Commute (London) was fun 'n' wet today!

londonbairn
londonbairn Posts: 316
edited May 2009 in Commuting chat
Left Ealing around 6:30am, arrived at work around 7:20am, so slightly longer than usual.

Conditions were fun!! Absolutely pouring, had to be careful of those slippery drain covers! On a good day I usually see a troop of cyclists but today I saw 1 on my route! Vehicles were very careful too and gave me plenty of breathing space which was good.

Did anyone else go for it this morning?
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Comments

  • el_presidente
    el_presidente Posts: 1,963
    To my shame I bottled it and got the tube :(
    <a>road</a>
  • londonbairn
    londonbairn Posts: 316
    el_presidente wrote:
    To my shame I bottled it and got the tube :(

    I must admit I was close to but as I am having a 3 day cycling week I would feel guilty at not getting my cardio hit. I had to hand wash all my cycling clothes as they were caked in mud at work :P

    I'm not looking forward to going down Notting Hill later.......

    It did feel somewhat refreshing though!
  • bluesacs
    bluesacs Posts: 95
    The bike racks were totally empty today when I got in. Fairweather cyclists. Computer boxes are quite good for drying out socks and underwear, yes I'm commandoing, ooops.
  • londonbairn
    londonbairn Posts: 316
    bluesacs wrote:
    The bike racks were totally empty today when I got in. Fairweather cyclists. Computer boxes are quite good for drying out socks and underwear, yes I'm commandoing, ooops.

    Hahaha! I commando'd too in my swimming shorts! Our showers which are usually quite full in the mornings were completely empty and the bike lockup was derelict...
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    3 people in my office braved the rain... I am proud of them! Well done other commuters... and one of them is a recent convert!

    But yes, it was rather damp. On my Ealing - Kensington run I saw 12 other cyclists...
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • shoulder_of_orion
    shoulder_of_orion Posts: 529
    I waited half an hour before I left the house - saying it's gonna stop, it's gonna stop. Of course it didn't.

    Had a great ride in - I purposely took it easy but was astonished to arrive only 90secs outside my PB. I think drivers are generally more accommodating and understanding of cyclists in those conditions. Also the traffic was weird, there were bottle-necks in areas that are normally clear and a clear road on bits that are normally clogged.

    At one point on the embankment (heading West on the approach to Chelsea bridge) I was forced to go through a massive puddle and one of my feet was completely submerged.

    My cycling shoes are rather wet now and the radiators at work are off. :x
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    The journey was 15 mins longer this morning due to the wet and slippery conditions. Better than the train and tube though. :)
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    I couldn't face getting on the train...

    cycle in was fine if just a little wet.... water resistant doesn't mean squat :lol:

    only a small % of the regulars out
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Oooh no definitely not a train day - it's going to be sunny this afternoon!
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • _Brun_
    _Brun_ Posts: 1,740
    I stayed in bed till 9 in the hope that it would stop.

    It did. :)
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    It's probably my fault. I spent ages yesterday cleaning and polishing a couple of my bikes. They were both gleaming and now the commuter bike is covered in cr*p again. May as well not have bothered. This always happens on the rare occasion I actually clean it.

    The Respro pollution mask I'm trying at the moment was harder to breathe through when wet....

    I used to dry my clothes on my computer at work, but after a while the smell of my gently steaming socks got to people so I had to stop. :(
    Do not write below this line. Office use only.
  • londonbairn
    londonbairn Posts: 316
    Headhuunter wrote:
    It's probably my fault. I spent ages yesterday cleaning and polishing a couple of my bikes. They were both gleaming and now the commuter bike is covered in cr*p again. May as well not have bothered. This always happens on the rare occasion I actually clean it.

    The Respro pollution mask I'm trying at the moment was harder to breathe through when wet....

    I used to dry my clothes on my computer at work, but after a while the smell of my gently steaming socks got to people so I had to stop. :(

    I feel you, my commuter is covered in mud and I spent ages yesterday servicing and cleaning it :-(

    Weather looks a bit better here (Bishopsgate) staring out of the trading floor....phew, as I did not want to go down the hill at Notting Hill in the rain...

    One other thing that was annoying was there was a brief period of strong wind which I could feel making me slip sometimes...that wasn't nice
  • Fireblade96
    Fireblade96 Posts: 1,123
    I used to dry my clothes on my computer at work

    Those new-fnlgled LCD monitors aren't a patch on good old CRTs for drying cycling gear...
    Misguided Idealist
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    I drove my car today... Party because of the rain and partly because I'm concious of the extra miles on the Kharma playing with my energy levels - was very tired because of yesterday...

    Will be on the bike tomorrow whatever the weather!
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    el_presidente wrote:
    To my shame I bottled it and got the tube :(

    +1. In my defence I had decided today was the first time I'd take the fixie to work so I didn't want to do it in dodgy conditions - the park on a sunny day is one thing, Piccadilly in the wet quite another.

    But I got reading for work done on the train, so there are pluses. Sort of. Tiny ones. Sigh.
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • Porgy
    Porgy Posts: 4,525
    I normally cycle in the rain no problem, and mumble about fair-weather cyclists once i get into work.

    However, I had a bit of a tricky morning planned - needing to be at Holborn around 0800 and Acton by 0850 - and no time to change out of wet clothes, shower, etc. and indeed nowhere to put wet clothes while being safety and fire trained.

