Your Anti-Rants here

suzyb

As much as living in a small(ish) commuter town without many amenities, too far away from work to cycle can be rubbish, it sometimes just takes a read of the rant thread and the crazy confrontations you city commuters have happen to make you realise how lucky you are.

stuj15

suzyb wrote:

As much as living in a small(ish) commuter town without many amenities, too far away from work to cycle can be rubbish, it sometimes just takes a read of the rant thread and the crazy confrontations you city commuters have happen to make you realise how lucky you are.

:oops: You really are lucky... I'd love to live and work out in the sticks after tonight...

jonny_trousers

Not sure this is truly an anti-rant as I am slightly peed- off by it, but upon discovering a flat back tyre on my commuter of choice at 6:20 this evening and realising I couldn't possibly get to work in time using public transport, I dragged out my poor, neglected single speed only to remember that I had disconnected both brakes, pulled off the bar tape from one side and removed the rear brake lever. I quickly sorted out the front brake, pumped up the spongy tyres, swapped over my lights and set off. Immediately, I was reminded of what a ridiculously short frame the bike has, how f*cking uncomfortable the bars are (especially the side without lever or tape) and how amazingly direct the drive from the Sugino 75 crank is. My return journey was way quicker than average without feeling like any extra effort and I loved it. I'd planned to sell it, but not any more and now I have yet another new frame to buy. Sigh*

CiB

suzyb wrote:

As much as living in a small(ish) commuter town without many amenities, too far away from work to cycle can be rubbish, it sometimes just takes a read of the rant thread and the crazy confrontations you city commuters have happen to make you realise how lucky you are.

Bang on. I avoid the rants thread; life can't be that bad surely. Life is hitting Bicester Glider Club at 19.77 miles in and winding it up to 28mph for the last mile or so run in, with a sense of joy deep within as you do it.

Peace bro. Peace.

Koncordski

All the people slowing down to ask if i needed any help when my chain jammed against the bottom bracket and i'd stopped to sort it out. Thanks, luckily I carry half of halfords in my rucksack for just such an incident but your offers of help are always welcome.

Plus what a beautiful place to have to fettle the bike, in the park at dusk with no traffic and one of the best sunsets I've seen for ages. Took me twice as long to fix because i was enjoying the peace and quiet. 8)

Santa cruzing

First of the darker commutes this morning, and the Moon X-Power300 not only works like a charm, but seems to include some kind of green light magnet too! The motorists seemed relaxed today with not a single close pass in 15 miles, and i made it up my biggest hill with no water-stop for the first time. Day like this, I just love riding my bike.....

veronese68

What a beautiful morning. Bit chilly but bright sunshine down here. Ground mist in Bushy Park combined with the low sun made it exceptionally pretty. The deer were being paparazzied by amateur photographers. I thought about taking a picture with my phone, but decided against it as the quality wouldn't be very good. Should have tried.

Wheelspinner

After a rubbish week at work capped by a Friday evening flight home delayed by 2 and a half hours, and waking up to heavy rain this morning, the weekend was shaping up as a shocker.

Over a nice lunch, weather miraculously cleared up. Spent a happy couple of hours fettling bikes out in the sunshine, then headed out for a late afternoon cruise, 25 deg C and almost no breeze.

Is there anything nicer than a perfectly tuned, dead silent drivetrain? A delightful 50 km humming along washed clean roads on new carbon tubular wheels...

Sunday forecast: sunny morning + single speed + friends ==> beachside cafe here we come. 8)

deptfordmarmoset

Beautiful down south, even in London. I had absolutely no juice in the legs today so I simply slowed it down and took in the air and cloudless skies, the warmth from the sun and the spectacular tree colours. I've got the maps out already for tomorrow

kurako

This morning outside Clapham Junction station. Some bloke had started to cross away from the crossing and the lights changed so cars started to edge forward impatiently. He got to the bus lane so I stopped and nodded him past me with a smile.

"Thanks mate. Your the only nice one. All the ones with engines are wankers"

Ha ha. So true

And I finally think my left cleat is in the correct position.

DrLex

Despite the excellent notification service from DPD regarding a delivery from J E James cycles, I missed the van yesterday morning - a text told me! An email exchange with JEJ ensued, and the driver came back around 6pm with my packet.
No Haribo, but over 10% cheaper than those we like to blame...

