How was your cycle commute?
- Thread starter ChrisFilter
- Start date
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
I always cycle unless I'm planning on going out drinking after work
Dogsauce
I’ve got Skol but I’m not a Scholar
I took the train for half the journey in this morning, but that was more for the rain than the wind, plus I had a full load of clothes and food in the front basket of the heavy bike, and the train does about half of the climbing for me.
The wind is only about 12-15mph up here, it was going my way this morning, straight into it on the way home but it's still pretty tame in the scheme of things - in some ways a direct headwind is less bother than when you get it coming from the north or south, as gusts between the semis on Selby Rd can catch me out (my commute is directly W-E inbound or or E-W outbound, about 90% of the time the wind is on that axis or thereabouts).
I rode in all of the last two weeks with Gertrude and Henry, didn't have any problems really, although nearly had to go onto the small ring at one point.
The wind is only about 12-15mph up here, it was going my way this morning, straight into it on the way home but it's still pretty tame in the scheme of things - in some ways a direct headwind is less bother than when you get it coming from the north or south, as gusts between the semis on Selby Rd can catch me out (my commute is directly W-E inbound or or E-W outbound, about 90% of the time the wind is on that axis or thereabouts).
I rode in all of the last two weeks with Gertrude and Henry, didn't have any problems really, although nearly had to go onto the small ring at one point.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
That was no fun.
Hellsbells
World's best procrastinator
It all depends on wind direction. I got blown home. It was great!
joustmaster
offcumdun
I Boris biked with the wind behind me. My big body acted as a sail.
Enjoyable,but frightening.
Enjoyable,but frightening.
Virtual Blue
ready
I had a bastard commute.
Was going al dandy when I reached Westminister and my bike broke - that whenever I pedalled, there was no power as if my chain had fallen off.
So fucked off cos I only had it serviced, new chain and cassette.
Took me 2 hours to get home and Brixton Hill was a bastard going against the wind. Fucking knackered. Cunts.
Was going al dandy when I reached Westminister and my bike broke - that whenever I pedalled, there was no power as if my chain had fallen off.
So fucked off cos I only had it serviced, new chain and cassette.
Took me 2 hours to get home and Brixton Hill was a bastard going against the wind. Fucking knackered. Cunts.
Dogsauce
I’ve got Skol but I’m not a Scholar
Mine was pretty horrible too (after my earlier complacent post!). 10.3mph average, took a meandering route to stay off the hills including some shit cycle paths. Pissed it down for the last two miles.
No rain today, back on the road bike with a moderate tailwind and a few more layers because it's nippy out there.
little_legs
Поехали!
Good morning. I was wondering if you anyone could suggest a safe place to park my bike next to/around Kennington Tube Station. Basically I am looking for a spot where I can safely leave my bike between 8am and 5pm. Thank you.
braindancer
not for long
On my ride in to work this morning I saw a herd of about 40 deer - who were running alongside me for a while - which was AWESOME (and then they swerved into the road in front of me). I also saw giraffes and zebras. Was a pretty cool commute!
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
SPILL
braindancer
not for long
Walthamstow to Bloomsbury via Epping Forest (Deer) and Regents Park (Zebras and Giraffes at London Zoo).......
Dogsauce
I’ve got Skol but I’m not a Scholar
I nearly got taken out by a couple of deer bounding across the cycletrack on my commute a couple of years ago, on the edge of Leeds near Halton Moor. Massive fuckers. I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and thought it was a dog bounding over the hedge to my right then the pair bolted across the path about 5 metres in front of me. Beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Wish I'd had a helmet cam!
plurker
tú no tienes la culpa mi amor que el mundo sea feo
Going northbound on Blackfriars bridge this morning
Barclaybike going slow, holding two up who were trying to overtake.
The rider behind barclaybike man, in front of me has a hugely bright light, on constant, on his helmet, shining directly behind, into my eyes.
There's roadworks up there at the mo, so I slip out into the main lane to pass him and the barclaybike. Brightlight man starts going at me "why you overtaking you twat, desperate to pass are ya?" So I go "yep trying to get past your stupid fucking light mate so I can see".
