The Tyne and Wear Commuter Thread

jomoj

a deer? where was this?

I had a few animal encounters last night. Usual suicidal rabbits on the waggonway, startled a cat that nearly ran under a bus and them charged by a bulldog off the lead that the stupid bint of an owner couldn't control and ran into the road. When I suggested the owner use a lead, seeing as we were on a public road and everything, she got quite defensive - "he's only being friendly!". This was 2 days after a mate of mine broke his collarbone after running into/over a cat that dashed into the street. The cat ran off without giving any insurance details. Bastard

The animals are after us now, be prepared.

Initialised

I had a suicidal squirrel try and run under my tyres this morning.

Only seen deer at dusk up on the path towards Consett.

Long_Time_Lurker

Morning all.
Jomoj - the deer was near Gosforth racecourse. Loads of the buggers around there, but rarely see any that close to the houses down that way.
This morning I nearly ran over a rat - tried to get it (hate vermin), but it was too quick.

y33stu

Just discovered this thread. Good reading. Just wondering if anyone rides along Great North Road from Gosforth into Newcastle? I ride this way a couple of days per week as its a shorter ride in when I'm feeling lazy! Anyways, both yesterday and today I've had drivers beeping at me just for being on the road. First by a bloody megabus of all things, then this morning an old woman. I do ride on the road, not the cycle path - I'm on a road bike and dont see the need for the path. Stay as close to the kerb as I can as I know its a busy road in rush hour.

Half rant, half question over!!

jomoj

Hi, I don't ride that way regularly but from past experience I don't remember the cycle path being that bad and would definitely use it over the road. You'll maybe save a minute or two by using the road...at most? Doesn't seem worth it to me personally. My other angle on it is that if you feel threatened enough that you have to ride in the gutter rather than in a good position then the road isn't a good one for cycling.

Initialised

I don't go that way these days but the number of road bikes I see in the nodder/BSO lane (pavement shared or otherwise :rolleyes:) is ridiculous, especially where there's a decent sized bike lane on the tarmac.

Ride in the damn roads, not the gutter or the sorry excuse we have for cycling infrastructure, train the drivers how to react or they'll keep being as ignorant as y33stu describes.

Can't the council just widen the left lane, taking out some pavement to make room for a decent sized bike lane?

bennett_346

checking in.

anyone ride from sheriff hill to central newcastle?

byke68

Going back to the animal topic, just missed a cat by a cat's whisker (sorry) whilst full pelt down the steep bank near work this morning. Feck knows how I didn't hit it as I was too slow in reaching for the brakes!

Initialised

Eight lives left for the moggy.

Long_Time_Lurker

On the cycle path thing - I'll admit I'm not a roadie, but I agree with jomoj.
If there is a cycle path (a well maintained cycle path), it should be used. I know it's not a legal requirement, but i would rather do that than take a chance with some cars.
Besides riding in the gutter is worse - badly maintained drains and potholes are a nightmare.
(Welcome y33stu by the way )

No wildlife today, just a dogwalker in the complete darkness (no torch or light). Blinded him with 1200 lumens in the face. I reckon he's still got that light burned into his retinas now. :twisted:

y33stu

jomoj wrote:

My other angle on it is that if you feel threatened enough that you have to ride in the gutter rather than in a good position then the road isn't a good one for cycling.

It's not that I feel threatened, just dont like people beeping me for no reason. I have every right to be there. To be honest, the traffic moves along there at 35-40mph in the mornings despite it being a 50 zone. I can easilly slip stream a car and go along there at 30 mph anyways. So i'm not in their way. its just some drivers attitudes that get me.

Initialised wrote:

Ride in the damn roads, not the gutter or the sorry excuse we have for cycling infrastructure, train the drivers how to react or they'll keep being as ignorant as y33stu describes.

I agree with you. Its a dead straight road and although I have the choice to ride on an pretty good bike path, I by no means have to.

Thanks for the welcome Long Time Lurker!

anthdci

How is everyone finding the cold? My computer got down to 3 degrees celcius on monday and tuesday, and for a time this morning got down to 2! I'm now wearing a base layer, jersey, wind/waterproof coat, bibshorts, leg warmers, thickest socks i have with overshoes and wind/waterproof gloves. Feel like if I put anymore clothes on I'll not be able to move on the bike, but I am getting to work after 13 miles and not having broke a sweat with my legs only just warming up.

