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

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

Author
Discussion

TwistingMyMelon

6,385 posts

204 months

Friday 10th November 2017
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Daveyraveygravey said:
idiotgap said:
I actually don't mind it, but I stick to street-lit routes and drive the countryside bit because I'm frightened to do back lanes. I see a surprising number of people cycling without lights.
You should try it - there's something special about being out on a dark country road on your own. I find drivers tend to behave better too; they are less sure where the edge of the road is so aren't in such a rush to get past you. I can only do it for 90 minutes or so though; you get tunnel vision staring into the one part of your lighting you can see, and I miss the sights of a daylight ride too.
Same here, I love the 5 miles of so of unlit back lanes, however they are quiet straight an long so good visability, getting a puncture is errr...not that bad actually

I try and avoid the nast B roads that are unlit and just use it as an excuse to go longer way home, some of the B roads are a bit nasty that dont have streetlights, I much prefer the quiet roads

Also I agree with the points Davey made

idiotgap

2,112 posts

132 months

Friday 10th November 2017
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I might give it a go one day. The routine half ride is long enough without it so I'd try to pick a dry day and do it as a treat like I do in the Summer.

Here's an example: https://www.strava.com/activities/1132736824
My everyday normal route kicks in round about km25, the bit I miss out is a bit chunky.

Last time I did it with any regularity, I found I could do two 60mile round trip days in a week before I get a bit knackered and start being unable to function properly at work/home. Time is a little bit of an issue as well.

Maybe once I've finished by new/old commuter/winter bike build I'll have a go at doing it on that.

Daveyraveygravey

2,018 posts

183 months

Friday 10th November 2017
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Touch wood, the only night time puncture I can think of was on my Everesting. It was the front and I found with the front wheel out and the bike upright there was a good pool of light to work in. If it had been the back wheel not sure how I would have been able to light up a work space.
You have to keep on top of your charging of your lights - is it two trips since the last charge? Will it last another? I have two fronts and two rears, usually only one of each on at a time.
I ride the same roads, lit or unlit. They're fairly quiet most of them.
I tend to only commute two or three days a week, sometimes on road sometimes on the Downs, anything from 40 minutes to three hours one way.

Rich_W

12,548 posts

211 months

Friday 10th November 2017
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So i's about half 5 and I'm just outside where I work. Another employee sees me fiddling with bag, keys and lights. (and maybe Strava wink )

For reference he's borderline retired. And tbh bit of a rude wker. Often I'll say "morning" to him and he just ignores you. So I stopped bothering. It's not me, everyone gets it, just who he is.

"You should have a Yellow jacket on"
"Well my jacket has yellow sleeves" As I show him (It's primarily black Gore jacket. And tbf I have black tights on)
"It's not enough"
"I've got lights as well of course" (Pointing out front and rears)
"I'll get you one" (He means a Hi Viz Bib that we give some of our staff)
"Nah it's OK"
"No you must"
"No. It's ok thanks"

I'm trying to be polite. Then of course comes the immortal line

"It's not fair on car drivers if they hit you" rolleyes

At this point I feel like pointing out that his Jag is not Hi Viz yellow and is in fact Black. Like thousands of other cars on the road. And it doesn't seem to be an issue since he has lights. And seriously just fk off will you laugh

I decided to go with


"No thanks, once you get into the streets people can see me with the lights flashing away"

"Well be careful then" (I hat jinxing statements like that!)

"Rightio" laugh

Whilst I should accept he meant well, it was the fact that it was really about me (or cyclists in general) being an embuggerance to drivers and not really motivated by my well being.


An hour later a woman stepped off the pavement from my right. Saw me very late, and decided the best thing to do was to run towards me as I barrelled down on her position at 25mph My shouting at her to "stand fking still!" resulted in her a) standing still (so a good result!) and then b) shouting multiple expletives at me! Seemingly it was my fault she didn't see me. Dumb bh rolleyes



Dr Murdoch

3,427 posts

134 months

Saturday 11th November 2017
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Now if you were wearing that hi-viz......

hehe

Rich_W

12,548 posts

211 months

Saturday 11th November 2017
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Dr Murdoch said:
Now if you were wearing that hi-viz......

hehe
laugh

Was a messy ride home generally. I guess it's the Friday thing. Other nights this week have been pretty much incident free. So I guess I was due a bad one.

BeirutTaxi

6,627 posts

213 months

Saturday 11th November 2017
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Does anyone here commute in Southampton? I cycle along Mansbridge road, past the university and through the Common most days. Just interested to see if anyone shares a similar route biggrin

Best regards,

Matt

louiebaby

10,651 posts

190 months

Monday 13th November 2017
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I very nearly got taken out by a wagon this morning. He overtook me going too fast in a 30 zone, on a bridge, rapidly approaching a blind corner. When a car came round that corner, he cut in violently and nearly had me off.

I have the company name and his reg.

