The daily "I cycled to work" thread

The daily "I cycled to work" thread

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Agent XXX

1,248 posts

105 months

Friday 23rd October 2015
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Johno said:
Could have done without the pedestrian interface, over the bars and resulting crash this morning. Fortunately a little road rash, bent K edge Garmin mount, scratched lever and general bruises are the worst of it.

Known part of my route, had slowed, shouted warning and oblivious to the world, headphones in, phone in hand, sails off pavement without so much as looking. Bang. Big heap on the floor.

I think she was astounded at how nice I was about it, I was generally fine but was much more concerned that having been hit by me she was OK.

The lady behind her who had done the same thing was visibly relieved that someone else had taken the hit!
Had that last night on the way home, three poxy students crossing when the red man was showing, the two lads ran, the girl started to run, I moved to go round the back of her................and she stopped.......dead when I was about 2ft from her. SMACK, both down like a sack o' shoite. I somehow landed on her but chin whacked the tarmac, she had ripped trousers and broken glasses and was quite shaken up.

Helped her up and she was very apologetic, bit of 'advice' given and off we both went.



AC43

11,436 posts

207 months

Friday 23rd October 2015
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loudlashadjuster said:
Random lump to metal that I didn't identify in time nearly punted me out of the "cycle lane" (a once-green strip at the side of the road) on Oxford Road in Uxbridge and into the path of a cement mixer.

Looked like an exhaust bracket or something, whatever it was it made a clanging sound as my front wheel bounced off it and luckily somehow the sideways jolt it gave me wasn't quite enough to knock me clean off or into the main lane.

Who says commuting is boring? biggrin
Yesterday I was turning right from a side road onto Gower Street in the West End. The lights on Gower Street went red. The traffic stopped. Our lights went green. I set off with the other three cyclist who'd also been waiting at the lights. At that precise moment a Transit panel van came through hurtling through the red with the driver leaning on the horn, pedal to the metal. We were all a split second/no more than two metres from disaster.

I wondered if he'd just missed the light by accident but saw him continue down the road at 30-40mph, weaving from lane to lane and generelly being a tw*t. Eventally saw him turn right down a side road and get stuck behind a bin lorry.

I must be getting old as in the past I'd have followed him and would have had a little chat. But I just let it go. He was obviously such a knob that talking to him would have been pointless. Although, thinking about it, I should have got the reg number and the name of his company and given them a call......

yellowjack

17,065 posts

165 months

Friday 23rd October 2015
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AC43 said:
Yesterday I was turning right from a side road onto Gower Street in the West End. The lights on Gower Street went red. The traffic stopped. Our lights went green. I set off with the other three cyclist who'd also been waiting at the lights. At that precise moment a Transit panel van came through hurtling through the red with the driver leaning on the horn, pedal to the metal. We were all a split second/no more than two metres from disaster.

I wondered if he'd just missed the light by accident but saw him continue down the road at 30-40mph, weaving from lane to lane and generelly being a tw*t. Eventally saw him turn right down a side road and get stuck behind a bin lorry.

I must be getting old as in the past I'd have followed him and would have had a little chat. But I just let it go. He was obviously such a knob that talking to him would have been pointless. Although, thinking about it, I should have got the reg number and the name of his company and given them a call......
IMPOSSIBLE!

Sorry, but I'm calling BS on that fairy story...

EverybodyKNOWS that it's only cyclists who ignore red traffic lights. Doubly impossible, actually, since everybodyKNOWS that no cyclist has EVER waited at a red traffic light, since the invention of traffic lights. All cyclists are ignorant of the very existence of the Highway Code, and even if we knew what it was we'd never read it anyway, 'cause none of us is drivers, innit!

Oh! And if it isn't on yet another GoPro/YouTube video, it didn't happen... wink


On a serious note, congratulations on your good fortune. You narrowly avoided "death by retard" - have you got a ticket on for tonight's lottery draw?

AC43

11,436 posts

207 months

Friday 23rd October 2015
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yellowjack said:
congratulations on your good fortune. You narrowly avoided "death by retard" - have you got a ticket on for tonight's lottery draw?
Not yet. But glad that I have the option.....:-)

Craikeybaby

10,369 posts

224 months

Friday 23rd October 2015
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It was a bit chilly on the way in this morning - ad a bit of an ice cream headache when I got to the office. Heading out for a ride with a few colleagues after work.

