Tales from today's commute....

[moppy]

Been tinkering with my route on my 21mile commute and think I'm happy with it now.

Plenty of canal path cycling which is very picturesque in the morning. Slightly scarier at night when it's pitch black!

I've only managed to do the commute once per week, would like to try and do it twice soon. Mainly as cross training while I'm building a base for my next marathon block

 

[fossyant]

Been tinkering with my route on my 21mile commute and think I'm happy with it now.

Plenty of canal path cycling which is very picturesque in the morning. Slightly scarier at night when it's pitch black!

Keep a close eye on the drive chain, canal paths eat it believe you me.

 

[fossyant]

Second night in a row I've been slowed down by cars using the farm path. At least last night the driver eventually let me past - bloody idiots taking unsuitable cars down the path, and a bike comes up quickly and they won't pull out of the way. I left the 'off road' beam on, rather than switching to dipped. Once the car pulled over I was literally gone - left them for dust.

Pleasant morning ride in, less heavy cloud so it was actually quite bright. Knackered, so took it steady.

 

[biking_fox]

We've got a CYCLOPS junction under construction close to where I live. I've never used them before.
In your experience as a cyclist, does it slow you down or makes no difference?

Slows you considerably - unless the lights are red when you're routed past them. The one's I've ridden have quite wriggly corners, you have to be very aware as the peds have no idea, and at some point you still have to cross the traffic which still isn't looking for you. You normally have the same light cycle as pedestrians. I find them no benefit at all. However I'm quite comfortable cycling on the road, whereas if you're not, you probably find them helpful.

Thsi week has all been fine riding, especially today which was the fastest ride in maybe ever?! Apart from last night when the p-fairy had hit, and I came out of work to a sad bike. Then once fixed that slightly nervous ride home hoping you've done it right and it will last. It did, all good.

 

[fossyant]

I came across some cyclops junctions a few years back - they are only a short distance from work but further west in an area the council has chucked a load of money into bike lanes etc (the rest of the area has had nothing). I avoided them.

My biggest bug bear is the curbs, and the bends and turns. They also throw you into pedestrian areas, which is a big mistake. If you are an occasional cyclist with little experience, then they are good, but chuck them in with students who don't give a hoot how and where they ride, stick to the road.