Ex commuter returns :-)

[gambatte]

Back in the saddle. I’ve not been out on the bike for months. I’ve been putting it off, for months. I’ve had lots of excuses, from lack of time, being able to gain exercise in other areas to poor provision at work.

Anyway, 3 major factors have got me back.

1 PITA local roadworks

2 Considering entering my 1[sup]st[/sup] triathlon

3 The recent glorious weather and increase in daylight.

So last night saw me servicing the bike and dragging the cycle clothing out of storage.

I’m glad I resisted the temptation for long sleeves. OK it was cold in the bib tights and shorts sleeve top, but it was a bracing ‘wake you up’ cold. Nice looking down and seeing your skin turning a strange red colour as the blood rushes to the surface to keep you warm.

I have a choice of route, which vary from 7-9 miles each way. I decided on a more rural choice of route this time (9m) and had no problems. The only incident when I approached a 2 lane entry RAB. Single lane becomes 2 lanes and as I approach and position myself for the right hand lane..... there’s a car driver who hasn’t anticipated and tries forcing its way past on my right. A quick glance got him to fall back.

No problems at work, which means this is likely to be repeated regularly. The other good thing is the companys moving. My commute will increase. But by cycling now it theoretically increases the need to be cycle friendly in their ‘Travel Plan’.

 

[Twizit]

Nice one for getting back in the saddle. Similar position myself - must be that time of year *








* and absolutely nothing to do with the nice sunny weather down here in Laaahdon

 

[upsidedown]

Good stuff.
Our place have a travel plan. It's basically to give everybody a company car whether they need one or not.

 

[clarion]

Cool.

I've had a number of annoying incidents which are trying to conspire to keep me from commuting. It's frustrating. I'm glad to hear you are back in the saddle.

 

[johnr]

Welcome back. It's liberating not to have to strap yourself into full gear, isn't it?

 

[gambatte]

Probably unrepresentative after one fair days commute, but my first impressions are:

1. There are still d**ks out there

2. The considerate drivers are more noticeable, when they pass wide they do pass wide. The wide pass happened a lot more than it did last time I was commuting.

3. The state of the roads is worse. I found myself ‘wobbling’ to avoid bits of road considerably more than I remember.

It seemed the press coverage of fuel prices and how to reduce consumption by altering the way you drive may have had an impact. The general feel I got was that some calming influence had affected an element of traffic.