fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Stiff headwind on the way in. Avoided the mystical wet stuff - some has landed since arriving, although that blade of grass has just had enough for a quick sip.
Tales from today's commute....
- Thread starter martint235
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
one of those weird days where just everyone seems to be out to get you. Id already had an argument with a bin lorry before Id even left my road, which set the tone for the rest of the days riding and far too many bits to go into detail on. I felt lucky to arrive at my destinations in one piece.
even with a tailwind, it still felt like at times I was pushing into a head wind, which made no sense, and then when I hit the headwind proper, it felt almost like it was double the effect.
at least the temperature was far more manageable for a change, so every cloud has a silver lining
even with a tailwind, it still felt like at times I was pushing into a head wind, which made no sense, and then when I hit the headwind proper, it felt almost like it was double the effect.
at least the temperature was far more manageable for a change, so every cloud has a silver lining
And as I observed a while back, as cars are getting fatter thus taking up more of said country lanes, the entitled drivers out there do make country lanes less pleasant for those of us who wish to enjoy them.
And as I observed a while back, as cars are getting fatter thus taking up more of said country lanes, the entitled drivers out there do make country lanes less pleasant for those of us who wish to enjoy them.
Yesterday's afternoon commute home, the long way, through some country lanes, 2 oversized SUV's facing each other, no where to go. It was a long reverse back for either one of them. Of course, neither wanted to move. I left them to it.
biking_fox
Legendary Member
- Location
- Manchester
First ride in after a week off. Still quiet, but my legs are notably complaining! It wasn't as if it was even a lazy week, but without the miles in you quickly feel it. I'm sure I'll be fine again soon. Was passed by two of the fast lads I see from time to time, some days I can keep up, today wasn't even in consideration.
Its going to be another very hot cycling commute week here in the South East. 35° predicted Thursday and Friday afternoons. It's already very warm in the sun this morning.
On the folder, had a nice bit of SCR on the way in. Guy on a Cannondale, I could sense he didn't really like me overtaking him so he decided to put a bit of effort in, but he couldn't break the elastic over a couple of miles of the A21. Kept on doing a shoulder check to see if I was still there
Of course I kept a good bike and a half behind him. I was much quicker away at lights but he kept on over taking, but I was still there. Jolly good fun indeed.
On the folder, had a nice bit of SCR on the way in. Guy on a Cannondale, I could sense he didn't really like me overtaking him so he decided to put a bit of effort in, but he couldn't break the elastic over a couple of miles of the A21. Kept on doing a shoulder check to see if I was still there
Of course I kept a good bike and a half behind him. I was much quicker away at lights but he kept on over taking, but I was still there. Jolly good fun indeed.
Out into another almost perfect morning - bright and cool with minimal traffic, only spoilt slight by a headwind.
Slightly irritated by inconsiderate-if-not-outright dangerous slow, close-ish passes by a car and van that could have given me more room; however I later delighted in passing them all as the traffic built up nearer the city.
Arrival at the city centre brought a lovely interaction with a van driver - turning down a narrow side-street to meet him coming the other way with only room for one of us. He stops and I roll over to the extreme side of the road before stopping too. He just looks at me. I get off the bike and move onto the pavement. He drives past with zero acknowledgement; rewarded with a hearty "you're f*cking welcome" as I continue on my way.
Oddly, despite my consternation being voiced at a volume intended to penetrate his closed window (which turned out not to be closed) he asked me to repeat myself.. so I did. He then invited me to return and "say that to his face" however I declined and instead advised that he might like to go and f*ck himself as I continued riding away.
Just one more example off the regular dichotomy between keeping my mouth shut and being left berating myself for allowing myself to be treated like I'm worthless, or reacting and provoking avoidable conflict and all the risk that carries. A less visceral middle ground would probably be good but I struggle to control my tongue in the immediate aftermath of other peoples' selfishness..
Eventually onto the tow path and some ninja-dickhead coming the other way at speed on an obviously illegal ebike skidding to a stop to avoid colliding with me as I left one of the bridges... scumbag.
After all the drama a nice ride was had to work, sausages getting a solid 7.5/10 today
Slightly irritated by inconsiderate-if-not-outright dangerous slow, close-ish passes by a car and van that could have given me more room; however I later delighted in passing them all as the traffic built up nearer the city.
Arrival at the city centre brought a lovely interaction with a van driver - turning down a narrow side-street to meet him coming the other way with only room for one of us. He stops and I roll over to the extreme side of the road before stopping too. He just looks at me. I get off the bike and move onto the pavement. He drives past with zero acknowledgement; rewarded with a hearty "you're f*cking welcome" as I continue on my way.
Oddly, despite my consternation being voiced at a volume intended to penetrate his closed window (which turned out not to be closed) he asked me to repeat myself.. so I did. He then invited me to return and "say that to his face" however I declined and instead advised that he might like to go and f*ck himself as I continued riding away.
Just one more example off the regular dichotomy between keeping my mouth shut and being left berating myself for allowing myself to be treated like I'm worthless, or reacting and provoking avoidable conflict and all the risk that carries. A less visceral middle ground would probably be good but I struggle to control my tongue in the immediate aftermath of other peoples' selfishness..
Eventually onto the tow path and some ninja-dickhead coming the other way at speed on an obviously illegal ebike skidding to a stop to avoid colliding with me as I left one of the bridges... scumbag.
After all the drama a nice ride was had to work, sausages getting a solid 7.5/10 today
