Tales from today's commute....

[Deleted member 1258]

Lovely ride in this morning, flying along with a slight tail wind, great fun, unfortunately I developed a touch of the sniffles during the day, plugging away into a head wind with a nose running like a tap tonight wasn't fun.

 

[subaqua]

On my way home this evening, I visited a shop near my house to pick up some cans of beer The owner of the shop has only been there for a couple of months and has gone out of his way to attract customers. He has actively encouraged me to bring my bike inside when I'm in search of lager.
This evening, a fellow customer, a David Bellamy look-alike approached me....

Him: "I hate cyclists!"
Me: "?????????"
Him: "Bringing your bike in here, blocking the shop. You lot ride on pavements too"
Me: "Actually, I don't ride on pavements"
Him: "I hate cyclists"
Me: "That's fine by me. Hate away"
Him " At least you don't get angry like the rest of them"

WTF?

the Londis by me where I buy my beer from also encourages me to bring bike in. some shops understand .

 

[Exile]

Couple of idiot drivers today, heading in transit van brushed past with less than a foot to spare, then hung left at the fork 10 yards further along. Good job, close pass and left hook in the space of three seconds! One of the few times I've actually been shocked to the point of an actual word escaping my lips rather than an exasperated sigh.

Then on the way home an impatient driver revved as the lights ahead went green, traffic (and myself) started moving but then, shock of shocks, the light went to amber as I was approaching. So I stop, and he does too, still revving a little whilst we both wait a minute and a half to get the green light again. Wonder if he'll now complain about all cyclists jumping red lights, "Except that one who didn't and stopped me jumping the light!"

Enjoyed seeing (what I assume to be) a father and his son out riding. It's good to see the next lot of cyclists out and about picking up a bit of road sense. Spotted them once or twice in the summer, and it's nice to see them even when the weather's getting a bit more miserable and the days are shorter.

 

[fossyant]

Decent ride home. Fallowfield loop is getting quite thick in places with dropped damp/slippy leaves. 23mm are coping fine, so long as I don't try and turn too quick or stop/accelerate too fast. Makes a nice 3.5 mile traffic free break into my commute.

 

[Spartak]

Good ride into work earlier although still quite windy - hopefully it'll blow be home later ???

 

[Simontm]

Slow today, only 13mph as I have the lurgy

Numpty count: 2 - one boy racer hacking it about 60 forcing me to brake (went pass him at the end of the road as he was stuck behind another car trying to turn right ) and a 4x4 who was in the straight on/right lane but decided to turn left instead - luckily I had thought to stay behind him.

Actually possibly 3 because a bus refused to pull out from a stop on a hump back despite me waiting for him so I overtook (oo me legs)

Actually possibly 6 if you count the 3 numpties with their stolen lighthouse lights on the front. Serious guys, this is south-west London not the Black Forest. Be seen, not blind every single oncoming person be it driver, cyclist, biker or pedestrian.

on the plus side: Got an enthusiastic "Thank you young man" from a WVM that I let go first (I think I was actually older than him!); Some very good driving behaviour on most of the route and I almost crashed at Carshalton as I got a cheerful Good Morning from someone heading the opposite direction as he crossed over from Mill Lane

 

[BSRU]

Had a nice chat with the guy on the white Giant road bike this morning.
Turns out before work, when our paths cross, he goes for training rides and is a vet racer, not to shabby apparently(explains why it's hard work just staying with him).
Talked about the cycling club he rides with and I'll take a look at them later, as I'm considering joining one.

Also tried out my new Gore windstopper baselayer, under a normal long sleeve top, what an excellent piece of clothing, no problems with the strong cold wind even when riding at 25mph downhill straight into it.

 

[robjh]

Nice ride this morning, dry and with a bit of wind behind me as I threaded around the southern edges of Cov. Slow this week though as I am on no. 2 bike, my tourer with leaden Marathon Plus tyres (heh, no punctures though !), and am averaging under 16mph compared to usual 17.5 or so on no. 1 bike.

 

[fossyant]

Had a chat again with the fella on the Ribble. Offered help to two other cyclists who had punctured but both were OK.

 

[jagman.2003]

Commute in was in drizzle with headwind. But still managed decent average speed.
Not many other commuters on this route but caught up with another chap on the final stretch. I almost felt sorry for him as he was trying his best to pull away from me with the head wind. Out of the saddle sprinting. Just didn't have the motor to do it. I zipped passed as soon as coast was clear.
I'm on the new winter bike now. Claude, the Claud Butler San Remo. Full mudguards, lights & 28mm tyres. It's working out well, not the lightest. But very comfortable compared to previous aluminium frames.

 

[BigAl68]

It was all about the bats this morning. They seemed to be far more lively today possibly as there was no wind. I had one fly inches from my face and it was a cute little furry thing.

 

[Arjimlad]

A nice run in with a headwind on the way south down the A38.

The only noteworthy matter was a nice old orange VW Beetle whose driver simply got bored of waiting patiently behind me on a windy country road, and overtook in the face of oncoming traffic, leaving very little room for me.

Obviously not a careful custodian of such a classic car !

 

[confusedcyclist]

It was all about the bats this morning. They seemed to be far more lively today possibly as there was no wind. I had one fly inches from my face and it was a cute little furry thing.

Pigeons, I find are worse, and fly straight at your head... less cute!

On the heavy MTB as lost a spoke on my road bike wheel yesterday. Difference between the bikes on ride in to work is night and day!

 

[Hacienda71]

Had a chat again with the fella on the Ribble. Offered help to two other cyclists who had punctured but both were OK.

He will think you are stalking him.

 

[Hacienda71]

First ride in for three days due to a virus. Disturbed a big buzzard which flew up right in front of me, very impressive creature. Then had a visit from the fairy. Had my first opportunity to use the Co2 jobbie. Worked really well, still keeping the pump though. Although delayed by the puncture nice to be back on the bike.