The daily "I cycled to work" thread
Discussion
I can realistically only manage once a week at best as I need Mrs LLA to be working from home to do the school run, and even then I'll often duck the worst of the weather.
Through the 9 months I've been in this job I've cycled in only 17 times, which isn't even 50% of the Fridays I normally target which is a bit disappointing.
Still, it's 34 car journeys saved, 720km more in the saddle and who knows how many inches less in waist size?
Through the 9 months I've been in this job I've cycled in only 17 times, which isn't even 50% of the Fridays I normally target which is a bit disappointing.
Still, it's 34 car journeys saved, 720km more in the saddle and who knows how many inches less in waist size?
I've come to the conclusion that of all the bad passes I've experienced since commuting (15 rides in 6 weeks), motorbikes at speed are the worst. 5 miles of my 10 mile commute is on a 50mph road, and I have a fair few cars come past that are a bit close, but they are at least moving at about 50 mph.
But I've had one or two motorbikes come past at much, much higher speeds and not on the opposite lane. I think the one this morning was at least 80mph, perhaps more. It's downhill with wide corners and a straight at the bottom so it's a perfect place to open it up. It's absolutely terrifying and almost puts me into a wobble whilst I'm doing about 30mph. I'm not sure if they realise that they're being a total bellend or not.
But I've had one or two motorbikes come past at much, much higher speeds and not on the opposite lane. I think the one this morning was at least 80mph, perhaps more. It's downhill with wide corners and a straight at the bottom so it's a perfect place to open it up. It's absolutely terrifying and almost puts me into a wobble whilst I'm doing about 30mph. I'm not sure if they realise that they're being a total bellend or not.
Had a decent run in and back today although came mm's from taking out a ped.
I was coming down a long downhill section at a good 25-30mph. The lady in question stepped out right in front of me without looking and with her phone glued to her ear. There was no time to shout it was just a case of grabbing a handful of brake, choosing a line and swerving.
Unfortunately the sudden sound of my brakes just a few feet away startled her and to my horror she froze on the spot. The line I had chosen was how pretty much full of pedestrian but I was fully committed and had to continue on my chosen path. I brushed her lightly with my shoulder as I bombed past still doing well over 20mph.
Thank God for disks. Without them I'd probably have collected her and it would have been nasty.
Anyway, woke me up that did :-)
Pret porridge when I got to work
I was coming down a long downhill section at a good 25-30mph. The lady in question stepped out right in front of me without looking and with her phone glued to her ear. There was no time to shout it was just a case of grabbing a handful of brake, choosing a line and swerving.
Unfortunately the sudden sound of my brakes just a few feet away startled her and to my horror she froze on the spot. The line I had chosen was how pretty much full of pedestrian but I was fully committed and had to continue on my chosen path. I brushed her lightly with my shoulder as I bombed past still doing well over 20mph.
Thank God for disks. Without them I'd probably have collected her and it would have been nasty.
Anyway, woke me up that did :-)
Pret porridge when I got to work
Usget said:
It's happened again 
I have to meet the lead client stakeholder later on, and I'm not wearing any pants. I don't think non-cyclists have the same problem.
Been there I have to meet the lead client stakeholder later on, and I'm not wearing any pants. I don't think non-cyclists have the same problem.
I've also had a day when I forgot both pants and socks, so had to wander round the office with no pants on and sports socks from my cycle in. Forgot my shirt on Monday and had to go and buy one from the local M&S.
AC43 said:
Had a decent run in and back today although came mm's from taking out a ped.
I was coming down a long downhill section at a good 25-30mph. The lady in question stepped out right in front of me without looking and with her phone glued to her ear. There was no time to shout it was just a case of grabbing a handful of brake, choosing a line and swerving.
Unfortunately the sudden sound of my brakes just a few feet away startled her and to my horror she froze on the spot. The line I had chosen was how pretty much full of pedestrian but I was fully committed and had to continue on my chosen path. I brushed her lightly with my shoulder as I bombed past still doing well over 20mph.
Thank God for disks. Without them I'd probably have collected her and it would have been nasty.
Anyway, woke me up that did :-)
I got so frustrated on Friday with all the pedestrians/ dog walkers / cyclists who didn't hear / respond to my bell I went on Amazon, the minute I walked through the door and ordered one of these:I was coming down a long downhill section at a good 25-30mph. The lady in question stepped out right in front of me without looking and with her phone glued to her ear. There was no time to shout it was just a case of grabbing a handful of brake, choosing a line and swerving.
Unfortunately the sudden sound of my brakes just a few feet away startled her and to my horror she froze on the spot. The line I had chosen was how pretty much full of pedestrian but I was fully committed and had to continue on my chosen path. I brushed her lightly with my shoulder as I bombed past still doing well over 20mph.
Thank God for disks. Without them I'd probably have collected her and it would have been nasty.
Anyway, woke me up that did :-)
It arrived this morning at work and I can't wait to fit it and ride home. Preliminary investigations can confirm it is f
king loud (officially 115dB). £16 with free delivery. Can't fault it. Herman Toothrot said:
1st time commute in this morning went well, bit shorter using some cycle routes than I was expecting only 27.5km, door to door 1hr 2mins so faster than I have in the past taken in the car.
Yeah, i saw that, good going. I see its also mostly uphill going, so the ride home should be nice.Cycled back last night, left around 7pm, 18.6 miles back in 1 hour 1min, which for me is really good going. Cycled in today too.... Much slower 
around a 16 average today. There isn't really a met elevation difference between work and home, and the route has around 1200ft of climb so not too hilly
around a 16 average today. There isn't really a met elevation difference between work and home, and the route has around 1200ft of climb so not too hillyEdited by E65Ross on Thursday 4th June 14:05
Did the 48 mile round trip to work and back along the western edge of the Lake District National Park today. Going in this morning into the wind was like cycling through treacle! Wind dropped right away through the day though so it was a very pleasant ride back, set a few PBs as well.
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