The daily "I cycled to work" thread (Vol 2)
Discussion
dhutch said:
Did a works trip to Amsterdam, and they cycle lanes are awesome, had read and seen pictures before, but its only when you see it and they way they can be used, and compare it to doing the same here it blows your mind.
There is a cycle lane from my office (on a large complex) to the nearby station (1 mile away) and its great except for the below issues:
- Sufficiently faded markings that the majority of pedestrians and or road users don't seem to be aware of it and are a shocked as anything else.
- Completely stops boths sides of a rail bridge pinch point, forcing you into a narrow lane, or tight pavement. Just an 'END' stop junction.
- Large section with broken rather than solid lines, where cars split into two lanes for a cross roads leaving you waiting in static traffic.
- Large section which is two way working, yet only 3ft wide, so any passing has to take place by going into pedestrian section.
- Large number of side roads and access roads which are stop junctions for bikes, sometimes only a few feet apart, breaking up all flow.
- About five pieces of street furniture smack in the middle of the cycle lane, often largely unmarked. Bus stop signs, data/phone cabinets, etc.
- Multiple bus stops were a waiting buses stand directly in you path while boarding passengers, without room to get around.
- Disappears for a short section on a blind bends where overgrown hedge forces you into oncoming bikes and pedestrians.
- Stops and the major traffic junction about 100m short of actually getting to the train station itself.
Not bad getting all of that within just under 1500 metres of cycle lane! (at the other end, i got no cycle lane at all)
Daniel
Spot on. Outer London is no better. Designed by accountants, probably not cycling accountants either. It's quicker and safer riding on the 40 mph DC. At least there's bus lane for half of it, and I'm usually faster than the buses.There is a cycle lane from my office (on a large complex) to the nearby station (1 mile away) and its great except for the below issues:
- Sufficiently faded markings that the majority of pedestrians and or road users don't seem to be aware of it and are a shocked as anything else.
- Completely stops boths sides of a rail bridge pinch point, forcing you into a narrow lane, or tight pavement. Just an 'END' stop junction.
- Large section with broken rather than solid lines, where cars split into two lanes for a cross roads leaving you waiting in static traffic.
- Large section which is two way working, yet only 3ft wide, so any passing has to take place by going into pedestrian section.
- Large number of side roads and access roads which are stop junctions for bikes, sometimes only a few feet apart, breaking up all flow.
- About five pieces of street furniture smack in the middle of the cycle lane, often largely unmarked. Bus stop signs, data/phone cabinets, etc.
- Multiple bus stops were a waiting buses stand directly in you path while boarding passengers, without room to get around.
- Disappears for a short section on a blind bends where overgrown hedge forces you into oncoming bikes and pedestrians.
- Stops and the major traffic junction about 100m short of actually getting to the train station itself.
Not bad getting all of that within just under 1500 metres of cycle lane! (at the other end, i got no cycle lane at all)
Daniel
Use to commute to work daily on my trusty (and cheap) 2nd Carrera Subway, but was over a decade ago!!!
Now been responsible for the nursery run, work meetings starting at 9, 10 years older unfit legs etc, means not been on a bike to commute on since Labour was last in power!!
But enough is enough, last weekend had a good hour playing on a Broadman electric hybrid and loved it. Order has now gone in and once am back from holiday will aim to commute 4 days of the week.
Plan is to carry the bike on a tow bar mounted carrier for my run to nursery, than leave the car at nursery and do the 5 mile commute into work on the bike with max electrical assistance so I don't need a shower on as arrival. For the return leg will just use my legs to get the fitness back.
Cannot wait......oh I have access to cycle lanes on the run into work, but as already been discussed here they are next to useless, sticking to the A road is much quicker, and there is a few Strava segments enroute
.
Now been responsible for the nursery run, work meetings starting at 9, 10 years older unfit legs etc, means not been on a bike to commute on since Labour was last in power!!
But enough is enough, last weekend had a good hour playing on a Broadman electric hybrid and loved it. Order has now gone in and once am back from holiday will aim to commute 4 days of the week.
Plan is to carry the bike on a tow bar mounted carrier for my run to nursery, than leave the car at nursery and do the 5 mile commute into work on the bike with max electrical assistance so I don't need a shower on as arrival. For the return leg will just use my legs to get the fitness back.
Cannot wait......oh I have access to cycle lanes on the run into work, but as already been discussed here they are next to useless, sticking to the A road is much quicker, and there is a few Strava segments enroute
.A week and a half commuting by car, but have brought my bike into work today. Ready to cycle home and back for the last few days of the week.
No decent storage at work so I have to use my car as a wardrobe, towel drying area etc in the office car park. Makes it a bit more work to get organised. However traffic has been bad this week so it spurred me on.
No decent storage at work so I have to use my car as a wardrobe, towel drying area etc in the office car park. Makes it a bit more work to get organised. However traffic has been bad this week so it spurred me on.
Dr Murdoch said:
Am I made to consider cycling to work tomorrow (Hampton Court - Woking). I've never ridden in strong winds before, is there a real risk of been blown about, either off or into traffic?
I'm still going to. Dont think they will be as strong. You will be sheltered anyway. Just take careTheInternet said:
If the wind speed/direction holds you'll have a beastly ride in, but won't need to pedal at all on the return leg.
Ha ha, indeed!Its always a head wind going in, last week there was a slight breeze that nearly reduced me to tears!
On the way back I might get some air over Chertsey Bridge
I usually seem to get a headwind both ways, but had a tail wind today!
I stopped pedalling up a slight incline as I slowed for traffic lights and could feel gusts accelerating me. At one point I was doing 30kph with no wind in my face, and a couple of hundred meters further along I was struggling to do 15kph while leaning sideways in to the wind
Hopefully it'll die back a bit later or the cycle home will be hard work.
I stopped pedalling up a slight incline as I slowed for traffic lights and could feel gusts accelerating me. At one point I was doing 30kph with no wind in my face, and a couple of hundred meters further along I was struggling to do 15kph while leaning sideways in to the wind
Hopefully it'll die back a bit later or the cycle home will be hard work.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Monday 10th February 08:30
Dr Murdoch said:
Am I mad to consider cycling to work tomorrow (Hampton Court - Woking). I've never ridden in strong winds before, is there a real risk of been blown about, either off or into traffic?
Pah, what was I worrying about. Slight headwind, but all rather calm. Lots of debris, which may be an issue on the way home when its dark and harder to see sticks, branches etc etcTalking of the ride home, the MET office forecast indicates that it might be fairly wild (heavy rain and 40mph gusts), although the BBC doesn't appear to be a bad...
I'll find out soon enough.
troc said:
Yeah not here. From delft to Rijswijk, the wind was conspiring to prevent any decent speed in either direction! I eventually found a de-restricted e-bike to follow
You didn't head down to the Oosterscheldekering barrier then?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMinwf-kRlA
Got my first puncture since I started cycling to work in the new year.
Very lucky as it was only a few hundred meters from home.
As I've found with the bike, anything that can possibly perish, has down in the ten years has done and that includes puncture repair kit. I have no spare tubes for this size of tyre either, so on the train tomorrow.
I do have a tube of slime, tempted to put it in. Concerned about gunking up the valve though. Any thoughts?
Very lucky as it was only a few hundred meters from home.
As I've found with the bike, anything that can possibly perish, has down in the ten years has done and that includes puncture repair kit. I have no spare tubes for this size of tyre either, so on the train tomorrow.
I do have a tube of slime, tempted to put it in. Concerned about gunking up the valve though. Any thoughts?
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