Archive for category Commute

When I Cross The Road…

Aug 3

Posted by jobysp in Biking, Commute | 18 Comments

When I cross the road, I make double sure that:

a) its not on a blind corner
b) I’m not in anyones way
c) there are no vehicles, electric, petrol or pedal
d) I don’t dawdle and make my way from a to b quickly

Of course – I am sensible. I also ride my bike sensibly (most of the time) yet seem to be one that gets into more scrapes.

For those that I haven’t sent the video too of me hitting a pedestrian, feel free to contact me. I’ve made it a private video, as its not fair on the chap.

What I can say, is that I did try to go around him, but he froze like a rabbit as I crashed into him. I can’t really blame the chap either, despite my comment further down (how on earth can I see into the future?) – until he froze. :lol:

My bike was hurt in the crash. My leg bled for ages. I have a grazed elbow and a sore cheek. Don’t know what injuries he will be suffering, but hope he’s ok  – despite me shouting that I wish his leg was broke after he exclaimed “you could have cycled round me”.

I mean… He wasn’t in the wrong place – crossing a road whilst lights where on green. He wasn’t dawdling. He wasn’t crossing at a stupid angle. Hell, he even looked as he crossed the road… NOT!

My bike has now been sorted by Evans as the gear changer thingymibobs on the top of my bike had caved in 45 degrees. I also bought some new bar tape to replace the bloodied and scuffed tape that I have on now.

Morning Commute:
Total Distance: 11.86 miles
Total Time: 44m 32s
Max Speed: 35.9mph
Avg Speed: 16mph
Max H/Rate: 176bpm
Avg H/Rate: 146bpm
Cadence: 81rpm

I also had an incident on Mount Road in Gorton, with a chap in a car who, despite me being in the middle of the lane approaching a red set of lights – tried to drive into the side of me to make his presence known.

Of course, he had reason to do what he was doing because I was a cyclist and he was a car driver, and as you all know, I’m a pavement riding, lycra clad, non road tax paying twat.

What he doesn’t realise is that I drove my daughter to nursery in ‘my car’ this morning that has ‘road tax’ on it, with my bicycle on the roof. I choose my mode of transport to suit the traffic around me. Its quicker to get to work by bike that it is by train and car.

Unfortunately for him. 100ft up the road he got stuck behind a queue of about 30 cars whilst I just ambled past to the front of the queue… You gotta love the bike :)

Evening Commute:
Total Distance: 9.53 miles
Total Time: 39m 02s
Max Speed: 31.8mph
Avg Speed: 14.6mph
Max H/Rate: 179bpm
Avg H/Rate: 149bpm
Cadence: 76rpm

Commute home was nice and pleasant.

I encountered a taxi driver on Plymouth Grove who had completely blocked the cycle lane.

In a non nasty way, I pulled up to the right of him in the 15ft ft of space that he had left in his lane and politely asked why he felt the need to block the cycle lane. I promise you I wasn’t nasty in the slightest – it was a genuine way of opening dialogue about why he felt the need to use the cycle lane when there was 15ft of road to use.

Here is the video in its glory. Please excuse the crappy accent.

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First Commute Of The Month…

Aug 2

Posted by jobysp in Biking, Commute | 9 Comments

and first fucking puncture since the Cheshire Cat – either that, or I had a faulty valve, as I always seem to bend them in frustration.

Anyway, pulled over and sorted out the puncture, all the time watching cars and lorries utilise the bus and cycle only lane (funnily enough – no taxi’s though) and because I wasn’t concentrating on the mundane puncture change, as I spun the wheel to make sure I’d got the brakes right, I stuck my hand somewhere it shouldn’t be and my ‘fuck off’ finger got ripped open.

Thankfully nowhere near the same amount of damage as Rafe, but it bloody hurt!

Morning Commute:
Total Distance: 8.43 miles
Total Time: 28m 04s
Max Speed: 34.1mph
Avg Speed: 18.00mph
Max H/Rate: 186bpm
Avg H/Rate: 158bpm
Cadence: 88rpm

After I’d fixed the puncture off I went again and encountered a mountain biker – normally one of a pair, who has some fantastic speed for riding on a mountain bike BUT abuses the lights and pavement to his advantage at these high speeds.

