This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Good effort for saying something. I'm yet to find myself at a set of lights with these folk tho - I always just get blinded by them as they come towards me.

Hip bruise is looking nice, but sore and scabby knee is the main gripe as it's made kneeling at work a right faff - which in turn makes me feel a billion years old.

A passive aggressive hand to shield my eyes is my token effort.

I do feel like the blinding lights is one thing where most people genuinely have no idea that they're being inconsiderate.

My tip: Wearing a cycling cap and slightly dipping ones head works very well for shielding eyes briefly from oncoming bright lights. Ridiculous rear lights need to be told though.

The roads out west were crazy busy this morning. Took me ages to get in.

First day back on bike for me today post-Covid and first cycle commute since late November.

It's fair to say my legs are a bit shaky ATM but at least that cold North-westerly from this morning should be pushing me home tonight.

Nothing much of note except that it was damn cold this morning. I pulled up to the Toulouse Lautrec lights and did a double take as a rider pulled up on my left.

A youngish female on a Boris bike wearing a skirt and a sleeveless blouse. I said you are brave in this weather but she seemed fine and said something along those lines. I just dug my chin deeper into my buff and said have a good ride as the lights changed and we pulled away.

#londoncommutes

... and an interesting bear attack witnessed on the way home this evening

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Best commute escape ever lol

ITS SO FLUFFY!

Hi viz, giant pink teddy bear

Bet he still gets SMIDSYed

Bear not wearing a helmet, etc, etc...

Glad y’all liked that one. I said c’mon mate there’s got to be a story here and he said “team away day, he won the giant teddy and was taking it home for the kids”.

Canary Wharf so likely working for a bank/financial institution so no idea why they were giving away a giant pink fluffy teddy bear.

He was heading to Chislehurst so likely had a lot of comments as that is a half-decent commute

Cold but sunny and windfree commute today.

No snow in Belfast but coming Thursday.

Fluffy the Crow will be nesting soon and gobbled up all the free nuts, she normally buries a few but seemed quite hungry today as she just ate the lot.

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Are we sure that’s not a Jackdaw? I never could learn the difference, but a light back is definitely a Jackdaw thing.

Hooded crow

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/hooded-crow/

Jackdaws are smaller and have bright blue eyes.

Got it. At least for an hour. I’ll forget again.

Nature does these things to confuse you!

I’ve been using the roadworks in the village as an excuse to take the scenic route to work. Thought I’d share the view

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Is that Croydon?

^^ oh that looks lovely and relaxing!

@nankatsu close, it’s Norwich 😁
@JWestland it really does make going to work a pleasure, once you get there it’s a different story.

Took ten minutes of pain warming my hands up again after todays ride. What are good warm glove options?

Endura Primaloft are very good in the coldest weather but feel more akin to ski gloves in terms of dexterity

Sack off any cycling specific gloves and get cheap ski ones instead.

^ this + silk or merino liners inside (I use the Decathlon ones, whichever is cheapest when the old ones wear out)