The daily "I cycled to work" thread
Discussion
Hit a grating or some type of gridding that had fallen off a lorry on the way home last night. I made it home but the back tyre didn't enjoy it much... sidewall shredded, down to the Kevlar.
Train in today, bought a new Gatorskin from the local shop because it was only £26. Hopefully back on it tomorrow.
Train in today, bought a new Gatorskin from the local shop because it was only £26. Hopefully back on it tomorrow.
andyb said:
Got knocked off this morning. Second time in 3.5 years of daily commuting through London - not sure if thats good or bad.
Driver turned right across my path at a cross-roads, on a relatively fast road (I was doing 28mph before - luckily had scrubbed most off by the time of the impact). Hit the side of the car then the ground. Took a while for the adrenaline to leave and the bruises to start hurting but nothing broken (as far as I can tell) - just sore.
Think the bike is ok but off to the bike shop for an independent analysis.
On the positive side, lots of by-standers and other motorists were very helpful (I was a bit too shocked to be thankful at the time, so unfortunately I probably came across as somewhat ungrateful).
From last time's experience it will take a while for the back of the mind to be worrying about every car suddenly cutting across me.
A reminder, that however experienced you are, and however good you think you are at predicting danger, we are still vulunerable out there. Keep safe.
Hope it heals up ok, did you get the drivers details?Driver turned right across my path at a cross-roads, on a relatively fast road (I was doing 28mph before - luckily had scrubbed most off by the time of the impact). Hit the side of the car then the ground. Took a while for the adrenaline to leave and the bruises to start hurting but nothing broken (as far as I can tell) - just sore.
Think the bike is ok but off to the bike shop for an independent analysis.
On the positive side, lots of by-standers and other motorists were very helpful (I was a bit too shocked to be thankful at the time, so unfortunately I probably came across as somewhat ungrateful).
From last time's experience it will take a while for the back of the mind to be worrying about every car suddenly cutting across me.
A reminder, that however experienced you are, and however good you think you are at predicting danger, we are still vulunerable out there. Keep safe.
funkyrobot said:
Jeez. Glad you are ok.
Did the driver who hit you stop? Any chance of getting some money off them for repairs?
Thanks... Yes, they stopped. She wasn't especially apologetic but I suspect she was shaken up, and people react differently. Did the driver who hit you stop? Any chance of getting some money off them for repairs?
I got her details, and if there are issues with the bike, then I will go back. I thought carbon bikes were supposed to be a bit brittle, but looks fine. Her side door less so.
andyb said:
Got knocked off this morning. Second time in 3.5 years of daily commuting through London - not sure if thats good or bad.
Driver turned right across my path at a cross-roads, on a relatively fast road (I was doing 28mph before - luckily had scrubbed most off by the time of the impact). Hit the side of the car then the ground. Took a while for the adrenaline to leave and the bruises to start hurting but nothing broken (as far as I can tell) - just sore.
Think the bike is ok but off to the bike shop for an independent analysis.
On the positive side, lots of by-standers and other motorists were very helpful (I was a bit too shocked to be thankful at the time, so unfortunately I probably came across as somewhat ungrateful).
From last time's experience it will take a while for the back of the mind to be worrying about every car suddenly cutting across me.
A reminder, that however experienced you are, and however good you think you are at predicting danger, we are still vulunerable out there. Keep safe.
Glad you're OK, could have been a lot worse if she'd turned a second later and you'd had less time to scrub off speed. Where was that?Driver turned right across my path at a cross-roads, on a relatively fast road (I was doing 28mph before - luckily had scrubbed most off by the time of the impact). Hit the side of the car then the ground. Took a while for the adrenaline to leave and the bruises to start hurting but nothing broken (as far as I can tell) - just sore.
Think the bike is ok but off to the bike shop for an independent analysis.
On the positive side, lots of by-standers and other motorists were very helpful (I was a bit too shocked to be thankful at the time, so unfortunately I probably came across as somewhat ungrateful).
From last time's experience it will take a while for the back of the mind to be worrying about every car suddenly cutting across me.
A reminder, that however experienced you are, and however good you think you are at predicting danger, we are still vulunerable out there. Keep safe.
L
We ride all winter in the s
t so when it gets to this time of year you should be fitter and faster so you can ride for longer and enjoy the sunshine. I love this weather.I agree. How can the weather shown above be a bad thing? People will complain about anything.
