Tales from today's commute....

[MisterStan]

Early shoot as per @martinclive's report - on the best bike too as the forecast looks OK for today. Beautiful morning once we got going, a few iffy passes and a moton beeping at us when he couldn't pass safely.

 

[Simontm]

Not happy... had a clunk and the chain fell off doing something to the front derailleur so I now have no big cog and unless I only use three gears, there is an awful grinding sound not happy at all.

Apart from that, the commute was fine although a lot of cars were giving a lot of room for Harvey the invisible cyclist - unfortunately that meant heading directly towards me on occasion! Despite that, numpty count: 0

 

[robjh]

I'm surprised you're cycling the Tollbar Island, its about the only one round here I wont cycle, I stopped cycling it when they built the link to the M6, I don't even like using it in the car.

Braver man than me, with the roadworks that place is lethal and I'm sure there was a fatal involving a cyclist not long ago too.

I don’t go around Tollbar island that much but TBH for the limited routes that I use I don’t find it that bad – it is at least partly light-controlled and that gives clear gaps. In the mornings I occasionally go across from the airport/Baginton side towards town, and late in the evenings after the rush-hour I might dare it in the other direction down to the A423. I wouldn’t dream of touching the A45 sides at all. I also think the current roadworks make it better in parts as they slow traffic down, as long as you know which parts you have to navigate round – they seem to be changing it every week.

There’s also the foot/cycle path across the middle that I use if I come up from the lane past Brandon Marsh.

 

[Origamist]

Between 1 and 3C and with a lighter (tailwind) made good progress.

Like snowdrops sprouting in spring, so the spring cyclists start to wake from their dormancy. Spotted a chap 100m ahead in Tatton Park on a Ribble winter trainer (looking like a beardy Rapha model) and caught him by the time we got to the gate. Just ahead was another chap on some titanium bling adorned in Assos, caught him coming down past Tatton Wall – he got a tow up to Ashley were we went our separate ways. It’s nice to see other cyclists again as the first 20 miles is usually just me and a couple of others. It’s also about time I started to get my heart rate up as I’ve been stuck (metaphorically) in 3rd gear for the last three months…

 

[I like Skol]

Brrrrr.... It was chilly at 5.30am. A light frost had me wishing I had worn my warmer gloves as my fingers were a bit sore by the time I got to work. It might have felt warmer if I had picked up the pace a little but just couldn't find the enthusiasm today so rode along @potsy styleee with an average of only 13.7mph (OK, Potsy on a quick day, with a tail wind, if he was 10yrs younger )

 

[fossyant]

Saw some sun this morning. Yay.

 

[Biscuit]

A great day for riding to work. Sunshine, cool breeze and relatively quiet. Happy Days!!!!

 

[mythste]

been off the bike for a week - entirely down to mine own laziness and decided I'd crack on today and do 20 miles with my new topeak panniers instead of the usual camelbak.

Weird.

The bikes dynamics have changed so much, I dont carry an awful lot but I guess having the weight lower made the bike "feel" heavier but I think I actually got a higher average speed out of her! Plus, shoulders and bum are feeling loads better. 20 miles with a solid 10KG on my back probably hasnt been great.

Convert.

 

[EthelF]

A cyclist ahead of me clipped a large sign at some roadworks and sent it toppling onto a parked works van, narrowly missing a workman standing next to it. Cyclist didn't go down and nobody appeared hurt.
The wording on the sign? "NARROW LANES, DO NOT OVERTAKE CYCLISTS"

I do confess this did make me laugh.

 

[fimm]

Big bike out. B*st*rd headwind. Worked hard, I think, but still slow. Going home might be easier...

 

[400bhp]

. Just ahead was another chap on some titanium bling adorned in Assos, caught him coming down past Tatton Wall – he got a tow up to Ashley were we went our separate ways. It’s nice to see other cyclists again as the first 20 miles is usually just me and a couple of others. QUOTE]

Reckon that was Dave at work - tall chap and went straight on at Ashley X Roads?

Good guy

 

[Ciar]

Windy but not that bad, busted out the shades as well and really looking forward to the return journey as it feels really mild and today is my Friday ;-)

 

[Origamist]

Reckon that was Dave at work - tall chap and went straight on at Ashley X Roads?

Good guy

Yes, he went straight over the crossroads. Seemed 6ft +. Pretty sure he went through Tatton Park too.

Was a bit tough in the wind heading home this pm and the roads were extra dusty - I looked like I had been sand blasted when I got home....

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Wore the bib shorts on the way home!

 

[fossyant]

Late start tomorrow as at the doctors (again). Almost still light by the time I got home tonight. Got a 80 miler return commute on Tuesday. Crewe and back. Hope its dry.