ClassicMercs

1,703 posts

180 months

Friday 23rd October 2015
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aclivity said:
I'm on my Brompton and it looks OK, cycled the last half mile to work OK.

I'm already in trouble with the wife (went on an 18 mile ride on Tuesday morning after dropping my car in for warranty work) so I will keep this one quiet!
In trouble for one ride !!!
At least my wife's argument appears more valid about the daily 18 miles + each night, rather than the straight 3 miles home to walk the dogs while she is still at work.
Water and ducks back comes to mind. The only downside is clocks changing and worse weather. Some nights I may opt for the short route - but not many ! Although I don't plan to repeat last weeks effort for some weeks - 265 miles and 15 hours in the saddle - after work/ weekend.

Hell27

1,564 posts

190 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
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aclivity said:
Fell off this morning.

Brain said "ooh, look they have cleaned off the leaves on the path. Oh, that's a bit quicker now. Ooh, the wheels are losing a bit of grip, oops, ouch, that hurt"

Used my face as a brake, hand also, think it is bruised. Helmet worked in one way (kept mt eyes out of the ground) but not stopping me falling!
Ouch! Sorry to hear that mate, but glad you're sort of ok!

Hell27

1,564 posts

190 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
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Back cycling again after surgery - torn tendons in left shoulder repaired, but multiple pies and beers during recovery have taken their toll.
Seriously slow on Friday, but then tbh I was not too bothered, just glad to be back. After a few weeks on the Hardtail, Fitness should start improving, and I can start shedding timber!

S10GTA

Original Poster:

12,645 posts

166 months

Monday 26th October 2015
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Went out to the bike this morning and the rear was flat. Normally I'd just jump on my other road bike but I don't have one atm, so MTB it was. Took an extra 10 mins to ride to work, and I was dripping when I got here. Forgot how much harder it is to ride a MTB.

Agent XXX

1,248 posts

105 months

Monday 26th October 2015
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Bit chilly to start off with but a glorious autumnal day! biggrin

Hell27

1,564 posts

190 months

Monday 26th October 2015
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Did you get a replacement bike S10 after your cracked frame?

SystemParanoia

14,343 posts

197 months

Monday 26th October 2015
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Got my First KOM of the winter smile
I dont think ill be trying that again until i get even more lumens!

S10GTA

Original Poster:

12,645 posts

166 months

Monday 26th October 2015
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Hell27 said:
Did you get a replacement bike S10 after your cracked frame?
No, not yet. Still trying to decide what to do.

Agent XXX

1,248 posts

105 months

Tuesday 27th October 2015
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Another stunning ride in. Glorious day!

10 PRs and 8 2nd/3rd fastest times.

TwistingMyMelon

6,385 posts

204 months

Tuesday 27th October 2015
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First pitch black commute home yesterday, down an old railway track, backroads , then B roads. Was ok, lights seemed good. Cars gave me more space on the main roads!! Is bloody boring though, plus I have to ease off the speed lots to be safe

S10GTA

Original Poster:

12,645 posts

166 months

Tuesday 27th October 2015
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I've just seen the forecast for the homeward leg...

GarryDK

5,670 posts

157 months

Tuesday 27th October 2015
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S10GTA said:
I've just seen the forecast for the homeward leg...
lol

This is why I packed my hard shell.

Johno

8,401 posts

281 months

Tuesday 27th October 2015
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110kms over last 2 days on the road bike, so thought I'd ride the trail into work tomorrow.

As soon as I pulled the bike from under the stairs, heavens opened for an hour long tropical storm, trails going to be muddy and horrible ..... Decisions decisions.

Weather will be about 28-30 degrees though smile

(Being smug now won't serve me well once I live in the Netherlands in 6wks frown )

Edited by Johno on Tuesday 27th October 14:49

Hell27

1,564 posts

190 months

Tuesday 27th October 2015
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I had to have a couple of quick detours onto the pavement tonight through Cheetham Hill, and hated myself for it. Alternative was get squashed or stop in a really vulnerable position. Was travelling at snails pace, just enough to get around the usual van blocking half the road. Otherwise a good ride but after a 9 week absence my legs feel weak and rubbery. I'll see how it feels in a couple of weeks, strength should start to be noticeable then.

Agent XXX

1,248 posts

105 months

Wednesday 28th October 2015
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soggy start, soon stopped. Bit lethargic this morn TBH. CBA.
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