Why Do we Do It?

[Lazy-Commuter]

I'd decided that I wouldn't use the bike today: I need to get a load of stuff - laptop, paperwork, etc. - home tonight ready to take to Brussels with me for meetings over the next couple of days. Plus, I could use a "laundry run" (which Mrs LC normally takes care of for me).

But I had such great runs in and home yesterday that I thought maybe I would - the laundry run will wait 'til next week and I have got a backpack style case for my laptop which will enable me to get it home: no doubt it will be heavy and annoying but I thought at least I'd have a nice run in.

Then, last night, the local weather said there would be fog and ice first thing today. So I thought, "ah well, I'll see in the morning". Looked out the window this morning and it was a bit foggy and frosty but not TOO bad .. and it tends to be worse in our immediate area than the surrounding area so I figured it would improve as I got closer to work.

So I decided to do it, tooled up and headed off. Of course, today, the weather got worse the further from home I went .. then my front brakes started acting up when I was about halfway to work. I had thought the blocks would need changing in a week or two when I checked them last weekend, so I wasn't not sure if it's that or water / mud on the rim from where I'd just been through the woods. Anyway, a bit of fiddling with the adjusters and some roadside wiping and cleaning seemed to get a bit of feel and bite back - definitely doing a thorough check at lunchtime - but no thanks to the Ped on a BSO who wobbled past me on the pavement without so much as a "hi, you OK?" *.

The fog was then much worse and my glasses kept fogging up so I had to keep stopping to wipe them .. it was only when I did one of those stops that I realised how icy it was as my feet started sliding all over the place. Then I misplaced my glasses cleaning cloth .. so the last two miles were done at a ridiculously low speed as it was hard to keep my glasses clean, was foggy and icy and I wasn't sure I could see the icy bits.

My chain, which had been reasonably clean last night courtesy of a Mickle Wipe now looks like it's made of mud again so that's on the to do list again. And I'm now facing lugging all my stuff home ..

So why do we do it? And, more to the point, why did I still enjoy all that?

* Get some brighter lights, mate, so at least the kids walking to school can see you coming.

 

[stevevw]

I have no idea why we do it. While cycling in to work today I thought the fog was getting worse untill I realised my glass's where all misted up gave them a wipe on my gloves and could see again. Still ended up on my arse again a few miles later when a car cut the corner at a junction and I jammed my brakes on and skidded on a manhole cover I now have matching skinned elbows luckily no broken bones this time but did give the hand I broke in December a hefty whack. Been back to work for 8 days this year had 4 punctures and 1 crash so far.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Steve, you make my ride in this morning sound positively delightful .. hope you heal soon.

The question in the title was rhetorical - I do it because I enjoy it, even today. Although the best bit of today was when the journey was over.

 

[stevevw]

I think I must do it for the addiction I now have to endorphins which of course are enhanced with adrenaline when you crash.

Shame they wear off and you start to hurt after a couple of hours, I will have to go for a spin at lunch time.

 

[MrGrumpy]

I`m currently using the train and bike, really not keen on the ice, cycled in and out Monday, but ride home at 11pm was somewhat treacherous. So I`ve come to the conclusion don`t beat yourself up about not cycling in are choosing to take it easy, this time of year is not for taking risks.

 

[goo_mason]

I was asking myself the same question this morning when I found that not only were the side-streets icy and ungritted, but the main roads were too ! Obviously the council were unaware of the predicted overnight freeze.

Made it to work in one piece though - and thoroughly enjoyed every nerve-wracking second of it

 

[palinurus]

I didn't think it'd be too bad this morning, bit foggy, chillier than I expected. I was covered in ice by the time I got to work and water had got between my brake callipers and frozen. Had a bit of a surprise as I approached a roundabout, needed a good squeeze to get them to work.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

The fog seems reluctant to lift, plus I've just started to load my laptop bag and it seems awfully heavy already and I've not even put the laptop itself in yet .. should be an interesting journey home.

Still, the Little-LCs have both got friends from school home for tea so I'm not in a burning hurry to get home to a house taken over by 5 and 8yo girls !!! I'll let Mrs-LC have that fun.

And I know I'll miss the bike over the next few days.

 

[stevevw]

Take it easy on the way home and have a good trip.
My elbow is now the size of my knee so should be fun on the way home tonight.

I have to go to France in a few week and am thinking of getting one of those bike cases so I can take one of my bikes with me. Anyone on here that have used one before?

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Will do, thanks. It's only a couple of days worth of meetings so no hassle. And it does mean I get to have a few Belgian beers which is always nice.

And you take it easy and have a safe journey home .. look after those injuries.

 

[stevevw]

I am more worried about hiding them from the wife.

Have a couple of Jupillers for me.

Cheers Steve

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Ah yes .. I tend to tell everyone on here about incidents on the way to / from work and shield Mrs-LC from them. I can see that a swollen elbow will be a bit harder to hide ..

I'll order you a Jupiler .. I'll also be sitting down with a Grimbergen Brune for myself. I might then have to drink your Jupiler, but it's the thought that counts.