Tales from today's commute....

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fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Left late and was abused by a nut job (riding a hybrid) along the canal path. He clearly didn't like me informing him I was on his right and wanted to pass. Threatened to push me in the canal, more trash talk (4/10 for originality) etc etc etc. I counted to 10 on two separate occasions and took deep breaths and resisted the temptation to kick away his front wheel as I went past. Glad I ignored him as I just want to ride my bike and certainly not hurt anyone.

On the plus side, the traffic on the roads was about 80% lighter and a gentle tailwind meant for a quick commute back.

Should have crossed your rear wheel over his front. In the drink.
 

Origamist

Legendary Member
Should have crossed your rear wheel over his front. In the drink.

That did cross my mind too! Canals do seem to attract some odd sorts...
 

MisterStan

Label Required
A really nice tailwing for the ride home tonight. Really motored along. One of the fastest rides home of the year. Brilliant.
@MisterStan and the East of England contingent. I guess it was pretty tough for you guys.
Wasn't too bad, powered through it and managed to average 18.4 for the trip home. Feeling it a bit this morning though!

We had a couple of wheel suckers for about 8 miles, one of them needs to oil his chain - the noise was really irritating me! Also he kept getting too close and overlapping wheels - I gave him 'the look' and he apologised an backed off a bit.

I had two punishment passes before leaving Cambridge - the stupid sort where they don't like you filtering, so they overtake you with a gnat's whisker between you and then promptly join a queue.

This morning was grey and a bit cooler. Nice run in though on my own.
 

Origamist

Legendary Member
More freezing fog and -3.5C. I had frosty rivulets forming in the folds of my jersey's arms and around my crotch!

Visibility was poor - between 30m and 70m and I was shoulder checking twice as much as normal. Generally though, the driving was very good.

By the time I got to Hale the fog had lifted and the temps were warmer - if it stays clear, it should still be light when I get home!
 
This morning's commute was in quite dense air, nothing really happened except it was a bit of a slog all the way, that might have had something to do with the constant head wind or it might have been the Swine Hill warm up :rolleyes:

This evening was a bit easier, as I mostly going south but I wanted to try a new flatter route. It was mostly light and I was going a good speed. The route however, went by a rough country lane but just as I passed some woods, I heard a noise and turned to see a young stag staring me down. I quickly turned the bike and bar mounted camera to face him, I'll have to see if it caught him but it was getting dark and he was pretty well camouflaged. The loss of speed was worth it :smile: Unfortunately the tarmac completely disappeared leaving me a 2 and a bit miles bone shaker, fortunately there was just enough light to see the massive holes. The route then took me into Grantham where I proceeded to get lost in the oneway system. After all that I'm surprised that I only lost 2 and a bit mph but if the camera captured the stag it have all been worth it :becool:
 

Exile

Senior Member
Location
Manchester
Good commute ruined by poor and inconsiderate drivers. Signalling right to move out of the cycle lane to pass a taxi parked in it, a van holds back, then as I start to move across revs up and passes me with less than a foot to spare. Was pushed to the kerb by another car who decided the best time to pass me was when a bus was coming the other way, rather than five seconds later when the road was perfectly clear.

Sometimes I wonder when people stopped giving a damn about the lives of their fellow human beings. Then I realise the answer is "as soon as they get in the car", or at least that's how it's been seeming the last few weeks.
 

Sittingduck

Legendary Member
Location
Somewhere flat
Had meetings run later than usual the last 2 days and been forced to comute home at 5pm instead of 4. What a difference an hour makes! Quite a peloton on Chelsea Embankment.

Freezing headwind this morning again - and I'll be glad when Spring arrives properly!!
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
Weird commute ... the ring road was so quiet ... don't think I've ever seen it so quiet. And then I managed a rare double light dash (eclipse must be affecting the traffic lights). Normally I hit one or both on red at this particular set and looking at Strava I got my best record of this year even though I wasn't sprinting through the bits just because both were green.
 

Supersuperleeds

Legendary Member
Location
Leicester
Cracking weather this morning, no wind and the sun came out so also got to see the eclipse in perfect conditions once at work. Glad it is Friday, I am completely knackered.
 
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