The daily "I cycled to work" thread (Vol 2)

[Thorpy]

First ever commute today, it was just as quick as driving in! Did nearly get taken out by an idiot in. Mini Countryman who decided he didn't want to give way to me!

[idiotgap]

Thorpy said:

First ever commute today, it was just as quick as driving in! Did nearly get taken out by an idiot in. Mini Countryman who decided he didn't want to give way to me!

Good effort! How far are you riding? Where roughly? Are you going to do it every day?

I enjoyed my ride this morning from Croydon to the city, it was sunny and windy but I had my ph jersey on so a smile on my face and my chest.

[Thorpy]

idiotgap said:

Good effort! How far are you riding? Where roughly? Are you going to do it every day?

I enjoyed my ride this morning from Croydon to the city, it was sunny and windy but I had my ph jersey on so a smile on my face and my chest.

I'ts only 6 miles in and mostly downhill, I took a slightly meandering route home to to cut out a horrible climb (but I added more distance and elevation to even it out). The ride is in to Huddersfield so no city centre traffic to worry about, even then I'm a confident rider anyway. I'm going to try and do at least 3 days a week (I also go on a local club run on a Tuesday evening so I don't want to be too tired for that). I was also sporting my PH jersey Excellent day for it!

[Spydaman]

I signed up for Strava and now it seems every ride to work and back is a race against myself and everyone else. Makes life more fun though.

[GrantD5]

Spydaman said:

I signed up for Strava and now it seems every ride to work and back is a race against myself and everyone else. Makes life more fun though.

If it gives a little self conscious to push yourself, then that is a win win. I'm the same.

On the way in this morning I see a guy coming in the opposite jump a red light at a cross road junction. He did stop at first, it was clear and he pulled away early not to realise a police office on a motorbike was approaching just behind him!

This was on Kingsland Road, Hackney.

[idiotgap]

So did the police do anything?
I witnessed some appalling red light jumping yesterday, really makes me wince when I see cyclists hurling through the pedestrians on a green man or chancing it against the cars. I know waiting diligently adds a fair amount of time and effort to my rides, but I'm there to put the effort in and the time is the cost of using the road. I resent the bad name the jumpers give me and all other lycra louts.

I think it's great to capture commutes on Strava, particularly if you are starting out. It's very encouraging being able to visualise your growing fitness.

[GrantD5]

idiotgap said:

So did the police do anything?
I witnessed some appalling red light jumping yesterday, really makes me wince when I see cyclists hurling through the pedestrians on a green man or chancing it against the cars. I know waiting diligently adds a fair amount of time and effort to my rides, but I'm there to put the effort in and the time is the cost of using the road. I resent the bad name the jumpers give me and all other lycra louts.

I think it's great to capture commutes on Strava, particularly if you are starting out. It's very encouraging being able to visualise your growing fitness.

Well soon as the cyclist stop I heard the officer having a pop but he had his helmet on and it was covering his mouth so I'm not sure what was said.

Ironically, the lights changed about 5 seconds after the guy jumped the lights and I was on my way to work so I wasn't going to play spectator.

Yesterday I kept overtaking a lady who kept RLJ, but then at a red light she would just go past me, didn't even appear to look left and right.

[louiebaby]

I've had a week off, and the bit that really seemed to hurt was leg speed. It's gone, in a week.

I'll need to do some drills to get it back, or something.

[idiotgap]

Lots of spannering and tinkering done on the £56 grotty gumtree bike recently to celebrate rolling over 1000 miles on it, it rode nicely this morning.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

- new brakeblocks, noodles and boots, stripped, cleaned and regreased the pivots on the v-brake arms
- new cables and outers all round
- straightened the bent chainrings
- cleaned, degreased and re-lubed the drive-train
- trued the front-wheel
- adjusted the bearings on the rear wheel
- drilled through the seat-stay to deal with stripped thread on the rack mounting.

[Paraicj]

That is some sterling work done, idiotgap!

After 80km of very hilly MTBing at the weekend, this morning was a bit of a chore. Never more glad to only have a 5km commute...

[GipsyHillClimber]

idiotgap said:

Good effort! How far are you riding? Where roughly? Are you going to do it every day?

