Tales from today's commute....

[katiewlx]

an early one today, for me at least, slam bang in peak school run. Based on previous experiences at this time I picked a longer more rural route, albeit one with a steeper climb than usual and longer too which isnt ideal given I was fully laden up (first day in this week), but I hoped it would be less stressful.

though I still had to negotiate the short bit to the rural escape, which was enough to remind me why I dont ride at this time, as the mgif is strong at this time, even if they then just sit staring blankly ahead, not moving in their little boxes for the next few minutes as you serenely whizz past again.

anyway the rural route was much quieter and nice even if the weather kept feeling like it was trying to rain, or it was just spray off the road, but it was a lot muddier and slippy than I thought it would be and having to dodge bits of branches lying in the road whilst the occasional car zipped past alot faster than I thought the speed limit was, wasnt ideal.

but bar the few mgiffers, was absolutely less stressful.

ride home was back to normal though, almost got turned into a hood ornament as a car pulled out of a tjunction without looking properly, and people were being even more testy on the cyclepath, somehow managing to think if they stopped moving, so blocking the path, this would be helpful.

 

[Mazz]

an early one today, for me at least, slam bang in peak school run. Based on previous experiences at this time I picked a longer more rural route, albeit one with a steeper climb than usual and longer too which isnt ideal given I was fully laden up (first day in this week), but I hoped it would be less stressful.

though I still had to negotiate the short bit to the rural escape, which was enough to remind me why I dont ride at this time, as the mgif is strong at this time, even if they then just sit staring blankly ahead, not moving in their little boxes for the next few minutes as you serenely whizz past again.

anyway the rural route was much quieter and nice even if the weather kept feeling like it was trying to rain, or it was just spray off the road, but it was a lot muddier and slippy than I thought it would be and having to dodge bits of branches lying in the road whilst the occasional car zipped past alot faster than I thought the speed limit was, wasnt ideal.

but bar the few mgiffers, was absolutely less stressful.

ride home was back to normal though, almost got turned into a hood ornament as a car pulled out of a tjunction without looking properly, and people were being even more testy on the cyclepath, somehow managing to think if they stopped moving, so blocking the path, this would be helpful.

What's a mgif/ mgiffer?

 

[Gwylan]

Sneaked out mid morning. Tied a few bits of routes together
Then a few Kms lost wandering. New quiet lanes.
All in all 30 km recorded. Lost a bit when I had to reset the App and the phone signal went.
Not everywhere was quiet though.

Met the usual quota of loonies, single track roads at speed, not expecting any other traffic - I assume.
I don't climb in the hedge for them any more.

Worst are cowboy farm people with huge 4x4 trucks and manure for brains.
Ford's offering is very popular with this bit of the aggri-poloi

 

[markharry66]

Got up this morning looked at weather forecast last night supposed to be raiining as usual got it wrong, so off to work on the bike again.
Hardly any traffic on the road again this morning, nice Journey in nice tailwind didnt really put to much effort in this morning just spun in slowed down on fast roads as dont trust tyres in the wet. Got tail gated by abbey tours bus (replacement bus service I think) normally would just let that go but then jumped a red light so took his reg and will be phoning the company this morning not accpetable not as though the light had just turned red either.

 

[Gwylan]

Canterbury again today.
Take everything off the bike that might be nickable . Also lightens the bike for manoeuvring through the stations.
Then have to lug several kilos of chain and lock with me.
Weather looks confused, veering towards wet.
Waterproof trousers in the bag with the tablet then.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Canterbury again today.
Take everything off the bike that might be nickable . Also lightens the bike for manoeuvring through the stations.
Then have to lug several kilos of chain and lock with me.
Weather looks confused, veering towards wet.
Waterproof trousers in the bag with the tablet then.

I hear you: I'm mildly paranoid about parking my bike in Tübingen for the same reason.

Fortunately, one perk of my job is that I have a key for the "VIP" bike parking in the city, so it's secure, at least near the station.

 

[Gwylan]

I hear you: I'm mildly paranoid about parking my bike in Tübingen for the same reason.

Fortunately, one perk of my job is that I have a key for the "VIP" bike parking in the city, so it's secure, at least near the station.

I tried the bike lockers for last week's visit. Total disaster. My assigned locker was not working. Well not for me. Also it assumes you are right handed. Awkward combination of actions to open the thing.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I tried the bike lockers for last week's visit. Total disaster. My assigned locker was not working. Well not for me. Also it assumes you are right handed. Awkward combination of actions to open the thing.

Fortunately, the local version is a bit more sensible. There is a lot of "open" parking as well, though, including a section for work bikes which is getting hogged by someone who seems to think it's their private garage.

When I brought Beautiful Daughter here for the first time, I hadn't thought to tell her that I had a key, so for a second she thought it was some kind of magic when the door opened...

 

[biking_fox]

My bad today. Stopped in the cycle lane looking at the red traffic light in front of me. Failed to spot the green cycle light above me. Some unamused cyclists behind me!

 

[wafter]

A decent one again this morning - mild, dry and quick into the city again thanks to the seemingly consistant tailwind. Didn't stop me getting blown into the weeds by a racing snake despite pushing 20mph.. although I retained some smug superiority as my fantastic mudguards prevented the go-faster stripe down the length of the arse my assailant had earned.

Traffic was good again - the main roads in having been enormously better for the two weeks since the congestion charges were put in place so finger's crossed this is indicitive of how things will be from now on - at least while it remains in force.

Not a lot of twattery, sausages were variable so I only got two which were pretty pleasant

 

[fossyant]

Car again. 90 minutes rather than 40-45... Exhausted.

 

[Mazz]

Absolutely drenched this morning.
Heavy rain and abundant standing water on roads, not helped by leaves blocking the gutters.
I'm noticing more and more that with so much construction going on, where previously fields/gardens provided natural drainage, now the water runs off onto the roads which are increasingly flooding.

 

[Mazz]

Car again. 90 minutes rather than 40-45... Exhausted.

How come you're exhausted if you drove in?

 

[fossyant]

How come you're exhausted if you drove in?

Exhausted before thinking of cycling, so just got in the car. Had a 'cold' last week or so and I'm just 'run-down'. didn't help riding on the 'cold' last week, just not shifting it.

 

[Poacher]

What's a mgif/ mgiffer?

Must Get In Front - someone who does a totally pointless and often dangerously close overtake, often just to join a queueueue of vehicles going nowhere fast.