The daily "I cycled to work" thread

[S10GTA]

I called for reinforcements this evening. I'm not cycling home in that!

[Gizmoish]

It's only water. You won't dissolve...

Although having said that I was nearly on the floor twice on Tuesday evening. Manhole covers are bloody lethal.

[paranoid airbag]

two weeks after starting my first proper cycle commute (I've done a lot of running around on a bike, but no traditional 9-5 before) - an epic three miles - I've found an alternate route. I'd consider myself a confident cyclist, but having to mix around with fairly fast traffic, early in the morning, in work clothes (lycra seems excessive over 3 miles IMO), just wasn't pleasant. So much happier now on a mix of slow town centre traffic and deserted cyclepath - the last 5 minutes I'm pretty much alone - if it takes me and extra five minutes, sod it, it's how cycling should feel

[AyBee]

S10GTA said:

I called for reinforcements this evening. I'm not cycling home in that!

WIMP!

I'm struggling to understand how shorts and tshirt with sunglasses on the way in can turn into shorts, tshirt and very wet for the way home

[The Walrus]

AyBee said:

Brilliant!

Worst I've managed was no underwear which resulted in going commando until lunchtime when I bought some new pairs. *Touch wood*

Snap and my bloody belt if I walked anywhere I had to keep my hands in my pockets to make sure I did give a strip show !!

[HereBeMonsters]

Here's my commute:



I tend to get the train in, then cycle home. It's not far, but the hills are pretty mental.

Strava's elevation profile is entirely wrong. It seems to be correct just after the ride, but by the time it uploads to the main website it changes it. Not only does it flatten or increase the overall climb, but it moves hills around and adds random extra ones.
The speeds and distances seem to match though...

[Kermit power]

HereBeMonsters said:

Strava's elevation profile is entirely wrong. It seems to be correct just after the ride, but by the time it uploads to the main website it changes it. Not only does it flatten or increase the overall climb, but it moves hills around and adds random extra ones.
The speeds and distances seem to match though...

I think that's because of people using iPhones and the like to record segments. They're crap at measuring altitude, and once the segment is created, it seems to stay like that. As an example, the flat road outside Chessington World of Adventures has, according to Strava, a 22% gradient.

[Gizmoish]

Kermit power said:

HereBeMonsters said:

Strava's elevation profile is entirely wrong. It seems to be correct just after the ride, but by the time it uploads to the main website it changes it. Not only does it flatten or increase the overall climb, but it moves hills around and adds random extra ones.
The speeds and distances seem to match though...

I think that's because of people using iPhones and the like to record segments. They're crap at measuring altitude, and once the segment is created, it seems to stay like that. As an example, the flat road outside Chessington World of Adventures has, according to Strava, a 22% gradient.

Example: http://app.strava.com/segments/1171773

It's dead flat. Not 24%

And the day I finally get a clear run through it, the KOM is mine.

[theboymoon]

Today I have no shoes at work.

Except spds.

That is all.

[AyBee]

theboymoon said:

Today I have no shoes at work.

Except spds.

That is all.

Matching suit sir?

[Kermit power]

theboymoon said:

Today I have no shoes at work.

Except spds.

That is all.

I did exactly that a couple of weeks ago. This is how I know the lazy bd shoe shops in Covent Garden don't bloody open until 10!

[theboymoon]

Fortunately its casual attire here and a lot of people are out today - got no client facing stuff so been skidding around in my socks!

1st time I've done that. Did shirt a couple of years ago, that wasn't great either.

Oh well, at least its July and a sunny dry ride home awaits.... oh.

[Mr E]

Gizmoish said:

Although having said that I was nearly on the floor twice on Tuesday evening. Manhole covers are bloody lethal.

I find white painted lines and knobbly tyres a fairly interesting mix. Two wheel drifts FTW!

theboymoon said:

Today I have no shoes at work.

Except spds.

That is all.

Done more times than I care to remember.

[TonyHetherington]

I leave my shoes in my desk at work - so just bring in shirt/underwear/trousers - find it works quite well.

[JQ]

TonyHetherington said:

I leave my shoes in my desk at work - so just bring in shirt/underwear/trousers - find it works quite well.

I go even further than that, I have an entire second wardrobe at work - shoes, belt, variety of ties, 2 suits, then I just bring in fresh shirts and underwear - I have now mastered the art of rolling my shirts and getting them in my backpack without creasing them, I usually bring in 4 shirts at a time, which enables 3 rides a week without then need to wear a backpack.


Seriously, when is this rain going to stop? I set off this morning when it was nice and dry, the rain started about 30 secs into my ride and was of biblical proportions and didn't stop, I was like a drowned rat by the time I got in. I had the same last night and no doubt it will be the same this evening. I cycle in trainers and currently have 3 pairs on rotation so that I can have a dry pair in the morning.

[hurstg01]

JQ said:

TonyHetherington said:

I leave my shoes in my desk at work - so just bring in shirt/underwear/trousers - find it works quite well.

I go even further than that, I have an entire second wardrobe at work - shoes, belt, variety of ties, 2 suits, then I just bring in fresh shirts and underwear - I have now mastered the art of rolling my shirts and getting them in my backpack without creasing them, I usually bring in 4 shirts at a time, which enables 3 rides a week without then need to wear a backpack.

Me too, although my wife works at the same office as me on a Wednesday and Thursday and she drives in, so my 'wardrobe' gets refreshed courtesy of being bought in by car on those days. When she has been off with the kids and I have still ridden in the worst situation I've gotten in is no belt; the logistics of getting everything in at the right time, everything home to get washed were a nightmare to start with and now are more of an amusement for me, maiing dure I have shoes for work etc.....

Been cycling in to work for about 6 months now, on average 4 days per week, a two-way commute of 13 miles taking me 23 minutes each way has led to a 3st 4lb loss . Not bad for an MTB on knobblies

I don't have the time to go to a gym after / before work, so getting exercise en route to and from work is a great time and money saver

[S10GTA]

HereBeMonsters said:

Here's my commute:

Looks like you work pretty close to me.

[Mr E]

hurstg01 said:

has led to a 3st 4lb loss .

Fair play mate, well done.

[hurstg01]

Mr E said:

hurstg01 said:

has led to a 3st 4lb loss .

Fair play mate, well done.

Cheers

It needed to come off for a long while to be fair, and fell off to begin with ending up most recently with a lb here and there every week or so. I am aiming for 4 more lbs before early September [my Birthday] and another stone or so before Christmas. Fingers crossed......

[anonymous-user]

PB on the commute today, first time I have broken 28 mins (27:40) over my 10 mile journey. I wasn't particularly 'racing' as I have the commute back and a TT later. A good start to the day and hopefully this will carry into the TT later.