The Tyne and Wear Commuter Thread

anthdci

Tony Mc wrote:

Not to bad this morning setting off from Dunston at 7:30, have gone for Gilet and arm warmers as i think it may be warmer on the return later

it looks very damp and overcast when I left. I didn't realise it was going to get so nice when I got into Newcastle! Glad I was in a full zip jersey, half zip base layer and bibshorts. Meant I could roll my sleeves up and zip down my tops to cool down. If it stays like this the baselayer will be in my bag for the return journey. Promising signs of summer!!

Tony Mc

Canny morning this morning managed to get 15miles in but think its forecast for rain later.

On a seperate note coming along the back of the metrocentre and looked to have been a cyclist involved with a bus and car at the lights to the bus flyover bit.

anthdci

Tony Mc wrote:

On a seperate note coming along the back of the metrocentre and looked to have been a cyclist involved with a bus and car at the lights to the bus flyover bit.

:shock: hope they are ok, there is only one winner between a cyclist and a bus.

I got well and truly wound up on my way in. Coming along past Sunderland College there are 4 sets of lights. I overtook a guy on a white and black giant defy, full road lycra so clearly someone who cycles regularly. Got to a relatively new set of lights which changed to red in front of me. I obviously stopped. Turned round to the guy who caught me up and said "I'm sick of these new lights, I always get stopped at them."

He replied by saying, "oh just sneak through them." I said no I never jump red lights. We set off on the green and I made a bit of a gap before the next set of lights, again changing to red in front of me, again I stop.

This guy creeps past and says "like this" he jumps through, makes a rubbish attempt at looking like he is using the pedestrian crossing (which wasn't on green either) then continues on while I stand there in disbelief. He must have made about 15 seconds on me.

There was a queue of cars at the lights he jumped, all could see him do it so it is no wonder drivers have the impression cyclists jump red lights. He used the pedestrian bridge next to Nissan and I didn't see him again so I didn't get the chance to catch him and give him a bit of my mind.

Tony Mc

Just seen on news that it was between 2 cars and bus at the Handyside Junction the cyclist must have been not involved.

Captain Slackbladder

Last day commuting in readyness for the CTC in a day on Sat, preps been ok but not as good as last year. Similar km's due to additional commuting but no real distance stuff.

Weather looks awful as well, similar to last year...

tuktuk

Where are you starting from cptslackbladder?

markhewitt1978

Captain Slackbladder wrote:

Last day commuting in readyness for the CTC in a day on Sat, preps been ok but not as good as last year. Similar km's due to additional commuting but no real distance stuff.

Weather looks awful as well, similar to last year...

Good luck! All on road?

I really want to do that myself but logistics is the major issue. Not really worried about the ride itself.

Captain Slackbladder

markhewitt1978 wrote:

Captain Slackbladder wrote:

Last day commuting in readyness for the CTC in a day on Sat, preps been ok but not as good as last year. Similar km's due to additional commuting but no real distance stuff.

Weather looks awful as well, similar to last year...

Good luck! All on road?

I really want to do that myself but logistics is the major issue. Not really worried about the ride itself.

Pretty much yes...last years ride.

http://app.strava.com/activities/53645576

markhewitt1978

Captain Slackbladder wrote:

Pretty much yes...last years ride.

http://app.strava.com/activities/53645576

Ah yeah I think I've looked at your route before. Would love to do that at some point this year. I've climbed Crawleyside before and found it ok, so how hard can the rest be ?:)

anthdci

First mechanical in a while. Front derailleur this time. It's been stuck on the big chainring for a week I just haven't had time to look at it, I thought the cable had stretched and just needed adjusting, but I rarely use the small chainring on my commute. Well this morning something must have gave as my chain came off and now the front derailleur is down on the small chainring. I think the cable has just slipped so I'll be checked it out on my lunch.

jomoj

markhewitt1978 wrote:

Captain Slackbladder wrote:

Pretty much yes...last years ride.

http://app.strava.com/activities/53645576

Ah yeah I think I've looked at your route before. Would love to do that at some point this year. I've climbed Crawleyside before and found it ok, so how hard can the rest be ?:)

well the climb up to Whinlatter and Hartside are non trivial and are before then so bear that in mind...
I've done the c2c in 2 days twice and would like to do a one day effort as well, just need to find time for some mileage.

On another topic I would like to spread BAD KARMA to the 9 cyclists who passed me fixing a puncture this morning and offered not even a word to check if they could help. i didn't need any help but its the principle, I always check if I see someone with a mechanical. Grrr.