I know my ability on the flats, so kept in front until I hit traffic whereby I sat patiently, whilst, at around 25mph (after previously blasting through a red light I might add), he hopped up on the pavement and hopped back down in front of a car (without looking). This pee’d me off, so I put my foot down and sat in the slip stream of the cars at 34+mph to overtake him again on the outside ;)

Was a nice race, and quite triumphant that I didn’t break any laws to get in front :) plus I had a hand pouring with blood.

Rest of the way in was pretty good again – so I’ve had a whole week of not losing my rag (much) with any driver – purely because they’ve not really given me much to moan about…

Roll on the trip home!

Evening Commute:
Total Distance: 11.21 miles
Total Time: 48m 05s
Max Speed: 30.4mph
Avg Speed: 14mph
Max H/Rate: 186bpm
Avg H/Rate: 151bpm
Cadence: 77rpm

An interesting ride home. Nothing that my zen like state couldn’t handle, but I believe I had a taxi driver that just pulled out in front of me, and he must have been looking through his mirror to see no vehicles coming. Fortunately I had decided to put my camera on my helmet on the way home :)

Plenty of ASL encroaching – and at one stage, I was in an ASL and a woman slowly drove her car at me… Nice lady… Lets hope the footage has turned out.

For those long term readers of the blog, there is a little hill called Devils Hill near my house. Its nothing massive, but a real pain in the arse after a long commute home… Today I beasted it in 50 seconds dead and I reckon I can chop another 10 seconds off it no problem… This was a hill I had to walk up the first time I cycled to work.

So, after a while off the bike and off the camera, the first time I switch it back on – I have two clips to submit to the site that shall not be named :)

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Life Is Like A Perpetual Time Machine

Jul 29

Posted by jobysp in Biking, Commute | 16 Comments

After yesterdays (un)eventful trip to London, the highlights being the train journey there, where karma got some justice, and the train journey back with the hideous chewing gorgon evil twin, I didn’t expect a fast pace into work. Hell, I didn’t even expect to cycle into work to be honest.

Morning Commute:
Total Distance: 10.70 miles
Total Time: 38m 21s
Max Speed: 33.1mph
Avg Speed: 16.7mph
Max H/Rate: 182bpm
Avg H/Rate: 152bpm
Cadence: 85rpm

Commute was good, but what I still can’t understand is the mentality of some drivers, pedestrians  and cyclists. Drivers driving company vehicles especially

Drivers: watching an large ‘utilities’ company van cut up a cyclist to beat a red light – leaving the cyclist stranded in the middle of a temporary traffic light area, or a taxi driver clearly jumping a red behind me (I went through on orange) and then getting pissed off because he couldn’t pull back into the lane in front of me as I was going too fast – this after an old man in a red car had jumped the red and become equally pissed off… The look of frustration on his face as he passed me made me want to punch the old cunt in the face.

Pedestrians: wandering out into the middle of the road without looking as a bike at 20mph has to come to an abrupt halt, then smirking and walking away – which happened to me twice today – with the second one nearly making me fall off my bike despite the ignorant cunt looking at me and slowing down – he still walked in front of me and I had to stop. He smirked as I questioned his uselessness of life, which made me want to throw my bike at him. These are the same pedestrians that whinge if they see a cyclist on the pavement… These are the same ignorant cunts that walk out without looking.

Cyclists: I watched two cyclists have a battle all the way down Oxford Road. Not a bad thing really? Until you realise that they jumped 5 sets of lights whilst I was in the vicinity… These twats just make my life and every other law abiding cyclists life a misery because we are all tarred with the same brush.

