The daily "I cycled to work" thread
Discussion
Frustrating ride home last night. Chain came off as I accelerated onto a busy double mini-roundabout (fun...) and after I popped it back on and was able to (eventually) rejoin the traffic, I found I couldn't clip in on one side. Stopped a few hundred yards up the road only to find something missing:
When it came off, the cleat was twisted so far off centre it couldn't engage. Thing was, there was a little stone in the hex head of the other bolt which meant I couldn't loosen it to spin it back to centre. My only tool that had any hope of getting in there to dislodge it was a 1.5mm allen but even that was too big.
In the end I managed to manhandle the cleat round a few degrees until I was able to clip in and spin the cleat round using the shoe. After that I was paranoid about losing it and kept my foot glued to that pedal for the remaining 22 km or so. I normally unclip on either side about equally depending on the slope so this was a weird feeling being restricted to one.
Combined with a gradually failing set of batteries on my main light, it made for a fairly dreary ride home.
Off to buy a bag of countersunk M5 bolts. I laughingly note that some places *cough*Evans*cough* think they can charge £1 for 1 "official" Shimano bolt!
Definitely worth having a spare in the bag in future.
When it came off, the cleat was twisted so far off centre it couldn't engage. Thing was, there was a little stone in the hex head of the other bolt which meant I couldn't loosen it to spin it back to centre. My only tool that had any hope of getting in there to dislodge it was a 1.5mm allen but even that was too big.
In the end I managed to manhandle the cleat round a few degrees until I was able to clip in and spin the cleat round using the shoe. After that I was paranoid about losing it and kept my foot glued to that pedal for the remaining 22 km or so. I normally unclip on either side about equally depending on the slope so this was a weird feeling being restricted to one.
Combined with a gradually failing set of batteries on my main light, it made for a fairly dreary ride home.
Off to buy a bag of countersunk M5 bolts. I laughingly note that some places *cough*Evans*cough* think they can charge £1 for 1 "official" Shimano bolt!
Definitely worth having a spare in the bag in future.
Eddh said:
Is it just me or was everyone in full retard mode today?
This morning:
Guy in a white JDM CTR decides he doesn't like my filtering through traffic to the front of the queue and waiting in the cycling box. Decides top smash it past me really close while leaning right over the passenger seat pointing and threatening me then stopped 20 metres up the road where I rode to the cycle box again, same result but window down this time and I caught 'KING CYCLISTS' as he sped off.
This evening:
Cycle through a green light, pedestrian crossing the road without looking so I move right and go round the back of her, she turns round in the road and shouts 'BE MORE CAREFUL YOU BLOODY IDIOT!!', car behind me has to brake to a halt to avoid running her down.
Filtering through stationary traffic I pull in front of an old slag (mutton dressed as lamb) in a newish Merc and stop as I can't get through the next gap as it is two buses. Traffic is totally stationary at this point. She decides to 'teach me a lesson' by pulling out to the right and then using her bumper against my rear stay and foot push me into the bus on my left. Thankfully the bus in front moved off so I could just ride out of it.
WHAT THE ACTUAL f
k?!
I definitely would have seen red at the last situation. Maybe repay the nudge with a footballer-esque dive onto her bonnet.This morning:
Guy in a white JDM CTR decides he doesn't like my filtering through traffic to the front of the queue and waiting in the cycling box. Decides top smash it past me really close while leaning right over the passenger seat pointing and threatening me then stopped 20 metres up the road where I rode to the cycle box again, same result but window down this time and I caught 'KING CYCLISTS' as he sped off.
This evening:
Cycle through a green light, pedestrian crossing the road without looking so I move right and go round the back of her, she turns round in the road and shouts 'BE MORE CAREFUL YOU BLOODY IDIOT!!', car behind me has to brake to a halt to avoid running her down.
