The daily "I cycled to work" thread (Vol 2)
Discussion
Really enjoying this week - some schools have gone off, less people around and it isn't cold.
Looks like my annual mileage will be a bit short of my plan, 25 miles short. I blame getting the train to London by accident as my reason, after that happened I didn't go by my big bike any more.
Unless I go for a ride between Christmas and new year ... Tempted to do that to complete my 2500 miles!
Looks like my annual mileage will be a bit short of my plan, 25 miles short. I blame getting the train to London by accident as my reason, after that happened I didn't go by my big bike any more.
Unless I go for a ride between Christmas and new year ... Tempted to do that to complete my 2500 miles!
Bloody freezing today! Ambient temp was about 4 degrees but an ice cold side/headwind that cut through my clothes
All the grass on the verges was frozen as well
Loads of compacted mud on the road
Legs absolutely shattered from doing 100 kettlebell swings a day
Least the ride in woke me up!
All the grass on the verges was frozen as well
Loads of compacted mud on the road
Legs absolutely shattered from doing 100 kettlebell swings a day
Least the ride in woke me up!
Dear Mildred,
I've only been cycling to work regularly since October, but I have been a frequent weekend/evening roadie and MTBer for many many years, mostly solo rides and sometimes with groups, with many triathlons, various sportives and a smattering of Surrey League races. I knew "the rules" before they were published.
The one thing I've noticed by its absence on the commute to/from work is the complete lack of greetings from fellow riders. Almost every single person I meet on a normal ride will give a hearty (or if on a hill, a grunted) "Morning!" or similar. But on the commute, in either direction, it's nada. Not a single tiny sausage in the last 2 months.
Is that normal? Should I blend in with the crowd and stop greeting others when commuting?
Yours lonelily (but only to/from work),
Jacobyte
I've only been cycling to work regularly since October, but I have been a frequent weekend/evening roadie and MTBer for many many years, mostly solo rides and sometimes with groups, with many triathlons, various sportives and a smattering of Surrey League races. I knew "the rules" before they were published.
The one thing I've noticed by its absence on the commute to/from work is the complete lack of greetings from fellow riders. Almost every single person I meet on a normal ride will give a hearty (or if on a hill, a grunted) "Morning!" or similar. But on the commute, in either direction, it's nada. Not a single tiny sausage in the last 2 months.
Is that normal? Should I blend in with the crowd and stop greeting others when commuting?
Yours lonelily (but only to/from work),
Jacobyte
lol jacobyte I always greet every rider I see when I am out when commuting/riding, I dont really see many and hardly none on my commute!! 40% on my commute say something back!
I also say hi to any walkers/horse riders/dog walkers I see as it is very quiet and rural some say it back
I just make a joke out of it in my head, my mate Adam bellows out HELLO on club rides and berates people who dont reply
I also say hi to any walkers/horse riders/dog walkers I see as it is very quiet and rural some say it back
I just make a joke out of it in my head, my mate Adam bellows out HELLO on club rides and berates people who dont reply
On a non-commute, I'm a cheery helloer.
I don't ride in London much unless I'm going to work.
I think there is an electromagnetic field which emanates from the bowels of London and leaks through the tube tunnels, this puts everyone in a bad mood. The closer you are to the centre, the worse the mood. So greetings aren't exchanged so frequently on the outskirts and within the more central areas the greetings stop dead.
I don't ride in London much unless I'm going to work.
I think there is an electromagnetic field which emanates from the bowels of London and leaks through the tube tunnels, this puts everyone in a bad mood. The closer you are to the centre, the worse the mood. So greetings aren't exchanged so frequently on the outskirts and within the more central areas the greetings stop dead.
The thing is: (A) I'm not in London and (B) my non-commute rides are full of reciprocal joyous acknowledgement, so it can't be a "Surrey" thing. I'm on quiet country lanes and bridleways for 13 miles in each direction, passing no more than half a dozen people each way. Some of them are definitely the same people, so they must recognise my shape/size/bike/lights by now.
As you suggest, maybe they're just in the blinkered mode of "must-get-to-home/work". Miserable gits.
But they can't put me off, I'm still going to give them a cheery wave each time.
As you suggest, maybe they're just in the blinkered mode of "must-get-to-home/work". Miserable gits.
