- Baz -
Active Member
- Location
- Manchester
Well, I've popped my commuting by bike cherry, today! About 14 miles round trip. Slightly downhill (in total) inward journey took 40 mins from leaving home to parking bike (secure basement garage) to sitting at my desk (Manchester city centre). Homeward - got held up by an RTA so diversion - an hour Would have been longer if I'd been sitting in a tin box...
Observations: Why didn't I start doing this years ago?? Beautiful morning and a rural route for the first ten minutes makes a great start to the day. Drains/pot holes/man-hole covers/bad road repairs are by far the worst hazard. Route on the whole not bad - main road into Manchester (Oldham Road) so used bus lanes/cycle lanes, which again are not bad. Temptation is to push the pedals when there's really no need so arrived at work sweatier than necessary. Max speed 23 mph! Got cramp in my left calf, but not too bad. Bottled out of a busy junction which means crossing traffic, so got off and used the pedestrian crossing Maybe tackle it when confidence grows. Need some cooler clothes tomorrow. Left my cycle computer at work! Keep forgetting to change down before lights or slow traffic...
Very happy with the new bike - Ridgeback hybrid (Evans). Slight rubbing of front mech in top gear but feels very light and capable with no squeaks or rattles. Gear changing is smooth and brakes are awesome!
The main impression is the heightened awareness needed with so much going on. Wonder how long that'll last? Looking forward to doing it again tomorrow, anyway!
Baz
Observations: Why didn't I start doing this years ago?? Beautiful morning and a rural route for the first ten minutes makes a great start to the day. Drains/pot holes/man-hole covers/bad road repairs are by far the worst hazard. Route on the whole not bad - main road into Manchester (Oldham Road) so used bus lanes/cycle lanes, which again are not bad. Temptation is to push the pedals when there's really no need so arrived at work sweatier than necessary. Max speed 23 mph! Got cramp in my left calf, but not too bad. Bottled out of a busy junction which means crossing traffic, so got off and used the pedestrian crossing Maybe tackle it when confidence grows. Need some cooler clothes tomorrow. Left my cycle computer at work! Keep forgetting to change down before lights or slow traffic...
Very happy with the new bike - Ridgeback hybrid (Evans). Slight rubbing of front mech in top gear but feels very light and capable with no squeaks or rattles. Gear changing is smooth and brakes are awesome!
The main impression is the heightened awareness needed with so much going on. Wonder how long that'll last? Looking forward to doing it again tomorrow, anyway!
Baz