I went for a run at lunchtime, about 15 miles away from Manchester, and it was great.
My bike goes much faster when it is warmer too. It's just a shame that I needed to drive in today.
S10GTA said:
cirian75 said:
don't like the look my of ride home
I fail to see the issue?We ride all winter in the s
t so when it gets to this time of year you should be fitter and faster so you can ride for longer and enjoy the sunshine. I love this weather.I went for a run at lunchtime, about 15 miles away from Manchester, and it was great.
My bike goes much faster when it is warmer too. It's just a shame that I needed to drive in today.
Edited by MC Bodge on Tuesday 30th June 19:19
TheAllSeeingPie said:
I had a similar issue where colleagues didn't like my bibs hanging from the coat rack. I did an extra long commute in and put them in the drying cupboard in the kitchen. After that no one has complained of them hanging on the coat rack. Sometimes people just need to be reminded things could be a lot worse 
My first day of compliance today and nobody even noticed. Clearly they were all very offended by them. On the other hand I climbed into kit that was someone more damp than it was in the morning but also cold and smelly. Tomorrow my towel will still be damp I expect. I just need to bite my tongue about it. While my 13 year career isn't really going anywhere I really shouldn't burn my bridges over this (I may discuss it with my boss again though). Instead I took it out on the owner of our 'Building a great place to work' project mailbox. This is the project that has the remit of improving sustainable travel options by improving our facilities yet has so far delivered new changing rooms that look lovely and function below the old set. It's as if someone read all the feedback then just did what they wanted anyway. 8 weeks post opening and nobody has asked for feedback yet. You've got to wonder how they are gauging project success.The only bad thing about this weather (unless you count getting sweaty as bad) is the morons it brings out. There are enough idiots on squeaky mountain bikes on my route in the winter. Now there are four times as many. Passed two of them reading their phones while swerving all over the place.
m444ttb said:
The only bad thing about this weather (unless you count getting sweaty as bad) is the morons it brings out. There are enough idiots on squeaky mountain bikes on my route in the winter. Now there are four times as many. Passed two of them reading their phones while swerving all over the place.
Just do as I did last night on the home stretch of my 80 miler. Two young lads, riding no hands, pointing phones at one-another and generally taking up all of the lakeside road (on which two Landrovers can pass each other with care). I timed my effort to coincide with a wobble to the left, and passed on the rearward oik's right hand side, with a loud "Oooogedy Boogedy Woogedy". Panic? I think he might have pooped his pants. Childish, but VERY satisfying. Oh, and no shirtless teenage boys were harmed in the telling of this childish story - he managed somehow to regain a grip on the handlebars as he wobbled to a halt. He didn't drop his phone, though! His mate (who'd been looking back, and had seen me) cracked up laughing. I'm hoping they caught it on video so that it'll appear on Youtube. yellowjack said:
Just do as I did last night on the home stretch of my 80 miler. Two young lads, riding no hands, pointing phones at one-another and generally taking up all of the lakeside road (on which two Landrovers can pass each other with care). I timed my effort to coincide with a wobble to the left, and passed on the rearward oik's right hand side, with a loud "Oooogedy Boogedy Woogedy". Panic? I think he might have pooped his pants. Childish, but VERY satisfying. Oh, and no shirtless teenage boys were harmed in the telling of this childish story - he managed somehow to regain a grip on the handlebars as he wobbled to a halt. He didn't drop his phone, though! His mate (who'd been looking back, and had seen me) cracked up laughing. I'm hoping they caught it on video so that it'll appear on Youtube.
That made me laugh! 
m444ttb said:
The only bad thing about this weather (unless you count getting sweaty as bad) is the morons it brings out. There are enough idiots on squeaky mountain bikes on my route in the winter. Now there are four times as many. Passed two of them reading their phones while swerving all over the place.
Still, much better than when they were in their cars on their phones swerving all over the place. Far easier to avoid Usget said:
Glad you're OK, could have been a lot worse if she'd turned a second later and you'd had less time to scrub off speed. Where was that?
Thats a very good point; could have been really nasty. It was on the A1 heading into town, just past Highgate tube. Oh well... much to my wife's annoyance, it will take more than this to put me off.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff