Tales from today's commute....

[Simontm]

Brisk, cold ride in on wet roads. No ice - looks like the salt shower yesterday morning had done its work on the Portsmouth Road as well as the bike!

Numpty count: 1- Van pulled out of side road as I was going down a slope and made no effort to push his speed up to match oncoming traffic. But bless the poor van driver who looked to his right in astonishment as I was forced to overtake him. I gave him a thumbs up and he apologised - don't think he realised that bikes can actually go that fast

One thing that I think must have amused another WVM on the way in was me shaking my head at someone who just would not take the gap. All these years since I passed my test, I really don't understand how people are blissfully unaware or unable to judge how wide their car is.

 

[ianrauk]

Blimey o'reilly that was hard work this morning. Woke up to the sound of rain on the velux and a temperature gauge showing only 2degress. Which ain't bad as it meant any snow that fell over night would be washed away and there won't be any ice. I decided to wait for the rain to stop and do a shorter commute today. And glad I did. The headwind was a bastard. Really had to work even going downhill.

Saw only 2 other cycling commuters today. A roadie going in the other direction and a lady on a sit up and beg. I spoke to her at the lights. She does 5 miles either way in all weathers. I told her she is putting a lot of other cyclists to shame of which she laughed.

Fingers crosses for a friendly, helpful tailwind God for this afternoon's commute home.

 

[Gez73]

Dodgy in some places this morning but made it here okay. Stuck using the tracks made by cars on some roads so have held up a couple on the way. One beep but not directly at me. Aimed at the driver hanging back behind me the beeper might not have realised I was there at all. Winter tyres put on last night and time well spent it was too. Should be fine for ride home this afternoon. My dog is loving this weather so not at all bad. Gez

 

[summerdays]

A tad cold out there, just warming up now!

 

[fossyant]

More snow overnight. Still to many tank commanders out though (snow covered windows)

 

[Exile]

Fitted the winter tyre to the front of the CX bike this morning. Would've done both ends but underestimated just how long it takes to pull a Marathon Plus off the rim and stick a Marathon Winter on.

Made for a much safer commute than it would've otherwise been, and once I got comfortable with the rear stepping out, and more importantly worked out how to do it on command, I could literally power slide around the slushier corners. Great fun!

 

[Biscuit]

Opted for the MTB this morning as getting to a clear main road from my village was 'interesting' last night. Thus a slow ride in, but got there eventually. Bits of snow and ice either end, with some clear n' slushy road in-between. Worth coming in as Wiggle have delivered, , ready for bike build at the weekend.
Not looking forward to the 'Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz' of the MTB tyres all the way home, so may opt for some off roady bits in there somewhere on the way back.

 

[donnydave]

Drove in today, managed to avoid knocking someone off their bike due to the fact that I was looking more than 10 yards ahead. Saw the start of a cycle path approaching on the right hand side of the road and thought to myself "I'll just wait a second before attempting to pass this cyclist as he may want to get onto the cycle path." Sure enough, right arm flies out and he swerves across the road in one single motion, not even glancing behind to see if it was clear.

I then though to myself "I don't fancy that path, looks a bit frosty, if that was me I would stay on the road". As joined the path in an equally unpredictable swerving motion he promptly slipped and fell off.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Gorgeous ride in today, like travelling through Narnia. mrs in the car complaining of slush and queues.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Great fun this morning, had a few slides despite being on the ice tyres, they really do not like the snow and slush. Luckily it all seems to be melting now.

When I got into work I had to remove a load of ice off the bike, I was surprised it was still going the amount of crud that was on it.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Blimey o'reilly that was hard work this morning. Woke up to the sound of rain on the velux and a temperature gauge showing only 2degress. Which ain't bad as it meant any snow that fell over night would be washed away and there won't be any ice. I decided to wait for the rain to stop and do a shorter commute today. And glad I did. The headwind was a bastard. Really had to work even going downhill.

Saw only 2 other cycling commuters today. A roadie going in the other direction and a lady on a sit up and beg. I spoke to her at the lights. She does 5 miles either way in all weathers. I told her she is putting a lot of other cyclists to shame of which she laughed.

Fingers crosses for a friendly, helpful tailwind God for this afternoon's commute home.

@ianrauk

Why have you taken off your mycylinglog ticker?

 

[ianrauk]

@ianrauk

Why have you taken off your mycylinglog ticker?

Don't know really. Just fancied a change.

 

[Hip Priest]

The snow studs were great this morning. I'm normally forced into a longer dual carriageway route in icy conditions, but today I rode on the icy shared paths with full control. Well worth the outlay.

 

[AndyRM]

More snow overnight. Still to many tank commanders out though (snow covered windows)

That's a brilliant name for them!

I clocked a lass peering out of a small square she'd carved into her windscreen this morning. She'd rolled her window down for a smoke and I thought I'd have a chat:

"Looks like you can see bugger all out of that! Can you see the road?!"
"Not really, but I'm very late for work."
"Fair enough, but you'll be even later if you crash because you can't see..."

I was expecting a scoffing response but she seemed to have an epiphany and I saw her pulling over further up the road; she gave me a beaming thumbs up as I went past!

That's my good deed for the year done, I can now be a twat for the next 11 months.

 

[paul04]

1st time I've ridden the bike in snow, I found keeping out of the car tracks(some of which had frozen overnight) and keep the bike in the snow gave more grip, 6 mile ride into work and snow all the way, only one little slip of the front wheel where I went over a white line on the cycle lane.

And a lot of silly drivers too lazy to clear the car of snow, I lost count of the cars who just put on the front wipers, then started to drive, all other windows covered in snow+front and rear lights covered in snow,

Took this picture when I was almost at work