The daily "I cycled to work" thread

[Kermit power]

Eddh said:

I cycled in today. Almost caused an accident too

My water bottle fell out of its holder and onto the floor. Without thinking I jammed my brakes on and stopped... there were around 3-4 people coming up behind me and almost crashed into me (cyclists).

Stupid on my part but it was early and I had a bit of a thick head!

Although one could also argue that, as with motoring, if someone is too close to your arse to avoid you doing an emergency stop, then they're the problem.

[okgo]

Kermit power said:

Although one could also argue that, as with motoring, if someone is too close to your arse to avoid you doing an emergency stop, then they're the problem.

I don't think that applies to London cycling, its too busy not to be.

[Kermit power]

okgo said:

Kermit power said:

Although one could also argue that, as with motoring, if someone is too close to your arse to avoid you doing an emergency stop, then they're the problem.

I don't think that applies to London cycling, its too busy not to be.

You could stay the same of London motorised traffic, but you'd still be at fault if you rear-ended someone.

[okgo]

Rules don't apply in cycling, you know that

[ewenm]

okgo said:

Rules don't apply in cycling, you know that

Other than THE RULES of course

[Gizmoish]

okgo said:

Kermit power said:

Although one could also argue that, as with motoring, if someone is too close to your arse to avoid you doing an emergency stop, then they're the problem.

I don't think that applies to London cycling, its too busy not to be.

I had a "friendly word" from someone a couple of weeks back when I had the temerity to stop at a set of traffic lights and his girlfriend (everyone say "aahhh") nearly fell off stopping behind me. To which I replied "she should have been watching the lights then..."

[Eddh]

Kermit power said:

Eddh said:

I cycled in today. Almost caused an accident too

My water bottle fell out of its holder and onto the floor. Without thinking I jammed my brakes on and stopped... there were around 3-4 people coming up behind me and almost crashed into me (cyclists).

Stupid on my part but it was early and I had a bit of a thick head!

Although one could also argue that, as with motoring, if someone is too close to your arse to avoid you doing an emergency stop, then they're the problem.

True, I did stop in a rather stupid spot though. Although road bikes don't exactly slow down super quickly...

[Gizmoish]

Boom! 45 mins door to door. Faster than the tube, 25.6kph average.

Rule 10.

[AyBee]

Gizmoish said:

I had a "friendly word" from someone a couple of weeks back when I had the temerity to stop at a set of traffic lights and his girlfriend (everyone say "aahhh") nearly fell off stopping behind me. To which I replied "she should have been watching the lights then..."

Reminds me of the guy who tutted at me while I was stopped at a red, I asked him if he was tutting for stopping, and he said no, for pulling left slightly while stopped at the lights - not only was he going to ignore the red light, but he was going to do it on my left hand side between me and the pavement

[paranoid airbag]

Eddh said:

True, I did stop in a rather stupid spot though. Although road bikes don't exactly slow down super quickly...

mine definitely wasn't in the rain today...

[Gizmoish]

Went in this morning. Wasn't really feeling it, cruised all the way. Still went faster than the first time, a couple of months back.

As mentioned in the other thread though, the puncture fairy has visited. After almost 700km, and about 2km from home. Got a big chunk of glass right in the middle of the front tyre and it went down instantly... at 45kph, which was quite hairy but I suppose it could have been worse. Walked the rest of the way...

http://app.strava.com/rides/13027646

[Kermit power]

I had all the pace and power of a half-drowned kitten pedaling into a tornado on the way home this evening. I have absolutely no idea why.

[Jimbo.]

Kermit power said:

I had all the pace and power of a half-drowned kitten pedaling into a tornado on the way home this evening. I have absolutely no idea why.

"Some days you're the hammer, some days you're the nail..."

Horrible, HORRIBLE feeling!

[Kermit power]

Well, after last night's dismal performance, at least the kitten put in a bit of a roar this morning, prompting the somewhat backhanded compliment of "you're going some for a gentleman of your physique" from a chap clad head to toe in CC lycra!

Given that he was a nice chap to chat to (a rarity in itself in London cycling), and was delivered as he caught back up with me at traffic lights, I shall take it as being well-intentioned!

[Highway Star]

Eight days into cycling to work and perhaps my legs are getting stronger, didn't feel especially good this morning, but knocked a minute off my time.

Probably more to do with the new jersey though!

[louiebaby]

I'm taking my old road bike over to Sigma tonight for a full service, before gifting it to my younger brother. I spent half an hour tinkering with it last night, refitting some pedals, pumping the tyres up and adjusting the seat and handle bars.

Then I picked it up. Then I picked up the newer stead. fk me, the old bike is heavy. The new one isn't particularly light being an Aluminium frame and size 64.

Riding the old one in this morning I took it quite steady as it felt pretty alien to me. Very "arse up, head down" compared to the newer one. It's strange how you soon get used to a fit.

It also reminded me that it's worth the money to get a professional bike fitter to spend half an hour with you when you get a new bike to get it set up properly.

[ThePlanner]

My usual 15 minute ride turned into a day long nightmare!

had a puncture about half way to work so to far from home to turn back, so ended up walking the last 2 miles.

Got to work lost ID card so could get into building to get changed. Had to wait 30 minutes for co-workers to turn up and let me in.

Then went to get changed and a found that my suit trousers were not in my bag. So i have ended up wearing a shirt + Tie with cycling shorts all day. To day i have spent 90% of my time sitting at my desk as i look completely stupid.

Everyone got to have one of those days at some point!

[AyBee]

ThePlanner said:

My usual 15 minute ride turned into a day long nightmare!

had a puncture about half way to work so to far from home to turn back, so ended up walking the last 2 miles.

Got to work lost ID card so could get into building to get changed. Had to wait 30 minutes for co-workers to turn up and let me in.

Then went to get changed and a found that my suit trousers were not in my bag. So i have ended up wearing a shirt + Tie with cycling shorts all day. To day i have spent 90% of my time sitting at my desk as i look completely stupid.

Everyone got to have one of those days at some point!

Brilliant!

Worst I've managed was no underwear which resulted in going commando until lunchtime when I bought some new pairs. *Touch wood*

[okgo]

you ride to work with no tube and pump....

[ThePlanner]

okgo said:

you ride to work with no tube and pump....

Usually I do, but today i used a different bag! My cycle route is 99% traffic free along a canal towpath.

Bike sorted for ride home, but i do not have my waterproofs so will be cycling home with shorts and T-Shirt! not a good day at all.

It the 1st time in 2 years cycling that things have gone badly wrong.

Edited by ThePlanner on Thursday 12th July 15:39