Tales from today's commute....
- Thread starter martint235
- Start date
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Foggy this morning but not potentially dangerously so as suggested.
Knowing it'd be cold (forecast was around 3-4 degrees) I left in a merino skullcap, safety glasses, LS merino base layer, fleece, lightish walking trousers and the now-standard double-bagged feet in merino socks with a normal cotton set on top.
Had a relatively fast ride into town, channelling my unfocussed anger at my dickhead neighbour’s seemingly intentionally obstructive parking. Had a few drivers let me through in various places (across a yellow box as the lights had just changed ahead and I’d stopped to give way, for example) which was appreciated and thanked accordingly.
Piled on top of my own sleep deprived dissociation everything became even more isolating and surreal; cosseted in the gloom with sounds muted by the water hanging in the air and vision slowly fading thanks to fog accumulating on the outside of my glasses and steam inside.. Ultimately this led to their removal later in the ride so that I could actually see.
Got overtaken at some lights going into town by a guy on what looked like an old steel single speed with a massively gunked up chain. He was tall and pressing on a bit so I hitched a ride; my time spent staring at the back of his bike revealing that he was in fact riding something pretty modern with a geared hub, belt drive and appropriately split frame. Not my bag but looked like a well-thought-out, very understated commuter 😊
By the time we approached the lights in town there were three of us in a little impromptu peloton, which was nice. At the lights I moved to the outside of those waiting as I’m usually faster on this bit than most; I was happy to give the other guy a tow up the hill but he hung back before eventually drawing levelish, but didn’t pass and eventually peeled off onto a side street. Not sure if he shared my sense of solidarity or had taken my freeloading as an affront..
Sausages scored (and later confirmed as a leathery 9/10) I headed back out and along the tow path; honourable mentions going to the bloke in a woolly jumper incongruously collecting litter (for which he received a hearty thanks) and a guy on pseudo-skis-with-wheels who I think was very aware of how absurd he looked propelling himself along the tow path…
Fingertips and toes starting to feel the bite of the cold by the time I arrived at work despite the measures taken, but it’s manageable.
Can't say I'm much looking forward to the ride home or the coming day as there are various things hanging in the balance with the potential for disappointment, frustration and grief looming..
Knowing it'd be cold (forecast was around 3-4 degrees) I left in a merino skullcap, safety glasses, LS merino base layer, fleece, lightish walking trousers and the now-standard double-bagged feet in merino socks with a normal cotton set on top.
Had a relatively fast ride into town, channelling my unfocussed anger at my dickhead neighbour’s seemingly intentionally obstructive parking. Had a few drivers let me through in various places (across a yellow box as the lights had just changed ahead and I’d stopped to give way, for example) which was appreciated and thanked accordingly.
Piled on top of my own sleep deprived dissociation everything became even more isolating and surreal; cosseted in the gloom with sounds muted by the water hanging in the air and vision slowly fading thanks to fog accumulating on the outside of my glasses and steam inside.. Ultimately this led to their removal later in the ride so that I could actually see.
Got overtaken at some lights going into town by a guy on what looked like an old steel single speed with a massively gunked up chain. He was tall and pressing on a bit so I hitched a ride; my time spent staring at the back of his bike revealing that he was in fact riding something pretty modern with a geared hub, belt drive and appropriately split frame. Not my bag but looked like a well-thought-out, very understated commuter 😊
By the time we approached the lights in town there were three of us in a little impromptu peloton, which was nice. At the lights I moved to the outside of those waiting as I’m usually faster on this bit than most; I was happy to give the other guy a tow up the hill but he hung back before eventually drawing levelish, but didn’t pass and eventually peeled off onto a side street. Not sure if he shared my sense of solidarity or had taken my freeloading as an affront..
Sausages scored (and later confirmed as a leathery 9/10) I headed back out and along the tow path; honourable mentions going to the bloke in a woolly jumper incongruously collecting litter (for which he received a hearty thanks) and a guy on pseudo-skis-with-wheels who I think was very aware of how absurd he looked propelling himself along the tow path…
Fingertips and toes starting to feel the bite of the cold by the time I arrived at work despite the measures taken, but it’s manageable.
Can't say I'm much looking forward to the ride home or the coming day as there are various things hanging in the balance with the potential for disappointment, frustration and grief looming..
Last edited:
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
That reminded me to look out my thicker socks and gloves for the next commute. I've only got to brave it 20mins at most but I feel you're pain.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
I want to test out my new shoes before possibly taking them on a biking holiday in a couple of weeks, but they may be a little cool - overshoes will solve that. Need to dig out the warmer gloves and a neck warmer (buff).
