The daily "I cycled to work" thread

[idiotgap]

OK, well I ate a £3 meal deal from tesco, sandwich, coke, crisps.

Not healthy, but should get me home!

I bought a kids bike tyre in the wrong size the other day so need to drop that back to decathlon on the way back and pick-up another bigger one - not so easy to carry. Also thinking about picking up some spare tyre levers and tubes while I am there as I forgot my saddle bag today with that stuff in it - just hoping I make it the 10 miles there!

[timnoyce]

In an effort to build some longer rides into my routine I've decided to take the long way to work once a week. Got to work by 8am ready for a nice hot shower and a cup of coffee!

https://www.strava.com/activities/670883991/segments/16433075000

[Paraicj]

Commuting when schools are out is so much more relaxing. Less traffic, fewer insane manoeuvres, and better weather! The last may not be a direct correlation. This week's commuting has been a breeze, not so much as a raised voice or angry gesture, from me or a driver...

[E65Ross]

Quite a nice ride in this morning. shorts, SS jersey and arm warmers, although I probably didn't need the arm warmers. It's definitely getting darker though....upon waking up at 0545 it wasn't very bright out. Depressing time of the year now....generally downhill until Christmas.

[E65Ross]

timnoyce said:

In an effort to build some longer rides into my routine I've decided to take the long way to work once a week. Got to work by 8am ready for a nice hot shower and a cup of coffee!

https://www.strava.com/activities/670883991/segments/16433075000

I see you go down Stakes Lane/Belmore Lane....great road that for hills....there's literally no flat. Although WTF they have done to the road surface when they resurfaced it a few months back I've no idea...it's fking hateful to ride on now.

[Robbins]

Paraicj said:

Commuting when schools are out is so much more relaxing. Less traffic, fewer insane manoeuvres, and better weather! The last may not be a direct correlation. This week's commuting has been a breeze, not so much as a raised voice or angry gesture, from me or a driver...

This is true. Generally a pleasant couple of weeks so far apart from the occasional driver speeding up closely behind and then braking hard when they realise they don't have the skill or confidence (or space for that matter) to pass between myself and a central reservation or crossing.
Temperature has dropped slightly over the last couple of days. Been considering the re-use of my gloves and thin rain jacket but not had to use them yet as I warm up sufficiently in the first couple of minutes cycling.

Edited by Robbins on Thursday 11th August 12:46

[E65Ross]

Robbins said:

Paraicj said:

Commuting when schools are out is so much more relaxing. Less traffic, fewer insane manoeuvres, and better weather! The last may not be a direct correlation. This week's commuting has been a breeze, not so much as a raised voice or angry gesture, from me or a driver...

This is true. Generally a pleasant couple of weeks so far apart from the occasional driver speeding up closely behind and then braking hard when they realise they don't have the skill or confidence (or space for that matter) to pass between myself and a central reservation or crossing.
Temperature has dropped slightly over the last couple of days. Been considering the re-use of my gloves and thin rain jacket but not had to use them yet as I warm up sufficiently in the first couple of minutes cycling.

Edited by Robbins on Thursday 11th August 12:46

This morning was a little warmer than the last couple I think, but yes, the temp has definitely dropped a bit unfortunately. Having said that, it's meant to be quite nice and getting hotter again over the coming week. I don't think it'll be too long until I use thin full-finger gloves in the mornings now. It's just a bit of a pain for long rides (e.g. 4 hours) where I start out at, say, 0830am when it's going to be cold, but finish at 1230 when it's quite warm!

[timnoyce]

E65Ross said:

I see you go down Stakes Lane/Belmore Lane....great road that for hills....there's literally no flat. Although WTF they have done to the road surface when they resurfaced it a few months back I've no idea...it's fking hateful to ride on now.

