The daily "I cycled to work" thread (Vol 2)
Discussion
I was flagging last week so I decided to pick a day this week to work from home and rest. Looking at the weather at the weekend I picked today as a work from home day, seems like a good choice!
I've been varying my commuting route a bit this week to keep up the interest and that's been fun, I looked at a segment I often ride the other day and saw 162 attempts, will try and mix it up a bit more.
I've been varying my commuting route a bit this week to keep up the interest and that's been fun, I looked at a segment I often ride the other day and saw 162 attempts, will try and mix it up a bit more.
I'm lucky in that my place of work is now about 8 miles from home and commutable by bike. Prior to this my commute was 35 miles each way on the M11/A14(yuk!) I resumed cycling last summer and since then, I've got to work at least 2 times a week by bike. The trip is about 8 miles from Stansted Mountfitchet to Hatfield Broad oak via Hatfield Forest and a good 3/4 of the trip is off road. I carried on cycling through the winter with the plan that if I can do it in the winter, then it should be a breeze in the summer, and I'm intending to do it every other work day.
Made the trip in all weathers so far starting off in the morning in almost pitch blackness through wind, rain and some snow lately. I absolutely love it and am looking forward to the summer when I can get rid of some of the extra clothing needed this time of year. Had to wear wellingtons lately as it has been so wet
Had a few extra obstacles to deal with today:
Lucky there is a shower at work as I arrive looking like a drowned rat
Bit nicer on the way home although heavy going through the bumps - every one is full of water
Made the trip in all weathers so far starting off in the morning in almost pitch blackness through wind, rain and some snow lately. I absolutely love it and am looking forward to the summer when I can get rid of some of the extra clothing needed this time of year. Had to wear wellingtons lately as it has been so wet
Had a few extra obstacles to deal with today:
Lucky there is a shower at work as I arrive looking like a drowned rat
Bit nicer on the way home although heavy going through the bumps - every one is full of water
Last time I rode to work it was bloody freezing and I was hit by heavy snow on the way home. Today (should have checked the weather properly) I togged up and sweated all the way in, it was really warm this morning. Best bit of my ride at the mo is a closed road, there is still access for residents but even that was blocked this morning. Due to this I see no traffic for at least 4 miles of my 9 mile ride. It s brilliant LOL.
Had someone turn right (turning on the 'out' from the station) whilst I was cycling past. I didn't move left as I was turning right into the station in a few metres so she had to turn into the traffic lane coming directly at her.
I suppose I was lucky she did that and didn't drive over me.
Just what did she expect? That I would disappear as her car was bigger than me? Or I should jam on my brakes and let her go in front of me (pulling on my tonsure to let her past).
I suppose I was lucky she did that and didn't drive over me.
Just what did she expect? That I would disappear as her car was bigger than me? Or I should jam on my brakes and let her go in front of me (pulling on my tonsure to let her past).
Scabutz said:
I've started riding to work this week, sold my car. So far its going badly. Riding a mountain bike on the Redways of MK (the roads are bad for cyclists). Got lost twice on the 1st day, then my chain snapped, today hail and a puncture!
Can only get better from here.
I hope its getting better for you. Persevere. I've been told(!) it does get better. How far are you riding?Can only get better from here.
I've started a few days a week on the bike as well. I'm really enjoying it so far but it is very cold - new gloves bought and taping over the vents in my shoes to (hopefully)save my tootsies turning to ice. Commute is in region of 5-6 miles each way which is fine with me at my level of (un)fitness.
aclivity said:
Had someone turn right (turning on the 'out' from the station) whilst I was cycling past. I didn't move left as I was turning right into the station in a few metres so she had to turn into the traffic lane coming directly at her.
I suppose I was lucky she did that and didn't drive over me.
Just what did she expect? That I would disappear as her car was bigger than me? Or I should jam on my brakes and let her go in front of me (pulling on my tonsure to let her past).
Did you get 'the look' from the driver as well? I had something similar a little while ago and got shouted at! Cyclist next to me found it very funny which sort of helped though.I suppose I was lucky she did that and didn't drive over me.
Just what did she expect? That I would disappear as her car was bigger than me? Or I should jam on my brakes and let her go in front of me (pulling on my tonsure to let her past).
First ride to work in 18 months this morning. 11 miles in 43 mins, temperature around freezing (lots of iced over puddles to deal with). Went to town on the layering, compression top, fleecy PH zip top and a thick outer. Compression boxers, thermal tights and padded shorts on the bottom - Toasty!
I suffer from Reynaulds in my fingers so treat myself to some new Endura winter / waterproof gloves...seemed to keep my hands relatively warm - still think I need some silk liners though!
I suffer from Reynaulds in my fingers so treat myself to some new Endura winter / waterproof gloves...seemed to keep my hands relatively warm - still think I need some silk liners though!
breamster said:
Scabutz said:
I've started riding to work this week, sold my car. So far its going badly. Riding a mountain bike on the Redways of MK (the roads are bad for cyclists). Got lost twice on the 1st day, then my chain snapped, today hail and a puncture!
Can only get better from here.
I hope its getting better for you. Persevere. I've been told(!) it does get better. How far are you riding?Can only get better from here.
I've started a few days a week on the bike as well. I'm really enjoying it so far but it is very cold - new gloves bought and taping over the vents in my shoes to (hopefully)save my tootsies turning to ice. Commute is in region of 5-6 miles each way which is fine with me at my level of (un)fitness.
I looked sun burnt when I arrived at work from the gail force hail being blown in my face this morning. Should be nice for ride home though.
Needed to visit a site 30miles away yesterday, forecast was sunny so off I went on the bike!.....about 20 miles in and the heavens opened! Cue evil thoughts regarding Micheal Fish and his gang 
Today was a trip to the office in Surrey, 134miles and nice and frosty. No ice thankfully, fingers and toes just beginning to hurt over the last mile. Cycle home will be about 9 degrees warmer
Today was a trip to the office in Surrey, 134miles and nice and frosty. No ice thankfully, fingers and toes just beginning to hurt over the last mile. Cycle home will be about 9 degrees warmer
Fluffsri said:
idiotgap said:
Dr Murdoch said:
134miles and nice and frosty.
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