The daily "I cycled to work" thread

The daily "I cycled to work" thread

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loudlashadjuster

5,082 posts

183 months

Friday 30th January 2015
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WolfAir said:
Since getting roped in by the rest of you about how great biking to work is, I took mine out on a dummy run to see how long it took me to get to work and back (around 15ish miles), bear in mind I had been exercising on a stationary bike for the past couple of months, absolute fail, I was knackered by the time I got barely a mile down the road from mine. Nobody thought to mention the difference of stationary to actual biking....
That said, been riding around the block a few weeks and I think I am ready for another go but then the weather decided to chuck down hail and snow so still not actually done a commute frown
My commute is a hilly 15 miles and I'd say it's about the limit of what I'd consider acceptable in terms of time. It takes me an hour usually, but I have been on the road for nearly an hour and a half in high winds.

Keep at it, if you can even manage this once or twice a week you'll be tanking along in no time, and by that time it'll be spring and you can really enjoy it.

p.s. I keep telling my wife who does spin classes that she's not working as hard as actually being out on the road, but as usual she's having none of it wink

Johno

8,401 posts

281 months

Monday 2nd February 2015
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That sinking feeling as you've come up from the basement, dripping gently with the evidence of your efforts, to find the one shower in your office is knackered....

So you determine to towel yourself off and get dressed in the pitch black toilet with the light of your phone torch for company, as all electrics are off due to water leak.

Then receive a text from your colleague just after stepping into your trousers that says 'showers available on 4th floor'...

Too late frown Wouldn't be so bad, but he only rides occasionally, I do it everyday. So he sits smugly at his desk, perfumed and fresh, I sit monitoring my own aroma banghead


MC Bodge

21,551 posts

174 months

Monday 2nd February 2015
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16 miles each way for me, mostly flat with a mile or so of climbing, and a mile or so off road, mid-way. 2-3 times a week.

I've been riding for many years and I wouldn't want to go much further as a commute.

MC Bodge

21,551 posts

174 months

Monday 2nd February 2015
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Brrr. It was -2.5 at home and got colder as I rode through the fields.

My water bottle froze despite having been in a heated garage beforehand.

It was Nice, clear and non-damp though.

MC Bodge

21,551 posts

174 months

Monday 2nd February 2015
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loudlashadjuster said:
p.s. I keep telling my wife who does spin classes that she's not working as hard as actually being out on the road, but as usual she's having none of it wink
I went to spin class a couple of times.

I was working hard and sweating like a sweaty thing, but nobody else appeared to be. I suspect that they weren't increasing the resistance as much as the instructor was telling them to...
- Some attractive ladies there though.

DeuxCentCinq

14,180 posts

181 months

Monday 2nd February 2015
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Well today I got cut up and nearly knocked off my bike by....another bike!

Full Castelli lycra-clad single speed was following me for a while, in my draft. I clearly indicated my intention to turn right, moved across the road to the middle, then as I turned he tried to overtake me, I swerved harder right to avoid him, he then braked, making it worse and swerved as well, mounting the pavement parallel to the cycle lane I was aiming for, nearly hitting two pedestrians. My front wheel missed his rear by millimetres.
I shouted at him, the pedestrians shouted at him, and the car that almost hit him as he hopped off the pavement back onto the road without looking beeped him as well. And he probably thinks he's done nothing wrong.

AC43

11,435 posts

207 months

Monday 2nd February 2015
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It was so cold for the first couple of (downhill) miles that it felt like my face was being peeled off.


GarryDK

5,670 posts

157 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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Snow on the ground, MTB out! biggrin

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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Yes, snow down on the South Coast, Nobby Nics and low tyre pressures meant a good fun ride into work. smile

There's something about going down a hill, locking up the rear tyre and drifting around the corner looking like a boss (I nearly slid over) cool

DeuxCentCinq

14,180 posts

181 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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Ha! Got overtaken by an old man on a sit-up style shopping bike. Ten seconds later he fell over. He was too proud to accept my offer of help.

MiseryStreak

2,929 posts

206 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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I thought about it but the 4 Season's on the road bike are actually better on the icy roads than my Racing Ralph MTB tyres. I can't believe how much grip they have.