But they can't put me off, I'm still going to give them a cheery wave each time.
headwind on the way home. bd nearly killed me. Hardest work and I had a heavy CAD laptop in the rucksack. bd.Today marks the completion of 13 weeks of riding day to work, 6 miles each way. I missed 6 days in total in the whole period.
I'm much fitter. I'm still eating too much. I lost about 3/4 of a stone. Its been very liberating, regardless of traffic it takes the same time.
One stolen bike, no punctures, no crashes, one speed wobble/near miss. A few frosty mornings and only really got properly wet once but a few damp times, generally mild.
Huntsman said:
headwind on the way home. bd nearly killed me. Hardest work and I had a heavy CAD laptop in the rucksack. bd.Today marks the completion of 13 weeks of riding day to work, 6 miles each way. I missed 6 days in total in the whole period.
I'm much fitter. I'm still eating too much. I lost about 3/4 of a stone. Its been very liberating, regardless of traffic it takes the same time.
One stolen bike, no punctures, no crashes, one speed wobble/near miss. A few frosty mornings and only really got properly wet once but a few damp times, generally mild.
Had a great commute in this morning, discovered an off road shortcut, that I've walked/ridden past everyday for the last 3 years. All of the traffic lights/crossings went green as I approached, someone even raised the roller shutter door when I got to work. Then I had a bacon baguette delivered to my desk.
The ride home was shaping up well, we were sent home at midday, my wife was out, so I had the afternoon to myself to take the long way home. Then 3km into the ride, I bashed my rear mech on a rock, bending the mech/hanger and snapping the cage. Doh. This happened near a bike shop, until I realised I only had £5 on me, which wouldn't go far, so I nursed the bike home. To make matters worse, I phoned my LBS to ask if they had a 10 speed XT mech in stock and if they'd be able to fit it this afternoon. After being told that was OK, I nursed the bike to the LBS, only to be told they didn't have a mech in stock. So now I've got to wait until the 28th to get out on my bike again.
The ride home was shaping up well, we were sent home at midday, my wife was out, so I had the afternoon to myself to take the long way home. Then 3km into the ride, I bashed my rear mech on a rock, bending the mech/hanger and snapping the cage. Doh. This happened near a bike shop, until I realised I only had £5 on me, which wouldn't go far, so I nursed the bike home. To make matters worse, I phoned my LBS to ask if they had a 10 speed XT mech in stock and if they'd be able to fit it this afternoon. After being told that was OK, I nursed the bike to the LBS, only to be told they didn't have a mech in stock. So now I've got to wait until the 28th to get out on my bike again.
After 10 years straight of paying, I have decided not to renew my Southern Railway season ticket between home and office which expired at New Year. I just couldn't bring myself to pay them thousands for such a broken service with no end to the disruption in sight.
So, after a reasonable trial during December I'm going to be cycling at least part of the way from now on, I've bought a month's worth of rail transport between home and Croydon and will be cycling from Croydon into the city and back each day which is about 11 miles each way, it gives me a few extra options when the service is poor, which is most days at the moment. I would cycle all the way, but this saves me from the bulk of the 30 mile total distance and crucially a bit of time, it prevents me having to ride up the North Downs and hopefully cuts out the unlit foggy country roads. I did a fair few 30 mile commutes in the summer but I found if I did it there and back day on day I got too tired to function and had no time.
It didn't really rain much in December although it was cold at times so that's what I'm least looking forward to along with fog, I can dress for the cold.
My bike was at the office over Christmas and has been infested by spiders, first ride of the year is the trip home today.
So, after a reasonable trial during December I'm going to be cycling at least part of the way from now on, I've bought a month's worth of rail transport between home and Croydon and will be cycling from Croydon into the city and back each day which is about 11 miles each way, it gives me a few extra options when the service is poor, which is most days at the moment. I would cycle all the way, but this saves me from the bulk of the 30 mile total distance and crucially a bit of time, it prevents me having to ride up the North Downs and hopefully cuts out the unlit foggy country roads. I did a fair few 30 mile commutes in the summer but I found if I did it there and back day on day I got too tired to function and had no time.
It didn't really rain much in December although it was cold at times so that's what I'm least looking forward to along with fog, I can dress for the cold.
My bike was at the office over Christmas and has been infested by spiders, first ride of the year is the trip home today.
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