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

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

Author
Discussion

Fluffsri

3,161 posts

195 months

Friday 17th November 2017
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I was in winterboots, longs, base layer, long sleeve jersey, long sleeve outer, gillet, buff, skull cap and my deep winter gloves. I was feeling the cold on my first 20 mins as its all down hill from my house so I don't really warm up until I ride the last 20 mins where its mainly up! lol.

bagusbagus

451 posts

87 months

Friday 17th November 2017
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Today had, wool socks/wool hat/ merino buff / one merino jumper/ other cashmere jumper and one windbreaker.
Just about warm enough...

AC43

11,435 posts

207 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
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....what on earth do you guys wear when it gets really cold? LOL.

You're describing what I wear when it's sub-zero.

Rich_W

12,548 posts

211 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
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AC43 said:
....what on earth do you guys wear when it gets really cold? LOL.

You're describing what I wear when it's sub-zero.
It's not just you wondering laugh

idiotgap

2,112 posts

132 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
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When it's really cold I add a pair of lobster fingers and a rapha softshell jacket.

AC43

11,435 posts

207 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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Rode in this morning - great way to start the week.

It's going to be 16 degrees on Wednesday (!)

At this rate I'll be back in shorts & short sleeved top :-)

Fluffsri

3,161 posts

195 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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Was pleasant this morning, nice ride in. Bit busier than normal traffic wise but enjoyed my bimble in.

idiotgap

2,112 posts

132 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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Fluffsri said:
Was pleasant this morning, nice ride in. Bit busier than normal traffic wise but enjoyed my bimble in.
I had summer shoes, shorts, short sleeve base and jersey + arm warmers today. Warm enough.

Sadly I forgot my front light, it's still plugged into my computer at home charging so I had to dice the journey in without, it did get lighter as the journey went on. Now in possession of a £5 fwe light from Evans looks like a Lezyne Femto clone to get me home.

https://www.evanscycles.com/fwe-battery-front-ligh...

Evilex

512 posts

103 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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Have searched around and found a much better route to work. It's actually longer, but 50% of the ride is "off-road" (groomed trails, playing fields, shared footpaths and 4 bridges!) I'll not see a car at all for some miles.
Have experimented with an old pair of long-ish Onza bar-ends inboard of the grips. Gives me 4 more hand positions to play with, one allowing serious climbing grunt, and the furthest gives a tangible improvement in aero (yeah, it's a Fatbike, I need all the help I can get!)
Only trouble is the good bits are TOTALLY unlit, and 3 sections have very serious accident potential if you screw up in the dark, so I've gone back to the road route until I find a powerful head torch or similar..

louiebaby

10,651 posts

190 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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Evilex said:
Only trouble is the good bits are TOTALLY unlit, and 3 sections have very serious accident potential if you screw up in the dark, so I've gone back to the road route until I find a powerful head torch or similar..
No affiliation:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282723486888

AC43

11,435 posts

207 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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Set off in a short sleeved shirt & shell. The shell lasted all of two miles....amazingly warm for Nov 22nd.

Getting some condition back now after a bit of a layoff over September and the beginning of October (holidays, house move, work commitments etc).

Ran on Sunday, cycled in on Monday, swam yesterday, cycled in today.

I shed 10lbs last year then got the achilles problem in January and slowly put 6lbs back on. Now I've knocked 4lbs off again. Hoping to lose another 4lbs in the next six weeks or so.

Move about a bit more, eat a bit less......

snobetter

1,145 posts

145 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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Blown over the road at the top of the hill, sprayed with sea water at the bottom of the hill. Few PR's as went inland without trying though.

idiotgap

2,112 posts

132 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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Super tailwind this morning resulting in a quick commute, not looking forward to the journey home. Great to be in summer gear though.

warp9

1,583 posts

196 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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Has anyone else found that their average commute time has gone up the last few weeks? My usual 32 min to 33 min journey is now taking 34 min to 35 mins. I'm wondering if darker mornings and evenings create greater atmospheric pressure and air resistance..... scratchchin

louiebaby said:
I can vouch for these doing an excellent job lighting up tow paths. However, I do think they are perhaps a bit bright and try to dim them with oncoming traffic.

AC43

11,435 posts

207 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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warp9 said:
Has anyone else found that their average commute time has gone up the last few weeks? My usual 32 min to 33 min journey is now taking 34 min to 35 mins. I'm wondering if darker mornings and evenings create greater atmospheric pressure and air resistance..... scratchchin
I thought I'd really battered it this morning, helped with some westerly tail winds. First looked at Strava and saw 10 or 11 segment PB's 2nd's and 3rd's. But then it turned out I'd done in 42 mins rather than my PB of just under 40.

I blame the blustery wind - it worked for me when I was going east and against me going south. And it creates sidewinds when I'm between one and the other.

But, yes, I do tend to go slower in the winter because of darkness, slippery roads and reduced visibility in the rain.

idiotgap

2,112 posts

132 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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I think traffic lights make the most difference to me, particularly as I get closer to central London. They seem to be sequenced in such a way that if you are lucky with the timing you can surf through from one green to the next. Otherwise you hit the buffers over and over. Sometimes you can work very hard but still have the slow guy you passed 10 mins before coast up and catch you at a big junction.

louiebaby

10,651 posts

190 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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Quite the headwind this morning, but back into bibs, baselayer, armwarmers and jersey.

I think I'm quicker in bibs and leg warmers than when in 3/4 lengths, not sure why, no data to back this up.

warp9

1,583 posts

196 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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idiotgap said:
I think traffic lights make the most difference to me,
What, you stop for traffic lights?!

getmecoat

AC43

11,435 posts

207 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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idiotgap said:
I think traffic lights make the most difference to me, particularly as I get closer to central London. They seem to be sequenced in such a way that if you are lucky with the timing you can surf through from one green to the next. Otherwise you hit the buffers over and over. Sometimes you can work very hard but still have the slow guy you passed 10 mins before coast up and catch you at a big junction sail straight past and either stop right in front of you (again) or cause a mobile roadblock 100 yards further up the road. Again.
FTFY.

idiotgap

2,112 posts

132 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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AC43 said:
idiotgap said:
I think traffic lights make the most difference to me, particularly as I get closer to central London. They seem to be sequenced in such a way that if you are lucky with the timing you can surf through from one green to the next. Otherwise you hit the buffers over and over. Sometimes you can work very hard but still have the slow guy you passed 10 mins before coast up and catch you at a big junction sail straight past and either stop right in front of you (again) or cause a mobile roadblock 100 yards further up the road. Again.
FTFY.
Very true rolleyes