This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Sheer luck for the most part of course, but I think it's also testament to the work Hackney (or is it TfL?) have been doing on the quietway routes which means a few busy road junctions can be neatly avoided.

Virtually none of it had anything to do with the Quietway programme, which was not very useful for Hackney--rather, it's the outcome of a long-term strategy that Hackney has followed (for nearly thirty years) of increasing permeability, one of the most important network criteria for cyclists. Before Quietways, there were other funding programmes (London Cycle Network, London Cycle Network Plus, Olympics funding, etc.), and we (London Cycling Campaign in Hackney) have always made sure to have cycling considered in all schemes we could work on. Glad you enjoyed the ride. :)

"Fam! You see that guys handlebars? They're fire!"

I'd like you to say exactly how many youths said this and remember a lie shames the world.

Well... It happened once. But still, I take the opinion of those two young boys as the voice of a generation.

I'd like you to say exactly how many youths said this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RexQLrcqwc

Are you okay?

Just thawing out.

Someone suddenly pulled out of a traffic jam to park on the other side of the road while I was carefully filtering this morning. We collided and I took out her wing mirror and hub cap. I think the fact I was rolling fixed stopped me bouncing off as I continued pedalling through the impact and it kept me in control. She was lovely. Her daughter was in the car so once I'd stopped shaking I assured the kid I was ok. No serious damage to my bike and none to me so I told her not to worry. She gave me an apologetic hug and we went on our way.

Then the old 'thundersleet' journey home. The cycle superhighway through Stratford was just flooded with icy water. Not lovely.

Felt attritional today. 4/10 cos now I'm toasty and I didn't break a leg.

You OK?

Yeah good question Soul! Lever crushed but what about your actual leg?

Ha, edited. Fingers still frozen. Gloves.
Scrap that, it made sense.

@andyp @Aroogah @Wrongcog

I'm fine. A minor bruise on my right knee. Wearing full armour and it was pretty low speed.

The off that crushed the lever was another drivers fault (who then drove off) which is the current focus of my anger.

I'll need to work from home tomorrow and work out how to un-jam the rear master cylinder.

Home for over hour and hands are still sore despite double gloves.

Thank fuck it was only 4 miles and the old man got me a good pair of seal skinz gloves for Christmas. Pretty cold and wet but not that bad

"No such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing"

Saying that it did feel like a long ride home

Still waiting for the feeling in my thumbs to return. I've been home for 2 hours.

Halfway home I got a massive sugar crash due to consuming nothing but caffeine and m&s flapjacks all afternoon at work. Resulted in a horrible bonk. So because in embracing my new year fitness regime I stopped and had some chips, a battered sausage and a cup of tea by clissold park.

8/10 would stop for chips when it's fucking cold and wet again.

Probably the only time I've ever wished I had on my assos neoprene gloves (which I hate).

Caught some crazy footage of the carnage on the road, look at all that traffic!

https://youtu.be/YxDXL2epE5g

Headwind and snow straight in my face the whole way. One of those awkward days where 2 speed Brompton gearing means you're always either mashing or spinning. Was pretty much warm enough (lusso repel jersey and armwarmers are awesome) until I got to Tottenham Hale station and stopped moving, at which point I realised I couldn't feel my fingers and was starting to shiver quite a lot. Got on the first train to Harlow which turned out to be slow as all hell.

Had a cup of tea and a whole Terry's chocolate orange and now I'm starting to feel alright again.

Stupidityly I decided to ride in 3/4 bib shorts and fingerless glove, I should have rode all the way home from work, however, I decided to ride to Brixton bike shop to collect my new jersey and had a chat to @hillbilly and looked outside and saw the beginning of my hellish ride back home.

I thought I could sprint all the way home, however I pretty much lost all the feeling towards my hand after 2 mins and my softshell jacket did jack shit to protect me and the elements this evening.

By the time I got home, my brain and body didn't event function together as my body was slowly warming up every inch started to hurt. It took me a good old 10 mins to actually enter my door. I decided to take a warm shower and when I undressed I saw my skin literally looked like it has been sunburn and as I was super pink. After the shower and warm cuppa tea I feel like I could function normally again.

#cbs

Dude did you get home alright? As you can probably from everyone body's comment/experience this evening was mental! (I should have waited till 8 before I headed home!)

Had to walk the last 3/4 mile in my motorbike gear but home and dry.

Dry since October. Drink tonight.

Stupidityly I decided to ride in 3/4 bib shorts and fingerless glove

Wtf why?

I had my first drink of the year last night! #worthit!!

I thought I would be home early and avoid the eye of the storm!

Epic fail!!

I was going to this morning it was still mild. However decided against and wore longs

But...there were still fekkers with shorts on

Haha, I was a tad warm this morning, but knowing what was coming tonight I was fine with that.

I don't understand what people in shorts were playing at.

Your 20 miles home can't have been much fun today, Musa...