He didn't like that much, and tried to follow me, shouting "sanctimonious cunt, I'll get you"
I'm KOM over that bridge so he had no chance though
I fucking hate ppl wearing helmet lights that are that bright though, I get it if you're on country lanes or whatever but at 930am on a sunny day? Cockend.
Barclaybike going slow, holding two up who were trying to overtake.
The rider behind barclaybike man, in front of me has a hugely bright light, on constant, on his helmet, shining directly behind, into my eyes.
There's roadworks up there at the mo, so I slip out into the main lane to pass him and the barclaybike. Brightlight man starts going at me "why you overtaking you twat, desperate to pass are ya?" So I go "yep trying to get past your stupid fucking light mate so I can see".
He didn't like that much, and tried to follow me, shouting "sanctimonious cunt, I'll get you"
I'm KOM over that bridge so he had no chance though
I fucking hate ppl wearing helmet lights that are that bright though, I get it if you're on country lanes or whatever but at 930am on a sunny day? Cockend.
Dogsauce
I’ve got Skol but I’m not a Scholar
Found I couldn't turn the pedals on the way in this morning, some issue with the freewheel or chain, so had to walk the last three miles to the office in cleats (with a small amount of rolling, but it was mostly uphill).
Appears to be that the lock nut had worked loose, so the individual sprockets could move and I think the chain was getting jammed between two cogs. I've hand tightened the lock nut and it seems to be OK, will probably get me home (or at least to the bike workshop in town which is mostly downhill).
Appears to be that the lock nut had worked loose, so the individual sprockets could move and I think the chain was getting jammed between two cogs. I've hand tightened the lock nut and it seems to be OK, will probably get me home (or at least to the bike workshop in town which is mostly downhill).
joustmaster
offcumdun
Somethings goosed on my wheel.
Three punctures this week.
And i've changed the tyre.
Three punctures this week.
And i've changed the tyre.
plurker
tú no tienes la culpa mi amor que el mundo sea feo
London - small world! The post above was in April last year.
Last night, I was flying along, and a bloke was drafting me along by Kennington Park, then came level with me on a swish-looking bile, and says 'hey mr old Peugeot, remember me? last time I saw you I was on a moped; want to race again?'
So we did, having a bit of a chat on the way. I got quite into the speed, so much so I flew past my turning and did a couple of miles additional.
Then I get in and see I've got a 'matched ride' thing on Strava and we're pretty well-matched for speed on all segments - but I'm on a 1970s steel-framed racer I got for £50, and he's on a Giant Propel Pro 2 - £2.5k of pure aero carbon goodness
Now I want a kickarse bike even more, to wipe him off the park
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Just seen this tweet:
Cyclists please watch out for gaffer tape on bike racks covering up that they're cut
straight through Sarah King on Twitter
Cyclists please watch out for gaffer tape on bike racks covering up that they're cut
straight through Sarah King on Twitter
Dogsauce
I’ve got Skol but I’m not a Scholar
That looks like a job for a capture bike.
I've thought of a similar method previously, in that you could install fake bike hoops without proper foundations that could be lifted straight out of the ground to nab a bike, or connections that could be easily unbolted. People wouldn't expect this.
I've thought of a similar method previously, in that you could install fake bike hoops without proper foundations that could be lifted straight out of the ground to nab a bike, or connections that could be easily unbolted. People wouldn't expect this.
Bit windy today, but lovely and warm none the less.
That said, I did discover that the grinding noise coming from my rear wheel the last week or so isn't down to dirt and grit being stuck to the brake pads. It would be kind of difficult for anything to be stuck to the brake pads, what with there not actually being any pads left
. And I just bought new wheels before Christmas too
That said, I did discover that the grinding noise coming from my rear wheel the last week or so isn't down to dirt and grit being stuck to the brake pads. It would be kind of difficult for anything to be stuck to the brake pads, what with there not actually being any pads left
. And I just bought new wheels before Christmas too
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
My back wheel fell off.
