Tales from today's commute....

[midliferider]

I feel lucky to be alive tonight.
1. My commute route, designated (and numbered) cycle route, cross the end of dual carriage as it enters the town. I was at the traffic light to cross. Although the light changed to Green to let me cross, I could see a truck coming at speed and I realised that he wont be able to stop at light at that speed. So I did not cross. The truck managed to stop half way through the pedestrian crossing. If I had crossed, the truck would have hit me.
2. On the way home, there was a small section of road. I was at the T junction to turn right. The car turned right cutting the corner of the road that I was in I had to turned my wheel quickly to avoid car hitting the front wheel.
So I feel that I am lucky to be alive tonight.

 

[Exile]

Chilly again this morning, arm and knee-cum-leg warmers (being fat, things which fit around comfortably seem to be rather longer than needed, and dhb knee warmers are apparently pretty long to start with) were called for. Warmed up nicely by about the half way point so felt happy to remove the arm warmers. Promptly got cold arms. Other than that, and a black cab deciding that he'd overtake me before pulling in to the cycle lane to drop off a fare, the morning's commute was unremarkable.

Way home was a bit more eventful. HGV waited patiently behind me (nice) before deciding the perfect place to overtake was approaching a pinch-point (daft). Then there was the guy who stopped next to me at the lights and seemed less than impressed with Manchester Pride. Had a bit of a moan about it before suddenly stopping and, as if realising what he felt was an idle bit of complaining could be offensive, said "Oh, um, you're not gay, are you?". My reply? "It'd be awkward if I was, wouldn't it", and then the lights changed and he disappeared down a side street. Told my OH about this, and he agreed it would've been pretty awkward.

Then there was the traffic. This morning there was very little of the stuff. Tonight it was terrible. Near gridlocked in a couple of places, and even the usually quiet back streets were a little busy, likely as people tried to find ways around the congestion. A few good drivers about, though, including a couple which let me slot out of the cycle lane to pass (illegally) parked cars, and one who waited for me to pass when they could have pulled out and I wouldn't have though anything of it. Reassuring that there are still some good drivers out there.

 

[PlymSlimCyclist]

I feel lucky to be alive tonight.
1. My commute route, designated (and numbered) cycle route, cross the end of dual carriage as it enters the town. I was at the traffic light to cross. Although the light changed to Green to let me cross, I could see a truck coming at speed and I realised that he wont be able to stop at light at that speed. So I did not cross. The truck managed to stop half way through the pedestrian crossing. If I had crossed, the truck would have hit me.
2. On the way home, there was a small section of road. I was at the T junction to turn right. The car turned right cutting the corner of the road that I was in I had to turned my wheel quickly to avoid car hitting the front wheel.
So I feel that I am lucky to be alive tonight.

Stay safe midliferider!

 

[potsy]

First cycle commute for 2 weeks or so, who turned the lights out and sent the arctic temperatures at 5.30am?

After just 1/4 mile I was wishing I'd put my buff on, thankfully I did have some long fingered gloves and had remembered to put my good light back on.

 

[Lilliburlero]

First cycle commute for 2 weeks or so, who turned the lights out and sent the arctic temperatures at 5.30am?

After just 1/4 mile I was wishing I'd put my buff on, thankfully I did have some long fingered gloves and had remembered to put my good light back on.

I cycled to work at 05.30 yesterday in a polo top. I am 1/8 Tunumiit though.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

It is still raining ...
Weather is shite

 

[GrasB]

A nice quite commute to work on a bike for once. Wet & dingy but that doesn't matter as I was to work

 

[ChrisV]

20 minutes into journey and realised I had forgot my helmet!

Felt a bit nervous, more so because I keep forgetting random things!

 

[Mo1959]

20 minutes into journey and realised I had forgot my helmet!

Felt a bit nervous, more so because I keep forgetting random things!

So have you arrived where you were meant to be going? Hope you didn't forget that as well!

It's amazing how quickly you get used to wearing a helmet and it feels so wrong when you forget. I have carried on with my ride when I have forgotten but it felt a bit like driving without a seatbelt.

 

[apb]

back at work yesterday, after a week off. Was sitting in the office dreaming of not being here. So this morning i thought I'd go a different route to work. really enjoyed it.

 

[MisterStan]

A wet and windy start to the week, overdressed as I was expecting more rain. A bit quiet out there this morning - is that the Fair Weathers ducking the rain, or the last week of the holidays to blame?

 

[Hop3y]

Quiet morning but took it easy after a weekend of doing the gardening! Passed 250k for the month, which isn't bad seen as my commute is 6.5km!

 

[Hop3y]

Quiet morning but took it easy after a weekend of doing the gardening! Passed 250k for the month, which isn't bad seen as my commute is 6.5km!

 

[Origamist]

A strong Easterly wind and too much booze/food at the weekend made this morning's commute heavy going.

Only one incident of note: slowed to let a car turn into a junction (the traffic light ahead was red) but the driver behind me decided he didn’t want to wait and gunned it through the gap. His female passenger, pulled some funny faces and gestured wildly with her hands as she went past – presumably the incoherent anger was directed at me for ceding priority. I ignored her and pulled in behind. 800 metres up the road I'm still behind the driver of the same vehicle and he politely slows to let a pedestrian cross as the traffic light ahead was red. I resisted the temptation to undertake, gurn and gesticulate like a windmill at the passenger because I’m (generally) not a cockwomble.

 

[DWiggy]

Damn forgot my mugguard, looks like a wet bum ride home :/