Tales from today's commute....

[markharry66]

Finally new bike day or so I thought, years ago I wouldnt use local bike shops I would cycle ten miles to go get bikes re-paired so shockingly sh*t was the service that decahlon was my only option that was a decade ago, so I thought things may have changed. Just got the second hand giant defy so knew there would be problems with it. First local bike shop stopped at as was out on it and thought might bet lucky with it and might just be a re-index job so booked appointment for following sat was there at 9am dropped it off promised phone call as they cant do job without quote, no phone call called at three only to be informed bloke that does quotes is off none of which i was informed about before I dropped bike off otherwise would have gone elsewhere. Finally got phone call, only minor work and brake needed some work. Left work early to pick it up, given the run down what they had done and hadnt done the brake so had to wait for that.

Got on the bike, changed gear and off course bike gears slipping, so as far as I am concerned complete waste of money bike is exactly the same as was when took it in. This local bike shop wont get my custom again and sent me an email asking for good google review (can go get ducked).

Took it in to small local bike shop on Sat as need back up bike for commuting into work. Told would be done same day ( was impressed).
Dropped off at 9am no phone call so called at 12 only to be told it had been fixed (again impressed with service not the follow up communication rubbish). Picked it up due to weather this weekend not had a chance to try it out.

Took it to work this morning got two less than two minutes down the road and clunk gears slipping all in the same places I am £50 lighter for nothing. Less than impressed might as well done it myself. I like to support local business but in future you wont be getting my custom. I dont have time to continually ship the bike back and forth will be using Decathlon in future I can see why did in the past, my local bikes shops lack customer services and are for want of a better word sh*t.

 

[fossyant]

The bike probably needs new chain, cassette, and to be safe, gear cables. Can get that lot for about £50. I assume they just indexed it. Sticky dirty gear cables cause bad shifts and ghost shifts.

 

[fossyant]

Looks like I'm not commuting this week. Severe back pain at the same spot I broke my back. Just hope it's not anything sticking into my spinal cord, like a disc as I'm missing half my L1 - it's a cheese wedge shape (well it was the last time it was scanned some years ago). Can't even walk, never mind sit at a desk. It's not done this for years.

 

[cyberknight]

1st commute and ride this morning for nearly 2 weeks, still a bit sniffly and definitely lost fitness

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Changed rear wheel yesterday (buckled, beyond my skills to repair), and found tyre soft though not completely flat this morning.

"Bugger. Should change the tube but too lazy". So rode in expecting to have to stop at any moment, but just checked and still completely solid now. A mystery.

The weird inexplicable intermittent clanking continues. So not the rear wheel. And not the drive train as it also happens freewheeling. Front wheel runs smooth and silent, no play (on the stand at least). Another mystery.

 

[Arjimlad]

Looks like I'm not commuting this week. Severe back pain at the same spot I broke my back. Just hope it's not anything sticking into my spinal cord, like a disc as I'm missing half my L1 - it's a cheese wedge shape (well it was the last time it was scanned some years ago). Can't even walk, never mind sit at a desk. It's not done this for years.

Really hope this gets better soon!

 

[HLaB]

Solid headwind on route to the station and every light and pinch point was against me which meant I got to the train a few minutes early rather than 10. To find the bike compartment took up by a large unsecured cyclocross frame lying at 45deg. I asked him if minded if I secured it up right and he was really worried about scratching his bike and moved it completely out of the way. He still insisted on keeping it out of the way after I secured my bike which fitted into the space better and made space for 3bikes (There's been 3 in there before). At least he was a nice friendly fellow and I feel a bit rotten at getting him to move.

Edit he was only one stop.

At least it should be a tailwind to work.

 

[ianrauk]

Dark, cold, damp and grimy under tyre. Not very nice out at all. It's tough going on days like this.

 

[markharry66]

wobbly start with gusty winds, freezing rain and deekheads informing me how I should ride on the road. Apparently now should give way A holes in cares at traffic lights do one. Mr self entitled followed me beeping his horn and tell me the error of my ways all ended in a giant f off and an invite to come and discuss it road site, challenge not accepted. Rest of the ride in wet, horrible but enjoyed it wasnt cold had winter gloves on and over shoes. I was expecting to be soaked when got to work funny not the case.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Weird clanking noise getting much worse last night, and got louder on applying front brakes.

Tightened headset to no avail, so bit the bullet and removed the forks, fearing damage to the steerer. Looks pristine (surprisingly so given 8 years of commuting through winters!).

Put a dab of oil on all the front wheel spoke crossovers as a last resort.

Today - silence. Who knows what solved it.

Otherwise, British winter weather: cold, cloudy, miserable without being in any way exceptional. Roll on the winter solstice.

 

[Gwylan]

The down side of being a one car household. Very first world
Have to go 3 km into town for a professional appointment. Should be reasonably smart.
Wind is vicious and rain near horizontal.
Trading off vanity versus common sense and wearing waterproof over trousers.
Watching the hourly weather forecast, but think the decision is made.

 

[fossyant]

Solid headwind on route to the station and every light and pinch point was against me which meant I got to the train a few minutes early rather than 10. To find the bike compartment took up by a large unsecured cyclocross frame lying at 45deg. I asked him if minded if I secured it up right and he was really worried about scratching his bike and moved it completely out of the way. He still insisted on keeping it out of the way after I secured my bike which fitted into the space better and made space for 3bikes (There's been 3 in there before). At least he was a nice friendly fellow and I feel a bit rotten at getting him to move.

View attachment 755072

Edit he was only one stop.

At least it should be a tailwind to work.

I'm sure this is the same picture every day, just re-cycled ! LOL Groundhog Day

 

[biking_fox]

Surprisingly damp for a dry forecast yesterday - both ways, but better today, just an edge in the wind. Light traffic east riding.

 

[Arjimlad]

Grey, damp, plus (1) attack by the driver of a white Mercedes coming round parked car on his side of the road into my path, (2) endangered by a dullard idiot in a Quashqai overtaking despite there being no room in front of me, and (3) astonished by an older woman doing her HSBC banking transactions on handheld mobile phone in her cutesy Audi TT with vanity plate. Onward to victory!

 

[Gwylan]

Grey, damp, plus (1) attack by the driver of a white Mercedes coming round parked car on his side of the road into my path, (2) endangered by a dullard idiot in a Quashqai overtaking despite there being no room in front of me, and (3) astonished by an older woman doing her HSBC banking transactions on handheld mobile phone in her cutesy Audi TT with vanity plate. Onward to victory!

Take names and numbers!
Come the Revolution, when the petrol runs out.