Still finding ways to vary commute..

[palinurus]

After 20 years.

Thought I'd give it a go on my newly-built cross bike and see how far I could get without travelling on the road. Had a short road section to start with, then through Cassiobury park- mostly on the grass, then onto the canal towpath- hardly anyone about in the morning, pulled in for one jogger and two dog walkers, once I got some way from the park I didn't see anyone else.

I thought it would be muddy but the mud was of a sloppier kind than I was expecting, the bike was proper dirty when I got to work. I stuck the raceblades on and they did a good job of keeping the mud away from my upper body and face (didn't stop my feet getting wet). I planned to leave the canal, ride a short section on the road and then take a bridleway which would get me to within a couple of miles of work but I couldn't find it- I know where the other end of it is, so I'll ride it in the other direction one day and find out where it comes out. Ended up taking a parallel lane instead, so a bit more road riding than intended.

I won't do it often- too much bike cleaning involved, but a good way to start the week.

 

[jimboalee]

When I cycle commuted to worked in central Birmingham, I had the OS Landranger sheet 139 pinned to my posterboard.
When I had some spare time between work and home, I would throw a dart at The map ( with eyes closed ). Where the dart stuck, I would ride to before going home.
I once had to ride from Birmingham to RAF Cosford, and then to home in Castle Bromwich.

 

[jimboalee]

Wish I worked in the City Centre now. I've got that whole area on my Garmin.

Wish I had the Garmin in the eighties, I got lost lots of times.

 

[snorri]

This jimboalee can't be real, can he:?::?:

 

[cheadle hulme]

Why not snorri? I'm one who reads more than writes I'm enjoying his posts .

You seem to have a lot of experience Jimboalee!!!!!!!!

I've just changed to the slicked up MTB for my commute so I can do parks and a bit of towpath. You're right about the bike getting filthy though.

 

[palinurus]

That dart method would be no good for me- I haven't got a wall to stick a posterboard on. I've got an old herts road atlas (M25 listed as under construction) at work, maybe I could use my programmable calculator to generate a random page number and grid reference. I'd be pissed off if I had to ride out to Harlow however.

It was horrible trying to clean the bike when I got home (it was raining, it was dark and the bike was really dirty). I have to keep it inside so the mud's gotta come off. Riding home- on the road- I was surprised how nicely the fat (32 mm) tyres rolled even with only about 50lbs in 'em, really helped where the road surfaces were bad.

Now I'm keen to fit the usual commuter with the fattest tyres it'll take.