The daily "I cycled to work" thread (Vol 2)
Discussion
Pissing it down this morning. My commute's only 15 minutes so I ride in my work clothes and waterproofs over the top.
Wet socks this morning though as my waterproof trousers rode up a bit and dripped water in to my waterproof shoes. I think I need some kind of short gaiter to wear over my shoes, full on cycling overshoes seem to be more about warmth than waterproofing, and are intended for skinny cycling shoes not size 11 Gore-Tex walking trainers. Alternatively one of my colleagues cycles in to work wearing wellies
Might be time to get some waterproof gloves too.
On the plus side there was a lot more space in the work bike shed than usual
Wet socks this morning though as my waterproof trousers rode up a bit and dripped water in to my waterproof shoes. I think I need some kind of short gaiter to wear over my shoes, full on cycling overshoes seem to be more about warmth than waterproofing, and are intended for skinny cycling shoes not size 11 Gore-Tex walking trainers. Alternatively one of my colleagues cycles in to work wearing wellies
Might be time to get some waterproof gloves too.
On the plus side there was a lot more space in the work bike shed than usual
RizzoTheRat said:
Wet socks this morning though as my waterproof trousers rode up a bit and dripped water in to my waterproof shoes. I think I need some kind of short gaiter to wear over my shoes, full on cycling overshoes seem to be more about warmth than waterproofing, and are intended for skinny cycling shoes not size 11 Gore-Tex walking trainers.
Might be time to get some waterproof gloves too.
Have a look at mountain biking overshoes - some can be got on without taking your shoes off, and they definitely fit over normal chunky shoes. Mine are warm and waterproof, so stop the water running off the waterproofs into my socks/shoes and means no need to avoid all the puddles.Might be time to get some waterproof gloves too.
I bought some Sealskinz winter gloves from Evans for about £20 in their sale last winter - they are awesome, and fully waterproof
Edited by Adrian E on Monday 21st October 14:41
I'm getting back on the old horse today, I've not properly commuted in since a career change began in April. Since then my miles have fallen away as I've just concentrated on doing the odd special occasion big ride.
A bit nervy about the going into the London traffic again, but deep down really looking forward to getting back into the regular exercise (about 17 miles each way, Purley to the East End). Since I now work in a cycle workshop so it'll be relatively easy to attend to any bike problems.
A bit nervy about the going into the London traffic again, but deep down really looking forward to getting back into the regular exercise (about 17 miles each way, Purley to the East End). Since I now work in a cycle workshop so it'll be relatively easy to attend to any bike problems.
First commute in nearly a year - job change and various other factors getting in the way.
Also first time on my Boardman Hybrid 8.9.
Realised I'd put a few pounds on when I tried to wear one of my tighter shirts but certainly picked the right day - dry and warm.
Was expecting loads of PB's over the 9.8 miles as I'd been doing it on a Trek 29er MTB before but no. One solitary 3rd best.
Oh well, back in the saddle. I can only get faster.
Also first time on my Boardman Hybrid 8.9.
Realised I'd put a few pounds on when I tried to wear one of my tighter shirts but certainly picked the right day - dry and warm.
Was expecting loads of PB's over the 9.8 miles as I'd been doing it on a Trek 29er MTB before but no. One solitary 3rd best.
Oh well, back in the saddle. I can only get faster.
Why is anyone in such a hurry to get to work that they feel the need to honk the horn and overtake cyclist who's already indicating and moving towards the centre of the road? Its a dead end road too so he was only a couple of hundred yards from his work. Knob.
Bought some new reflective gloves, gaiters and goretex trousers at the weekend, almost disappointed it wasn't raining this morning
Bought some new reflective gloves, gaiters and goretex trousers at the weekend, almost disappointed it wasn't raining this morning
First ride to work for a couple of weeks. Another puncture, no spares. Tube was a slime one so tried pumping more air in. That worked for about 5 mins.
Whilst routing around in the bottom of my bag for another co2 I sliced my finger on a razor. So then had to ride with a flat tyre bleeding claret all over the place
Whilst routing around in the bottom of my bag for another co2 I sliced my finger on a razor. So then had to ride with a flat tyre bleeding claret all over the place
dirtbiker said:
Pretty sunrise this morning but the days are definitely drawing in. Time to get my illuminated Orb bottle out (not my photo!):
How are you finding the bottle? looks good but not sure if its just a gimmick! Seems like most of the plonkers aiming for me know full well I am there anyway, but there's no harm in making sure.RapidRob said:
How are you finding the bottle? looks good but not sure if its just a gimmick! Seems like most of the plonkers aiming for me know full well I am there anyway, but there's no harm in making sure.
