The daily "I cycled to work" thread

[PhillT]

ChunkyloverSV said:

50mins.

These colder mornings I am finding that my contact lenses are getting dried out. One came out on my ride home last Friday and both have come out on my way here today.

Having to get her indoors to pick me up after work. I'm blind as a bat.

I think I need some clear sunglasses/goggles to keep the cold wind from my eyes.

I don't ride anywhere without something over my eyes, I'm terrified of getting a stone through my retina. I just use these, which are great for the price.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-ultralite-sunglasses/

[TwistingMyMelon]

ChunkyloverSV said:

50mins.

These colder mornings I am finding that my contact lenses are getting dried out. One came out on my ride home last Friday and both have come out on my way here today.

Having to get her indoors to pick me up after work. I'm blind as a bat.

I think I need some clear sunglasses/goggles to keep the cold wind from my eyes.

I wear contacts and have never had problems with eyes drying out as I always wear sunglasses/clear glasses

This week I have not been wearing them on dark way home and contacts were drying out, so I can concur that glasses make a difference!

[aclivity]

PhillT said:

I don't ride anywhere without something over my eyes, I'm terrified of getting a stone through my retina. I just use these, which are great for the price.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-ultralite-sunglasses/

having lost many pairs of sunglasses and clear glasses - mainly on the train, of all places, I now use these in the winter: http://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-protector-dpg54-1... Only £2.99 per pair.

[PhillT]

aclivity said:

having lost many pairs of sunglasses and clear glasses - mainly on the train, of all places, I now use these in the winter: http://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-protector-dpg54-1... Only £2.99 per pair.

BRB, ordering these and some custom Rapha stickers.

[Nikolai]

Anyone got some 25mm 700 wintery tyre recommendations? Was looking at GP4 seasons but thought I'd see what others were rolling upon first.

[Craikeybaby]

Another vote for sunglasses - I've never had a problem.

Had a good ride to work, and an even better ride home, setting a couple of PRs on Strava, the trails are getting a bit muddy again though.

[ChunkyloverSV]

Nikolai said:

Anyone got some 25mm 700 wintery tyre recommendations? Was looking at GP4 seasons but thought I'd see what others were rolling upon first.

Thanks fellas I had bought some cheap sunglasses from Aldi when the last had some bike gear in just never wore them.

Wore them today and eyes were fine. 49 Mins and wet.

I'm very new to cycling and I am learning from my mistakes, and I have no one to ask haha. Doesn't help I have taken to cycling in autumn when most of my issues would not have been issues in summer!

I'm using the standard slick tyres that came with my bike, Giant Defy Advanced 3, 25mm 700. Now the weather is colder should I be looking at some 'winter' rubber before I fall on my arse?

Like Nikolai looking for recommendations on a good tyre.

TIA

Also my Aldi lights are not lighting up the road enough, I have 5 miles on unlit country roads first thing. Need to get some better lights.

I'm supposed to be saving money in not driving to work

[S10GTA]

Nikolai said:

Anyone got some 25mm 700 wintery tyre recommendations? Was looking at GP4 seasons but thought I'd see what others were rolling upon first.

Schwalbe Duranos, far better than 4 season or gatorskins

[louiebaby]

ChunkyloverSV said:

Also my Aldi lights are not lighting up the road enough, I have 5 miles on unlit country roads first thing. Need to get some better lights.

I'm supposed to be saving money in not driving to work

For point 1, there a "I'm too cheap to buy lights" thread with the latest deals in, have a gander.

For point 2, wash your mouth out! It's a way to get bike purchases past the wife!

[timnoyce]

I'm going to throw these out there, but I have been rolling on Panaracer Ribmo 28mm tyres on my Defy Advanced for nearly a year now. No punctures and the wear rate has been good. They are reasonably priced and have performed excellently for me on every occasion.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/panaracer-ribmo-folding-ci...

I'd certainly buy them again. Great all rounder for those that like pedalling and not weighing bike components.

Pic of bike with said tyres:

[ChunkyloverSV]

timnoyce said:

I'm going to throw these out there, but I have been rolling on Panaracer Ribmo 28mm tyres on my Defy Advanced for nearly a year now. No punctures and the wear rate has been good. They are reasonably priced and have performed excellently for me on every occasion.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/panaracer-ribmo-folding-ci...

I'd certainly buy them again. Great all rounder for those that like pedalling and not weighing bike components.

Pic of bike with said tyres:

Lovely looking bike I may be a bit biased though

New record cycling home. 48mins. 28 new personal records on strava

[Huntsman]

Missed yesterday as was not at work, first day missed for over 4 weeks, back on it in the fog this morning.

[AC43]

Drove to Scotland on Saturday and drove back yesterday.

Got on the bike this morning feeling knackered......and did 9 PB's.

Yey!

[S10GTA]

Passed 5 years at my current job last week.

In that time I’ve ridden in to work 721 times. This is a total mileage of 15,141 just to and from work, 3000 per year.

If you work out an average of 270 work days per year, I’ve ridden in 53% of the time. However, when you take out my extra time off for things such as a broken foot, work trips, days working from home type stuff its actually closer to 60%, or 3 days per week on average.

Fun fact for Thursday.

[WinstonWolf]

Good work

Northwave boots have been broken out, toasty

[ChunkyloverSV]

S10GTA said:

Passed 5 years at my current job last week.

In that time I’ve ridden in to work 721 times. This is a total mileage of 15,141 just to and from work, 3000 per year.

If you work out an average of 270 work days per year, I’ve ridden in 53% of the time. However, when you take out my extra time off for things such as a broken foot, work trips, days working from home type stuff its actually closer to 60%, or 3 days per week on average.

Fun fact for Thursday.

Fantastic at the moment i'm cycling in and out Wednesday and Friday. Hoping to up to it to Monday/Wednesday/Friday.

Today 46:22 27 PBS. 15.9 MPH average.

Hoping that when I get my clip in pedals and shoes I can get a little faster. At the moment I am cycling in Karrimor shoes

I'm in no way fat but I am finding that the cycling is getting rid of the extra ale tyre around my waist.

Feeling fantastic

[snobetter]

After 2.5 years not touching a bike and 6 years barely touching one (back issues / operation) I'm back on my bike! 3 weeks commuting to work, I only live 4km away admittedly, but I'm up to going 12 - 15km long way home a couple times a week.

Loving Strava, since I've started again.

[Matt_N]

Really warm today, strong headwind too.

Last few miles of my ride takes in a cycle path which is tree lined, it's now covered in decomposing leaves which are so slippy.

Might have to revert to the road for a few weeks until the path is swept.

[Gary C]

snobetter said:

After 2.5 years not touching a bike and 6 years barely touching one (back issues / operation) I'm back on my bike! 3 weeks commuting to work, I only live 4km away admittedly, but I'm up to going 12 - 15km long way home a couple times a week.

Loving Strava, since I've started again.

Nice one.

Amazing how even a little makes you feel so much better. Just doing the 14 mile trip to work and back once per week on a a night shift and I feel so much better (still too fat though)

[tr7v8]

Matt_N said:

Really warm today, strong headwind too.

Last few miles of my ride takes in a cycle path which is tree lined, it's now covered in decomposing leaves which are so slippy.

Might have to revert to the road for a few weeks until the path is swept.

Not so worried about the leaves on my normal route it's the acorns & horse chestnuts. They're lethal