My commute. No helmet cam so lots of photos

MilitantGraham
MilitantGraham Posts: 220
edited September 2009 in Commuting chat
I haven't got a helmet cam so I can't post in the "Your commute" thread so I've started my own thread here.

I changed jobs recently, mainly so I could cycle to work.

Here's why.

Heading down to the River Severn.
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Getting steeper. This is hard work on the way home.
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Along the river bank. That's the pipeline bridge coming up, carrying Welsh water in to England.
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On we go, heading for Bewdley.
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One of several gates to climb and knock my average speed down.
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Remains of the old railway bridge to Tenbury.
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I am a mountain biking god.
Unfortunately, my bike's an atheist.
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Comments

  • In several places the bank was washed away during last summer's floods. A new path is being worn now, but it would be all to easy to follow the old path in the dark.
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    Another land slip. This was under water a week or so ago so I had to climb the fence and ride across the field.. The river level changes a lot depending on how much rain there has been in Wales recently.
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    Closer to Bewdley there's a tarmac path.
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    Almost in Bewdley.
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    Wrong way down a one way street. :P
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    Heading towards Stourport. When it's dry I can ride across this ditch. Last week the water would have been over my head, it was almost up to the bridge.
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    I am a mountain biking god.
    Unfortunately, my bike's an atheist.
  • Down the river bank as far as Bewdley bypass. Walk up the steps on the way to work, ride down them on the way home. :D
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    Along the side of the bypass.
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    Cross over the Bewdley to Stourport road and on to National Cycle Route 45 towards kidderminster.
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    Under another dismantled railway.
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    Up the other side of the Severn Valley. Looks nice now, but tricky coming down in the dark when the leaves are wet.
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    Looking back from the top of the hill. A vintage diesel train on the Severn Valley Railway heads for Bewdley
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    I am a mountain biking god.
    Unfortunately, my bike's an atheist.
  • National Cycle Route 45 again.
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    Approaching the outskirts of Kidderminster.
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    Back in civilisation.
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    Round the perimeter of a housing estate.
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    A short bit of cycle path. Somewhere under here is the SVR in a tunnel.
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    Back down the other side of the hill. Houses on the left, SVR on the right.
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    I am a mountain biking god.
    Unfortunately, my bike's an atheist.
  • Leaving the road by the parked car in the last picture, there's a short track down to the main road.
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    Nearly at the Kidderminster to Stourport road. Sugar beet factory ahead, now closed.
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    Across the main road and on to an industrial estate.
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    Down the far end and back under the SVR.
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    Over the canal bridge, left and back under the SVR again.
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    View from the canal bridge.
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    I am a mountain biking god.
    Unfortunately, my bike's an atheist.
  • Along the canal.
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    Almost back on the Kidderminster to Stourport road. The path is made of 2'x2' slabs covering a cable conduit. When it's dry they make a loud clattering noise as I ride over them. :D
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    Back on the main road. I want the last exit off the roundabout, so rather than ride all the way round negotiating three lanes of traffic, I take the short cut on the pavement. Plenty of room to take to the grass if there's any pedestrians about.
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    On to the Worcester road and a proper cycle path. There's factories, car dealers and tool hire shops along here so there's usually car transporters, builders vans and lorries all over the footpath and cycle path.
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    Past the last factory, it's a bit safer now. A steam train went over the bridge just before I took this picture.
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    Back under the SVR again. A bit narrow here, watch out for oncoming lorries.
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    Then next on the right for the industrial estate where I work, 12km from home.
    I am a mountain biking god.
    Unfortunately, my bike's an atheist.
  • How dirty are you when you get to work ? LOL
    Dawes Audex Clubman 2012.
    Carrera Subway Limited Edition 2011 ( NOW SOLD )
  • And my bike;
    Santa Cruz Chameleon with Rohloff, Fox Talas, Hope mini monos, Garmin 305 and Ay Ups

    2123319627_5269b1a58b_o.jpg
    I am a mountain biking god.
    Unfortunately, my bike's an atheist.
  • The mud guards keep most of it off me.
    I'm a truck mechanic so It doesn't matter if I'm a bit muddy when I start work, I'm going to get dirty anyway. :D
    I am a mountain biking god.
    Unfortunately, my bike's an atheist.
  • cntl
    cntl Posts: 290
    Thanks Graham for great photos. Looks like a relaxing commute, away from the traffic.I assume you have some really good lights??? :shock:
  • The best thing about my route is that I can extend it on the way home around the forest if I want to. Even if I want to visit my LBS in Stourport on the way to work, it's a bit further down the river and a bit further back along the canal.
    I started out with Electron halogen lights, but the weren't ideal for night rides along the river bank. I work shifts and usually ride home around midnight. I've got a set of Ay Up lights now, two LEDs on the bars and another two on my helmet and I'm really impressed with them.
    I am a mountain biking god.
    Unfortunately, my bike's an atheist.
  • magibob
    magibob Posts: 203
    Great photos.

