Winter Wimp List 2013/14

buffalo

Nearly got the train, went with flip-flops instead.

<insert Game of Thrones reference here>

Squidgy Black

Got the bus. Took it 15 minutes to get to the next stop 500 metres away.

Probably could've made it into college in 20 minutes on the bike.

Surveyor11

Cycled this morning, first really sh!te morning in a long while. Managed to stay mostly dry.

Idleater

It was warmer than I thought.

Loads of space in the parking garage.

bogmanfan

Add me to the list. I'm on the bus right now. It's actually not that bad out. Was worse when I got up.

johnk123

On days like today I think it's harsh on those who cycle to work but don't have shower facilities upon their arrival. The rain doesn't bother me when cycling to college as I just take my clothes and shower and change when I get in.


I'd imagine arriving to work and making yourself presentable is a different story, especially if there are no showers available!

jober

i cycled this morning
dont know if it was the road surface or the gator skins,but my back wheel spinned out twice from under me,luckily i didnt come off the bike,
got my foot out just in time

Wishbone Ash

johnk123 wrote: »

On days like today I think it's harsh on those who cycle to work but don't have shower facilities upon their arrival. The rain doesn't bother me when cycling to college as I just take my clothes and shower and change when I get in.


I'd imagine arriving to work and making yourself presentable is a different story, especially if there are no showers available!

I don't have showering facilities but it not so bad in wet weather - much worse in hot weather. The worst part is pulling on soaking wet kit again after a 13 hour shift (especially in very cold weather).

Off today though!

Wishbone Ash

jober wrote: »

i cycled this morning
dont know if it was the road surface or the gator skins,but my back wheel spinned out twice from under me,luckily i didnt come off the bike,
got my foot out just in time

Gatorskins - dry weather tyre. I got rid of a pair after several such incidents. Worst tyre I've ever had.

BadCharlie

Got my car insured at 8 this morning and drove to work

Surveyor11

I've no shower in work but manage to be presentable (and non-smelly!) wet mornings like this I just bring in dry kit re the spin home - can't stand getting into wet gear

joey100

First day cycling into work today. Dropped herself down to the dart station about 5 mins away and it took 50 mins to get there and back so decided no better morning to start cycling. Wasn't that bad by time I started to cycle in.

Leroy42

Was even thinking of driving the kids to creche (they usually cycle) and I said it was raining really hard so we needed to go by car.

Daughter just says "then why did we buy the rain coats?"

can't really argue with that. Just got on the bikes and got on with it.

MB Lacey

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The worst part is pulling on soaking wet kit again after a 13 hour shift (especially in very cold weather).

What gear are you cycling to work in?
There's lots of gear that will dry really quickly in an hour or two never mind 13.
I cycled in again today, my 23mm tyre skidded on a manhole cover - am I right that even a 32mm would do the same skid?
Cars were crazy this morning, so just took it handy and arrived at work easy enough, it wasn't bad at all - shame on you wimps

dermo1990

Regret cycling in this morning, aside from the soaked bike gear now sitting in a pile next to my desk since the radiator isn't working, I also got hit. A car decided to move into the bus lane without looking and clipped me and I ended up going down (myself and bike are fine btw). On the upside, a garda car saw the whole thing

Wishbone Ash

MB Lacey wrote: »

There's lots of gear that will dry really quickly in an hour or two never mind 13

Not in a room without heating in mid-winter. I used to have to use one where the temperature was often below 5 degrees - try drying soaking wet socks/shoes/gloves and jacket in that! (Lycra is usually fine)

I have since secretly aquired a key to a boiler room (nice and warm) and usually take a dry set with me if I know I going to get wet.

godtabh

42km in the pissy rain. Enjoyed it!

ednwireland

ice usually does it for me everything else i can cope with

its not raining up here btw

Micilin Muc

Was it just my route, or were all road users a bit more sensible today?! It's real rarity, especially in rainy weather.

Radial

Went training this morning at 8am. 50km around the backroads of North County Dublin, soaked at the start, then dryed out a bit.

I like cycling in the rain, always feel great afterwards.

nilhg

40km this morning, got a new waterproof jacket 6 weeks ago, only got to try it in the rain this morning, first impressions are very positive.

Skrynesaver

Micilin Muc wrote: »

Was it just my route, or were all road users a bit more sensible today?! It's real rarity, especially in rainy weather.

It was just you, had some loon undertake traffic in the bus-lane, came within a handspan of me, mentioned it to him when I caught up with him later on, wasting my time, I might as well have been talking to a brick wall.

MB Lacey

Skrynesaver wrote: »

It was just you, had some loon undertake traffic in the bus-lane, came within a handspan of me, mentioned it to him when I caught up with him later on, wasting my time, I might as well have been talking to a brick wall.

Yep just your route - all the drivers on my route had crazy eyes and a hankering to completely block the cycle lane with their cars whilst texting.

cdaly_

Saw 10 cyclists this morning where I'd usually see 50. Cars backed up everywhere. Heaven!...

Surveyor11

cdaly_ wrote: »

Saw 10 cyclists this morning where I'd usually see 50. Cars backed up everywhere. Heaven!...

Same here - a continuous line if cars from the Liffey crossing in Lucan up to the penny hill pub. Sailed up the cycle lane by a few impatient t!ts headed up the bus lane and cut me off left

One person in work took her 2 hours to get from swords to city west, I'd safely say I'd crawl on my hands and knees quicker. What is it about this country and rain?

ROK ON

Got up at 645.
Saw that it was drizzling.
Put on gear and overshoes.
As I took bike out the skies turned from drizzle to downpour.
Saw one cyclist in the park.

