The daily "I cycled to work" thread
Discussion
AC43 said:
Third ride in in three days for the fist time this year (shocking).
Was amazed how good my legs felt on the way in. Then realised I had a tail wind.
Oh well. Good excuse to stop for a pint on the way home.
Yep getting to be a bit of a habit of late.After two hours and stupidly not filling my water bottle I was gagging so much and at the lack of a nearby pub I stopped and bought an ice cold four pack and necked a can outside.It was so good. Was amazed how good my legs felt on the way in. Then realised I had a tail wind.
Oh well. Good excuse to stop for a pint on the way home.
Steve vRS said:
I took my bag of dirty washing home last night as I was driving only to find out this morning that my assumption regarding the clean underwear inventory in my hold-all was a little optimistic.
Yes, for the second time this year, I am commando.
Steve
Accidental Yes, for the second time this year, I am commando.
Steve
Developing a penchant for this Steve!
I bike in and out nearly every day around the A435-A4540 in Birmingham. It's only 5km each way but it is a lot quicker than the drive. A lot safer than when I used to bike in London, plenty of near-ish misses but I haven't been landed on my arse yet after nearly 2 years.
Today was sunny, not too trafficy and my legs were ok despite 2 runs over the weekend. Solid start to the week.
Today was sunny, not too trafficy and my legs were ok despite 2 runs over the weekend. Solid start to the week.
Panniers eh?
I've had some daft ideas in my time but thinking I could be quicker with the weight off my back was one of the best.
It's sea breeze season so I've only had to contend with headwinds over the weekend. Wobble and the bags hit the spokes. So I've cut an old number plate in half and stuck it to the inside of the side bags. Hopefully this will stop that from happening again this evening.
Had a couple of moments on Sunday. One chap in a Vauxhall Insignia decided to pull out in front of me and floor it to get a hundred yards to a set of traffic lights where I casually filtered past.
And a trollop in a soccer player spec' Range Rover decided having rear tinted windows and sunglasses was an excuse to reverse out of a driveway. Lucky I was on my bike. If I were driving I would not have had time to avoid a collision.
The locals had the Wisbech 25 mile road event and I was hoping to scalp a few Lycraists but it was over long before my commute home.
I've had some daft ideas in my time but thinking I could be quicker with the weight off my back was one of the best.
It's sea breeze season so I've only had to contend with headwinds over the weekend. Wobble and the bags hit the spokes. So I've cut an old number plate in half and stuck it to the inside of the side bags. Hopefully this will stop that from happening again this evening.
Had a couple of moments on Sunday. One chap in a Vauxhall Insignia decided to pull out in front of me and floor it to get a hundred yards to a set of traffic lights where I casually filtered past.
And a trollop in a soccer player spec' Range Rover decided having rear tinted windows and sunglasses was an excuse to reverse out of a driveway. Lucky I was on my bike. If I were driving I would not have had time to avoid a collision.
The locals had the Wisbech 25 mile road event and I was hoping to scalp a few Lycraists but it was over long before my commute home.
Just a new long-sleeve fluoro commuting top and club gilet today. Perfect in terms of temperature considering it's still not-quite-warm but the top is a bit of a looser fit and as I suspected I couldn't stand it flapping about my arms etc. It was cheap but I'm not sure how much use it'll get.
Lots of traffic too, including sat behind a motorbike at a t-junction for what seemed like 10 minutes but was probably only 2. He/she just wouldn't go for any gap! If I'd been in front I could've safely been out about 5 times before they eventually went for it. Mmmm, petrol fumes...
Lots of traffic too, including sat behind a motorbike at a t-junction for what seemed like 10 minutes but was probably only 2. He/she just wouldn't go for any gap! If I'd been in front I could've safely been out about 5 times before they eventually went for it. Mmmm, petrol fumes...
I've just started a job where I can work from home 2-3 days per week, so I've defined myself a few "commutes" of between 10 and 20 miles, and am absolutely loving being back in the game.
This morning was a weird one though - left in bright blue skies, then a thick mist descended, and by the time it cleared, we had grey clouds and gloom. Still a lovely ride though.
This morning was a weird one though - left in bright blue skies, then a thick mist descended, and by the time it cleared, we had grey clouds and gloom. Still a lovely ride though.
Loads of fair weather riders out now in the sticks , shame they are so moody!
Lush ride this morning, got so fed up of doing the same route in, did a longer route that went out my way and took in some gravel paths and a brutal short 20% rocky byway, which was fun on my steel road bike, only time I have ever been grinding along in the 34/30 gear, loved it though!
Lush ride this morning, got so fed up of doing the same route in, did a longer route that went out my way and took in some gravel paths and a brutal short 20% rocky byway, which was fun on my steel road bike, only time I have ever been grinding along in the 34/30 gear, loved it though!
