's got clip-on aerobars on it Will probably keep them on for now as still doing the bike leg of the London Triathlon in August (part of a relay team) and still need to do a bit of TT-esque specific training at the weekends and can't be bothered to keep taking them off/on.

I think we've tended not to cross paths because I set off around 6.30am. In the evenings I head home anywhere between 5-7pm depending on stuff going on at work.

 

[HLaB]

I had an issue with my BB on my Sirrus, turned out it wasn't fitted correctly, LBS took it out and refitted it and it was fine until it packed up a few months (5000 miles) later and they replaced it under warranty.

 

[GrasB]

Well if the BB wasn't fitted properly to start with there may well have been damage done to the bearings. Then a short life till they give up.

It's like I never have had problems with BB30 bottom brackets. I spend ages press-fitting them correctly, but they don't break for me. A friend of mine had BB30 bearings replaced a few times, not since I put them in though, same OE replacements as before.

 

[ianrauk]

Yeah, and I look really daft because it's got clip-on aerobars on it Will probably keep them on for now as still doing the bike leg of the London Triathlon in August (part of a relay team) and still need to do a bit of TT-esque specific training at the weekends and can't be bothered to keep taking them off/on.

I think we've tended not to cross paths because I set off around 6.30am. In the evenings I head home anywhere between 5-7pm depending on stuff going on at work.

Yeah I'm usually at the top of Bromley Hill at about 6pm for the evening commute. But also surprised not seen you about local rather then just the commute.

 

[Nocode]

But also surprised not seen you about local rather then just the commute.

True, is a little odd.

I'm a creature of habit and at weekends tend to cycle out into Biggin Hill > Westerham > Brasted > Otford > Shoreham > Eynsford and back into Orpington via Swanley. Sometimes extend it out into Kemsing and West Kingsdown. For longer rides I tend to head down Staplehurst. Not sure if you ever frequent those routes?

 

[ianrauk]

True, is a little odd.

I'm a creature of habit and at weekends tend to cycle out into Biggin Hill > Westerham > Brasted > Otford > Shoreham > Eynsford and back into Orpington via Swanley. Sometimes extend it out into Kemsing and West Kingsdown. For longer rides I tend to head down Staplehurst. Not sure if you ever frequent those routes?

I do, especially Eynsford, but these days a bit further out, Essex, Herts etc.
Have you seen THIS, you are more then welcome to join us

 

[AboutLee]

Nice fast pace home today. Following a car when lights changed to red and the women didn't have time to stop in time and stopped in the ASL box. Cyclists told her she was in the wrong for stopping, which I had to but in and say she was allowed as lights were changing. Sorry cyclists im with the car this one.