Tales from today's commute....

[fossyant]

Long route home last night to make up for one less day on the bike, but won't be going the long way tonight - too hot. Passed a fella on the Floop that's done this a few times. I'm going faster so pass him. He's then chasing hard to stay on my wheel. Fortunately it's only a mile and he's not done anything silly yet when we approach other floop users - i.e. he's slowed down and stayed back, than trying to overtake. Another decent time in, these tyres are a little quicker and quieter.

 

[Mazz]

Long route home last night to make up for one less day on the bike, but won't be going the long way tonight - too hot. Passed a fella on the Floop that's done this a few times. I'm going faster so pass him. He's then chasing hard to stay on my wheel. Fortunately it's only a mile and he's not done anything silly yet when we approach other floop users - i.e. he's slowed down and stayed back, than trying to overtake. Another decent time in, these tyres are a little quicker and quieter.

OK , I thought the first floop was a typo but then you repeated it, so it probably isn't a typo.
What is a floop?

edit: cancel that, just worked it out - it's manc shorthand for Fallowfield Loop.
First thought it was some new-fangled gadget or something!

 

[simongt]

then you're my windshield.

Ona fifty miler some years back, a lad who was a bit fagged tried drafting behind me for some distance. I got a bit fed up with how close he was, so I did a brake check a couple of times.
He got the message - !

 

[spen666]

As today is potentially going to be the hottest day of the year, why not increase the length of the commute by 50%. Seemed a good idea at the time.
It was a bit nippy when I set off, but 18 miles later it was rather warm. Always amazes me how quickly it heats up.

Commute wise -quiet as I was earlier than usual and its school holidays.

Plenty of runners out at various points along the route
Have I ever mentioned my dislike of hire bikes and e bikes? Too many idiots on them for me to list, but I think a shoot to kill policy should be introduced for anyone on an ebike or hire bike - think I'll see about getting my MP to introduce a private members bill on this 🤡

 

[biking_fox]

Already very hot at 8am. No wind at all. Tempo riding.

 

[biking_fox]

Fine week of riding.

 

[Alex321]

Already very hot at 8am. No wind at all. Tempo riding.

17-19C all the way in, but very muggy with it, so drenched in sweat by the time I arrived. I needed that shower!

 

[HLaB]

First commute in a while a WfH and leave in between. This morning despite tired legs was a comfortable south wind driven cycle commute and the roads were nearly empty. So tonight I got off the train a stop early, expecting that same south wind but I hadn't kept an eye on the weather and it had moved 180deg and was now a north wind. The traffic despite being after 6pm was still quite heavy so I went by Connington for quiet roads which it was, but what I never realised it was because of the 4.5km Holme Road closure because of the Holme Fen forest fire which I had forgotten about https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cy45248j5jpo. Bikes got through though, unlike the couple of cars that were turned back. It was only when I saw the line of Fire Trucks that I remembered why Holme Road was closed. The Firemen have done a good job though and I had to squint to see some small black smoke from the middle of the woods. I wouldn't have wanted to be there yesterday but it was a bliss tonight despite the headwind. The usual 5miles for me in the morning and 21miles tonight,

 

[markharry66]

Nice cycle into work first in two weeks got to try and work off four fried breakfasts from holiday the other week. Felt nice to cycle in with fresh legs. Lack of traffic this morning (national work from home day today ie doss). Had one nob try to over take near a traffic island got very close so took central position so ensued a game of chciken who would crack first thought he as going to drive striaght into the traffic island at one stage other than that uneventful. A bit of rain last night roads a bit damp this morning.

 

[wafter]

Awoke un-rested and in more disarray than usual to an almost chilly and overcast morning.

Out a little late into cool air and fresh sun; the long morning shadows conspicuous for the first time this summer presenting an ominous reminder of what's ahead.

Roads typically quiet for the holidays; felt ambivalent about thanking a woman who stopped short at the yellow box of a junction I was crossing (since she should have stopped regardless but seems to do so only when seeing me) - sure enough I glanced back to see her rolling into the box to meet the static traffic at the red light ahead. WTF is wrong with people?

Rest of the journey was fine until I got to town and a bus pulled out in front of me and the cyclist I was overtaking. Usual situation, rather than wait five seconds for us to pass it just signalled and forced its way out. The guy on my inside slowed to let it out but I put the hammer down and eventually passed it.

Sausages acquired it was back out of town along the tow path; having to divert as the Police had closed off a stretch for some as-yet unknown reason, however it's rarely good news.

Arrived at the office on time, feeling marginally better for an objective reality check about how much worse my situation could be.

 

[Arjimlad]

First commute after 2 weeks off, and there was a spot of mizzle here and there - not enough to refresh the dry grass though.

I was soon reminded of my inconsequential & lowly status by a LR Discovery driver who forced me to halt as she drove around a parked car onto my side of the road, though.

Hopefully my waving at her as she passed will not earn me a police rebuke for potentially upsetting a driver/interacting.

 

[wafter]

First commute after 2 weeks off, and there was a spot of mizzle here and there - not enough to refresh the dry grass though.

I was soon reminded of my inconsequential & lowly status by a LR Discovery driver who forced me to halt as she drove around a parked car onto my side of the road, though.

Hopefully my waving at her as she passed will not earn me a police rebuke for potentially upsetting a driver/interacting.

I hope it the only part of your hand partaking in said wave was a single-middle-digit...

 

[Arjimlad]

I hope it the only part of your hand partaking in said wave was a single-middle-digit...

No, I would be guaranteed a rebuke were I to do that. Can't upset the feelings of these drivers, after all.

 

[wafter]

No, I would be guaranteed a rebuke were I to do that. Can't upset the feelings of these drivers, after all.

I always seem to manage somehow

 

[wafter]

Home:

To the first park for a new PR of 35 reps on this bad boy:

Then it was out north for the first time in a while with some necessary trimming; the entrance to the tow path at Yarnton and down towards Wolvercote having become fairly overgrown in spots, despite the foliage having been heavily cut back closer to town.

Attempts to collect some blackberries comprehensively failed as most bits had been picked clean of anything approaching ripe.

Despite a cool breeze and promising clouds everything remained dry..

On to park No.2 for a couple of pained chin-ups, some hanging and a few stretches before heading to the shop..

En-route I stopped at a pedestrian crossing's red light to witness some stupid woman in a car coming the other way momentarily slow, then sail on through - just as an elderly woman emerged from behind a bus (that was admittedly obscuring the driver's view of the red light on one side while the other remained visible)..

Literally 60 seconds later I was prevented from turning into the supermarket car park by some absurdly vacuous woman leaving, who despite staring straight at me just pulled out across / towards me with a detached, slightly confused look on her face; while her (apparent) daughter just watched on, unconcerned from the passenger seat..

Imbeciles aside some good scores had it was time for home as the sun sank and a glorious dusk descended disconcertingly early...

Dickheads aside a really nice ride