Used to enjoy hearing and posting commuter tales over at BNA and couldn’t find a similar thread here.
Post some trials, tribulations, fun and fears from the commute.
Little things from this week.
Monday winds were gale force. Unfortunately a headwind for the return home. Almost got pushed to a stop at one point while grinding up a rise in a low gear.
Wednesday felt the need to duck under a sea eagle that flew out in front of me. Not at risk of a hit, but could almost have reached out to touch it. Then while waiting to cross a road a car went past banging and crashing with a mostly shredded tyre pretty much riding on the rims. No idea why they hadn’t stopped, or didnt stop as far as I could see.
Friday on the MTB and into the bush for change of scenery. Also felt the need to double back on one strava segment to reclaim local legend status. Very fortunate to have only a minor detour to be able to near completely avoid traffic.
1 Like
I usually work 2 days a week in the office, Sydney CBD. Commute in on the bike 32km and get the metro home with the bike, just to get home early.
Had a decent stack maybe 2 months ago. Was coming through Five Dock when some sort of cable (co-ax/optic fibre?) got tangled in my front wheel and I went down hard, right in the middle of an intersection. Fortunately it was pretty early (6.00am or so) so managed to not get hit by a car though I did have someone beep at me to get out the way. Hit the rear of my helmet on the right side, cracked it pretty decently. Smashed my glasses. Left shifter hood dragged up my arm leaving a couple of wide burn marks that turned into decent scabs, look like I got swiped by a tiger. Was generally pretty stiff and sore afterwards. Managed sort the bike out well enough to ride to Barangaroo Metro station and get home. Could have been a LOT worse.
Was just starting to feel like commuting again when I came down with a shitty cold that lasted a couple weeks so I didn’t go to the office at all. So tomorrow is my first day back commuting, hoping for a completely uneventful ride.
3 Likes
Commute successful. Rained all day yesterday and last night but BOM said this morning would be clear so I prepped for commute. Woke up before alarm at 5am, got dressed and out the door, realised it was foggy AF. Normally don’t like riding in fog but really wanted to ride so did it anyway. Completely uneventful ride in, no dramas at all. Long may this continue.
6 Likes
i’m still commuting. have only worked from home 3-4 days this year. definitely less 5-day a week commuters since covid
1 Like
3 days this week. Wet on Monday so piked it. Bit chilly wed morning.
Tuesday morning followed an older bloke up the big hill and gained ground. Pretty sure it was the same guy I saw a little while ago on an old school colnago. He didnt have particularly low gearing.
This afternoon I decided to bring home a couple of wheels that have been waiting at work after the frame came home last week. Strapped them on the rack with a few zip ties.
Saw 3 ‘serious roadies’ in the share path which is a bit unusual. Normally only commuter or recreational types. Later i passed two e-bikes (commuter cup points), then rounded them up again after id stopped for the photo op and they passed.
3 Likes
drive side out fail!
1 Like
No time to turn around!
1 Like
Monday was mountain bike day. Took a detour into Glenrock for a couoke of laps of De Luge. Taking the Great North Walk trails home came across a fallen tree. Too high to bunny hop, so dismounted and climbed over. Then changed course to stop and pick up a click and collect near home.
Tuesday had a threatening forecast, but was dry in the morning. Decided to risk it, but not to take MTB in case the rain did arrive. Packed a reciprocating saw into the backpack and detoured to clear yesterday’s trail. 15min and a few cuts and the trail was cleared. Not exactly sure of what the dog walker thought, but I’ll bet he’s happy he didnt have to climb over next time.
After and before.
The rains did appear about lunchtime so I got wet going home. Light drizzle but wet roads. Traffic was slow and heavy through the roadworks so didnt take the detour I’ve been using to avoid cars passing at 60 with only a narrow shoulder against concrete barriers. Its fine while matching traffic speeds, but scary getting passed with no escape route.
Damp roads again this morning, but no rain until about 20min after getting to work. Will see how wet it is this arvo.
4 Likes
Im also a 2-day a week kind of guy, 25kms each way. Mostly PSP with a little bit of road.
This morning was a rarer one, didnt pass or get passed by a single other cyclist.
Weather was good, more light then usual as spring approaches.
Odd.
2 Likes
Spotted a fellow commuter who shares the Royal Pde/Sydney Rd arterial. They’re on the slower side, so I pass them, but they’re happy to run red lights so we play leap frog for a few k’s.
Get to Sydney Rd - despite it being a clearway, there’s often entitled fucks who choose to parallel park and hold everyone up. Old mate starts hitting the rear vision mirrors of the offending vehicles.
OK, so you’ll to run red lights but people parking in the clearway get their property damaged? I know it’s annoying that people can’t follow simple parking directions, but get your own house in order first.
2 Likes
Wednesday arvo had a horrible headwind. Was short of time so took an on road shortcut rather than the share path. Thursday arvo, winds were light. Took the sharepath home and despite being about 1km longer was 3minutes quicker.
This afternoon the trails were calling. MTB rear shock is in need of service, so kept smashing my pedals. Stopped in one of the lower, muddy sections to throw a few logs in to make it easier to cross and managed to splash myself fairly well when I dropped one in.
Week is done. Happy Friday.
2 Likes
Wednesday was a drive day to deliver my dually for a much needed shock service.
Yesterday, being Fursday was Fixie day. Also an appropriatesteed for this forum. Took a detour on the way to work to avoid the nastiest hill. As I stopped for a photo a MTB rider passed so I had to chase him down. He stayed with me, a little way back until I got stopped at some lights. Next leg was the hill. Long slow climb and he raced away while I toasted my legs. Absolutely shattered by the time I got to work.
4 Likes
First long group ride on this mornings commute now that we are coming out of winter. My legs are not impressed
3 Likes