I hate road works

[confusedcyclist]

Despite being fitter than ever, my average speed to and from work is dropping consistently. I am not over training, undernourished or lazy... Bloody road works and subsequent traffic backing up is bringing my pace right down.

My main, and only route home has been decimated by works on 3 major roundabouts between Leeds and Bradford and this looks set to continue for many months to come.

Rant over... or is it?

 

[ianrauk]

No point worry about average speeds on a commute as there are far too many variables. Traffic, your roadworks, junctions, lights etc

Just enjoy the ride to work.

 

[Beebo]

I'm always slower in teh winter.
It's dark, colder, you wear more clothes and the roads are wet which slwos everything down.

 

[Turbo Rider]

Too much emphasis on fitness & not enough on smugness. Road works mean you get to play the 'glide past people stuck in cars whilst trying to maintain a serious face' game

 

[I like Skol]

You are looking at this from completely the wrong angle Confusedcyclist. When the roadwork cones come out to play is the time that a cyclist reaps the biggest benefits of cycle commuting. Just imagine how long your journey would be taking if you were stuck in a car going nowhere fast. Your time savings at the moment will really be stacking up in your favour

 

[jefmcg]

Yes! I love it especially when there is a one lane section controlled by lights. You can zip up the mostly empty right side of the road, and always get through the first green (or even walk a few yards on the footpath. Some of the cars you pass might still be there when you are showered and at your desk.

 

[vickster]

Leave earlier before the traffic builds up

 

[jagman.2003]

Sadly road works are a frustrating hold up, especially on nice steady stretches.
I know the OP has stated this is the only route home. But I use this as an excuse to find new & alternative options to bypass them.
It might be longer but can't be any worse than being slowed by traffic.

 

[Moodyman]

the roadworks the OP refers to are going to create a cycle superhighway between Leeds and Bradford.

Roll on I say.

and yes, I've been slowed down by them too in recent weeks.

 

[chewa]

I have to deal with the works for the new Forth crossing when I leave the village (and then for the related road infrastructure the other side of the river).

It's bad enough being held up for up to 7 minutes at temporary traffic lights, but my real bugbear is that with the road being covered in mud, it's as slippery as Jimmy Carr's accountant and my recently resprayed frame is constantly filthy, and all the mud and other crap play havoc with my drivetrain.

I shouldn't really complain, as my "commute" is out and back (as I work from home!)

 

[confusedcyclist]

This traffic is particularly bad as cars can back up as far as 2 miles making passing traffic on narrow lanes with lots of pinch points and pedestrian islands tedious work. Though as many have pointed out its much faster on bike than in a car hehe.

Yes, this traffic is also to implement the leeds bradford super cycle highway so I am pleased that progress is being made. Although very slowly!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Use the roadworks as a reason to take a diversion and extend the commute. My average speed also takes a dive this time of year.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

Roadworks have hit the roundabout coming out if the estate I work on. I now take the mountain bike as there is a multi purpose trail that runs to tre roundabout I can hop on to bypass the whole stinking lot!

Using it as Sprint training is also good just not when your freezing and wet

 

[mustang1]

My commute is longer too. I think its the onset of winter but impossibly also lack of fitness.

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

Its the temporary lights with bad timing that get me... three quarters of the way down the single lane, having passed a green at the start, and the oncoming traffic is given the green, which in some motorists eyes is care blanch to drive the cyclist into the roadworks... grrrrrrr....