The daily "I cycled to work" thread
Discussion
Wind did my nut in Friday! I'm used to it comuteing over the years on a rural downs route, I normally drop a gear, get on the drops and spin through it and job jobbed. On a singlespeed with higher profile wheels I just couldn't get the cadence high enough and was like a dingy in a rough sea!!! The odd tree would then block it, so Id be ok then the wind would hit me and push me over to the wrong side of the road again. Was like a boxing match that I was badly losing....to top it off a branch then blew off and hit me in the chest! All this down a pitch black back road...
I did ask myself why do I cycle to work when I have a car at home just sat there all day and free parking at work...anyone ever ask themselves that?
I did ask myself why do I cycle to work when I have a car at home just sat there all day and free parking at work...anyone ever ask themselves that?
I went for a muddy spin yesterday, I've never had cross winds like it, if you were blindfolded you'd swear somebody was kicking the front wheel.
There's a section of uphill fire road that I usually pedal up at a fair rate, but yesterday I was going up it without pedalling due to the tail wind, incredible.
I drove in this morning, yesterdays 15 mile muddy ride was enough for a day or two.
There's a section of uphill fire road that I usually pedal up at a fair rate, but yesterday I was going up it without pedalling due to the tail wind, incredible.
I drove in this morning, yesterdays 15 mile muddy ride was enough for a day or two.
it was an exhilarating ride in this morning, although it has become more wild here this pm.
For me, it saves sitting in traffic jams, it gives me a couple of hours riding, there's a feeling of achievement, occasionally a feeling of adventure and it costs very little.
Why wouldn't I do it?!
TwistingMyMelon said:
I did ask myself why do I cycle to work when I have a car at home just sat there all day and free parking at work...anyone ever ask themselves that?
No. For me, it saves sitting in traffic jams, it gives me a couple of hours riding, there's a feeling of achievement, occasionally a feeling of adventure and it costs very little.
Why wouldn't I do it?!
I don't really have a choice, I'm several hundred miles from my car and if I took the bus it would involve spending nearly as much time walking as it does to cycle the whole way. I would have wimped out and taken the car if I was at home, so working away is good for me...or would be if the local supermarket didn't sell 10% trappist beers for €1.30 
TwistingMyMelon said:
Wind did my nut in Friday! I'm used to it comuteing over the years on a rural downs route, I normally drop a gear, get on the drops and spin through it and job jobbed. On a singlespeed with higher profile wheels I just couldn't get the cadence high enough and was like a dingy in a rough sea!!! The odd tree would then block it, so Id be ok then the wind would hit me and push me over to the wrong side of the road again. Was like a boxing match that I was badly losing....to top it off a branch then blew off and hit me in the chest! All this down a pitch black back road...
I did ask myself why do I cycle to work when I have a car at home just sat there all day and free parking at work...anyone ever ask themselves that?
Sometimes, but the answer is easy. I only live 4 miles away. Its fun cycling and good for me. I question it more on the short bit of road I have to go on, there is always one car who comes far too close for comfort.I did ask myself why do I cycle to work when I have a car at home just sat there all day and free parking at work...anyone ever ask themselves that?
Miserable commute both ways today. Picked up a puncture on the way in and feared for my life in the wind on the way home. Over the last 12 months there has been an easily identifiable pattern to my punctures. All on Monday morning commutes when I've left little margin time wise and it's raining! This morning I picked up a puncture in near enough to exact spot to a previous puncture. Perfectly placed to be spotted by many of my colleagues.
m444ttb said:
Miserable commute both ways today. Picked up a puncture on the way in and feared for my life in the wind on the way home. Over the last 12 months there has been an easily identifiable pattern to my punctures. All on Monday morning commutes when I've left little margin time wise and it's raining! This morning I picked up a puncture in near enough to exact spot to a previous puncture. Perfectly placed to be spotted by many of my colleagues.
Feel your pain. Had 4 punctures in 1 week all at the same point on the road. Completely not related to anything sharp being on the road. In the end I changed the wheel, tyre brand, and tube brand which cured it. Very odd indeed.TwistingMyMelon said:
I did ask myself why do I cycle to work when I have a car at home just sat there all day and free parking at work...anyone ever ask themselves that?
People ask me that rather than myself, but I do like getting to work having done it. There is a sense of achievement, and I arrive with more energy than I would if I got out of bed 30 minutes later and took the car.
White van, PJ57 start of the registration, decided it would be fun to get too close to me, was a bit scared at first. Then decided he isn't getting away with this - sped up to catch him ... Strava has recorded me at 28/29 mph on that part of my route! Caught up with him as he turned off, decided to call him a rude word.
That must be my maximum speed on a Brompton!
I will look out for him in future, he doesn't like bikes!
That must be my maximum speed on a Brompton!
I will look out for him in future, he doesn't like bikes!
thelittleegg said:
TwistingMyMelon said:
I did ask myself why do I cycle to work when I have a car at home just sat there all day and free parking at work...anyone ever ask themselves that?
It's all part of the bourgeois zeitgeist.There are a number of distinct cycle commuter types around here:
Professional/white collar men of all ages on decent road/cyclocross/hybrid bikes with backpacks or panniers and plenty of hi-viz bike gear.
Young manual/trades worker men in work boots and site jackets on knackered mountain bikes that may or may not functioning v-brakes.
Young women in jeans on all kinds of cheap bikes.
A small number of older middle-class looking women on shoppers.
thelittleegg said:
TwistingMyMelon said:
I did ask myself why do I cycle to work when I have a car at home just sat there all day and free parking at work...anyone ever ask themselves that?
It's all part of the bourgeois zeitgeist.Had a good ride in today, good work out and enjoyed it nice bit of fresh air and no rain!
TwistingMyMelon said:
thelittleegg said:
TwistingMyMelon said:
I did ask myself why do I cycle to work when I have a car at home just sat there all day and free parking at work...anyone ever ask themselves that?
It's all part of the bourgeois zeitgeist.ie. cycling is a fashion for people with money.
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