I also can't believe how many arsehats there are on my short commute through Brighton. I'm dressed up like a right in a high vis vest and turn my lights on even in the morning and I still get people trying to run me over. I got sideswiped by a Range Rover last week and nearly taken out by a Mercedes monster truck this morning. I thought one of the advantages of SUVs was the increased visibility. I have also taken to moving to the middle of the road when I see cars, especially vans, waiting to pull out of side roads as I just can't trust them anymore. It might be my imagination but I think it's got worse in the last year, and I'm cycling more carefully than ever before.

For a bit of balance, I also witness cyclists going through red lights every morning. I always make sure I catch them up (never hard) and give them a friendly 'nice one mate'.

/highwaycodevigilante

DeuxCentCinq

14,180 posts

181 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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MiseryStreak said:
For a bit of balance, I also witness cyclists going through red lights every morning. I always make sure I catch them up (never hard) and give them a friendly 'nice one mate'.

/highwaycodevigilante
I shout "RED LIGHT" very loudly at them. If they then get arsey, it's "sorry, with the way you sailed through, I thought you hadn't seen it."

Saw one yesterday go through the red light by Winchester Station, fight his way across two streams of fast, heavy traffic, then duck across down an alleyway, forcing a car to emergency stop and beep him. Then of course he swears at the car indignantly.

You can sometimes understand why some car drivers get pissed off with cyclists. We're not all like that!

lufbramatt

5,318 posts

133 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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Got up to see snow. got excited about the prospect of riding my full susser to work. Realised it has no pedals on due to stealing them for my road bike. Gingerly rode to work on my commuter on road slicks grumpy

m444ttb

3,160 posts

228 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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My trip in was ok (Schwalbe Sammy Slick CX tyres) once i very slowly rode through my estate. There was one main road that wasnt gritted but traffic was even lighter than normal for 6:30 so i sat a little further out into the road. It's going home that concerns me more as i use the cycle path for that and I suspect it may be a frozen mess.

TheLemming

4,319 posts

264 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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MiseryStreak said:
I thought about it but the 4 Season's on the road bike are actually better on the icy roads than my Racing Ralph MTB tyres. I can't believe how much grip they have.

I also can't believe how many arsehats there are on my short commute through Brighton. I'm dressed up like a right in a high vis vest and turn my lights on even in the morning and I still get people trying to run me over. I got sideswiped by a Range Rover last week and nearly taken out by a Mercedes monster truck this morning. I thought one of the advantages of SUVs was the increased visibility. I have also taken to moving to the middle of the road when I see cars, especially vans, waiting to pull out of side roads as I just can't trust them anymore. It might be my imagination but I think it's got worse in the last year, and I'm cycling more carefully than ever before.

For a bit of balance, I also witness cyclists going through red lights every morning. I always make sure I catch them up (never hard) and give them a friendly 'nice one mate'.

/highwaycodevigilante
Did last winter on Gators, the difference between those and 4seasons is night and day.
I might, maybe, have avoiding my big accident last year had I been on 4seasons instead.

It's not just you on side junctions, gives you a bit more breathing room if and when they decide to pull out too..

Pete102

2,042 posts

185 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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VERY tentative ride in this morning on the roadie...with Schwalble Luganos...

One or two hairy moments, mostly around slush/ice in the gutter but not too bad temperature wise.

okgo

37,858 posts

197 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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I rode through the middle of Richmond Park which was fresh snow on my road bike, interestingly riding through the fresh powder was fine, it only became a bit hairy when you hit the bits that have already been ridden over.

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

151 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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-1 but dry as a bone in the west midlands. Rode in on a slick shod roadie with no dramas at all

  • now having said that, I will reserve a hospital bed for the inevitable home time prang

TwistingMyMelon

6,385 posts

204 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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Pretty grim out in rural wilts, car was slipping about a lot and I didn't fancy 10 miles of untreated roads. Was fine to drive in.

Saw a guy riding the route and he came off right in front on someone on a national limit busy B road, reminded me how it wasn't worth it. Although for some people a bike is their own travel option.

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

151 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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  • all done restrospectively
4 seconds up on my PR on one stretch, and in line for 2nd overall....and there were some road works!

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
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