I don’t understand why we are all tarred with the same brush though. Its like me suggesting that all French people are baby killers because of that couple who have been found with 8 dead babies in their house… Its like me suggesting that all Austrians are depraved incestuous people after Mr Fritzel. Its like suggesting that all doctors are megalomaniacs because of Harold Shipman. Its like suggesting that all overweight people are lazy twats. Its like suggesting that all the people who read this blog have no fucking life…

Evening Commute (Well Mid Afternoon Actually!)
Total Distance: 10.18 miles
Total Time: 37m 16s
Max Speed: 30.4mph
Avg Speed: 16.4mph
Max H/Rate: 181bpm
Avg H/Rate: 154bpm
Cadence: 83rpm
Mid afternoon commutes are normally much more pleasant than any other commute – probably because its not full of dickweeds that think they are in charge of whatever they think they are in charge of – which of course, we all know they aren’t in charge of.

This afternoon was no different as I made my way down Wilmslow Road towards the Fallowfield Loop.

I came off a bit early, and headed to Denton Roundabout, where I witnessed an RLJ by a woman in a car with a numberplate that stands out a mile ;)

The only other issue I had was with another woman (running theme today) who didn’t like the fact I had taken the lane at a difficult junction (left turn or straight ahead, but a tight squeeze of two lanes) so tried to overtake me on the right to swing in front of me. Of course, I was going much faster than she anticipated and she had to stop in her lane to pull back in behind me – refraining, I might add, from using that big fucking orange thing on the side of her vehicle. Poor driver!!

I gave her a glance – nothing malicious, and off I went.

Round the corner she was turning left and I was going straight ahead, so as she approached me on the left, she slowed down and glared at me… WTF? I gave her the wagging finger of disapproval and carried on on my merry way… Again though, the silly bitch did it in a car with a registration plate that stands out a mile ;)

Thats it. Nothing more to report. Its been a rather pleasant cycling week in all honesty, and I’m glad I decided to cycle and not train in – although I am on the train tomorrow, as am venturing out straight after work for drinks – and lots of them… Must remember to have something to eat!!!

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Altura Evo Night Vision

Jul 27

Posted by jobysp in Biking, Commute | 22 Comments

Ok. I made a mistake this morning. It was pissing it down with rain, so I decided it would be best to dress in my waterproof gear – something I haven’t needed to wear since November last year – big mistake!

Not because the gear isn’t good – I recommend it to anyone – its fantastic, and I light up like a neon light on dark nights and it does keep me absolutely bone dry.

And there in lies the problem… Keeping me bone dry whilst its raining is indeed brilliant BUT it also keeps in the sweat on hot muggy days like today  – so, in effect, although dry from the rain, I am dripping in sweat from the heat kept in!

Total Distance: 10.61 miles
Total Time: 39m 17s
Max Speed: 33.9mph
Avg Speed: 16.2mph
Max H/Rate: 177bpm
Avg H/Rate: 150bpm
Cadence: 80rpm

Football took its toll last night as I ran round like a lunatic covering everybody elses arse who couldn’t be bothered running around – this shows on the biking stats, as normally, I get a faster time on a Tuesday as my body is still warmed up when I wake up.

Saying that, the cycle in was pleasant, despite sweat pouring out of my shoe covers onto the road below. I had one run in with a car, and she got a sarcastic comment as she pulled out on my, forcing me to slow quite rapidly, and then, two builders strolled across a road at a pointless 65 degree angle, sauntering without a care in the world.

Fortunately for them, the corner they where sauntering on was a blind corner, so I always pull to the middle of the road and slow down in case there are any numpties doing just what they where doing.

They got a polite “clever cunts” down their ear – and they should be grateful that I was at the front of the queue causing traffic behind to slow, otherwise the arrogant, impatient taxi driver (sorry – thats just an assumption – he was probably very nice indeed) would have mown them both down.

No cycling tomorrow as off to the big smoke to bring some culture to the fair city. Hopefully I’ll have time to take some snaps of the crap cycling, walking and driving down there.

Evening Commute:
Total Distance: 10.92 miles
Total Time: 43m 07s
Max Speed: 34.4mph
Avg Speed: 15.2mph
Max H/Rate: 179bpm
Avg H/Rate: 145bpm
Cadence: 76rpm

What I don’t understand is that if I am doing 33 / 34mph on a 30mph, why on gods green earth does the car driver behind me think it safe and legal to pull out into oncoming traffic, accelerate to a ludicrously fast speed, pull back in in front of me at the last minute and apply his brakes to slow down to 30mph?

