The daily "I cycled to work" thread (Vol 2)
Discussion
warp9 said:
idiotgap said:
I think traffic lights make the most difference to me,
What, you stop for traffic lights?!
I saw a guy this morning who came to a halt and track-stand next to me and waiting for the count-down on the crossing to finish, I'm guessing anticipating us to get a green light next. That junction however gives the crossing traffic first go so ironically he waited at an empty crossing before launching himself through a red light into the newly green-lighted competing traffic.
Last night I saw two cyclists on the dark approach to Elephant bomb through a zebra crossing scattering bewildered pedestrians, really nasty behaviour.
My sentiment is that if I want the respect of other road users, I should observe the rules and behave predictably. I do get the job done and don't hang about, I get the odd toot and confess I'll go through an amberish light to maintain a head of steam.
idiotgap said:
warp9 said:
idiotgap said:
I think traffic lights make the most difference to me,
What, you stop for traffic lights?!I saw a guy this morning who came to a halt and track-stand next to me and waiting for the count-down on the crossing to finish, I'm guessing anticipating us to get a green light next. That junction however gives the crossing traffic first go so ironically he waited at an empty crossing before launching himself through a red light into the newly green-lighted competing traffic.
Last night I saw two cyclists on the dark approach to Elephant bomb through a zebra crossing scattering bewildered pedestrians, really nasty behaviour.
My sentiment is that if I want the respect of other road users, I should observe the rules and behave predictably. I do get the job done and don't hang about, I get the odd toot and confess I'll go through an amberish light to maintain a head of steam.
Was horrified up in London the way some riders (some not all!) just plough through pedestrian crossings when it is on red for them,
TwistingMyMelon said:
idiotgap said:
warp9 said:
idiotgap said:
I think traffic lights make the most difference to me,
What, you stop for traffic lights?!I saw a guy this morning who came to a halt and track-stand next to me and waiting for the count-down on the crossing to finish, I'm guessing anticipating us to get a green light next. That junction however gives the crossing traffic first go so ironically he waited at an empty crossing before launching himself through a red light into the newly green-lighted competing traffic.
Last night I saw two cyclists on the dark approach to Elephant bomb through a zebra crossing scattering bewildered pedestrians, really nasty behaviour.
My sentiment is that if I want the respect of other road users, I should observe the rules and behave predictably. I do get the job done and don't hang about, I get the odd toot and confess I'll go through an amberish light to maintain a head of steam.
Was horrified up in London the way some riders (some not all!) just plough through pedestrian crossings when it is on red for them,
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..... 
Is THAT what it is?I am in the same boat, my commute takes longer too.
I had put it down to being a little more cautious on the fast downhill sections
I like your explanation better
Collaudatore said:
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.....
Is THAT what it is?I am in the same boat, my commute takes longer too.
I had put it down to being a little more cautious on the fast downhill sections
I like your explanation better
(commuting through Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, around the ring road)
Oh yes, a cold morning all round in the Midlands. Leggings, long sleeves and warm socks.
I've been using a pair of 20yr old shimano SPD shoes as my commuting shoes, and this morning I managed to crack the metal plate in the sole that the cleat screws into in half. I'm pretty sure it's terminal, which is annoying. They are quite stylish!
I've been using a pair of 20yr old shimano SPD shoes as my commuting shoes, and this morning I managed to crack the metal plate in the sole that the cleat screws into in half. I'm pretty sure it's terminal, which is annoying. They are quite stylish!
Pretty cold for London today.
Three layers on top as on Tuesday. Added the thin Goretex gloves I bought the other day, the merino skull cap and some thin overboots.
Head, hands and feet were fine (although my face felt like it was going to peel off on the early downhill/wind chill sections).
Still in shorts, legs don't get cold.
Three layers on top as on Tuesday. Added the thin Goretex gloves I bought the other day, the merino skull cap and some thin overboots.
Head, hands and feet were fine (although my face felt like it was going to peel off on the early downhill/wind chill sections).
Still in shorts, legs don't get cold.
Nice bit of snow up here today. I assumed the roads would be a lot clearer than my back garden.
They were not, as I realised when I was already on the main road.
Climbing up the first "hill" (not much of a hill, but still..) headwind, snow was falling (all around), pitch black. Sweet. Then, what goes up, must come down... being a big jessie on the descents, one of them in particular is an easy 40+ downhill, I must have been doing <10mph with one foot unclipped. Not great there.
Then as I approached town, I heard an unusual noise. I thought to myself "WTF?" and looked around, a dude on a big fat mountain bike coming tear-arsing past me
I bid him a good morning and complimented his steed as he passed and proceeded to man up a wee bit to keep the pace.
Then as we hit the town and the street lights, it was clear that the roads were nothing more than wet (or maybe very wet) so I was faced with the dilemma of whether or not to re-pass. Whilst I was pondering my options, the guy, still spinning like made looked over his shoulder, possibly to see if I was still there, or what I was doing... I guess... so I decided that, seeing as he now expects me, a green light was given.
Definitely the most snow I have ridden on the road bike.
Have to compliment the Pirelli P-Zero Velo 4S tyres. No slips, even if I was taking it easy on the downhills, on the flats they were faultless and even when I stopped to take a couple of pics down the hill from my work, I jammed on the front brake in an attempt to execute a controlled lock up and could not.
They were not, as I realised when I was already on the main road.
Climbing up the first "hill" (not much of a hill, but still..) headwind, snow was falling (all around), pitch black. Sweet. Then, what goes up, must come down... being a big jessie on the descents, one of them in particular is an easy 40+ downhill, I must have been doing <10mph with one foot unclipped. Not great there.
Then as I approached town, I heard an unusual noise. I thought to myself "WTF?" and looked around, a dude on a big fat mountain bike coming tear-arsing past me
I bid him a good morning and complimented his steed as he passed and proceeded to man up a wee bit to keep the pace.Then as we hit the town and the street lights, it was clear that the roads were nothing more than wet (or maybe very wet) so I was faced with the dilemma of whether or not to re-pass. Whilst I was pondering my options, the guy, still spinning like made looked over his shoulder, possibly to see if I was still there, or what I was doing... I guess... so I decided that, seeing as he now expects me, a green light was given.
Definitely the most snow I have ridden on the road bike.
Have to compliment the Pirelli P-Zero Velo 4S tyres. No slips, even if I was taking it easy on the downhills, on the flats they were faultless and even when I stopped to take a couple of pics down the hill from my work, I jammed on the front brake in an attempt to execute a controlled lock up and could not.
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