What other layers can I put on without it completely stopping my movement and what is the best way to keep my head/ears warm, they were frozen this morning.

Initialised

Youch, first frost this morning. Take care y'all as winter closes in.

tuktuk

Welcome y33stu! I have a colleague coming in from Gosforth 3 days a week, hes on an old cream and red condor fixie.

At the minute im wearing bibshorts, base layer tights, bibtights, base layer long sleeve top and windproof long sleeve jersey/jacket.

The worst thing for me is a horrible pain/burning when breathing in the cold air plus my eyes are non stop watering.

Alinshearah

Was well cold this morning. Nearly went over the bars due to chain slipping and shark shape gear ring. Good but ungainly recovery. Got hit in the face by a sky rat on the Quayside when it didn't fly away as quickly as expected. And to top it I had a visit from the P******* F**** though it wasn't far from work at that point.

king_jeffers

tuktuk wrote:

The worst thing for me is a horrible pain/burning when breathing in the cold air plus my eyes are non stop watering.

Same here, always reminds me of doing cross country when I was at school

Currently prepping my bike up for winter, waxed frame, covered in copter tape fitting gatorskins this week ready for action. Might even go the black bar tape route....however expecting I'll have an "off" at some point so might wait until then.

tuktuk

what size gatorskins will you be using ? I have 28's atm but might get the bigger ones.

king_jeffers

tuktuk wrote:

what size gatorskins will you be using ? I have 28's atm but might get the bigger ones.

23's replacing my well worn Ultremo ZX set, well until the spring!

anthdci

im planning on taking off my fulcrum racing 5s with conti GP4000s and going back to the stock training wheels with marathon plus soon. Cant be dealing with punctures in the rain and ice.

Alinshearah

Pfft. I'm shod with Gatorskin and still the PF makes her visit

jomoj

properly nippy this morning, I deployed windstopper, buff, wooly socks and thick gloves and was still a bit chilly.
Beautiful ride in though, the Tyne was like glass.

re: Tyres. I use 28 gatorksins most of the year but I find they get a bit hard and skiddy once the temp gets near zero. I ran Marathons last winter but had so many punctures because the glass gets stuck in the tread so it negates the puncture resistance. Not sure what to do this year so I might stick with the gators for longer. Mind you, if some of the long range forecasts pan out it's going to be snow-tyre time!

anthdci

I am tempted to give the pedestrian tunnel a go tonight on my way home, just to spice up the ride a little bit. Probably only adds a mile or so on. this would be my route I think. Unless someone who goes that way can recommend a better route for a road bike? Baring in mind I don't know the area, so a google map would be helpful.

king_jeffers

jomoj wrote:

properly nippy this morning, I deployed windstopper, buff, wooly socks and thick gloves and was still a bit chilly.
Beautiful ride in though, the Tyne was like glass.

re: Tyres. I use 28 gatorksins most of the year but I find they get a bit hard and skiddy once the temp gets near zero. I ran Marathons last winter but had so many punctures because the glass gets stuck in the tread so it negates the puncture resistance. Not sure what to do this year so I might stick with the gators for longer. Mind you, if some of the long range forecasts pan out it's going to be snow-tyre time!

Mountain bike will be getting released! :P

anthdci

bloody wind this morning was a killer. My legs hurt the entire route

jomoj

Wind, leaves, conkers and floods made it a bit interesting.

king_jeffers

Same here - wind was a pain in the ass + chain fell off again thankfully out of the way on a cycle path. ugh. Nothing left by the time I got to work.

anthdci

well at least according to BBC weather the wind will hold out and be a nice 17mph tail wind for the way home no more rain forecast for today either. Might be brave an put my jacket in the backpack and just wear my baselayer and jersey.

anthdci

looks like its going to be a wet one on the way home

put my winter wheels with marathon plus back on last night. my god they are heavy :shock:

y33stu

Need to get my winter bike fixed. Bottom Bracket needs sorting. Otherwise I'm on the summer bike, and thats not for riding in the wet!

jomoj

I've been on my winter bike all year, it's been such crap weather