Luckily it happened just as I got off the bike after my commute home.
I need to start looking after my bike, clearly. Or at least get it serviced and cleaned more often.
Luckily it happened just as I got off the bike after my commute home.
I need to start looking after my bike, clearly. Or at least get it serviced and cleaned more often.
Dogsauce
I’ve got Skol but I’m not a Scholar
I gave mine a good clean (after a mechanical on the way in last week) and had several bits of string tangled up in the rear dérailleur mech. No wonder it's felt a bit harder riding lately! I've enjoyed the smooth ride, though cycling in through sleet on salted roads this morning has probably caked everything up again.
I did work out that my arse-saver will fix quite securely between the seat stays, resting over the brakes, where it is more effective than under the saddle. Unfortunately does nothing for all the crud thrown up at me from the front wheel, but the solution to that is owning a winter bike.
I did work out that my arse-saver will fix quite securely between the seat stays, resting over the brakes, where it is more effective than under the saddle. Unfortunately does nothing for all the crud thrown up at me from the front wheel, but the solution to that is owning a winter bike.
Pgd
Well-Known Member
Early start yesterday morning, and bagged an unexpected fastest time on my current favourite route (I like to mix things up quite a bit) on the quieter roads.
This morning was freezy breezy sleety, but as the left turn at Streatham Hill (towards Clapham North) was closed I ended up diverting down through Brixton and getting offered a chocolate brownie by the lovely folk at the relocated Brixton Cycles :-D Best of luck to them -- they're quite a way out of town now, but at least they'll catch the commuters (like me!).
Incidentally, I had a new rear derailleur installed back in Jan (not by BC, for the record) and I noticed that the cog wheels (on the dangly bit) are much much bigger than the originals. I think (going by the Shimano model names) it's a downgrade, too, although I'm not too bothered as (a) at least I now have a working derailleur, and (b) the bike's several years old now and wasn't particularly special in the first place... but I just wondered what the cog-size difference is all about -- is it a road vs mountain thing? Are there theoretical pros/cons?
This morning was freezy breezy sleety, but as the left turn at Streatham Hill (towards Clapham North) was closed I ended up diverting down through Brixton and getting offered a chocolate brownie by the lovely folk at the relocated Brixton Cycles :-D Best of luck to them -- they're quite a way out of town now, but at least they'll catch the commuters (like me!).
Incidentally, I had a new rear derailleur installed back in Jan (not by BC, for the record) and I noticed that the cog wheels (on the dangly bit) are much much bigger than the originals. I think (going by the Shimano model names) it's a downgrade, too, although I'm not too bothered as (a) at least I now have a working derailleur, and (b) the bike's several years old now and wasn't particularly special in the first place... but I just wondered what the cog-size difference is all about -- is it a road vs mountain thing? Are there theoretical pros/cons?
DownwardDog
Riding a Brompton with a power meter.
They're not 'cogs' they are jockey wheels. The larger sizes are used by Shimano to take up a greater amount of chain to allow a wider range of cassette sizes without increasing the size of the derailleur cage. The relative size is unimportant compared to other factors like the quality of the bushes. Some pros run larger JWs for some notional gain in efficiency as they reduce chain bend angles and hence energy.
Dogsauce
I’ve got Skol but I’m not a Scholar
Dogsauce
I’ve got Skol but I’m not a Scholar
Forecast said sleet, clearing later. Actually have proper snow now, and about an inch has settled. Might have the Mrs mount a rescue mission for the homeward journey as she'll be taking the nipper to swimming lessons a few miles away at 4 o'clock. I have bad memories of sliding down the hill on locked wheels on Selby Rd in the snow a few years ago, and that was on a tourer. Not sure my conti 4000s will be up to the job.
DownwardDog
Riding a Brompton with a power meter.
Minor weight gains on the bike are irrelevant to pros as they have to ballast bikes to get them up to the UCI 6.8kg minimum anyway.
I don't think any racer (on the road) has ridden fixed since freewheels were first permitted in 1907!
