I am back commuting tomorrow

[Holdsworth]

Yes after a month and a half long hiatus I will be back in saddle tomorrow after finally securing some work, ongoing temporary, but work nonetheless. I have decided to turn down the offer of a lift from my colleagues and instead I will bike the 10 miles from Crewe to the warehouse on the Nantwich-Chester road. This will save on the £30 a week taxi fare which I will put towards the bike.

I am a bit apprehensive about doing such a distance as my last commute was only 5 miles and I haven't ridden that distance before in one stint so it'll be a new experience for me. I also don't have a saddlebag or a breathable coat so it'll be sweaty backs all round tomorrow. The bag is on its way but I need a light breathable jacket like the aldi winter one which isn't available ATM.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Enjoy mate
10 miles, you will be there before you know it, and like you said it saves cash

 

[HobbesChoice]

How did it go Holdsworth?

 

[Holdsworth]

It went quite well actually, I have now been on the bike for 2 days doing 9.1 miles (according to Google maps) each way on rather fast, rural and urban roads. I don't find it too bad TBH but I have had comments from friends and family that I am absolutely mad for biking it

Route

I can make it usually in about 35-45 minutes depending on how the traffic is. I haven't tried doing the route in the rain or in a headwind so I have no idea how that will affect the journeys time. One thing I have noticed is that by the time I get to the end of my commute, I am not that knackered but I am bright red in the face and have an extremely sweaty back. This is because of the bag on my back and the non-breathable coat I am wearing. I will hopefully be receiving my new saddlebag over the weekend to help ease the problem, although a new set of mid and outer layers hasn't been decided on yet, any ideas? I have a base layer and a short sleeve jersey but nothing else apart from dhb earnley shorts!!!

 

[david1701]

how early do you go in the AM I've been riding in long cycling trousers and just a jersey and until yesterday it was fine (yesterday was PROPER cold nb I didn't go out today). Generally I find I'm good until the sun goes down but even then if I push hard enough it keeps me warm

 

[Holdsworth]

I have been setting off at around 7 am and coming back at around 4:30 pm, the weather these past two days has been rather chilly, around 0 degrees, but Thursday was friggin cold with freezing fog present. I have my jogging bottoms and coat covered in fine cover of white ice crystals by the time I got to work!!! Definitely not jersey and shorts weather

 

[400bhp]

I often ride down to Wheelock hall farm-not too far from you and a cycle friendly cafe

Qn; would it be better to peel off the A51 onto Winsford Rd?

 

[david1701]

I was very cold yesterday and it was the first time I didn't warm up a few minutes into my ride as usually I'm cold for <1/2 a mile then I'm fine but I was cold even going up the huge hill which is unheard of

 

[Holdsworth]

I often ride down to Wheelock hall farm-not too far from you and a cycle friendly cafe

Qn; would it be better to peel off the A51 onto Winsford Rd?

I know of Wheelock Hall Farm, it is nice place to stop for a browse of the shop/garden centre and a have light bite in the summer, I used to go with my mate in his car every so often.

I have considered changing my route to the country lanes but I am not sure whether to do so. I am not sure I have adequate lighting on the front at the moment to make it easy to see what is out in front. You could say the same about the unlit sections of the A51 but it is nice and wide and most passing vehicles give plenty of room, especially the Boughey lorries. Still it can only be as bad as Middlewich Road (Once the most dangerous road in Cheshire), which I have no choice but to ride on, and have never had any problems apart from the odd close pass.

 

[Holdsworth]

Also can I ask what others you do when they come to a set of lights that have those sensors that trigger the green light when a car passes over them? There is one on my route that sometimes refuses to change unless a car follows me

 

[billy1561]

I personally would take a good look round and go through the red light but i don't know the protocol for that with cyclists. Suppose i should get off and walk across?

 

[Holdsworth]

I personally would take a good look round and go through the red light but i don't know the protocol for that with cyclists. Suppose i should get off and walk across?

I will actually admit to doing that the first time when I was the only soul in the right hand lane and I sat for 2-3 minutes watching the rest of the lights go through 3-4 complete cycles. In the end I was like stuff and went through making sure that no traffic was moving, it was between changes at the time.

I've been bad, should I go and turn myself in?

 

[400bhp]

Use your common sense.

That statement has many different connotations on here.

For me that would mean RLJ if safe to do so.