This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Fun times when you're on a freewheel but can't stop pedaling.

A-pawl-ling?

On this morning's commute by 'PanzerWagon' cap was worn for the first time and despite feeling tired for the last two days, my legs felt great and I blasted my 10 mile commute in record, time-trialing time, smashing a few PBNs on the way. Those testers out there looking to shave a few seconds off, I have the answer, obvs.

Some sociopath moron in a BMW 7 series got real close and honked as I waited for 2 vans travelling at speed in the opposite direction to pass before turning right and crossing the carriageway (Russell Square into Senate House Carpark). This is common; it often feels like drivers expect you to get hit rather than delay them by waiting to make a turn. I gave him some bile (this is also not unheard of) and was advised by two separate film crew guys to 'have a cup of tea & chill out'; 'start your day now you've got that out of your system' etc. They can get fucked too.

@legomartian I undertake only if the rider is slowing to turn right and there is a load of room. It's just a bad idea to left of anything moving IMO.

You went passed him then stopped, so you didn't save any time.

Seems like the air pollution's really bad today, hacking and coughing all over the place.

Also, Jimmy Fingers- how's your bike so clean?!

Errr, it got a hose down and the tape is pretty fresh?

First ride in where I had put a top on over the t shirt. #autumn
And also found out I had a slow puncture and Balfe's is shut until 1st September

Tube ftw

Balfe's is shut until 1st September

I knew they're pretty disorganised but that is taking the biscuit.

I would like to congratulate the man this morning that over took me then immediatly turned right and drove into his garage. What was the point? Saved himself 0.0005 seconds as was already at his destination.

Just to prove he is faster than you of course. To make you feel bad and then post about it on the internet because your rage is effervescent.

Was said man in a car or bike? Still accurate either way.

edit: cant believe I spelt effervescent correctly on the first try.

I have very little idea where I went today, but it was utterly, undescribably beautiful.
Rolling hills, barely any cars, and massive headwinds.
Stunning 35 mile commute home. So very happy.

Riding home last night, discovered my headset had worked loose. Had a few slightly wavering moments but continued carefully until I reached Camberwell so I could call by Cycle PS for a quick fix. A madly gesticulating @veLLo was stood on the pavement as I rolled up, great to catch up over a very very quick and much appreciated pint! A big shout to the chap at Cycle PS for tightening the headset in even quicker time. Awesome chaps!

Bit nippy this morning for the first 7 or 8 miles. Nice once I got into town, but defintely needed a warm shower when I got in. Time for the long finger gloves to come out, at least for the first few minutes.

Non-London commutes >>>

Tube.

Fuck cycling.

Decent start; got mostly greens; sucked wheel of some Dynamo rider on CS8 (that'll show them for riding like douchebags in RP); mega traffic clusturfuck from whitehall to Great Portland street.

6/10; Could be better

I took the short route up this morning, 15 very chilly miles, along a road with 3 cars, winding its way up a hill.
Briefly flirted with an A road, then back into the forests of Nottinghamshire, for the last hill which overlooks the valley in which I type this.
London commutes>>>>>

Bit chilly this morning, but the autumnal feeling was mostly down to that leaf-destroying thing that's turning all of South London's horse chestnut trees prematurely brown.

Better than last night, where I got soaked and also had something explode under my rear tyre going up Rye Lane (thought it was the tyre initially).

Was it a cluster of weave?

I was a bit worried it might have been someone's discarded colostomy bag

Cycling up past Notting Hill, set off past the junction as the lights go green... hadn't rolled my trouser leg up enough, and ended up jamming them into the chainring, skidding to a halt in front of a bus, in the middle lane. Had to shuffle to the middle to try and unwind them, now sitting in the office with a rather fetching hole by my calf.

hadn't rolled my trouser leg up enough<

Euph?