How was your cycle commute?

[Onket]

Yesterday I asked a guy at the lights for directions (hadn't gone to Brixton from that direction before) and he was really helpful and showed me pretty much the whole way. Nice bloke.

And then today I showered at work for the first time and only realised I'd forgotten my towel when I got out of the shower.

Paper towels? Been there myself!

 

[ddraig]

2 tossers almost done me by parking/turning with no indication today and one of them shouted at me

 

[gentlegreen]

Paper towels? Been there myself!

... or the dryer parts of the shirt you rode in.
Works better if it's a flannel you forgot ...

 

[Onket]

I don't think I've used a flannel since I was about 7 years old.

 

[gentlegreen]

I don't think I've used a flannel since I was about 7 years old.

Flannels are where it's at - mine are colour-coded.

Spoiler

from sky blue to brown

 

[gentlegreen]

Perhaps the first hints of spring ... saw two close overtakes on the railway path - one fine, one Rizla.
Plus 3 a-holes extracting the last bit of value from presumably very expensive and totally unsuitable strobing lights.

 

[Onket]

Lights in the daytime?!

 

[pissflaps]

I had my first ever bad interaction with a bus on the way home.

Whoever is driving that bus should be in a dole queue. good luck nailing that fucker to a wall. keep us posted.

 

[gentlegreen]

Lights in the daytime?!

That section of my commute used to be so restful...

 

[gentlegreen]

Whoever is driving that bus should be in a dole queue. good luck nailing that fucker to a wall. keep us posted.

I don't usually bother, but I think you may be right in this case.

I've set up a new Vimeo account so I can keep it separate from my sweary stuff.
I fitted the horn and flash-able headlights so that at least it will be difficult for drivers to be unaware of what they have done.

 

[golightly]

Chain snapped on the way in. That'll teach me not to ignore the gears jumping. Actually, it probably won't.

 

[gentlegreen]

That takes some doing though - is it 10 or 11 speed ?
I'm pretty sure I carry TWO replacement links on my person as well as a breaker, but I've never needed them.

(8 speed)

 

[golightly]

10 speed. The chain jumped off the chain ring and mashed up round the cassette and snapped. I suspect that the problem is that the chain had stretched far too much, but there may be other problems. I am now going to head off and attempt a rescue. Thing is my breaker is left at home.

 

[Ted Striker]

I don't think I've used a flannel since I was about 7 years old.

I used one for the first time in about 25 years...Felt like a much more effective use of my shower time!

It's just...they're flannels

 

[pissflaps]

I don't usually bother, but I think you may be right in this case.

I've set up a new Vimeo account so I can keep it separate from my sweary stuff.
I fitted the horn and flash-able headlights so that at least it will be difficult for drivers to be unaware of what they have done.

i know it's a ball ache and there is the issue of 'no harm no foul' but it really is just a matter of time before that needle-dicked fool clatters some poor sod, and for that reason alone every effort should be made to take him/her off the road.

 

[Onket]

Is there a 'handkerchief code' for flannels?

 

[gentlegreen]

i know it's a ball ache and there is the issue of 'no harm no foul' but it really is just a matter of time before that needle-dicked fool clatters some poor sod, and for that reason alone every effort should be made to take him/her off the road.

I'd settle for re-education.
I get the same crap from private motorists, but one expects more from professionals (and I generally get it).

 

[gentlegreen]

Is there a 'handkerchief code' for flannels?

After Googling that, it's a good job I don't wear them sticking out of my back pocket .

 

[gentlegreen]

Someone's uploaded a video of that same bus just driving along the road. :-

 

[Ted Striker]

Well put a rack on it - has it really got no fixing points at all ?

It's a racer. Why would I put a rack on it?
I have to just pack my bag lighter somehow

I keep wanting to sing "If you like it then you should've put a rack on it" to this discussion.

I digress, cyclists are a funny lot for not wanting to comprimise the clean lines of the machine between their thighs - myself included. My current attempt at The Perfect Bike has a handlebar bag on order. I was going to try panniers (and I will one day if/when I go on holiday touring on it) though I don't really carry enough stuff for 2 of them on a daily basis and fear one pannier only would affect handling (plus I have a hub gear, so trying to put all load weight at the front).

 

[joustmaster]

I keep wanting to sing "If you like it then you should've put a rack on it" to this discussion.

I digress, cyclists are a funny lot for not wanting to comprimise the clean lines of the machine between their thighs - myself included. My current attempt at The Perfect Bike has a handlebar bag on order. I was going to try panniers (and I will one day if/when I go on holiday touring on it) though I don't really carry enough stuff for 2 of them on a daily basis and fear one pannier only would affect handling (plus I have a hub gear, so trying to put all load weight at the front).

 

[Ted Striker]

Ahem! (not my bke, but hopefully similar one day!)

 

[gentlegreen]

I have to confess that one Sunday I was half way through a 40 miler and wondered why I had left my empty panniers on .. and there always is that dilemma about balancing the load...I have at least now removed my spare tube and levers from the pocket ...
I always had plans for emergency panniers that genuinely packed away to nothing.
A rear basket sounds a bad idea in terms of stability, but I've never had any problems - and I've carried some amazingly awkward loads on my bike thanks to just having a rack.

I can't have a front basket because of my lights - I can see the appeal though - for maps and hankies and a spittoon for the chewing gum which I've started using again.

 

[fjydj]

Ahem! (not my bke, but hopefully similar one day!)

very nice, whats the frame? I've got a velo orange polyvalent which looks like a budget version of this

 

[gentlegreen]

Almost got home in something resembling the light.
I encountered my second cyclist this week with a flashing green rear light - which is bonkers given that nasty flashing red ones have been as cheap as chips for years so everyone can carry at least one spare.

 

[joustmaster]

Almost got home in something resembling the light.
I encountered my second cyclist this week with a flashing green rear light - which is bonkers given that nasty flashing red ones have been as cheap as chips for years so everyone can carry at least one spare.

maybe it was the same person twice

Also. Does anyone carry a spare light?

 

[gentlegreen]

maybe it was the same person twice

Also. Does anyone carry a spare light?

Nope - opposite ends of my journey and different genders.

I have always had at least one backup strategy. I keep thinking about bottle dynamos and B&M front lamps ...
My least best option is a 3 watt torch and a Cateye LD600 - I would never go out even in the summer without that.
A significant chunk of my homeward commute is unlit.

Oh - and I keep another complete set in the office so my young colleague has no excuse.

 

[Orang Utan]

Walked the last five miles home due to a puncture.
Rest of the week written off.
Back at it on Tuesday. Think I shall just be cycling in 3 days a week from now on.

 

[a_chap]

Walked the last five miles home due to a puncture.

Pump? Puncture repair kit? Spare inner tube?
-sigh-

 

[Orang Utan]

Pump? Puncture repair kit? Spare inner tube?
-sigh-

I haven't been paid yet!
I'm not one for roadside repairs though, esp in this weather.
I need to get a decent pump though
Never found a non-track pump that gets enough air in the tyres