    How far is it and how long does it take?

    Andy
  • That route is about 12km.
    My best times so far are 36 minutes out and 45 minutes home.
    I am a mountain biking god.
    Unfortunately, my bike's an atheist.
  • Fantastic photography. What a beautiful part of the world, I'm well jealous. How often do you have to clean the bike? All that mud on a nice machine like that would drive me mad.
  • One of the advantages of being a truck mechanic is that we've got a jet wash at work. :wink:
    It also means I have got tools and lubricants available and a secure parking area in the workshop.
    I am a mountain biking god.
    Unfortunately, my bike's an atheist.
  • That is amazing :-) Thanks for the incredible pics, makes me a bit jealous as I "only" get to commute through the urban jungle of London!

    My father-in-law lives down that way and when we go and visit I spend most of the time wishing I had a MTB to pound around on, but having a ride like that for my commute would be a dream come true :-D
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  • wow thats awseme
    im jelous
  • daniel_b
    daniel_b Posts: 11,538
    I've got a set of Ay Up lights now, two LEDs on the bars and another two on my helmet and I'm really impressed with them.

    Aha, good man, me too - only used both sets onece on my commute, one normally suffices, but planning to use them for a proper night ride at the end of this week, really looking forward to it.

    Did you go Intermediate on the bars and narrow on the helmet?

    Do you tend to have the bar mounted ones pointed near or far, and the same for the helmet ones, how do you have them?

    Dan
    Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
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  • Did you go Intermediate on the bars and narrow on the helmet?
    Yes, that's what they recommend so that's what I chose.

    The mountings have got just the right amount of friction to hold the lights exactly where they are over the roughest tracks while still being easy to adjust with gloved hands.
    This makes it easy to set them where I want them to suit the conditions.
    Head down, high speed on the cycle paths I can aim them both high then easily point them down a bit for the tricky stuff.
    Each one of the pair is individually adjustable as well, so I tend to have the handlebar ones staggered a bit to give a longer spread.
    The helmet light is excellent for wildlife spotting. Instead of just getting a fleeting glimpse of a badger, owl or deer, I can watch them as they disappear in to the trees.
    I am a mountain biking god.
    Unfortunately, my bike's an atheist.
  • Mog Uk
    Mog Uk Posts: 964
    What a fantastic commute, makes mine look positevly boring and dull.....
  • A - W
    A - W Posts: 253
    Thats a cracking route.

    :D
    FCN 10
  • Downwardi
    Downwardi Posts: 132
    Cracking Route - I know the area but have never Ridden it - Only walked that path to Bewdley where the 1 way street is but know Kiddi pretty well.

    How do you get on when the river floods at Bewdley ? I know they have the flood barriers but is it passable on Bike ?

    Must be great fun in the dark too.
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  • No one likes a showoff :D

    Seriously, you're one lucky chap; if you can borrow a helmet cam I'd like to see footage.

    (Slinks away enviously, pretends to check tyre pressures...)
    "Consider the grebe..."
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Saw a canal barge get too close to the bridge when I stayed on the water years ago and run aground. IIRC that stretch of canal is between Kinver & Kiddie?
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • karl j
    karl j Posts: 517
    bloody gorgeous
    Morning route (when i don't get the train)

    Evening route ,
  • Yip, that would make me love going to work.
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  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    I hate you! That is a gorgeous commuting route, not to mention nice bike too.
  • fonty1978
    fonty1978 Posts: 101
    As others have said already you're well lucky to have a route like that!! The canal towpath looked quite wide and well maintained [unlike the Rochdale Canal where i live]

    i have to keep to traffic calmed roads with chicanes keep the buggers behind at all times :roll:
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  • aclucas
    aclucas Posts: 15
    Just another jealous poster, I'm precious of my 2 minutes off the road I get each day... that looks fabulous.
  • girv73
    girv73 Posts: 842
    That's a good looking route there. I'll join the other urban-only commuters in jealousy.
    Today is a good day to ride
  • Have you commuted over the last few days with the floods ?
    Imagine it's gonna be quite hairy there
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