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..
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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).
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I woke 5 mins early but I just got up so I could take my time through the fog, which probably wasn't too bad but being a glasses wearer, even with constant wiping.
markharry66
Legendary Member
checked last night before went to bed no fog forcast woke up this mornig to you guessed it fog lol.
After coming back to cycling after a lay off second day in as always better ride in than first day.
Taking it slower due to winter just enjoying the journey in.
Nice to see some christmas lights out bit early as only November.
Couple of close passes near traffic islands this morning my five lights at the front one on my hat and three on the back must be inviisible this time of year plus the fat B***** in high viz on the bike. Just nice to be on the bike and not stuck in the car.
After coming back to cycling after a lay off second day in as always better ride in than first day.
Taking it slower due to winter just enjoying the journey in.
Nice to see some christmas lights out bit early as only November.
Couple of close passes near traffic islands this morning my five lights at the front one on my hat and three on the back must be inviisible this time of year plus the fat B***** in high viz on the bike. Just nice to be on the bike and not stuck in the car.
markharry66
Legendary Member
One of the best bits of advice I got on this forum glove inserts hands have never been cold since.
Got mine in decathlon sure they sell them elsewhere.
Similar weather to yesterday but tangibly less fog.
Out a shade late after another crap night’s sleep, although at least having awoken earlier than usual at half four I managed to snatch a bit more kip before I had to get up.
The sleep issue is really destroying me and I recall soon after I moved being straight out of bed with the alarm with plenty of time to get stuff done; now I’m languishing in bed until the last minute before a frantic dash to get everything together in time..
Dressed the same as yesterday - sans glasses as I’d left them at the office - the drivetrain on the Fuji deliciously slick (rumbly BB notwithstanding) after yesterday’s freshly waxed chain.
Not a lot to report for most of the ride; traffic seemed conspicuously light and I hitched a ride with another cyclist on the main drag into the city; following a woman on a Tour de Fer making great progress up St. Aldates.
Despite being a bit late I made good time – an interesting up-side to my reduced mileage is that my average speeds to seem to have ticked up a bit.
Sausages could have been cooked more but were passable; not looking forward to later as it’s due to rain on the way home and I need to get back to the homestead tonight for the old dear’s cancer operation tomorrow. Ideally I’ll travel back in my freshly-MOT’d car which I’m assured will be ready in time, but if not it’ll potentially be a cold, wet and miserable trek across the city on the Brompton to catch the last bus which ridiculously leaves at 17:45..
Out a shade late after another crap night’s sleep, although at least having awoken earlier than usual at half four I managed to snatch a bit more kip before I had to get up.
The sleep issue is really destroying me and I recall soon after I moved being straight out of bed with the alarm with plenty of time to get stuff done; now I’m languishing in bed until the last minute before a frantic dash to get everything together in time..
Dressed the same as yesterday - sans glasses as I’d left them at the office - the drivetrain on the Fuji deliciously slick (rumbly BB notwithstanding) after yesterday’s freshly waxed chain.
Not a lot to report for most of the ride; traffic seemed conspicuously light and I hitched a ride with another cyclist on the main drag into the city; following a woman on a Tour de Fer making great progress up St. Aldates.
Despite being a bit late I made good time – an interesting up-side to my reduced mileage is that my average speeds to seem to have ticked up a bit.
Sausages could have been cooked more but were passable; not looking forward to later as it’s due to rain on the way home and I need to get back to the homestead tonight for the old dear’s cancer operation tomorrow. Ideally I’ll travel back in my freshly-MOT’d car which I’m assured will be ready in time, but if not it’ll potentially be a cold, wet and miserable trek across the city on the Brompton to catch the last bus which ridiculously leaves at 17:45..
biking_fox
Legendary Member
- Location
- Manchester
Distinctly buff and medium warm glove weather. Apart from one must overtake (a whole 10m later they stopped again) fine riding in sunshine.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Agree, buff and warmer gloves came out. Testing the new Disco shoes, my knee said the left SPD cleat needed a 1mm angle adjustment, so that's been done for the ride home. I'd normally be in winter boots, but need a few rides in my new shoes before I am confident they will be OK for a week of riding in the sun.
Two silly cyclists today, one nearly had me in the bushes. Cyclist in front decided to stop pedalling on the Floop, as she was cresting a 'bump' and take a hand off to do something, cue her drifting right across the path as I'm passing. Other one pulled out from a side road into my path.
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Cold, dark , foggy and a headwind on the way to work this morning.
I actually couldn't work out where I was on the section of road at one point as it was so murky.
I have been a bit overdressed the last 2 days but it's better than being cold.
I actually couldn't work out where I was on the section of road at one point as it was so murky.
I have been a bit overdressed the last 2 days but it's better than being cold.
markharry66
Legendary Member
Cycling twelve miles in freezing fog to get to work is no joke, but as I'm now retired, the 'is' is now a 'was' - !
to busy clogging the bus network up -not before 9 lol
