First commute of the year this morning

[Chris71]

I had a late start this morning so I spontaneously decided to attack the slipping gears on my road bike and ride in.

I failed pretty spectacularly with the 'pro setup' on my gears, but did get them to the state where most were usable, so I wheezed my way in.

I should know the routine by now. I don't get much chance to ride over the winter (even when I actually have the inclination) so there was that familiar feeling of overwhelming physical decay having taken place since the autumn. Next came the realisation that, no, I hadn't imagined it, North London's van drivers are [almost] all out to get me. Finally I got into work and had to clean my stinking carcass before shuffling over to the desk.

And you know what? It was so worth it.

[boolay]

May it be the first of many. I always found it worse when 5:30 rolls around and the realisation set in that I can't jump in the car and waft home, I have to work for my supper.... That's why I leave the riding til the weekends

[The Walrus]

Good on you it always feels worth it in the end I find, I cycle in yesterday with a nice breeze doing it's best to push me into traffic, I was cursing the return journey but low and behold a nice following wind and I bested my time home by 1 minute which over 8 miles is not to be sniffed at !

[Chris71]

I'm feeling a roughly equal mix of anticipation for my afternoon ride and dread at facing traffic in the rush hour this time. Even wafting in at 11 o'clock I was taking my life in my hands.

[The Walrus]

Just take your time and don't go for the silly gaps and you will be fine, remember to plan your lane changes and give clear indication and you can't go far wrong or you can always try the alternative http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=HLzGj10fg2g

[boolay]

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

Ive eben commuting for 3 weks now and its great in the morning ( downhill about 3 miles - easy) but I must admit to not looking forward to the ride home every ight so treat it as my alternative to going to the gym. lost some weight too!

by the way that video - bunch of c**ts

[shouldbworking]

Been cycling in 3 days a week (the other 2 I can't due to time pressures) since about the beginning of feb!

Finally took some pictures today of my commute.. There is a bloody great hill on the commute and I've been called nuts for cycling it, but take a look at the pictures and I hope you'll agree you'd be mad not to cycle

https://picasaweb.google.com/ChrisChennell/StuffOn...

[timbo48]

Had my first commute of the year on Tuesday and was damn cold to start with but soon warmed up and really enjoyed most of the nine miles. Did it again yesterday, only quicker this time. I reckon two or three times a week should see me back to a reasonable level of fitness after a winter mostly off the bike.

[Chris71]

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

By the way that video - bunch of c**ts

I agree totally, they're the sort of idiots who give the haters in General Gassing something to moan about.

But, it has to be said, I've seen that video loads of times and I still find it strangely compelling. I think part of it's the soundtrack, I love a bit of old school cheesy metal.

I can't state how much I *don't* ride like that personally, though. I'm extremely law abiding, and if anything I'm a bit too meek (and I know this has been discussed millions of times with regards to defensive road positioning!) I've commuted for three years (okay, three summers!) now and past experience shows it takes a while to get comfortable on the roads each time. I think there's a sweet spot where you're sufficiently confident to stand your ground in a defensive road position and able to filter safely without getting too gung ho.

In some respects I reckon I'm in quite a bad situation. My route is very hilly (by local standards) so even when I'm in good shape I spend parts of it plodding, and it's right on the edge of London, which means I get London driving mentality to contend with, but out-of-town traffic speeds. Eek.

[okgo]

Yep, 4 or 5 days a week for me, only about 25 miles a day, but it has helped my fitness no end, I laughed off a 50 miles today, same ride last year had me in a bad way.