Lovely day. Going to pizzle down later apparently though.

anthdci

jomoj wrote:

On another topic I would like to spread BAD KARMA to the 9 cyclists who passed me fixing a puncture this morning and offered not even a word to check if they could help. i didn't need any help but its the principle, I always check if I see someone with a mechanical. Grrr.

9! :shock: I always stop to check

Initialised

anthdci wrote:

jomoj wrote:

On another topic I would like to spread BAD KARMA to the 9 cyclists who passed me fixing a puncture this morning and offered not even a word to check if they could help. i didn't need any help but its the principle, I always check if I see someone with a mechanical. Grrr.

9! :shock: I always stop to check

Bad form, the number of times I've helped and been helped, most times it's just a flat and no need but still, it's the principle.

Captain Slackbladder

I'm the same and always ask if everythings ok, couple of times i've helped out.

No suprise that there's loads more out commuting now...nodders and nuggets alike

markhewitt1978

Yeah quite often I've just stopped for a rest and other cyclists are asking if I'm ok . No I'm not I'm tired and my backside hurts

london-red

Morning all - anyone live near Whitley Bay? The in-laws live up that way, but I've never explored on the bike. Be interested to hear views about any decent loops (both longish c.60m and short c.20m). I'll probably be spending a bit more time up there in future, and it's only fair to get out now and again!

Captain Slackbladder

London-Red wrote:

Morning all - anyone live near Whitley Bay? The in-laws live up that way, but I've never explored on the bike. Be interested to hear views about any decent loops (both longish c.60m and short c.20m). I'll probably be spending a bit more time up there in future, and it's only fair to get out now and again!

I'm nearby.

The coast and castles route is right on your door step if you riding mainly off road on cycleways etc.

http://www.coast-and-castles.co.uk/

If your on the roadie i'd reccomend heading north to Blyth/Bedlington, then either head to Morpeth or further up the coast to Amble. Lots of good routes around South Northumberland...

london-red

Thanks, it would be entirely on the roadie so looking for good training loops and routes. I've always had the suspicion that getting to the good routes from the coast would be a bit messy..

markhewitt1978

Getting away from town is the trick, great riding once you get North of Blyth, it's just getting through Blyth is bloody awful.

Captain Slackbladder

London-Red wrote:

Thanks, it would be entirely on the roadie so looking for good training loops and routes. I've always had the suspicion that getting to the good routes from the coast would be a bit messy..

Its not that bad, just head north to Blyth then Bedlington. If you can take the bike and start around Cresswell (20mins drive) you'd miss out the worst bits. From there North/West its cycling Nivarna...North to Alnwick...West to Morpeth/Rothbury etc

markhewitt1978

+1 for that. Once you get to Cresswell it's perfect cycling country!

london-red

Okay - thanks, appreciate that. If anyone has any links to some Strava or Garmin Connect routes you could recommen that would be the icing on the cake!

</hijack>

tuktuk

I head from the coast straight up to gosforth then its not even 5mins to get out on the quiet roads. 30mins of urban driving then your free

More than welcome to come out with me and my mate when your up here.

london-red

tuktuk wrote:

I head from the coast straight up to gosforth then its not even 5mins to get out on the quiet roads. 30mins of urban driving then your free

More than welcome to come out with me and my mate when your up here.

Cheers, appreciate that..

anthdci

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed more female cyclists around recently? Obviously there are more cyclists in general with the weather improving, but I am regularly seeing 3 or 4 females in their lycra on road bikes coming the opposite way to me. I probably see about 6 or 7 road cyclists in lycra in total on an average commute.

Captain Slackbladder

anthdci wrote:

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed more female cyclists around recently? Obviously there are more cyclists in general with the weather improving, but I am regularly seeing 3 or 4 females in their lycra on road bikes coming the opposite way to me. I probably see about 6 or 7 road cyclists in lycra in total on an average commute.

Yeah, 2/3 more have appeared on my commutes. Not Roadies though, mainly hybrid riders on Hadrians Way.

Tony Mc

Plenty ladies riding in on my commute mainly hybrids and MTB along the gateshead/quayside

Long_Time_Lurker

Lots of women on BSOs riding along the coast. There is also a couple more on my commute in.
One in particular wears hi-viz and flasing lights, but has no idea about where to position herself on the road.
I fear for her safety. I'm at the point where I feel that I should have a friendly word before she gets flattened.
However, she's 'getting on a bit' and looks a bit sour-faced, so may not take it in the right manner.
What would you do?

anthdci

I was referring to the attractive ones in tight lycra,

But yea I guess in general terms too.

Long_Time_Lurker

In which case no...
The only ones on the coast are aged 30 - 40, pootling along at 10 mph in an attempt to loose weight.