    So I make executive decision to come in by public transport. 8)

    DLR service was suspended and this has scuppered my whole morning :roll:
    Serves me right.
  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    londonbairn wrote:
    Left Ealing around 6:30am, arrived at work around 7:20am, so slightly longer than usual.

    Conditions were fun!! Absolutely pouring, had to be careful of those slippery drain covers! On a good day I usually see a troop of cyclists but today I saw 1 on my route! Vehicles were very careful too and gave me plenty of breathing space which was good.

    Did anyone else go for it this morning?

    I thought about using LT for about 2 seconds then dug out my waterproofs and packed my panniers. Relatively clear roads and not too many cyclists on my route. I'd forgotten it was half term :)

    Of course, two bus drivers ensured I didn't have a completely smooth run so 'thanks guys' for your wonderful driving skills :evil:
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Whats this rain you're all talking about? Bright sunshine in Brizzle
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • londonbairn
    londonbairn Posts: 316
    Seems like it is picking up fine, thankfully! There were some brilliant deep puddles around Notting Hill that I got immersed in....

    Reminds me I need to pick up some more tubes at some point
  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    Cafewanda wrote:
    londonbairn wrote:
    Left Ealing around 6:30am, arrived at work around 7:20am, so slightly longer than usual.

    Conditions were fun!! Absolutely pouring, had to be careful of those slippery drain covers! On a good day I usually see a troop of cyclists but today I saw 1 on my route! Vehicles were very careful too and gave me plenty of breathing space which was good.

    Did anyone else go for it this morning?

    I thought about using LT for about 2 seconds then dug out my waterproofs and packed my panniers. Relatively clear roads and not too many cyclists on my route. I'd forgotten it was half term :)

    Of course, two bus drivers ensured I didn't have a completely smooth run so 'thanks guys' for your wonderful driving skills :evil:

    Am currently drying my clothes and bags in my corner of the office, with the heating on. Hopefully my gloves will dry out in time for the homeward journey.
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    I puncture on two occasions.

    1. When it's raining
    2. When I'm late

    I was late this morning and it was raining.

    I should have slashed my tyre in my garage before I set off - at least I could have changed it in the dry.

    Still I have the inner glow of satisfaction knowing that I manned up.

    I may however keep that glow burning by buying some fresh shorts this lunchtime as the feeling of cold, wet, slightly gritty padding against my pink warm bits when I get changed for home is BAD.
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?
  • brixtonbiker66
    brixtonbiker66 Posts: 56
    'Instead of expressing their gratitude for the rain by getting wet, people walk around with umbrellas. Nature is an old lady with few friends these days, and those who wish to make use of her charms, she rewards passionately' Tim Krabbé - The rider
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Greg T wrote:
    I may however keep that glow burning by buying some fresh shorts this lunchtime as the feeling of cold, wet, slightly gritty padding against my pink warm bits when I get changed for home is BAD.

    No radiators?

    MTFU and get all Ray Mears on the office carpet... :D
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • artaxerxes
    artaxerxes Posts: 612
    Yep, braved the rain and got soaked, but at least it wasn't windy and rainy (that would have made me work from home). The the lack of fair weather cyclists made a little less like the wacky races that I've been experiencing recently.
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    I had a 'skin is waterproof' mantra going on all the way through my commute. ;)

    Stepped off the gas and just enjoyed it. Very few other cyclists on embankment this morning (when is that lane closure going to be done. grrr) but my colleague cycled in which I didn't expect.
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • moonio
    moonio Posts: 802
    I had lots of fun cycling in the rain today. it just added a new dimention to the commute and it was warm so not too uncomfortable.
  • LDN-Flyer
    LDN-Flyer Posts: 97
    londonbairn wrote:
    Left Ealing around 6:30am, arrived at work around 7:20am, so slightly longer than usual.

    Conditions were fun!! Absolutely pouring, had to be careful of those slippery drain covers! On a good day I usually see a troop of cyclists but today I saw 1 on my route! Vehicles were very careful too and gave me plenty of breathing space which was good.

    Did anyone else go for it this morning?

    Not on my commute, infact i thought they were pretty agressive on my Hammersmith to Camberwell route.
  • Slurp
    Slurp Posts: 220
    Shoulder of Orion wrote:
    My cycling shoes are rather wet now and the radiators at work are off. :x

    Stuff them full of scrunched up newspaper. They'll be dry--or very close to it-- by hometime.
    ---
    If I\'m not making any sense, it\'s because I\'m incoherent.
  • b_c
    b_c Posts: 19
    Greg T wrote:
    I puncture on two occasions.

    1. When it's raining
    2. When I'm late

    I was late this morning and it was raining.

    I should have slashed my tyre in my garage before I set off - at least I could have changed it in the dry.

    Still I have the inner glow of satisfaction knowing that I manned up.

    I may however keep that glow burning by buying some fresh shorts this lunchtime as the feeling of cold, wet, slightly gritty padding against my pink warm bits when I get changed for home is BAD.

    Got a puncture on the Embackment today AM. No spare tube, put the bike in a taxi to the Wharf..nice way to start the week :(
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    b_c wrote:
    Got a puncture on the Embackment today AM. No spare tube, put the bike in a taxi to the Wharf..nice way to start the week :(

    If you're in East Sheen and commute to wharf by bike AND punctured this morning - you appear to be me.

    Can you get some milk on the way home as we are running out, also can you stick that lamb in the oven for supper if you get back first
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?

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