1st commute since Feb 2011

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Did my first commute (approx 15 miles) since Feb 2011 (when I quit my job to go off touring) cycling to college today for a weekly Spanish class - the bike racks (!!!) held 2 motorbikes and my bike, nothing else and just outside the main doors as well. Rest of the class complained about the lack of parking, failing to get my support on the matter: I was left wondering about their observation/powers of deduction with them having completely failed to notice 2 panniers, a hiv viz jacket, a cycle helmet and waterbottle and make the connection!

Went OK, but got all the usual questions including isn't it unsafe and for some reason this seems to be worse for a woman. Silence when i pointed out that the major roads (A49, A556) around here are actually safer than the rat runs between villages. None of the vehicles were an issue and gave plenty of room - much better than my old commute (in Surrey) which was a competition to evade death each and every time.

 

[biggs682]

glad to hear you had a good commute and that you enjoyed yourself

 

[Pat "5mph"]

On a dull, rainy day at work we were watching various cyclists going about their business, usual attire, yellow Altura rain gear and so on.
A non cycling colleague remarked that you could not distinguish a male from a female rider when on the bike, from a safety point of view she thought this was good.
I had never thought about it before, but, yes, most of the time, riding in poor visibility, a prospective raper/other villain would have to have very good eyesight least he hits the wrong target
Good you enjoyed your commute!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

... a prospective raper/other villain would have to have very good eyesight least he hits the wrong target
Good you enjoyed your commute!

And there was me thinking the only issues I needed to concern myself about was fighting off any more dogs of the canine type, sorry that should have read fighting off the cars!

 

[fossyant]

Glad you are back on the bike.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

And there was me thinking the only issues I needed to concern myself about was fighting off any more dogs of the canine type, sorry that should have read fighting off the cars!

Oh, you meant more danger for a female from cars? I would have thought taxi drivers don't discriminate

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Oh, you meant more danger for a female from cars? I would have thought taxi drivers don't discriminate

nope - think it is (more often than not) more danger from female drivers of cars... (me = female = I can say that!).
Actually I hate and loath coach drivers the most but I think that comes from too many narrow passes in Greece (OK that really didn't sound right!)... the taxi yesterday on the way home from 1st commute was really good and held back for quite a while!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

nope - think it is (more often than not) more danger from female drivers of cars... (me = female = I can say that!).
Actually I hate and loath coach drivers the most but I think that comes from too many narrow passes in Greece (OK that really didn't sound right!)... the taxi yesterday on the way home from 1st commute was really good and held back for quite a while!

Here in Glasgow taxi drivers and wv drivers are for equal opprtunities

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Here in Glasgow taxi drivers and wv drivers are for equal opprtunities

yeh - was born in Glasgow, try my hardest to avoid the place now!

 

[Maz]

I used to cycle to my Spanish classes too. Which was convenient because they were evening classes and the college was on my commute home. No problems with parking!