Tales from today's commute....

[Arjimlad]

Grey, ethereally misty, but as I rode along the oak-lined country lane at the northernmost part of my ride, I was struck again by how lovely it was nevertheless, and how lucky I am to be able to ride to work in these surroundings.

 

[spen666]

Interesting ride today

Chilly and very foggy, but that's not going to put me off.
1. I used to think the segregated cycle lanes were for cyclists to ride on, but realised the error of my thinking today as in one was a refuse wagon parked up - a couple of miles on, the refuse collectors had wheeled all the industrial sized bins into the cycle lane so they would be near the refuse wagon when it arrived.

2. When I learned to drive I was told not to park on a junction. Obviously this no longer applies as I came across one driver parked on main road part of a T Junction, on yellow lines . Clearly his need to wait there over rides others safety or traffic laws.

3. Bit of a bizarre one at traffic lights. 2 cars ahead of me as I arrived at the lights. Lights go green, front car drives off. 2nd car does not move, I overtook it thinking I bet driver is on phone. no, he was just sat in car staring straight ahead. not making any attempt to drive car. No idea what that was about.

4. Nice bit of karma. Car overtook me as we approached an island in the middle of the road, and forced me to break as he cut sharply in to avoid the island. Clearly he was in a hurry. Sadly for him, 100 yards ahead he got stuck at roadworks with single lane open and traffic alternating to use it. He was 1st car in queue. Shame, I was able to get ahead of him at red lights, then when they turned green, he was stuck behind me for the 200 yards of roadworks.

5. Got home ready to start work. Logged onto my computer and realised I was supposed to be in work for an in person meeting at 1130. Sh*t! Had to rapidly get suited and booted and get train into work

 

[wafter]

Tonight's ride back was pretty much the usual loop. Chilly and especially uncomfortable as I'd worn a cotton T-shirt today instead of the usual Merino base layer as I was out on site and didn't want to damage the precious wool. By contrast the cotton felt very cold and damp on the way back .

Stopped at the park for for a disappointing dangle but this did facilitate the evening's highlight - watching lots of toads in a drainage ditch by the park brought to my attention by families watching them yesterday when I was there. I stood with the bike for a bit; first spotting one or two but soon it transpired there were many. Bizarrely after a few minutes of standing there quite a lot had swum closer and were now sitting with their heads sticking out of the water facing me, gently croaking with increasing frequency.

Not sure if they were perceived me as a threat or were just inquisitive but it was quite relaxing and certainly novel as I've never seen that many before or really heard them croaking

 

[HLaB]

Typically the weather has improved 10fold when I'm in the office. It was a pretty fast and quiet commute until the Cross St/ Cowgate junction. An artic lorry was trying to make his way round, nigh impossible, especiallyas there was a safety fence for temp works, but with patience he made it. He saw me waiting back for his last attempt and he waved me through.

Lol, AI says I battled a headwind all the way but Id agree with myWindsock which says I had 0 and a push 😂

 

[fossyant]

Decent morning, a little sunshine and a bit chilly. Set a good time, so it must be the benefits of a bit of solar power !

 

[Arjimlad]

Tonight's ride back was pretty much the usual loop. Chilly and especially uncomfortable as I'd worn a cotton T-shirt today instead of the usual Merino base layer as I was out on site and didn't want to damage the precious wool. By contrast the cotton felt very cold and damp on the way back .

Stopped at the park for for a disappointing dangle but this did facilitate the evening's highlight - watching lots of toads in a drainage ditch by the park brought to my attention by families watching them yesterday when I was there. I stood with the bike for a bit; first spotting one or two but soon it transpired there were many. Bizarrely after a few minutes of standing there quite a lot had swum closer and were now sitting with their heads sticking out of the water facing me, gently croaking with increasing frequency.

Not sure if they were perceived me as a threat or were just inquisitive but it was quite relaxing and certainly novel as I've never seen that many before or really heard them croaking

Love this... the toad whisperer! Presumably you managed to out-run them!

 

[fossyant]

Love this... the toad whisperer! Presumably you managed to out-run them!

I think they wanted to give him a kiss. Not sure what happens when a toad kisses a person ?

 

[Arjimlad]

Had to ride into Bristol today and chose the "Concorde Way".

I was surprised it wasn't suggested as a route on Goole Maps, but it soon became clear that the route was being dug up around the MOD with a lengthy diversion. Took an hour to cover 9.4 miles. Had to navigate shared paths near a school as well. I should pay more attention to avoiding these daft schemes and stick to quieter but more easily navigable roads in future.

I'm visiting an office and had to wait for the concierge to organise entry into the garage so I could park my bike securely. Just hope I will be able to get in again at the end of the day to retrieve it!

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Cheeky extra mini excursion into the Peak on a lovely sunny though chilly morning.

managed 23km/ 470m climbing vs standard 16km/ 190m

Lovely

 

[spen666]

Nice commute today - faster , warmer, not foggy. Most motorists were sensible.
In fact nothing to moan about, and when I finished, unlike yesterday I was at the right venue for my work

 

[HLaB]

I was tempted as the weather was beautiful to extend my commute but the wind this morning was the wrong direction and I was needing back. So after a shoogly train journey I got off to find the wind had switched 180deg and really got up which had me wondering again about having should have extended the commute. Half a mile down the road probably confirmed it was wise not too. I shifted up to the large cassette tooth (largest gear) for a hill from a standing start. Near the crest of the hill when I went to shift the other way, up the gear (down the cassette) it refused to budge. There was no sign of poor gear change before hand and the cable is taught. Besides a snapped wire would have actually forced the bike into its highest gear. The only thing I can think is the train journey shoogled the gear cable head out of its socket. I'll do my training session and then put the bike up in the stand 🤔

Edit, it might be an internal lever spring that's burst I can reset it by hand and shift down the cassette but the minute I shift up its the same again. I'll see if a lube bath sorts it, if not it'll probably be a trip to the lbs and a new shifter 😐

 

[ianrauk]

Morning all.
Where did that blasted headwind come from yesterday evening? It made for a tough old ride to the station.
The overnight heavy rain left leaving clouds and blue skies with the sun poking through for this mornings commute. Though it does feel colder then it actually is.

 

[cyberknight]

Rain and into the teeth of the wind all the way home last night so i was knackered , slow and wet . Just what i need !

 

[fossyant]

Had the same headwind on the way home last night, only to be hit with it again this morning. Four minutes slower today.

Had ghost shifting on the way home, adjusted out on the fly with the thumb shifter adjusters, but pulled the cable out and gave it a good clean, blasted the shifters and mech and re-indexed. All fine this morning.

Ordered a new gear cable (I have lots of outers) and a new barrel adjuster for the rear mech as it doesnt have alot of adjustment (really old XT mech from the 90's). If the gears play up I'll fit the spares.

 

[biking_fox]

ALso having bike woes, not the gears as they're rohloff, but the chain's jumped 3 mornings in succession at the same set of potholes! I should remember to take it a bit more gently, and also need to adjust the tension when I can get it on a stand.

Otherwise sunshine and cherry blossoms all around. Make the most of it though for tomorrow looks thoroughly grim.