How was your cycle commute?

[plurker]

I dithered for ages about which thread to ask about it in

Pre-existing Strava thread; join usssssss

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

Not so many bikes out this morning in the smoke. Fricking cold is why.

 

[Dogsauce]

One of the nice things with Strava is all the graphs and shit you get. This is the profile of my regular commute:
There's an alternative marginally longer route that gets rid of most of the middle lump, but that's partly on an increasingly worn tarmac track which will never ever get gritted. I prefer the dual carriageway with a wide and not too busy bus lane, plus climbing is good for you.

 

[Rebelda]

Not so many bikes out this morning in the smoke. Fricking cold is why.

I'd be out on mine if it wasn't in the shop (new chain set, can't wait to get it back). I love cold sunny mornings - once your legs have warmed up.

 

[plurker]

One of the nice things with Strava is all the graphs and shit you get.

If that floats your boat, you need to link it into http://veloviewer.com/

I've not found it too cold this week tbh, all the talk of the coldest snap since 19xx blah was over-hyped.
All I've done is swapped my lightweight longsleeve for a merino one - that's all on the top half - and added an earwarmer band thing

 

[The Boy]

Would have been a lovely day for a bike ride this morning. Instead, it was a mediocre morning for a slippy walk.

 

[Dogsauce]

-1 here this morning. If the forecast had said that last night I'd have made plans for the bus instead, when I last checked it claimed it would remain above freezing all night so I expected a bit of a thaw. In the end it was fine, layered up and double-buffed. Hills felt a bit easier again even though I've barely ridden this month, I think the weight is staying off.

but yeah, this isn't 'extreme cold' by any measure. It can fucking well snow properly or piss off, if I can't sledge on it then there's no fucking point. About 2cm max here, doesn't even cover the grass bits properly, lower down in the city it's just a dusting on wheelie bins and car roofs.

 

[Onket]

http://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/new-unused-cycling-water-bottles.331785/

 

[plurker]

but yeah, this isn't 'extreme cold' by any measure.

It was pretty cold this morning here; lungfuls of icy air are always good for a wake-up call!

 

[braindancer]

Aye it was fuckin' freezing - definitely a morning for layers.... but a guy pulled up next to me at a red light wearing just a t-shirt, a pair of shorts, plimpsolls and ankle socks and no gloves. He looked extremely cold - his arms appeared to be spasming somewhat. I felt rather sorry for the poor chap - but then he did bring it on himself as judging from his bike it wasn't poverty that forced him to cycle in such unsuitable clothing. Some people make odd choices....

 

[Dogsauce]

I spotted a short-wearer too, must have been a Geordie.

Minus two here according to the forecast, but felt a bit warmer to me (spotted a bit of ice). Fairly weak tailwind today, about 7mph. I thrashed it on a section of the dual carriageway riding up the outside of slower moving traffic in Lane 1 but weakened at the summit of the hill, then spent the next couple of miles feeling like someone was standing on my chest.

 

[Onket]

Isn't Orang Utan still wearing shorts?

 

[braindancer]

See a fair few short wearers - I used to be a winter-long short wearer myself - but just a t-shirt on the top half and no gloves? Madness I tell you.

 

[Orang Utan]

Isn't Orang Utan still wearing shorts?

Yes of course.

 

[Crispy]

I wore shorts. Long sleeves, jacket, hat, 2 layers of gloves and socks, but shorts.

 

[Orang Utan]

It's warming up again this week, it seems. I think we got away with a mild winter.

 

[plurker]

I wore long tights under my shorts, a longsleeved tee (merino), buff, earwarmer band, thick gloves

Was only cold for the first 2 miles though, but it was proper cold. Still is in fact.

 

[Dogsauce]

Thermal bib leggings, three-quarter length gym legging things over top, base layer, another (loosish) base layer, windproof Aldi jacket, two thin buff rip-offs (one from neck up to nose , other on top), lobster gloves. Thick cycling socks and cheap overshoes.

I end up riding the downhill bits at the start of my ride faster, just to keep warm, then suffer on the climbs later.

 

[Onket]

I still wear the same clothes as a couple of pages ago when we were last talking about it.

 

[The Boy]

It's warming up again this week, it seems. I think we got away with a mild winter.

Way to fucking jinx it

 

[The Boy]

I still wear the same clothes as a couple of pages ago when we were last talking about it.

Still? Might wanna wash 'em, bud.

 

[Onket]

Still? Might wanna wash 'em, bud.

 

[Rebelda]

I've got some new things, if we're talking about clothes again Some merino boxers with a bit of padding, for when I'm not wearing the lycra leggings. A long sleeve merino top (although I've been warm enough in vests/t shirt) and a Gore soft shell jacket. I also bought a twat hat, because it was cheap, but I don't know if I'll ever wear it

 

[plurker]

twat hat

?

 

[Rebelda]

?

 

[The Boy]

Compulsory wearing, imo.

My current fave is:

 

[ChrisFilter]

I wear one under my helmet at this time of year. It's currently a Rouleur one. It was free. I know some of the guys there.

 

[Onket]

*clang*

 

[Rebelda]

*clang*

Round two?

 

[Utopia]

Now this, THIS is a commute! Incredible skills!