Tales from today's commute....

[Panter]

Absolutely smashed my PB this morning, and felt strong as an ox.
Did use the bike for some mud plugging on Saturday, so treated it to a thorough clean, re-lubed the chain and all the transmission components. I shall never neglect the bike again, can't believe how much harder it had become to ride!

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Rode with a back pack this morning for the first time in a long while. Took some running gear in to go for a run tomorrow lunchtime. I've not ran for the best part of 20 years so I reckon it will be a barrel of laughs...

 

[summerdays]

Legs were tired but not a bad journey in. Felt sorry for a kid with his saddle really low so offered to put it up for him. Then realised I'd forgotten my Allen keys, and first a stranger stopped to lend me a set, and then a friend stopped to check I was OK. It was nice to see people being kind! Sent the kid on his way to primary school but I think he needs a little more road skills.

If I see him again I might offer to ride with him a bit. (He was just about to enter one of my least favourite bits of my commute - between two islands in the middle of the road in an area where wearing seat belts isn't compulsory or even worn by the majority, and you get the inevitable close passes and slamming on of brakes etc).

 

[ianrauk]

On the commute this morning came across a person on a hybrid wearing a full face helmet complete with visor on CS3 after the A406 into town. Still don't know if I applaud it as a good idea. ( warmth), or condemn it for crimes against cycling fashion.

Well at least it's a helmet that will protect the whole head/face in a fall rather then the pathetic bits of plastic that people perch on top of their heads.

 

[summerdays]

Well at least it's a helmet that will protect the whole head/face in a fall rather then the pathetic bits of plastic that people perch on top of their heads.

But you shut yourself off from the world. I think you get far better protection on the road with a smile than a bit of plastic, you can hear, see and communicate better. I often credit smiling as helping me along my journey each day.

 

[apb]

gave my bike a good clean and new brake pads on the weekend.

first time i touch the brakes i felt i almost flew off.

my bike deserved it.

 

[Simontm]

Nice brisk commute in, helped ably by a lorry blocking the roundabout at the top of Carshalton High Street and then a nervous driver not overtaking the bus leaving me with an unusual ride up to Beddington Park with no traffic behind me.

Saying that: Numpty count: 2 - both pull out's and not looking. Waving an apology does not excuse you of failing to notice in-coming traffic

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Interfering person on a bike: "You should be wearing hi-vis"
"You should be doing the Riverdance in a tutu on Park Square roundabout!"

Blank looks
Guess only he was allowed to suggest random nonsense then

 

[Simontm]

Popped in to see some mates on way back. Not used to this time of night commute, earlier or later usually, very aggressive.

Numpty count: 3 Depot returning 131 punishment pass followed by some fool in a fiesta.

Speaking of fools, the other one was, errr, me. Considering the postings today, is it ironic that I hit the cycle path at Colliers Wood roundabout to allow a very considerate van to pass? I was rejoining at Merton Abbey. I was so concentrating on the oncoming traffic, I almost cycled straight into the 4x4 that had stopped.

 

[hennbell]

It is -19c today, over the week end it was -35c so back to the bicycle.

 

[clf]

It is -19c today, over the week end it was -35c so back to the bicycle.

Boundary park, Oldham?

 

[Simontm]

That horrible drizzle that gets into everything. And what is it about this low visibility, dark weather that makes drivers think "I know I'll drive like a dick today", especially from Sutton through Carshalton.
Numpty count: Most of 'em Honourable mention to the same bloke at the same road pulling out in front of me yet again this morning - this time, pretending that I wasn't there .

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Just bah at the minute. Everything seems to be failing at the same time! So with the hack out of action until Wiggle deliver and I fit the new derailleur, the bestie has been seeing the crappy road action. Sunday morning and I was out early doors, 5 miles in and I couldn't shift into the 50T front ring. Dérailleur would move but the chain wouldn't pick up. Back in the workshop, thought I'd fixed it, checked and retightened the cable and a squirt of GT85, derailleur moved freely and changes rings fine. Then last night on the way home it happens again! £68 for a replacement ring too.
In other news, I got up late and had to cut this morning's ride short so I've lost some miles on the annual total.

 

[Panter]

Not liking these Northerly winds. OK on the way in, but a biting headwind all the way home. It's forecast to blow up quite hard today so not looking forward to this evening!

 

[summerdays]

Lots of nice people on my way in, each time I stopped (to take a photo ), other cyclists either said morning or are you OK?

Two drivers in ASL's, first one a failed get through the light before it changed, the second just going to sit in it. So as that's the one I need to be in to get away to turn right at the next set of lights I went in front and beat him to the next set of lights.

Other than that there was a bit of a head wind (mine seemed to be from the West) that was really slowing me down ... legs definitely complaining. But number of layers just right!