Eventful ride to work today. Ride is only 5 miles so set off in good time. about 2 miles in my left pedal felt weird, as if the spindle was bent. I blamed it on me falling off the bike last week and damaging the pedal. Ho hum...1/2 mile later and the crank arm came off the BB completely, fortunately I stayed on the bike with the crank / pedal still attached to my shoe. 3 miles cycling to work with one leg made things interesting but I made it to work on time albeit a little more sweaty than normal.
Off outside to fix it now...
Marcus
Off outside to fix it now...
Marcus
Stiggolas said:
Eventful ride to work today. Ride is only 5 miles so set off in good time. about 2 miles in my left pedal felt weird, as if the spindle was bent. I blamed it on me falling off the bike last week and damaging the pedal. Ho hum...1/2 mile later and the crank arm came off the BB completely, fortunately I stayed on the bike with the crank / pedal still attached to my shoe. 3 miles cycling to work with one leg made things interesting but I made it to work on time albeit a little more sweaty than normal.
Off outside to fix it now...
Marcus
Good on you if you have the means to fix that at work!Off outside to fix it now...
Marcus
Nothing worse on a commute than a pedal problem. I had to cycle about 13 miles once with only one good pedal. Not much fun.
loudlashadjuster said:
Stiggolas said:
Eventful ride to work today. Ride is only 5 miles so set off in good time. about 2 miles in my left pedal felt weird, as if the spindle was bent. I blamed it on me falling off the bike last week and damaging the pedal. Ho hum...1/2 mile later and the crank arm came off the BB completely, fortunately I stayed on the bike with the crank / pedal still attached to my shoe. 3 miles cycling to work with one leg made things interesting but I made it to work on time albeit a little more sweaty than normal.
Off outside to fix it now...
Marcus
Good on you if you have the means to fix that at work!Off outside to fix it now...
Marcus
Nothing worse on a commute than a pedal problem. I had to cycle about 13 miles once with only one good pedal. Not much fun.
Paraicj said:
I bike in and out nearly every day around the A435-A4540 in Birmingham. It's only 5km each way but it is a lot quicker than the drive. A lot safer than when I used to bike in London, plenty of near-ish misses but I haven't been landed on my arse yet after nearly 2 years.
Today was sunny, not too trafficy and my legs were ok despite 2 runs over the weekend. Solid start to the week.
You might want to check out the River Rae cycle path which runs from Kings Norton through Cannon Hill over the A4540 into town or use the canal which goes from Kings Norton, past Selly Park, University, Edgbaston, 5 Ways to the Mailbox. I manage to go from Moseley through Kings Heath via Highbury Park, along the River Rae to the canal in Kings Norton then along the canal to Edgbaston. Makes it about a 7 mile journey, but only do about 1 mile on side roads and is very pleasant.Today was sunny, not too trafficy and my legs were ok despite 2 runs over the weekend. Solid start to the week.
Can't imagine the A435 or A4540 is very nice with traffic?
warp9 said:
You might want to check out the River Rae cycle path which runs from Kings Norton through Cannon Hill over the A4540 into town or use the canal which goes from Kings Norton, past Selly Park, University, Edgbaston, 5 Ways to the Mailbox. I manage to go from Moseley through Kings Heath via Highbury Park, along the River Rae to the canal in Kings Norton then along the canal to Edgbaston. Makes it about a 7 mile journey, but only do about 1 mile on side roads and is very pleasant.
Can't imagine the A435 or A4540 is very nice with traffic?
The River Rea cycle path is lovely, I've gone south from Cannon Hill on it a few times for a slow ride. It ends at Cannon Hill though. I can get on the canals instead of most of the A4540, but there are a couple of low bridges and a lot of pedestrians. If I was working right in the city centre I'd use the canals but I'm down near Millenium Point so it's right off the A4540.Can't imagine the A435 or A4540 is very nice with traffic?
If it were a longer cycle overall I'd welcome the break, but for a 5k commute I can bash through in less than 15mins, I don't mind. Traffic can be heavy but the roads are always wide enough to filter through. Basically I've just chosen the shortest A-B!
Paraicj said:
The River Rea cycle path is lovely, I've gone south from Cannon Hill on it a few times for a slow ride. It ends at Cannon Hill though. I can get on the canals instead of most of the A4540, but there are a couple of low bridges and a lot of pedestrians. If I was working right in the city centre I'd use the canals but I'm down near Millenium Point so it's right off the A4540.
If it were a longer cycle overall I'd welcome the break, but for a 5k commute I can bash through in less than 15mins, I don't mind. Traffic can be heavy but the roads are always wide enough to filter through. Basically I've just chosen the shortest A-B!
Fair enough, you've obviously got your geography sorted! Welcome to Moseley BTW If it were a longer cycle overall I'd welcome the break, but for a 5k commute I can bash through in less than 15mins, I don't mind. Traffic can be heavy but the roads are always wide enough to filter through. Basically I've just chosen the shortest A-B!
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