Where on earth are they learning these fucking pointless stupid manouvures, and why on earth would you even attempt to do such a thing?

Cocks.

Anyway, apart from the above, and the fact I shouted at a woman for chatting on her mobile phone as she spun round a corner, which prompted her to turn around and start shouting at me out of her window… Whilst still driving forward… The trip was good.

Good speed considering I’m shattered.

Unfortunately, I’m having to have a break from cycling tomorrow as I am in London for a meeting – which means there’s only Thursday left to cycle this week – just as I’m getting back into the swing of things :(

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Crikey, My Plans Changed

Jul 26

Posted by jobysp in Biking, Commute | 38 Comments

I was planning on getting the train for the next 6 weeks – reason being that my wife is in the office in one large block, thus loading and unloading the car with the bike becomes a chore everyday – and gets annoying… Also means I miss out on 30 minutes extra beauty sleep.

Still, I cycled. Why the hell not! If Phill can manage to walk around Ikea the day after a 30 mile ride up a big hill, then sure as hell I can manage a 10 mile commute (thats not sarcastic mate – I understand how much energy that must have took out of you – when are we doing it again?)

Total Distance: 10.70 miles
Total Time: 39m 26s
Max Speed: 31.1mph
Avg Speed: 16.3mph
Max H/Rate: 183bpm
Avg H/Rate: 152bpm
Cadence: 81rpm

The cycle in was good actually – a reasonably relaxed speed and no major issues with traffic. Did have an incident with a BT Openworld van driver (why is it always people in company branded vehicles?) approaching a mini roundabout, where, rather than stay behind like he should have done, he decided to approach it at speed in the opposite lane and swing in at the last minute.

That was it though – the rest of the journey in was simple and pleasant, and even had a coach driver doing what I praised the Iceland lorry driver for doing, by staying well behind me where I was always in his vision – unfortunately, as it was behind me, I couldn’t get the name of the company to shout out too on here, but whoever you where, on Oxford Road at about 8:15 this morning, thanks!

I did have kind words (jesus – me being kind) with a lady on Upper Brook Street, who, on her bicycle, decided to turn left from a minor road onto a main road without looking right – as I was approaching the junction at 25+mph. I pointed out, as I pulled to the side of her, that its always best to look right when pulling out of a junction.

Just because you can’t hear a vehicle – it doesn’t mean there isn’t one coming.

Evening Commute:
Total Distance: 11.64 miles
Total Time: 47m 32s
Max Speed: 36.5mph
Avg Speed: 14.7mph
Max H/Rate: 151bpm
Avg H/Rate: 179bpm
Cadence: 77rpm

Firstly. I needed some new water bottles, as I left mine at Phills – so I got this:

Along with a bog standard bottle. I have to say, that the Camelbak bottle, although slightly on the expensive side at £12.99, is absolutely fantastic. I don’t have to tip my head back to drink, and my eyes can be on the road at all times. Its basically got a big straw down the middle, and the nozzle at the top clips in and out, and works like the Camelbak bags.

The journey home was OK – very little to talk about – which is the way us cyclists like it.  I had a little issue with a BMW driver pulling out on me as I was approaching, and he stared through his rear view mirror expecting a reaction, but I just did the right think and ignored it!

In Hyde I saw some cyclist approach me from behind and undertake me to the side of a car that was turning left… Tit. Hopefully they learned their lesson for next time, otherwise the driver of the next vehicle might not be so patient!

Now I’m off to football.

On a final note, I’d like to say thank you for all the hilarious comments I’ve been getting on twitter today because I asked a serious question about my nob going numb on long rides. Things like “have a wank before you set off”, “stop sitting on it” and “have sex with your wife before a bike ride”.

All really really helpful – cheers :lol: :lol: :lol:

I will be moving my seat forward a little and adjusting the angle down slightly to see if my penis circulation improves. Failing that, I’m going to cut a hole in my seat and my shorts and let my bits dangle free whilst riding.

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