Tales from today's commute....

[Alex321]

weirdly felt cold today, when its a mere 24C,I guess shows how warm its been lately and how we get used to it,and yet whilst yesterday was warmer, yesterdays commutes felt alot more comfortable, todays was cooler but had more humidty, consequently became alot more uncomfortable.

I had the arm warmers on today for the first time in a few weeks, with temperature down to 10C for a large part of the ride in.

 

[biking_fox]

Another fine ride - notably cooler, but the rain has moved away for a while. quiet roads no wind, all fun.

 

[ianrauk]

On the big boys bike today, the lovely Van Nick. Riding the 27 miles home this afternoon. The temperatures are slightly lower today. 25° as apposed to the high 20's we've had all week. We also had a smattering of rain last night. It didn't last long, wasn't heavy and dumped a load of sand/dust all over the outside window sills and on the car. That's a weekend cleaning job right there. Of course it rained shortly after I had watered my roses. Typical.

You may notice in the pic, I have upturned the handlebar stem. I reversed it as I thought seeing as I'm not getting any younger I should try a little bit more upright position. I hate it, I hate the way it looks and not really any more comfortable, not that it was uncomfortable in the first place. I'm going to change it back but raise the handle bar through the spacers instead.

Also, recently treated myself to a new set of shiny new hand made wheels from those fine folks at Spa. First outing on them today.

 

[Mazz]

I rode along a quiet country lane with passing spaces and as she rounded a bend in front of me, an oncoming driver seems to be rather fond of being on my side of the road rather than getting over!

It became clear that she was using a handheld mobile phone for a lovely natter.

After about twice the usual reaction time she did get back over to the left, and I got some good footage of the handheld phone to send in. She nearly had me a couple of weeks ago on the same road in the opposite direction, coming round a bend & not keeping left enough, phone in hand again, so I was pleased to be able to send this one in.

And we wonder why country lanes are statistically more hazardous?!

What's the actual rule for drivers using a handheld phone?
On the way back from work, lights were on red & I was stopped directly behind a car. I could see through the rear window that the driver was either Facetiming someone or watching a video.

 

[ianrauk]

What's the actual rule for drivers using a handheld phone?
On the way back from work, lights were on red & I was stopped directly behind a car. I could see through the rear window that the driver was either Facetiming someone or watching a video.

It's simple. It's against the law, including being stationary at lights and/or in traffic. £200 minimum fine and 6 penalty points.

 

[Mazz]

It's simple. It's against the law, including being stationary at lights and/or in traffic. £200 minimum fine and 6 penalty points.

Thanks, I just looked up Highway Code Rule 149.
I'm guessing it's best to say nothing to them, otherwise I'd get done for distracting a driver (as if the distraction of the phone wasn't enough).

 

[katiewlx]

Thanks, I just looked up Highway Code Rule 149.
I'm guessing it's best to say nothing to them, otherwise I'd get done for distracting a driver (as if the distraction of the phone wasn't enough).

I did to one recently, though partly because I knew my camera wouldnt have picked it up anyway as I saw it via the wing mirror and I didnt want to have a distracted driver on a phone then sat behind me as they were clearly being very distracted, like in a queue of cars but not moving off leaving large gaps when the queue moved stuff. steering across the cycle lane when they did

admittedly not my finest and politesse hour, but I made my point I think

the really funny thing about it though was the drivers reaction wasnt why is this totally random strange woman on a bike suddenly yelling at me, get lost, which youd think would be most peoples reaction, it was instantly oh no my phone is in my bag I couldnt have been holding it.

 

[katiewlx]

I had the arm warmers on today for the first time in a few weeks, with temperature down to 10C for a large part of the ride in.

10c is acceptable arm warmer temps weirdly Id initially regretted not having mine, I have even been carrying them the week prior when it was slightly below 30c, till Id ridden about 500metres and thought nope this is tropical

 

[Arjimlad]

Rode to a breakfast meeting this morning in summer mitts and t-shirt and I was actually cold!

 

[fossyant]

Back on it after a bout of man flu. New cycleway at Fallowfield's Sainsbury's is causing traffic chaos during construction. Another diversion I need to remember at the end of the "Floop". 40 minutes to work, so still a quick time despite not pushing it. Still running a slight temperature as I was dripping wet on arrival. Nice cool air temperature.

 

[All uphill]

To confirm we're still talking about breakfast...?

Here's a not very cryptic clue:

View attachment 816761



Tbh I think we've been spoilt - it does seem like we've had a lifetime of hot, dry weather that we've all forgotten what it's like to suffer in the cold / wet.

I've just looked at some ride photos from February and it seems like a desolate, alien landscape in comparison to the current lush green-ness of everything.

Every year the prospect of having to endure another bleak winter seems to get harder to deal with...



Sometimes it's nice; sometimes it's not. I haven't for months since my headphones died but I do miss it on occasion.

As music does it can work to "enhance" a situation. One of the biggest rushes I've experienced was thanks to an old skool hardcore drop while going full gas on the gravel bike on deserted Covid roads - causing waves of euphoria to wash over me

Sausages and an underwear shop; I think I can see where this is going...

 

[wafter]

Sausages and an underwear shop; I think I can see where this is going...

I'm not sure I want to know where this is going...