Filtering through stationary traffic I pull in front of an old slag (mutton dressed as lamb) in a newish Merc and stop as I can't get through the next gap as it is two buses. Traffic is totally stationary at this point. She decides to 'teach me a lesson' by pulling out to the right and then using her bumper against my rear stay and foot push me into the bus on my left. Thankfully the bus in front moved off so I could just ride out of it.
WHAT THE ACTUAL f
k?!I came the closest I could come to knocking someone over yesterday, woman just stepped straight out into the road to cross diagonally without so much as a glance over her shoulder. Came to a noisy halt inches behind her, thankfully it was dry otherwise I would have ploughed straight into her. I don't understand how these people live their lives without constantly being killed to death.
Edited by lufbramatt on Friday 14th November 11:27
donfisher said:
I was very glad to be going out after work tonight so taking the tube.
It would've been another day of rotating damp tops and stuffing shoes with newspaper.
Yup, it was a soggy ride to work this morning, my usual route through the woods was more like a swamp. It looks like it has cleared up for the ride home though.It would've been another day of rotating damp tops and stuffing shoes with newspaper.
Very nearly got run over this morning. Riding into Manchester City centre about 06:30 so light traffic, and come down Cheetham Hill road, getting into right hand lane to turn into Corporation Street. Lights on red, so waited in the box. Behind me an electric blue Mini Cooper also turning right. Green light, mini goes past and is instantly baffled by all the road closed signs (they are remodelling Manchester Victoria Station and fitting a new roof), so pulls into the left. I pull out to the right to go around the car, when they decide to turn right and indicate right all in one smooth instantaneous U turn as I am broadside with the b pillar. I immediately keep going right, on the brake and was about 3"off hitting the front of the car when I think they saw me in my bright green jacket and lights clearly on, and braked. They got some quick language from me, but I then carried on up the side street I was heading for in the first place. Definitely the closest I've had to a nasty spill, was very lucky to avoid it.
wotnot said:
Black can man said:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/eSynic®-Camera--Water...
Are these cheapy cheap camera's worth a punt ?
Seems awfully cheap, surely there must be a downside to these.
A friend of mine has bought one of these and, having seen the quality of video it produces and the fact that he's secured it to his helmet with velcro tape so it doesn't stick out, I'm about to order one.Are these cheapy cheap camera's worth a punt ?
Seems awfully cheap, surely there must be a downside to these.
My first ride this morning since being hit by a car two weeks ago (hence the decision to buy a camera!), though that was mostly because I've been working away). Felt really good to be back on two wheels but it's a damn sight colder than the last time I rode to work!
richardxjr said:
wotnot said:
Black can man said:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/eSynic®-Camera--Water...
Are these cheapy cheap camera's worth a punt ?
Seems awfully cheap, surely there must be a downside to these.
A friend of mine has bought one of these and, having seen the quality of video it produces and the fact that he's secured it to his helmet with velcro tape so it doesn't stick out, I'm about to order one.Are these cheapy cheap camera's worth a punt ?
Seems awfully cheap, surely there must be a downside to these.
My first ride this morning since being hit by a car two weeks ago (hence the decision to buy a camera!), though that was mostly because I've been working away). Felt really good to be back on two wheels but it's a damn sight colder than the last time I rode to work!
Liquid Knight said:
richardxjr said:
wotnot said:
Black can man said:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/eSynic®-Camera--Water...
Are these cheapy cheap camera's worth a punt ?
Seems awfully cheap, surely there must be a downside to these.
A friend of mine has bought one of these and, having seen the quality of video it produces and the fact that he's secured it to his helmet with velcro tape so it doesn't stick out, I'm about to order one.Are these cheapy cheap camera's worth a punt ?
Seems awfully cheap, surely there must be a downside to these.
My first ride this morning since being hit by a car two weeks ago (hence the decision to buy a camera!), though that was mostly because I've been working away). Felt really good to be back on two wheels but it's a damn sight colder than the last time I rode to work!
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