Tales from today's commute....

[The_Cycling_Scientist]

Today I went out to my bike and had a flat front.. was to late to repair it so I pottered off on the other half's dutch style Raleigh.. Gosh a fixed gear bike with a huge basket is slow and heavy when I got back pumped the tire back up... Extreme slow puncture it seems so I'm braving it tomorrow with pump in tow just incase, (plus the people that fitted it last week are at work again tomorrow so might have to go have words). one day and I missed having power, agility and a hunched over the handles position! Might actually wear longer trousers tomorrow though as it's forecast for colder snaps... looks like winters coming!

 

[Spartak]

Homeward journey wasn't great, left later than intended, and didn't have my good lights on for the almost dark cycle path. And I'd forgotten that the tunnel was shut (I haven't been that direction for a while.

Anyway I thought I would try a more main road route but the main road was stationary, so I decided to go back to the back streets and promptly got lost. Lots of stopping and looking at a map! I can't wait till they finish. View attachment 60887

Staple Hill tunnel closure caught me out last week 8-(

Good commute this morning - even managed a 4th place on a Strava segment !!
Not as cold as forecast either I think the cloud cover helped.

 

[BigAl68]

Not as cold as I expected this morning and I had dug out my merino long sleeve jersey and had a windstoper jacket on also. The jacket came off after 10 minutes but the merino will be great when its a few degrees colder, possibly tomorrow if the weather men get the forecast right looking at the current forecast. May have to find my merino socks also but I rather like it when its proper cold in the mornings as long as there isn't too much ice on the roads etc.

 

[400bhp]

Summer bike out today - dry and reasonably cold.

Nearly got wiped out by a chap going straigt on at a cross roads when I was on the main road. A loud shout and at least he stopped dead in the middle of the road and didn't broadside me...

 

[Panter]

Managed to avoid the rain again this morning, but still overheated as it is wasn't as cold as it felt.
Felt weak as a kitten on the way in though, this is only my second week as a full time cycle commuter so I guess it might be catching up with me a bit.

 

[fossyant]

Saw Mr Angry again this morning. He was waiting to pull into the main road as I passed. Never saw him again as the traffic was backed up.

One good reason not to respond to ragers as there is a good chance you will see them again on a commute.

 

[summerdays]

Went past the scene of a cyclist lorry crash. It's played on my mind the whole of the rest of the journey with me not paying attention properly. And then nearly had someone I know vaguely have to stop very quickly in order not to drive into me (I was stopped already since it was too narrow for me to pass her).

 

[Origamist]

Bib longs and thermal gilet this am - first time since April. 2C but the wind was light.

Road resurfacing work between Tatton and Ashley meant the road was closed. I ignored the sign and continued - the road was in a bad way but still rideable. Further along a workman said it was OK to continue - so I did.... Not sure I'll go that way home though...

Will remove the guards and put the ice tyres on the fixed this weekend - that will guarantee no ice until 2015.

 

[summerdays]

I also pulled out of a side road after checking it was clear both directions and all but hit a car as it reversed out of a drive. I think he loose as surprised as me as we ended up next to each other in the middle of Redland Road.

 

[Origamist]

Was -0.3C at 6.30 this evening - I'm anticipating a cold start tomorrow. Layer up, folks!

 

[potsy]

Was -0.3C at 6.30 this evening - I'm anticipating a cold start tomorrow. Layer up, folks!

Bit nippy coming home at 7pm but the buff and winter tights helped keep me warm.
Long time since I've had to do any real filtering due to the 'off-peak' times that I'm on the road, tonight was an exception though.
The local park has a huge firework/bonfire tonight and the roads around the area are packed, no problem for me

 

[Exile]

Cold this evening, took the scenic route to avoid the inevitable traffic chaos brought on by Manchester City at home. First thing I found out about my scenic route is it's not very scenic in the dark. Secondly, I found out it's also a bit colder down on the track than on the roads, nothing uncomfortable, but certainly a noticeable drop. Pleasant ride though, oncoming riders with supernova lights aside.

Didn't avoid all the numpty drivers though, had one almost pull out on me. No bother really, but things like that do keep you on your toes.

 

[BigAl68]

The bike computer was showing zero degrees this morning when I left at 5am but didn't feel that bad. It had warmed up to a balmy three degrees by the time I got to work. Lots of frosty cars but the cycle path and roads were safe and I had a lovely ride in.

I was digging around in my winter cycling stuff last night and forgot that I was bought a set of Neonight lights back in the spring and had only used them a handful of times. They are blue neon magnetic snap on lights so I charged them and wore them on my arms and it was ace as it felt like I was riding a light cycle in Tron and I am sure they made me far more visible riding across Bristol to the hospital. I am sure I was making wooshing noises to myself at some point...

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

I seem to have missed the weather for days so today's cold spell was a bit unexpected!
Anyway ended up having to warm my hands on my rolly polly belly as I cycled along
Finally an advantage to me eating all the pies!

 

[DWiggy]

1deg in Gravesend this morning, a little chilly but soon warmed up, quite refreshing actually