Do I:
  1. Chalk it up as one of those things.
  2. Give the company a call and politely suggest that driver needs to learn that even if he has a deadline to meet, he shouldn't meet it by making other people dead.
  3. Call the company and go off on one.
  4. Rant about it a bit on a forum.
I'm leaning towards number 2 and 4 currently.

idiotgap

2,112 posts

132 months

Monday 13th November 2017
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By way of balance, I had a relaxed ride in this morning. Just finished my new commuter bike build last night and was enjoying getting acquainted with it.

I approached Brixton and stopped at some lights next to a bus, the bus driver rolled his window down and I thought I was in for a rant or something... He actually just wanted to chat, said he thought it was way too cold for cycling and liked being tucked up in his cab. I explained the cycling keeps you warm.

Delightful (and sadly unusual) to have a relaxed and positive encounter!

travel is dangerous

1,853 posts

83 months

Monday 13th November 2017
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i caught up with a big lorry that was in the right hand of two lanes. and indicating to go left. I stopped behind him and when the lights changed made it clear to him I was giving him space/not going up the inside. happened to catch up with him later (once he'd stopped/was out of lorry), and said thanks, he made it very easy to be a cyclist around his lorry. Had a great chat.

I think having these small positive interactions with other road users is one of the best way to spread the idea that everyone is just a person (mostly) trying to do the best they can. apart from those punishment pass tts.

Rich_W

12,548 posts

211 months

Monday 13th November 2017
quotequote all
louiebaby said:
I very nearly got taken out by a wagon this morning. He overtook me going too fast in a 30 zone, on a bridge, rapidly approaching a blind corner. When a car came round that corner, he cut in violently and nearly had me off.

I have the company name and his reg.

Do I:
  1. Chalk it up as one of those things.
  2. Give the company a call and politely suggest that driver needs to learn that even if he has a deadline to meet, he shouldn't meet it by making other people dead.
  3. Call the company and go off on one.
  4. Rant about it a bit on a forum.
I'm leaning towards number 2 and 4 currently.
If you do report it. Don't admit you were the rider. Say you watched it happen from the pavement

Better if they have a "how are you driving" thing on the back.

Paraicj

502 posts

140 months

Monday 13th November 2017
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I had an uneventful ride in too. Proper cold though. The route is a bit too short and much too stop-start to get properly warmed up.

AC43

11,435 posts

207 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
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Cycled today and got as far as the road outside the office block when I got a call to say one of my kids was having to miss school with a stomach bug. Turned round and went home..........

Still, a fun way to pass the first two hours of the day.

Also no near misses today and it was a bit warmer - back to two layers up top.

Fluffsri

3,161 posts

195 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
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I havent ridden into work since June/July ish due to injury. Rode in yesterday for the first time and underestimated how cold it was, i was bloody freezing when I arrived at work only to find that he heating isn't on in the office, took me till lunchtime to warm up lol. This morning my proper cold weather kit is worn and an extra layer added and I was a tad warm, a lot warmer than yesterday but id rather be too hot than cold.

louiebaby

10,651 posts

190 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
Rich_W said:
If you do report it. Don't admit you were the rider. Say you watched it happen from the pavement

Better if they have a "how are you driving" thing on the back.
As a bit of an update, I had a polite conversation with a lady from the head office Health and Safety Team. I explained I was a passerby, didn't want the driver to get in too much trouble, but might need reminding of road safety.

He's going on a course. They thanked me for getting in touch.

Fluffsri

3,161 posts

195 months

Friday 17th November 2017
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BBBRRRRRRRR!

familyguy1

778 posts

131 months

Friday 17th November 2017
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Fluffsri said:
BBBRRRRRRRR!
your not wrong, at least there was no ice on my journey. next time I look out the window and debate whether to take my skull cap for under my helmet I should take it, my ears are burning now I'm in the office.

AC43

11,435 posts

207 months

Friday 17th November 2017
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Luckily I cycled in yesterday when it was pretty warm. Uneventful but fun. Getting some decent strength back.


Daveyraveygravey

2,018 posts

183 months

Friday 17th November 2017
quotequote all
familyguy1 said:
your not wrong, at least there was no ice on my journey. next time I look out the window and debate whether to take my skull cap for under my helmet I should take it, my ears are burning now I'm in the office.
I thought I wouldn't need the overshoes today...WRONG!

idiotgap

2,112 posts

132 months

Friday 17th November 2017
quotequote all
The weather is so variable at the moment, I'm obsessively checking the forecast and adjusting the layer plans before setting off.

Today was quite full on; winter-boots, long legs, short sleeve base, long armed winter weight jersey, gilet (which I thought I might shed but didn't), long finger gloves, buff pulled up over chin and ears, + cap and helmet on top! I was quite comfortable, but on the way home I'll lose the gilet and buff probably.

Monday's looking warmer.

2 events today. I saw an accident happen where a sky installer van collided with a car turning off the a23, happily I wasn't too close. I had a near miss too though. I was passing a queuing lorry on it's right which suddenly indicated and started to take a right turn. I was lucky to have been almost past it and managed to sneak by without being taken out.