I enjoyed my ride this morning from Croydon to the city, it was sunny and windy but I had my ph jersey on so a smile on my face and my chest.

Out of interest idiotgap what route do you take in roughly? I've just bought a road bike and will be biking from Crystal Palace way to the City/London Bridge so i imagine i'll take a similar route to you, any recommendations on roads to avoid, black spots for accidents or the like?

Impressive that you do your hack on a resurrected £50 craigslist bike by the way, here's hoping it doesn't go missing on you.

[idiotgap]

GipsyHillClimber said:

Out of interest idiotgap what route do you take in roughly? I've just bought a road bike and will be biking from Crystal Palace way to the City/London Bridge so i imagine i'll take a similar route to you, any recommendations on roads to avoid, black spots for accidents or the like?

I have two main routes, I should try to vary it a bit more, but it's easy to get into a routine.
If I'm cycling all the way in from home I might go via Crystal Palace - see this one: https://www.strava.com/activities/609787550
More often I'll cut out the hill though and more regularly mostly follow the A23 like yesterday: https://www.strava.com/activities/979297351

I can't really comment on accident black spots, I had one on the A23 near oval and witnessed one at the other end by melrose avenue, but this is anecdotal really. It's quite easy to take risks you're not aware of until you see things unfold. Think about what the drivers you are relying to avoid you can see. Generally I think I prefer the larger roads with bus lanes, going through Brixton is the worst part though. On side roads I feel more vulnerable to close passes and doorings.

I personally don't go through red lights, not only because of the danger, but also out of courtesy to the other road users. Right now there are a lot of extra less experienced cycle commuters about as there's more light and more pleasant temperatures, it does seem to mean proportionally for whatever reason there are more risk takers and that doesn't go down well with the motorists.

[HugoFastmann]

I cycled to work this morning, slowly, and still turned up a sweaty mess. It's warming up out there! At last...

[Renn Sport]

idiotgap said:

I personally don't go through red lights, not only because of the danger, but also out of courtesy to the other road users. Right now there are a lot of extra less experienced cycle commuters about as there's more light and more pleasant temperatures, it does seem to mean proportionally for whatever reason there are more risk takers and that doesn't go down well with the motorists.

So I don't go through red lights at junctions however if there is red light on a pelican crossing with no pedestrians I kinda just cycle slowly through.

I rode my nicer Carbon bike yesterday and it was like I was in Porsche when compared to my commuter hack complete with mudguards.

I'm really boring as I stick to the A23 into Streatham as it feels safer with the wide Bus lanes.

[idiotgap]

Happy cycle to work day!
https://www.strava.com/challenges/bike-to-work-201...

I had to work from home today so feel like I am letting the side down rather.

[Philvrs]

First time for me this morning (in this job anyway, only 9km approx). This weather this week has made me do it.
Didn't want to be late so left nice and early and only just made it due to swing bridge starting just as I got there!

[Hell27]

Great rides to / from work today. Since January I've lost nearly 15kg so it's the equivalent of losing the same weight as an enduro DH bike! Also this week found a quieter route in through back roads, Heaton Park, and into Manchester via the Rochdale canal tow path from Collyhurst. It's longer but my average speed is a lot quicker due to much less traffic lights.

[Spydaman]

idiotgap said:

Happy cycle to work day!
https://www.strava.com/challenges/bike-to-work-201...

I had to work from home today so feel like I am letting the side down rather.

Currently 38997th!

[Thorpy]

Nice commute today both in and out. My new Sportful Fiandre Light jersey/jacket kept the early morning chill off. Glad i was riding home today as traffic was mental due to temporary traffic lights. Managed to get some hills in on the way home too (not overly difficult in West Yorkshire).

[idiotgap]

I cycled half way home as usual to get the train on Wednesday night, found myself standing like a fool in front of a U-lock for which I had no key (left on my desk at work). I cycled on a bit further to bide time until the trains allow non-folding bikes and took it home. Thursday I worked from home.

So today I needed to get back in to work again. My train ticket had run out so I decided to cycle all the way and take my nice bike. Had a good ride in, felt good to be on a decent bike without baggage. Sadly I had a puncture at Elephant and Castle, enjoyable ride overall anyway!



Realised later I had no pants in the office so I had to make a commando expedition to M&S!