SimonAH

FINALLY Looks like my insurance is paying out on the damage to my vacant house caused by the little sh1ts who stole the boiler and the copper piping!

Yes, yes, yes! House can become saleable then!

Kieran_Burns

No wind at all tonight, so I decided on the long loop home down the completely unlit Canal / River path after 6:30pm

Cruised along like some kind of UFO. Damn those Hope lights are bright - thoroughly enjoyed myself and slowed down just to make the best bits last longer.

Didn't get in 'til gone 8 and wanted to stay out longer... sometimes it can just be sublime.

nich

GLORIOUS MORNING!

What an awesome morning...weather is beautiful, so I took the MTB out and had a couple of hours in the local woods and fields.

Totally buzzing now 8)

rideslikeagirl

Bouncy bouncy ride home last night, re-jigged the beast yet again, put the suspension fork back on and the big hooj wide risers, its like riding an armchair! And strangely faster than the head-down rigid posture i've been running most of the (alleged) summer...

Decided i'd stick with the 'scenic route' on the way home from work, its wet and mucky and there's a bit of nice singletrack which is just joyful (as long as the suicidal squirrels aren't about)... Hope it snows again this winter, wheee! ;D

kevess

Had to nip down to White Stuff in Northcote Road SW11 to get a pressie for my lady wife's birthday late on Fiday afternoon.

I don't carry a lock on my commute so a big thank you to the young shop assistant fella who came out and stood guard over the trusty steed while I spent my pennies.

veronese68

Day off, just had my second cup of tea. Going to tinker with the 2 bikes that are new to this household. Then take the kids into Kingston to meet the EPO after she's finished her job interview.

bails87

I'm anti-ranting at not falling off today. I rather dozily hit the brakes on a massive patch of brand new white paint at a T junction. Front wheel locked and started to go sideways but I just about reacted quick enough to save it. Phew! :oops:

sketchley

Had a police escort between Tooting and Clapham Common this morning 4 x motorcycles. Nice to see all the motorcycles and scooters staying out of the ASL and the cycle lanes. It was shame when they stopped as normal service was resumed.

redvee

Got home in the rain to find an ankle deep puddle by my place so it was only right to jump into the middle of it. My feet couldn't get any more wetter could they?

Koncordski

First really wet ride since getting the anti-rain gear for my bike. Full SKS mudguards worked beautifully at keeping everything dry and the new shimano RW-80 winter boots meant my feet were dry and toasty warm. Fantastic. If you think full guards look crap you're correct but my god they make cycling in the rain a pleasure.

mudcow007

had a creaking bottom bracket since picking up my new bike, just took it back to t'shop now all is well

commence silent running!!

veronese68

Been feeling rough all week, just no energy at all. Wife told me to rest and take the motorbike this morning. I ignored her and cycled in. Really glad I did, beautiful pootle in through the park. Quite a thick ground mist, clear skies, lots of animals doing their thing. Absolutely gorgeous. I'm going to work through my lunch and have a POETS day.

Mr Plum

Company has upped the Websense settings so that I cannot access anything non-work related... except for Bike Radar!!

I can't access personal web-based email, ebay, other forums that I frequent, BBC news... but I can get on BR!

Nothing like a cheeky post or two between jobs

redvee

Mr Plum wrote:

Nothing like a job or two between posts

FTFY

UndercoverElephant

Raining this morning, so decided to slip my glasses into my jacket pocket whilst going along the main road through Joppa. Naturally, they slid straight out and onto the carriageway - busy traffic, I thought they were toast. Until a very lovely, blonde, lady Lothian Buses driver stopped and blocked the traffic from going over them to give me a chance to ride back and pick them up. Chapeau, madam. Thanks very much.

Crawler2

Top third of King Henry's Road all re-surfaced. Mmmm that's smooth blacktop. Thanks Camden Council.

northstar

wheel sucking someone on a 42x16 mr grey jacket roadie on the easiest section of richmond park, oh deer.

the_fuggler

Well, my anti-rant is just about getting out on the bike. What a lovely day for it. Much happier now...

veronese68

I had a day off with the Mrs. Last chance before she starts a Christmas job. Not even the fact that she wanted to do some Christmas shopping or that we had lunch in a veggie restaurant could spoil it. Even got to walk to and from school with young Madame. Great day.