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

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

Author
Discussion

louiebaby

10,651 posts

190 months

Tuesday 12th September 2017
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Very brisk commute home last night. (In an Easterly direction, obvs.)

Had a go at the longest Strava segment on my commute, but was 29 seconds off my KOM time. That was with aerobars though, so it's tricky to compare, also dunno how much more windy it was last time, if at all.

Was properly broken by the end of it though!

kiethton

13,883 posts

179 months

Tuesday 12th September 2017
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idiotgap said:
Good effort! Did you come via Crystal Palace for extra hill points?
I'm genuinely interested in the route as always thinking I should look for ways to vary mine.

I ditched the heavy commuter hybrid for a road bike today as I didn't need to carry anything much and enjoyed the ride. It felt fast but every time it's the lights that seem to have more of a bearing on my door to door speed.
Haha, think I took just about the easiest route imaginable for hills:





I'm based on The Avenue so did:

Beckenham hill - Catford - Lewisham - Deptford - Rotherhithe - London Bridge

The stretch from lewisham - Tooley Street was nearly traffic free, completely, this morning too which was a result! With the southbound closure at London Bridge it's very similar for the commute home too and baring Beckenham Hill right at the end of the ride it's pretty flat!

Shirt587

360 posts

134 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
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Ticked over this years 2,000 commuting mile mark this morning.
Goal of 2,420 (10% up on last year) is not going to happen this year, but be interesting to see how close I get.

AC43

11,433 posts

207 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
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Managed to do Monday this week and today.

Getting autumnal and blustery.

Still, the roads will start to quieten down a bit.


Paraicj

502 posts

140 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
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"National Cycle to Work Day" today apparently. No difference in Birmingham!

Surprisingly warm, having seen the weather reports. A bit of wind but no need for extra layers.

1ians

398 posts

192 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
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Don't think the advertising campaign for cycle to work day was particularly effective. Awful day for it too, was a real slog with the wind at times today.

MrsMiggins

2,807 posts

234 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
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Weren't many bikes out at all today, and I didn't find out it was C2W day until I got home. Dreadful ride back today too. University has started back and I hadn't realised before that my route would be such a PITA. It's like cycling through a herd of lemmings.

HugoFastmann

279 posts

117 months

Thursday 14th September 2017
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Managed my 15 mile commute to work (for the last time before I start a new job on Monday) in 3 minutes less than normal thanks to a potent tail wind. Not looking forward to the return journey this evening though...

My new commute will be roughly 22 miles - anyone have any suggestions on how long to allow for that length of journey? For reference, my current commute of 15 miles takes 1:02-1:10.

MrsMiggins

2,807 posts

234 months

Thursday 14th September 2017
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A new low this morning. Was cycling along the cycle path which is alongside the road but separated by a kerb as it used to be the pedestrian footpath. Cars driving on the road could only go single file due to parked vehicles. Rather than wait for the oncoming vehicles to clear a driver instead decided the best course of action was to mount the kerb and drive their car along the cycle path directly at me. What is wrong with people?

I was tempted to stop the bike in front of the car and ask them exactly what they thought they were playing at, but in the end I remembered the old adage "never argue with an idiot..."

RickRolled

339 posts

176 months

Thursday 14th September 2017
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Have cycled 6.5 miles to work this morning, pretty chilly at around 7c.

I think I need to look into some proper wind / rain proof jacket.

Edited by RickRolled on Thursday 14th September 15:58

MrsMiggins

2,807 posts

234 months

Thursday 14th September 2017
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I'm thinking about autumn/winter clothing but need to avoid the "boil in the bag" scenario, which I'm getting with my current waterproofs.

AC43

11,433 posts

207 months

Wednesday 20th September 2017
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Cycled in today. Ditched the Gore shell on three miles as I was roasting. Did the rest in the usual shorts and short sleeved shirt.




louiebaby

10,651 posts

190 months

Wednesday 20th September 2017
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Looking like a moist ride home...

Dr Murdoch

3,427 posts

134 months

Wednesday 20th September 2017
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Found a dogging spot en route?

biggrin

Banana Boy

467 posts

112 months

Wednesday 20th September 2017
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Actually had to dial 999 tonight after bizarre road rage incident!

God knows what the guy's problem was?! I was keeping up with traffic, stopping at red lights, had lights etc.

Coming over London Road bridge near the new Posh ground houses when I nearly got my handle bars clipped by a guy in a red Chevrolet!!! Shouted 'WOAHHH' and raised my hand, got the finger in reply...
The lights were red at the Peacock Pub so I had a chance to catch up. He had his window down so as I approached I was loudly asking what the problem was (without being rude or swearing) with a view to meeting him at his drivers window, he pulled his car across me and slammed his anchors on just as I arrived?! I 'just' managed to stop before running into the back of him then he drove off, he wasn't brave enough to get out and explain himself...

Managed to follow through to the lights at Coneygree road in Stanground but had enough time to compose myself, pull over get a pic of his plate and call the police. Figured it might not go anywhere but best if I did the right thing.

Lovely call centre op was very understanding, very helpful and at least made me feel like something might happen.

Also reported through Cambs Police Anti Social Driving website, pretty sure it will just become a statistic but I didn't die or get into a fight with a tt.

Very odd.

Gilhooligan

2,211 posts

143 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
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Started cycling to work this week for the first time. 5 mile route that is 90% on a canal tow path. The tarmac is pretty rough but 42c tyres seem to cope reasonably well with absorbing it all.

I think I'll have to start going longer routes on the way home as it's only taking me 19 minutes ha!

Enjoying it so far. So much more enjoyable than standing on a packed train. The cycle to work scheme is costing me half what the train tickets did which is a nice bonus.



donfisher

793 posts

165 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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It was looking like despite being a reasonable temperature, I was going to get soaked this morning.

However some kind soul had saved me from a morning of stuffing my shoes with newspaper by stealing my saddle, seatpost and clamp. What an absolute gent.

I was thinking that despite being a relatively subdued all black and no logo version that an Arione was asking for trouble and that I needed one of those small Kryptonite cables next time I was buying some bits. I will certainly be doing that now if I replace it like for like.

Hopefully I can get the parts off an old bike to get it back on the road until correctly coloured items arrive this week. I’Il also need to go through the rigmarole of getting a new tag for the work racks and a new bracket for my Ortlieb pack.

Great start to the week.

timnoyce

413 posts

180 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
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Set a personal best this morning on my commute. My legs felt good so I decided to see what I could do. Obviously my legs are working well from their interval training at Revolve24. Amazed I went as quick as I did as I got caught out by 4 or 5 sets of lights!

https://www.strava.com/activities/1203693928#

Sub 45 is the target now...

AC43

11,433 posts

207 months

Thursday 28th September 2017
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Cycled in fast on Tuesday morning (8.5 miles).

Ran 4k at lunchtime.

Beat my PB on the home.

Swam a mile yesterday lunchtime.

In bits today.

MrsMiggins

2,807 posts

234 months

Friday 29th September 2017
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Ticked through the 1000km mark on the new bike this week which was nice. Not quite as nice is an issue with the hub gear which means that the bike is back at the LBS for some TLC. I either get it back tomorrow or I'll be commuting on something else for a while. frown