This morning's commute and other commuting stories

It was almost freakishly quiet. Clear roads and seemingly not many peds about either. Maybe they're all cooped up on the planes and trains!

In July the Sun is Hot. Is it shining? No its not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eT40eV7OiI

On a more commute note, who is ready to brave the biblical conditions out there....I'm quite looking forward to it. 13 miles into a very soggy wind to get the weekend off to good start.

At least it's fairly warm. I was nice and soggy when I got home, lots of drivers looking at me like 'why?'

Anyone know why it was so empty this morning? I'd have thought more people would be scared off by the weather and drive instead

School holiday + "WFH" on Friday + weather = empty.

My bus was dead.

Yeah, thinking of minimising the clothing as no point in just being a pedalling sponge. Not sure how minimal to go though...

My overground and tube were not dead. They were busy.

I was so hungover this morning that the sight of my desk had me puking in the toilet. I was possibly still drunk?

Recovered from hangover me is now thanking my hungover self for not riding my bike in.

I live in South West England and I can tell you why the roads up there are quiet.

Cos they're all down here.

The M4/5 has been gridlocked since lunchtime, mind the fact it has been pouring with rain all day hasn't helped.

That was wet so very wet, loved every minute. Cyclist are a hardy bunch everyone was very chatty on the way home, cyclists, cabbies and even white van man. If heavy rain is what it takes then bring it on.

Obviously casual Friday hooray jeans and a jumper, no mudguard, no patch kit tralallalala cue the rain and of course a puncture on OKR.

Been aaages since I was caught out that badly, had it coming tbh. Although v quiet in the roads, appreciated that for sure.

The M4/5 has been gridlocked since lunchtime, mind the fact it has been pouring with rain all day hasn't helped.

I drove from SW15 to EX36 on Friday, that was dreamy; thence DT8. 8 hours in a car, much of it stationary on the M4, M5 or A358. Then drove home yesterday (with much time spent stationary on the A303).

Anyway, commute today. Drove in halfway (to return the rental car) and train the rest. Wish I'd done what I originally planned which was to drive the rental car back last night (with the bike in the back) and cycled home, then cycled to the rental car place this morning to hand the keys back and get the car checked over (don't trust them not to claim there were scratches as I'd declined their extra insurance) and then cycle the rest of the way into work.

Took me longer to drive half way into work than it does to cycle the whole way. Several thumbs up from cyclists on the way though, which was nice.

If you use rentals it's worth looking at http://www.insurance4carhire.com

£40 per year, even covers car club excess.

^ Yup, already do that (which is why I declined their expensive extra insurance). And we're also Zipcar users (original Streetcar members so we don't pay any annual fees).

Same one as I use.

It's like a license to thrash rentals to death.

The Irish summer has started, much all day rain and urge to build winter fixed gear up.

Warm rain is nice though (yes I've lived here for a while how did you know?) :)

Yay, I got paid to do things today, and it was pretty good. Would work again, 8/10

For some reason, despite looking forward to commute (after a week's otherwise lovely holiday that didn't have much cycling in), on each journey had minor incidents, too boring to recount, but one involving an artic', that made it less-than-lovely. 5/10 Meh.

Back in my home town for a funeral tomorrow. No bike. Much walk great windy very legs

Ridiculously short section of getting home is always rather fraught - spinning off the catford gyratory onto the south circular, trying to turn right into any one of several side roads. Usually it's ok, but tonight had the wonderful combo of drive-by shouting by a youth hanging out the rear side window (no idea what was said), no helpful gaps in traffic flow (indeed all vehicles seeming to accelerate with intent away from the second set of lights) and what I assume was a glass bottle being driven over resulting in a loud BANG and smashing glass going everywhere. Made me jump something dreadful that did...

I should really stay on the gyratory to the next exit, i think overall it's probably less alarming.

Sun's out! Going to enjoy the ride in
:-) need to leave early to beat noddergeddon.

Nice commute, put some Phil Collins on the speaker and cruised in. Quite warm, no jacket required.

Just a tad windy, but no as bad as last night, two crazy cats going through a junction when the red had been red for while and you can't really see what's coming. Addison Lee driver trying to turn right where there was a clear no right turning sign only to then swing left in front a van.

Will pootle again.

Nice commute, put some Phil Collins on the speaker and cruised in. Quite warm, no jacket required.

It's going to rain later tho. I wish I could make you turn around, turn around and get a coat.

What speaker you got dude? Been wanting to rock one for a bit but the only I've seen is the horror of Ciq...

I must have beaten noddergeddon as I didn't see you.