Tales from today's commute....

[united4ever]

New chain and brake pads over the weekend so I was disappointed the first commuting day was a very wet one. I can feel the degradation of these components has started on day 1.

Decided to try the main road parallel to the canal towpath since the canal would have been puddles galore. Not doing that again. Too many close passes. Got better as I started to take the lane more but still feels sketchy.

 

[fossyant]

About 2c with a steady headwind this morning. Roads and paths rather grotty and lots of standing water. Forgot my reflective Gillet, so had to turn round at the bottom of the street and ride back up the hill. Got to work and thought, oh I'm 3 minutes slower today - doh, forgot about the little detour !

Colleague arrived as I was locking up and said he was suffering a bit with his hands - exactly the same gloves as me, but I find them toasty. Explained that it's very 'personal' with gloves as some feel it more at extremities. He said he was in agony in the shower yesterday.

Loads of staff late today - traffic is apparently terrible ? Ice tyres still on as I'm bedding the studs in.

 

[biking_fox]

Quite an annoying headwind for me too. Cold and damp. Apparently snow on the hills but not even frost where I am.

 

[fossyant]

Quite an annoying headwind for me too. Cold and damp. Apparently snow on the hills but not even frost where I am.

I didn't even look as they (the hills) are near my house !

 

[ianrauk]

Cold, windy and wet. Not heavy rain but rain never the less.
Rainy commute # 29 for the year
Same period last year 38 rainy commutes

 

[spen666]

Cold wet and windy here too
Strangely it was colder when I set off to cycle at 0730 than it was at 0600 when I went out for a run.
It was also darker when I arrived at work at 0830 than it was at 0730

 

[blackrat]

87F degrees here yesterday and expect the same today, I am not a commuter but riding in such temperatures particularly with high humidity is a bit hard. I hope you are all sympathetic.

 

[fossyant]

87F degrees here yesterday and expect the same today, I am not a commuter but riding in such temperatures particularly with high humidity is a bit hard. I hope you are all sympathetic.

Nope.... go away you aren't a commuter...

 

[fossyant]

Chilly on the way back but fully prepared for that. Caught up 3 MTB'ers near home on the farm tracks and passed then and said hello. My 'commute' lights were as bright as theirs though, although mine do dipped. Anyway, turned to climb up from the farm and could see a light behind me. what, who is catching me, a gravel bike... nope, one of the lads had an e-bike and shot passed. He said 'oh it's great having a cheat bike'. I sort of replied 'Nice'. Caught him at the top as he was awaiting his legged pals, and I said 'I wondered who the hell was catching me on there' - he laughed.

Anyway, things are freezing up outside the house and there is still quite a bit of damp surfaces, so it's the 'van' tomorrow. Just can't risk it even with upgraded ice tyres. Dare not fall off on that side again (ice or not TBH).

 

[blackrat]

Nope.... go away you aren't a commuter...

It is so much easier to smile than it is to grimace - unless your natural mien is to be disagreeable.

 

[fossyant]

It is so much easier to smile than it is to grimace - unless your natural mien is to be disagreeable.

I hope your tyres melt !

 

[blackrat]

I hope your tyres melt !

Your mum just told me that if you are not going to be nice you'll have to sleep by yourself tonight.

 

[fossyant]

So where is 87f today, definitely not Europe as we do Celsius, even UK.... @blackrat

 

[HLaB]

87F degrees here yesterday and expect the same today, I am not a commuter but riding in such temperatures particularly with high humidity is a bit hard. I hope you are all sympathetic.

How did you survive? I was work from home today so by the time I ventured out for a walk it was beautiful sunshine

 

[blackrat]

How did you survive? I was work from home today so by the time I ventured out for a walk it was beautiful sunshine

With great difficulty. When the temperature here in the gulf coast region of Texas hits the high 90's for much more of the year than it used to, it is very hard to be motivated to ride. But I have been diligently doing at least 120 miles a week sometimes more. I have to drink a full 24 oz. bottle every 12 miles or so with electrolytes and even after 5 - 6 hours on the bike drinking that amount of fluid I do not need to pee at all, that shows how much I sweat out the moisture. It is dangerous but my body has adapted. I have to ride (and hike), it's like an obsession.