How was your cycle commute?

[Biddlybee]

I tried to put one of these up:

...the bike fell off as the brick crumbled

 

[sleaterkinney]

I have my bikes inside and in the garage at work. If I ever have to lock up outside I take the aluminium one. Was thinking of getting insurance but it's not worth it.

 

[Ted Striker]

I could not have had a more shit attempt at commuting in The enormity of the fail has only now hit home.

Firstly, I take the new (only fucking picked it up on Friday) mtb out, turn the corner an the back end goes full wobbly. I pull over fearing the worse, wondering what's happened to my baby, already drafting the screaming vitriol the Evans dickheads are going to be receiving. It appears, the wheel bolt (it's a new fancy 12/142 axle or summat) wasn't screwed on right and it then popped out the dropout. What a bunch of wankers. THEN I go back, switch bikes and take the cyclocross bike out, and at risk of now sounding like a spoof blog on modern cycling twattery, the Di2 battery wasn't charged, so the front derailleur wouldn't shift out of the inner ring. I tried spinning like an idiot for a few hundred yards before heading home, tail firmly between legs, doing mental facepalms Ganesh himself couldn't even match.

 

[Orang Utan]

I share my bedroom with my bike.

i don't mind doing this at all, but the place I'm staying at isn't mine.

 

[ChrisFilter]

Did my first TrainerRoad session tonight. The FTP test. Really, really impressive software. The hour flew by which, as anyone who's used a turbo trainer will attest, is pretty miraculous.

Estimated ftp is 266 which gives me a watts per kg of 2.67.

Will be interesting to see how it improves over time.

 

[DownwardDog]

I have occasional fantasies about things like this

I got about 10 cyclocs from a bike shop near me that was closing down. They work really well and have a slightly less industrial vibe than those metal racks.

 

[DownwardDog]

Ridley are replacing the CF frame I destroyed in a crash for free (I'm going to pay the shipping) so everyone buy nothing but Ridleys from now on.

 

[weepiper]

I got about 10 cyclocs from a bike shop near me that was closing down. They work really well and have a slightly less industrial vibe than those metal racks.

but you need a garage or similar amount of wall space to put them in with those (I live in a poky 3 bed flat with 3 kids)

 

[Rebelda]

Currently got one on the balcony, under a cover, one in front of the TV and two kids bikes in the hall.

I had two cars pull out of side roads and turn right across me going straight ahead on my way home tonight New gore soft-shell jacket was aces though

Actually, I have a right of way question: This has happened to me at the same junction at least three times. Two minor roads emerging onto a major road opposite each other. Car on minor road opposite me indicating right, me not indicating because going straight ahead (sometimes I point at myself then point straight ahead if I think I'm facing a berk ), both waiting for a break in the traffic to emerge. Yellow cross hatching in the middle. Gap finally occurs and we both emerge, me straight ahead and car turns right and tries to run me over. I presume I have right of way because I'm going straight on, or does the car because it's joining the main road?

 

[BigTom]

Currently got one on the balcony, under a cover, one in front of the TV and two kids bikes in the hall.

I had two cars pull out of side roads and turn right across me going straight ahead on my way home tonight New gore soft-shell jacket was aces though

Actually, I have a right of way question: This has happened to me at the same junction at least three times. Two minor roads emerging onto a major road opposite each other. Car on minor road opposite me indicating right, me not indicating because going straight ahead (sometimes I point at myself then point straight ahead if I think I'm facing a berk ), both waiting for a break in the traffic to emerge. Yellow cross hatching in the middle. Gap finally occurs and we both emerge, me straight ahead and car turns right and tries to run me over. I presume I have right of way because I'm going straight on, or does the car because it's joining the main road?

You're going straight across from minor road to minor road?

Afaik in this situation, the person who got to the junction first has priority.

In an ideal world you should go first because they can turn right behind you so you can both get out on a smaller gap than if they go first.

In the real world make eye contact with the driver and be assertive or just wait if you're not sure.

 

[Rebelda]

You're going straight across from minor road to minor road?

Afaik in this situation, the person who got to the junction first has priority.

In an ideal world you should go first because they can turn right behind you so you can both get out on a smaller gap than if they go first.

In the real world make eye contact with the driver and be assertive or just wait if you're not sure.

Cheers Yeah, I'm going minor to minor (comparatively). I'm always assertive in this situation, although I'm by no means perfect obviously. I've had to stop in the cross hatching a few times. What drives (no pun intended) me mad is it's perfectly possible for us both to set off at the same time, in this scenario, and not get in each others' way. I think because it's a case of crossing two lanes (plus bus lanes) of busy traffic, and not getting stuck in the cross hatching, people tend to panic-drive diagonally across rather than corner properly iyswim. I've done this manoeuvre hundreds of times at the same time as a driver who hasn't headed straight for me and had to slam their brakes on.

