The daily "I cycled to work" thread

[anonymous-user]

I had a great ride in, raced a stranger on a black Allez through North Bristol. I think he was grudgingly impressed with my efforts on a single speed, little did he know how close I was to seeing my breakfast again. Will have to start riding the big gear bike soon though...

Running home tonight as I really need to start training for this marathon in October so I will alternate cycling and running, run home tonight, run in tomorrow, cycle home tomorrow night etc etc.....

[MC Bodge]

HeadWindy (warm SWly) on the ride in, with added drizzle.

I did a few hard efforts into the wind.

The sky is now clear, but the wind looks a bit gusty.

[Superhoop]

I'm actually quite proud of this mornings effort, although I'm feeling it in my legs.. Gentle ride home tonight I think.

https://www.strava.com/activities/302836770

[donfisher]

Flew in yesterday morning on a tailwind then had a Dizee moment at home time. Took the bike off the rack and it made an odd sound when the front hit the floor. I’d changed the front pads the night before and the security skewer was only done up finger tight. That could’ve been fun.

Currently sat looking outside and feeling very glad I’ve not taken my 'guards off yet. It’s going to be a wet ride home.

[AC43]

Horrendous ride today. Had to get to the city from mine via East Finchely. Ended up cycling through the arse end of North London (the Holloway Road) in the pissing rain with HGV's thundering past every 30 seconds. Then onto City Road and Old Street Roundabout. It was armageddon.

Easily the most unpleasant cycling experience of my life.

Still, got 25 miles in. And didn't get crushed.

[anonymous-user]

Started cycling to work just over 3 weeks ago. Tomorrow will only be the 8th time, though I do try to ride whenever I can. Decided against it a couple of days due to the stormy weather we've had. Half the journey is on a 50mph road, and the high winds mixed with drivers not passing correctly is quite scary.

It's 10 miles each way, and I'm really enjoying it now. It was daunting at first, as I am not used to cycling on the road, but I've got used to the bad driving behaviour now. I do a lot of MTBing on cross country/enduro trails so the fitness was there already.

Just doing this on my old Specialized Hardrock which I've lightened and modified for road use (city jets, rigid fork, single chain ring, and various lighter components), so I'm not flying along but I do alright. It's a good commuting/training bike now, and it can handle the pot holes and drain covers nicely.

Edited by RenOHH on Thursday 14th May 23:43

[AC43]

RenOHH said:

Just doing this on my old Specialized Hardrock which I've lightened and modified for road use (city jets, rigid fork, single chain ring, and various lighter components), so I'm not flying along but I do alright. It's a good commuting/training bike now, and it can handle the pot holes and drain covers nicely.

Edited by RenOHH on Thursday 14th May 23:43

I've got one of them as back up to my regular (29er) commuter. Good for battering around broken tarmac in London.

[loudlashadjuster]

Surprisingly chilly this morning. Arm warmers were considered but rejected - silly move!

Also, I debated taking off the Ass Saver but was glad I didn't as there was a lot of standing water out there.

[AyBee]

Almost got doored this morning, scary stuff. Taxi (not black cab) doesn't even pull up to the curb, just stops in the lane and passenger opens the door straight over the bike lane, fortunately a loud shout from me managed to get him to shut it just before I hit it!!

[TwistingMyMelon]

RenOHH said:

Started cycling to work just over 3 weeks ago. Tomorrow will only be the 8th time, though I do try to ride whenever I can. Decided against it a couple of days due to the stormy weather we've had. Half the journey is on a 50mph road, and the high winds mixed with drivers not passing correctly is quite scary.

It's 10 miles each way, and I'm really enjoying it now. It was daunting at first, as I am not used to cycling on the road, but I've got used to the bad driving behaviour now. I do a lot of MTBing on cross country/enduro trails so the fitness was there already.

Just doing this on my old Specialized Hardrock which I've lightened and modified for road use (city jets, rigid fork, single chain ring, and various lighter components), so I'm not flying along but I do alright. It's a good commuting/training bike now, and it can handle the pot holes and drain covers nicely.

Edited by RenOHH on Thursday 14th May 23:43

Same here, hybrid/old skool MTB , slick tyres and single chainring is my preferred choice for commuting. Handles the abuse, chain it up outside shops and cheap and easy to maintain. You can really rag the nuts off it and not worry about it breaking when you hit a pot hole/jump a kerb

[SteveSteveson]

Found a new way to work the other week, now doing 80% off road, either single track, separate cycle path or towpath. Only one problem, ducks. Cycling down the canal on Wednesday one panicked and didn't know which way to run, today one flew out of the water inches from my head. Better than van drivers doing he same I guess

Seriously though, it is a mile further and takes 5-10 mins longer (due to lower speed on the towpath and single track), but it is so nice to have a cycle ride that I enjoy all of it rather than slogging through bits. Concentrating on tree roots and rocks is so much concentrating on taxis and suicidal students squeezing up the inside of HGVs. Also, give me an excuse to ride for an extra 15 mins each day.

[aclivity]

This happened very close to my ride home last night:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greate...

Be careful out there, people.

[Craikeybaby]

Had a good ride in this morning, afer a few weeks of off site meetings on a Friday, which is my normal riding in day.

For the first time ever there wasn't anybody parked in the cycle lane of one of the roads I use, I don't know if the police have started enforcing the double yellow lines, but it is much better than having to pull out into the main flow of cars.

[anonymous-user]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Same here, hybrid/old skool MTB , slick tyres and single chainring is my preferred choice for commuting. Handles the abuse, chain it up outside shops and cheap and easy to maintain. You can really rag the nuts off it and not worry about it breaking when you hit a pot hole/jump a kerb

Yep, that was my philosophy! I do spin out my single 38T chain ring on the commute home, but only for about 15 seconds on one particular hill.

First day back on the commute today after having a fairly large "off" on friday morning. Deep gashes to my right knee and right elbow on a roundabout. My fault. Too fast. Took it easier today; it's nice to be back out again.

[loudlashadjuster]

Lovely day for it. Just a quick ride from the garage after dropping the car off for a service but I was itching to do another 10 miles.

[MC Bodge]

I seized the opportunity to ride in this morning.

Sun and only a light westerly wind!

I've been unable to ride as much in the past fortnight and felt quite good and kept the cadence up this morning. The recent reduction in mileage might have given me a bit of a rest.

[aclivity]

Left turning VW Scirroco (F155 YVF) from behind two cyclists going straight on this morning. I don't normally comment on silly cars doing silly stuff, but this guy had to speed up to get past, was too far over to the right hand side, all over the gravel bits.

[C0ffin D0dger]

Did the halfway commute again today. Not ready for the 22 miles each way yet especially as we don't have showers at work so dumped the car in a village and rode the rest. Total of 18.2 miles over the day so not too bad for a veteran like me who's not done any serious cycling for some time.

Third Friday I've done it so far this year.

[S10GTA]

Had a day off the bike today, 250 miles in the last 6 days has made my legs tired.

[Steve vRS]

Just a little one this morning from the local garage to work having dropped my wife's car off for a service. Might do a longer loop back this evening.

Bran flakes.

Steve