Blimey, that was unpleasant!

[Rhythm Thief]

It's been snowing here today. At around 3pm I decided it would be a good idea to cycle the 12 miles to work, since - until I get around to doing the engine rebuild next week - I'm far from confident that my car will start in the cold. So I got all my stuff together and off I went, looking a bit like Captain Oates as he left Scott and his mates in that tent. Well ... in one way it was a good journey - being told "you've got the right idea!" by the policewoman directing traffic past a lorry in a ditch was a good bit - but in nearly all other ways it wasn't. I was cold and wet when I got to work, I've never come closer to repeatedly falling off (going downhill was a bit like being a speedway rider, I was sideways a lot of the time), every time I was overtaken I got showered with a curtain of freezing slush and when I got to work the shower wouldn't warm up and I had to go without. As it's still snowing and I'm still at work - I'd usually be going home around 3am - I think I'm going to stick around and cadge a lift home with the day driver when he starts at around 5am: I don't fancy falling off in the dead of night and remaining undiscovered until the traffic gets going again in the morning. But I have to say, now that I'm warm and dry, I'm looking forward to doing this more often and getting fitter again.

 

[Stephenite]

I know what you mean.

I finished at 10.30pm. Looked out to see 4 inches of new snow on top of older and compacted snow - and still coming down thick and fast.

I thought i'd cycle to the train station and get home that way. But then a workmate phoned from the carpark to offer me a lift home! What a great bloke!

 

[Rhythm Thief]

That makes me feel better, I'm glad it's not just me! I've posted a blog on the subject with more detail.

 

[longers]

You busy then having got there?

A lift sounds like a good idea.

 

[Stephenite]

Good blog.

I (we?) feel a teeny-weeny bit bad for not biking it tonight, but crap weather, middle of the night and tired after a days work are not conducive to happy, care-free and safe cycling.

It's ok RT we can go out on our bikes when the weather clears up.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

You busy then having got there?

A lift sounds like a good idea.

Not really, no. I've been here since 5 and done hardly anything. On the plus side I managed to grab an hour's kip earlier on so no one can say I'm not pulling my weight.

I'm thinking of cycling home now, after all that. It's stopped snowing and most of my kit is dry.

 

[longers]

I'm thinking of cycling home now, after all that. It's stopped snowing and most of my kit is dry.

Despite saying a lift was a good idea, which it is, the ride home could be wonderful at 3 am if it's reasonably safe to proceed.

 

[marinyork]

Well I enjoyed my 11pm cycle in the snow, although it wasn't like the ride a couple of weeks ago where it was more like a blizzard. It gets a bit unpleasant once it goes beyond a certain point though. RT's ride sounds a bit more adventurous in the middle of nowhere.

 

[summerdays]

Good blog there... when you are doing that sort of thing your brain is calling you all sorts of daft or rude names... afterwards it becomes an accomplishment, or something to laugh about.

Yesterday we had huge flakes but not really settling but I decided to go and buy a sledge or 3... so weird woman riding home with 2 sticking out of a pannier and the other in a bag over my shoulder. One lorry driver obviously thought it sufficenctly silly that he pulled up beside me to tell me the snow wouldn't settle and have a good laugh - but all in good humour. (And he was right - but we are going to visit friends and they still have snow).

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Did it ... I decided I'd never be able to look myself in the eye again if I didn't at least try and ride home, so here I am in my cycling kit in front of the computer at home, having a well earned beer before bed. It was a bit lairy in parts - the "Forest Chicane" was just as bad on the way home - but the snow had stopped, the stars were out and it was actually pretty good. One to remember.
Incidentally, I noticed tonight that there's a point on my 12 mile route where I can see both ends of the journey. Does anyone else have that?

 

[summerdays]

Well done - go and enjoy a nice warm bed now, glowing your sense of achievement.

 

[HobbesChoice]

Good blog there... when you are doing that sort of thing your brain is calling you all sorts of daft or rude names... afterwards it becomes an accomplishment, or something to laugh about.

Absolutely

But it will also take all credit once you complete the accomplishment!!!

 

[shippers]

Hmmm, 2 guys snowed in and stranded. One in Ross-On-Wye, where this amount of snow probably falls every decade or so. The other from Oslo, where this amount of snow probably falls every other week.
Admirable levels of lunacy from both.
Good work chaps!