I'd not ridden it before tbh, but it is a bit savage. Excellent training as you say. The standard of a lot of Hampshires lesser roads seem to be pretty terrible at the moment. Not sure when it was decided that surface dressing of roads was a good idea for any of the users! I fear the day that I lose the bike under me on some loose gravel and slide down one of those roads

[E65Ross]

timnoyce said:

E65Ross said:

I see you go down Stakes Lane/Belmore Lane....great road that for hills....there's literally no flat. Although WTF they have done to the road surface when they resurfaced it a few months back I've no idea...it's fking hateful to ride on now.

I'd not ridden it before tbh, but it is a bit savage. Excellent training as you say. The standard of a lot of Hampshires lesser roads seem to be pretty terrible at the moment. Not sure when it was decided that surface dressing of roads was a good idea for any of the users! I fear the day that I lose the bike under me on some loose gravel and slide down one of those roads

I cycle that road very frequently, usually most weeks to be honest. As I say, it's literally up or down!

[TwistingMyMelon]

Did a cenury ride down to the 7 bridge with our club last Saturday

Got to Malmesbury in Wilts on a backroad and they had covered it with thick gravel. Not just a "top dressing" but about 3/4 inches of gravel . It was like this for about 2 miles, but of a pain on 23c tyres and a nice frame. About 20 of us riding were all limping along with very tight bumcheeks

Is this the norm now? I can see why "gravel bikes" have proliferated abroad where gravel roads are the norm, unusual in the UK

[Huntsman]

All five days this week.

[Matt_N]

Developed a cold over the course of the week, sniffly ride in this morning. Should be nice on the way home too, sun's out.

[anonymous-user]

Way too hot to ride home tonight, air conditioned trip home for me.

[E65Ross]

timnoyce said:

E65Ross said:

I see you go down Stakes Lane/Belmore Lane....great road that for hills....there's literally no flat. Although WTF they have done to the road surface when they resurfaced it a few months back I've no idea...it's fking hateful to ride on now.

I'd not ridden it before tbh, but it is a bit savage. Excellent training as you say. The standard of a lot of Hampshires lesser roads seem to be pretty terrible at the moment. Not sure when it was decided that surface dressing of roads was a good idea for any of the users! I fear the day that I lose the bike under me on some loose gravel and slide down one of those roads

Rode this road again today. Lovely day for it!

https://www.strava.com/activities/676909664/sharea...

But that was after doing 83 miles yesterday!

[1ians]

Was hot but for the first time in months no head wind home! Took it easy but still did my PB over 6 segments.

[WinstonWolf]

I had your headwind on the fens, made even nicer by all the dust from the combines blowing all over me

[E65Ross]

Lovely ride into work this morning wearing my PH jersey temperature was a BIT cool but once going I was fine. My PH jersey is an aero one which is a different material and slightly more "elastic".....doesn't keep you as cool and actually worked really well in these temperatures. 19.8 miles in at 18.6mph I think....would have been quicker if it wasn't for some idiots on the road (one overtook me down portsdown hill....40mph limit I was doing about 38) and then 100m up the road he wanted to turn right....and naturally didn't leave me any room on the left....tt ) and seemingly getting caught at every set of lights and roadworks on the route.

Some porridge with SIS advanced isolate+ strawberry protein powder for breakfast

[louiebaby]

Just a bit of a tootle in this morning, after pumping up the tyres, giving the bike a wipe and tightening the front derailleur and rear brake, and giving the chain a clean and oil. I really need to give it a couple of hours of love and attention.

Was lovely riding in with a small tailwind, cloudless sky and after no sleep because of noisy kids. (Mine.) I do sometimes wonder how quick I would be with a proper 10 hours sleep each night.

Porridge and protein too!

[timnoyce]

I also had a splendid commute this morning. Despite being caught at every set of traffic lights I managed to push on for a seasons best commute time. Not my best ever, but not bad.

https://www.strava.com/activities/677678820

I forgot breakfast but did find some Peanut Butter Oreo cookies in my drawer to have with my coffee. Result.

[timnoyce]

Week 2 of Long Ride to Work Wednesday. Different route this morning. Lovely day to be out on the bike!

Wacky Wednesday 2.0 - Strava

Coffee and a Florentine... posh.