Tales from today's commute....

[DCLane]

My 250th commute today since I started in May 2011 *

Lots of stuck cars/buses on the commute home; Leeds city centre was gridlocked, whilst I sailed through. Also the ring road south had one lane resurfaced and the other closed off. Cars/buses/etc in the resurfaced bit, me getting 2nd on Strava on the closed lane. What was good was no driver tried to play 'ping the chippings at the cyclist' as I went past them/they passed me.

* Note: Yes, I'm that sad, boring individual who counts the number of commutes he's done.

 

[Lyrical]

Yup, a few more cyclists out on today's commute. Lot's of clean road bike bling, but not that quick with it. Should have cycled through the crap weather guys.

Was a nice fast ride home tonight due to a tasty tailwind.
Nearly got left hooked by a prat in a silver hatchback. He saw me alright as he came out of a road turning from the right, came alongside me then left hooked me. He got a very loud 'You f***ing divvy ****! for his troubles. He heard that alright as his window was down and he gave me a wave the tosser. Wish he had stopped as I would have had more then shouty words for him.

I thought that was my imagination, all these sparkling roadbikes at lights and very clean attire hrmmm ^.^

 

[Matthew_T]

Well the commute home started off well. I stopped on the shared path to offer some help to a couple from Kent who were on a cycling holiday. They had a puncture but it was all dealt with by the time I got there.
Then the day took a turn for the worst.

I got a puncture which I thought would be easy to fix. However, upon inspecting the tire I discovered that there was a massive great hole down the centre of the tire. I must have forgotten to check it as it had worn right through and into the tube. So I now had 2 options: Change the tube and pray that it didnt wear through that one, or ring my dad to pick me up (I was 9 miles from home).
I decided to give fixing it a go. I wanted to patch the hole in my tire but didnt have any spare rubber or a knife to cut the old tube. So I used some sellotape that I had and stuck it to the inside of the tire. I also wrapped the new tube in it too.
I then fitted the tire back on and the wheel.

Then as I was just approaching home, I was overtook closely by a couple, closely followed by a guy in the same car who was giving me a bit of abuse. After I had filtered past him, he then swerved at me forcing me to take avoiding action and dive into a side road. The happened right infront of a police car which I was amazed didnt hear my horn go off.
What really narked me was that the couple who had originally close passed me actually lived in my estate. I was contemplating having a word but just couldnt be bothered and wanted to get home since I was half an hour later than I wanted to be (courtesy of the puncture).

It hasnt been a good day for me today.

 

[Leodis]

Nice ride in today, passed the usual lycra roadie who looks like George Michael near Halfords (you know who you are!!). Beat my PB and felt a good work out was had.

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

What a change from yesterday dark, grey damp and drizzling. Glad I put my tights on, was gonna just wear shorts, but I felt the cooler air this morning, kept ss shirt though. Glad I pur some extra miles in last night, who knows when the sun will return.

 

[Andrew_P]

Blimey it was wet, I mean really wet! Still at least it wasn't cold.

 

[BSRU]

Good commute in, rain had buggered off by the time I started, a little light drizzle for 20 minutes then dry.
It was quite warm this morning +13 with a light wind .

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Very wet ride in, took my kit off and thought, mmmm nice tanned legs, then the shower removed all the mud and revealed my pasty pins.

 

[ianrauk]

The rain was beating down on the conservatory when I woke up this morning..Hmmmmmm..
Got up, blah, blah, blah.. checked the temp. 12degs. What to wear for the commute. Bollocks to it. It's not cold. Stick to the SS shirt and shorts.
Luckily the rain turned into a very light drizzle by the time I left.

Met a fellow cycling commuter regular and as you do started talking about the weather. He asked where was my wet weather gear? Bugger that I said, It's not cold so not worth it. I look at the temp first rather then if wet or dry. He said good point and that he was boiling in the bag.

Was nice having a nice clean bike for a long period of time..Oh well.

 

[fossyant]

Weather changing here. Still dry but windy. Heavy clouds. Posted 4 top tens in strava, just because the traffic was light and I didn't get stopped too much at the lights.

 

[thefollen]

Nice run in. A bit soggy initially but as I went for a swim it wasn't like I was going to get any drier Upon leaving the pool there was no rain (about 7:45am). Close to being left hooked by an Addison Lee people carrier at Holborn but managed to avoid. Didn't Strava it- took it v easy gliding along at around 20mph. Funnily enough it was possibly one of my quicker (overall) rides- anyone else find when taking it easy you get a better run of lights? Wanted to really spank it last night and everytime I'd built a decent speed up I was hit with an unlucky red!

 

[I like Skol]

Well, will be back on the hybrid tomorrow. Ordered a bottom bracket off the internet. Feckers sent me a front hub instead.

Was it Tweeks and was it a Tiagra 4600 front hub, coz I ordered one about 15 days ago and it hasn't arrived yet.

Not really a 'tale from the commute' but rode to school with the kids today and it is a lovely way to start the day, for them and for me. 2.5 miles each way.

 

[400bhp]

Was it Tweeks and was it a Tiagra 4600 front hub, coz I ordered one about 15 days ago and it hasn't arrived yet.

Not really a 'tale from the commute' but rode to school with the kids today and it is a lovely way to start the day, for them and for me. 2.5 miles each way.

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[I like Skol]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are kidding aren't you? I was about to get in touch with them today.

Can you drop it off when you're passing?

 

[400bhp]

No, seriously. Not joking.

How feckin bizarre. Well, look, if it can be arranged I could post it on to you. (I am awaiting a reply from them as to what they intend to do - some companies will just send out the right part but some would want me to send the wrong part back. Having not used them before I'm not sure what their policy is but I'll be pished off if they want me to send it back before they send me the correct part).