I'm a fan of it - onto the second season of using it. Don't know how much it hurts but I normally have a bottle of water so it's only a few extra grams.Also got a set of these to fit at some point: kickstarter.com/projects/outsider-team/flectr-360-wing
Came off twice on the ice on Monday - took the car today! Probably should start taking the MTB rather than my road bike but it's so much more effort!
Today is my last day commuting in 2019. Overall, I think I covered about 2000km just going to and from work by bike, and drove in fewer than 10 times all year. I got 4 punctures, one tyre repair and had one self-inflicted slip. About 100 close calls with cars but no taps this year, so that's a win. A road bike with 23mm tyres and a lofty saddle may not be the optimal 6km commuter, especially since it has 27 gears of which I use about 4. But it has served me well!
A good year for biking to work.
A good year for biking to work.
Back before Christmas I had some guy overtake me on a small estate road and beep his horn as he passed. The overtake was absolutely fine and there were no other cars at 7:30am so I was a bit perplexed. I thought I saw him parked up in the centre of the estate outside the local CoOp but as I wasn’t totally sure I’d registered what sort of car it was I thought I’d just leave it.
Fast forward to today and the exact same (almost to the meter on the road and same time) thing again. When I got to the CoOp again he was just parking up so I stopped to ask him why he was beeping at me. The guy then proceeds to argue that I should be on the s
tty cycle path as I’m not allowed on the road when there’s a path. He knows this because he has a class 1 license. After suggesting he might want to have another read of the Highway Code he then put forth his most devastating argument... if it’s ok for me to ride in either place can he drive his car on the path! Asked whether he was legally allowed to do that he just moved on to how I was also holding up the traffic at rush hour. He wasn’t awfully amused that I didn’t care. At this point I got a bit bored and suggested that perhaps we both re-read the Highway Code and compare notes when we inevitably cross paths again. I’m half tempted to print a section out to put under his wiper!
Fast forward to today and the exact same (almost to the meter on the road and same time) thing again. When I got to the CoOp again he was just parking up so I stopped to ask him why he was beeping at me. The guy then proceeds to argue that I should be on the s
tty cycle path as I’m not allowed on the road when there’s a path. He knows this because he has a class 1 license. After suggesting he might want to have another read of the Highway Code he then put forth his most devastating argument... if it’s ok for me to ride in either place can he drive his car on the path! Asked whether he was legally allowed to do that he just moved on to how I was also holding up the traffic at rush hour. He wasn’t awfully amused that I didn’t care. At this point I got a bit bored and suggested that perhaps we both re-read the Highway Code and compare notes when we inevitably cross paths again. I’m half tempted to print a section out to put under his wiper!m444ttb said:
Back before Christmas I had some guy overtake me on a small estate road and beep his horn as he passed. The overtake was absolutely fine and there were no other cars at 7:30am so I was a bit perplexed. I thought I saw him parked up in the centre of the estate outside the local CoOp but as I wasn’t totally sure I’d registered what sort of car it was I thought I’d just leave it.
Fast forward to today and the exact same (almost to the meter on the road and same time) thing again. When I got to the CoOp again he was just parking up so I stopped to ask him why he was beeping at me. The guy then proceeds to argue that I should be on the stty cycle path as I’m not allowed on the road when there’s a path. He knows this because he has a class 1 license. After suggesting he might want to have another read of the Highway Code he then put forth his most devastating argument... if it’s ok for me to ride in either place can he drive his car on the path! Asked whether he was legally allowed to do that he just moved on to how I was also holding up the traffic at rush hour. He wasn’t awfully amused that I didn’t care. At this point I got a bit bored and suggested that perhaps we both re-read the Highway Code and compare notes when we inevitably cross paths again. I’m half tempted to print a section out to put under his wiper!
Had sort of similar on the A1307. A passing car on a virtually empty dual carriageway gave us a peep. Had changed lanes to pass us and everything! Cambridgeshire drivers do seem to be very good in general in that respect.Fast forward to today and the exact same (almost to the meter on the road and same time) thing again. When I got to the CoOp again he was just parking up so I stopped to ask him why he was beeping at me. The guy then proceeds to argue that I should be on the s
tty cycle path as I’m not allowed on the road when there’s a path. He knows this because he has a class 1 license. After suggesting he might want to have another read of the Highway Code he then put forth his most devastating argument... if it’s ok for me to ride in either place can he drive his car on the path! Asked whether he was legally allowed to do that he just moved on to how I was also holding up the traffic at rush hour. He wasn’t awfully amused that I didn’t care. At this point I got a bit bored and suggested that perhaps we both re-read the Highway Code and compare notes when we inevitably cross paths again. I’m half tempted to print a section out to put under his wiper!Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff