How was your cycle commute?

[Rebelda]

I use one of those hats with no top. Ear warmers? And it gets taken off about halfway through my commute unless it's zero or below. Actually took it off for the last five minutes tonight (more accurately I forgot to put it back on after stopping) and started to get brain freeze I was going fast though

Couldn't be doing with something round my neck - i inevitably end up partially unzipping because big tits = insulation. This is London mind you. Does it not get steamy breathing through one of those things?

 

[Orang Utan]

I have a big scarf, cos the hi vis jacket's zip is bust, but two rucksack straps at belly and chest sort of make up for it. I wear fancy hivis gloves to protect my hands, but otherwise the usual shorts and normal ankle socks with SPD shoes that are on the verge of collapse. It's not been cold enough to feel the cold in my feet yet, but they're the worst suffering IME. Dunno how to fix that.

 

[weepiper]

I use one of those hats with no top. Ear warmers? And it gets taken off about halfway through my commute unless it's zero or below. Actually took it off for the last five minutes tonight (more accurately I forgot to put it back on after stopping) and started to get brain freeze I was going fast though

Couldn't be doing with something round my neck - i inevitably end up partially unzipping because big tits = insulation. This is London mind you. Does it not get steamy breathing through one of those things?

No - I worried about that at first but it's totally breathable and didn't even get damp

 

[ChrisFilter]

I have a big scarf, cos the hi vis jacket's zip is bust, but two rucksack straps at belly and chest sort of make up for it. I wear fancy hivis gloves to protect my hands, but otherwise the usual shorts and normal ankle socks with SPD shoes that are on the verge of collapse. It's not been cold enough to feel the cold in my feet yet, but they're the worst suffering IME. Dunno how to fix that.

Sealskinz socks.

 

[Rebelda]

Yeah. Did you miss the windproof socks and overshoes conversation Orang Utan? or you could fashion something out of hot cross buns (eight? Eight?! in one sitting?)

Thanks weepiper I might see if I can get one cheap. Scarves are no good because they keep my torso too warm but something just around my neck with face option would be good. Plus, fun patterns.

 

[Orang Utan]

i was thinking of cling film socks

 

[DownwardDog]

It's not been cold enough to feel the cold in my feet yet, but they're the worst suffering IME. Dunno how to fix that.

 

[Hellsbells]

I bought one of those Russian type big furry hats with ear flaps. Have discovered if my head, ears and neck are warm, generally the rest of me is ok. Socks & gloves just go on the radiator an hour before I leave the house so they're all toasty.
I was ROASTING today and had to take off half my layers.

 

[Rebelda]

Actual lol. Eta: at the rapha monstrosities.

I've worn plastic bags over socks before. Desperate times.

 

[Onket]

There's nothing wrong with plastic bags. In heavy rain I've worn them over my trainers.

 

[Biddlybee]

Yeah. Did you miss the windproof socks and overshoes conversation Orang Utan? or you could fashion something out of hot cross buns (eight? Eight?! in one sitting?)

Thanks weepiper I might see if I can get one cheap. Scarves are no good because they keep my torso too warm but something just around my neck with face option would be good. Plus, fun patterns.

I've got a few which don't have the fleece lining on them - perfect weight for London ime. I use em for hats and scarves... easy to pull up over your nose when you're going fast

You can get own brand ones in Blacks for about a fiver, but buff do the fun patterns. I might have one with sheep on

Sealskinz socks.

I got some thin ones, seem to be doing the trick.

I saw someone with just over toes, not whole shoes today

 

[Dogsauce]

I splashed out on a Buff a couple of years back and managed to lose it within a few months, probably left on a train or squashed somewhere in the pocket of a jacket I never wear. Luckily I found a three-pack of Oxford branded copies in TK Maxx for £4, thin and definitely not merino, but I wear one year round, two if it gets very cold.

 

[Rebelda]

There's nothing wrong with plastic bags. In heavy rain I've worn them over my trainers.

I agree, fwiw.

Cheers biddles!

My commute last night was angry. Not sure why but I was all snarly and impatient. Not pleasant for other commuters. Sorry everyone! It did knock a fair few minutes off my time though, so no one had to put up with me for long

 

[Biddlybee]

I splashed out on a Buff a couple of years back and managed to lose it within a few months, probably left on a train or squashed somewhere in the pocket of a jacket I never wear. Luckily I found a three-pack of Oxford branded copies in TK Maxx for £4, thin and definitely not merino, but I wear one year round, two if it gets very cold.

I get too hot in one in this weather, but it's good first thing for the shock of the cold on my nose.

 

[Dogsauce]

I get too hot in one in this weather, but it's good first thing for the shock of the cold on my nose.

My commute includes a couple of miles downhill at the beginning, mostly on fast roads, so I'm always going to get a cold start. I'm also a bit averse to pollen and other shite in the atmosphere. Plus I like looking like a ninja.

 

[Biddlybee]

I have extra padding to keep me warn tbf. I do like the ninja look though

 

[Rebelda]

Plus I like looking like a ninja.

that is mostly why I want one!

 

[Orang Utan]

Found my optimum route now. Over London Bridge and down Old Kent Road. Very simple. I have no idea why Google maps didn't suggest it, as it's so direct.

 

[Dogsauce]

Stop off at Aldi on OKR for your tea then too. There aren't many in London.

 

[Winot]

Irritating commute up to town today. Lots of traffic, wide vehicles preventing filtering, lots of red lights, legs tired after yoga last night.

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

Se loads of those cRapha pink booties on my commute - horrible.

I have clingfilmed my feet before during the Wicklow 200 which despite being run in June featured horizontal rain and temps of -4 on the Slieve Man mountain pass. The danger though is the trapped moisture getting air cooled and actually making your feet cooler. The Paul Kimmage method - pissing on your feet, is always the emergency option.

 

[Ted Striker]

Great ride back in the saddle today

I have a Wiggo-like focus on doing the Liege Bastion Liege sportive this year (well, maybe the middle distance one - 160km), and to 'qualify' myself I'm in a 'no excuses' mindset that I must cycle whenever possible*.

*I.e. when the di2 battery isn't flat and Evans haven't fucked my brand new bike by not tightening the rear wheel

 

[Winot]

*I.e. when the di2 battery isn't flat and Evans haven't fucked my brand new bike by not tightening the rear wheel

I was forced to use Evans recently when I collided with a motor scooter near Waterloo and I needed an emergency new back wheel. Their service was rubbish - they forgot to do some other stuff I asked for, forgot to tell me it wasn't ready when anticipated, and when they did do it they used spokes that were the wrong length. Never again.

 

[Ted Striker]

It is actually comical how consistent the crapness of service is with them. It would enrage me more if it I didn't find it humourously baffling. I'm surprised they're still going now the rest of the industry has cottoned on to their Cycle2work schemes etc where they used to have a bit of a monopoly.

And conversely, CycleSurgery seem to always knock it out the park with really brilliant attention and service etc. Always genuinely surprises me.

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

Orang Utan is keeping Evans in business by continually buying ok bikes from the salesmen in there

 

[Orang Utan]

My bike is fantastic.

 

[Biddlybee]

Orang Utan is keeping Evans in business by continually buying ok bikes from the salesmen in there

I snorted

Then googled to see what my bike is made of

 

[Utopia]

Which is why battery powered gear shifting is absurd.

Absurd and pricey.....IMO i'd say it adds £1500 to the shop price of most bikes!

 

[Onket]

Is it metal, Biddlybee? Mine is.

 

[Dogsauce]

I took my Pashley into Evans for a service before my first camping tour on it. They refused to take the bottom bracket apart because they were afraid of what would be in there, given the age of the bike. I later took it apart myself and it contained a modern sealed unit