Oh, also (although I don't know that anyone is down my way) there were no traffic lights at the hackney rd/shoreditch high st junction yesterday I get the impression there were lights stopping traffic further along shoreditch high st either way, as there were gaps in the flow to get across, and I did both times without having to wait , but it was a case of 'go when you can' I don't know why, but it scared the snot out of me

 

[Orang Utan]

I don't like cycling round that part of London. The drivers seem particularly negligent for some reason.

My current commute is Spitalfields-Peckham and I am yet to find a satisfactory route. The one that Google Maps gives me is too fiddly and backstreety and the most direct route is too scary. I hate riding on Tower Bridge Road, Tower Bridge itself and whole of the Aldgate area. No fun at all.

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

...I switch bikes and take the cyclocross bike out, and at risk of now sounding like a spoof blog on modern cycling twattery, the Di2 battery wasn't charged, so the front derailleur wouldn't shift out of the inner ring.

Which is why battery powered gear shifting is absurd.

 

[Rebelda]

I don't like cycling round that part of London. The drivers seem particularly negligent for some reason.

My current commute is Spitalfields-Peckham and I am yet to find a satisfactory route. The one that Google Maps gives me is too fiddly and backstreety and the most direct route is too scary. I hate riding on Tower Bridge Road, Tower Bridge itself and whole of the Aldgate area. No fun at all.

That bit is me crossing Rosebury Avenue. It's not really that bad, but irritating when I'm unsure if I have the highway code given right to be annoyed when drivers do it

I avoid Tower Bridge and Aldgate like the plague. Go Southwark Bridge, every time. It's closer to where you are now, although I've no idea where it puts you in South-of-the-river terms. Come out and go left on Bishops Gate, right onto Threadneedle, straight across (after a fashion, bearing right) onto Queen Victoria st and there's a handy cut through on your left - that you share with pedestrians - that takes you onto the bridge, with your own traffic lights and everything

Sorry if you know that already There's Blackfriars - but I don't like that junction much either.

 

[Orang Utan]

I don't think I've ever crossed Southwark or Blackfriars when travelling from South to the East End. I shall investigate this evening. Cheers!

 

[Orang Utan]

Hmm, just looked on maps and it's two bridges over. Blackfriars three. Bit too much of a diversion possibly, but I will see how it feels. May just go on London Bridge instead as I don't mind that one.

 

[a_chap]

I share mine with mine, Patrick and Sophie's

You aren't trying hard enough Weeps.

That's one of Steve Abraham's rooms in his flat.

 

[sleaterkinney]

Bit chilly this morning, my head still has strips of cold where the holes in the bike helmet are.

 

[Rebelda]

Oh and I had a stitch all the way there yesterday, which I blamed on the hot cross bun, but then had it again on the way home. So fuckit, I've just had a hot cross bun.

 

[Orang Utan]

Just remembered that I ate eight hot cross buns last night

 

[weepiper]

Having commuted in -4 the last couple of mornings today I gave in and bought one of these



Polartec fleece on the inside. Toasty face less nationalistic colourschemes are available.

 

[The Boy]

Army surplus?

 

[weepiper]

Army surplus?

bike shop. I think outdoor equipment places sell them too though, it's called a Buff

 

[The Boy]

bike shop. I think outdoor equipment places sell them too though, it's called a Buff

Yeah, I got mine in August in early anticipation of winter so as to avoid unexpected iceface. Well worth the money

 

[weepiper]

Yeah, I got mine in August in early anticipation of winter so as to avoid unexpected iceface. Well worth the money

ah I see... I've been putting it off because my commute is only 15 minutes and it seems a bit ridiculous but you know what? It's long enough to get fucking cold ears.

 

[Onket]

I grow a beard over the winter but I spose you can't do that weepiper!

 

[The Boy]

It was the removal of beard which prompted the buying of the buff as it happens. Suddenly even summer evenings were getting ab it much for the old face which filled me with dread about the winter.

One of the best pieces of cycling clothing I've bought.

 

[plurker]

Buffs are well useful; though only for about 2 weeks a year in the SE of the UK.

 

[Orang Utan]

I don't seem to notice the cold on my face much. I suspect sleaterkinney is a total wuss. it's really not that cold in London.
Looks Baltic in the North and Scotland mind.

 

[Onket]

You can take my word for it being fucking cold at 5am on the south coast with the wind coming off the sea!