Front and rear mudguards so mostly dry.
I also keep spare knee warmers socks and overshoes in work, so I have mostly dry kit to get home in.

Was enjoyable of sorts.

seamus

Woke up, heard the rain on the window. Feck it anyway. It had mostly stopped by the time I left. Result! Will I bother with overshoes? Nah, it's stopped raining. Ten minutes down the road, the heavens opened and closed again after 3 minutes. Pretty wet.

Front light was flaky all the way in. That was the worst part of my commute. Big mudguards ftw. I really don't mind riding in wet conditions any more unless I forget to stick overshoes on when it's raining.

aFlabbyPanda

Since I discovered how to stop the water getting in my shoes I've no problem at all. Wife thought I was mad though.

Surveyor11

seamus wrote: »

Woke up, heard the rain on the window. Feck it anyway. It had mostly stopped by the time I left. Result! Will I bother with overshoes? Nah, it's stopped raining. Ten minutes down the road, the heavens opened and closed again after 3 minutes. Pretty wet.

Front light was flaky all the way in. That was the worst part of my commute. Big mudguards ftw. I really don't mind riding in wet conditions any more unless I forget to stick overshoes on when it's raining.

Mudguards are the only way to go if you want to stay someway dry, decent pair of overshoes and I managed to get myself a pair of goretex winter boots last year as well. Bliss for those rainy mornings!

Jabel

Micilin Muc wrote: »

Was it just my route, or were all road users a bit more sensible today?! It's real rarity, especially in rainy weather.

Definitely just you... cycling up along by the entrance to the port tunnel I hear a rather large 40ft truck coming up behind me, I'm being considerate and pull further to the left, inside a tiny hard shoulder, to allow him to pass (there is easily enough room) and am about to wave him by but he is level with me at this stage and can't see him. Next thing he backs off so I carry on, then he comes up right behind me and blasts his ship like horn twice and powers past me. What a tool, I give him the usual hand signal for arrogant pr**ks and check my underwear for soilage...
So I'm thinking oh well nearly there and get up to the Coolock roundabout, which can be a little daunting but a couple of drivers graciously let me out in heavy traffic. I'm on the roundabout heading for the sliproad to the M1 (where I pull into a housing estate) hand firmly out to indicate a left turn. There are two lanes entering roundabout and two cars at the top of each lane who both can see me as I made eye contact with both but having passed the first car the other driver (or more appropriately stupid blind f**king b**ch)
proceeds to come right at me while passing her. Here I am on a busy roundabout cycling with one hand (the other still indicating my intention) trying to turn my head around to shout some abuse at her while nearing the turn and her 'lip read' response?
WHA??

Seweryn

Cycled in today, as usual. Wet, but so warm! Same as yesterday. Thursday suppose to be very bad though.

Jabel

BrianjG wrote: »

Since I discovered how to stop the water getting in my shoes I've no problem at all. Wife thought I was mad though.

Enlighten us so...

McGrath5

Drove in today, took me 15 mins, going on the bike would only take about 10. The shame.

seamus

Jabel wrote: »

Enlighten us so...

Probably not the same trick, but a Beasty tip for when you're wearing tights and overshoes is to put the tights outside the overshoes. You look a bit silly, but the water can't soak downwards beneath the overshoes and into your socks. On a long day it'll keep your feet drier for longer.

Jawgap

Didn't cycle as I'm working away at the moment.

Tip for drying kit - I find using a fan to move air over the wet kit is better and quicker than using heat.

Back in Dublin tomorrow

Seweryn

Jawgap wrote: »

Didn't cycle as I'm working away at the moment.

Tip for drying kit - I find using a fan to move air over the wet kit is better and quicker than using heat.

Back in Dublin tomorrow

Plus put in newspapers into your shoes.

cdaly_

Jabel wrote: »

Enlighten us so...

Shoes in pannier, cycle barefoot. No brainer really...

AGC

Forgot my overshoes today....Was grand coming in but getting worse. Wet feet this evening

aFlabbyPanda

Jabel wrote: »

Enlighten us so...

I did already in another thread but basically tape under the insole to stop water from coming in through the screw holes for the cleats.

daragh_

Bus for me. 4th week of it as I'm not supposed to cycle. Would very happily have gotten soaked. I spend all my time staring out the window looking for Boards jerseys so I can wave forlornly. :rolleyes:

Wishbone Ash

BrianjG wrote: »

I did already in another thread but basically tape under the insole to stop water from coming in through the screw holes for the cleats.

It won't stop the soaking caused by the constant spray coming from the front wheel and that from other vehicles in very wet conditions.

Caroline_ie

I am impressed unimpressed the wimp list is still going strong years after I introduced it.

aFlabbyPanda

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

It won't stop the soaking caused by the constant spray coming from the front wheel and that from other vehicles in very wet conditions.

Before I applied the tape even with the waterproof covers I was getting soaked. Bone dry since.

sonandheir

Tried but failed this morning. Flat tire after mile or so. Same gatorskin tyre which has given me two punctures in past few rides. Would a piece of glass make it's way into tire, get lodged and cause sporadic punctures? had to get wife and 2 kiddies to give me a lift:D

Green&Red

dermo1990 wrote: »

Regret cycling in this morning, aside from the soaked bike gear now sitting in a pile next to my desk since the radiator isn't working, I also got hit. A car decided to move into the bus lane without looking and clipped me and I ended up going down (myself and bike are fine btw). On the upside, a garda car saw the whole thing

Did he/she do anything about it?

duffyshuffle

Sold my car on Sunday to commit to commuting, great day yesterday and reality kicked in today, still grand though, road was pretty sloppy though

dermo1990

Green&Red wrote: »

Did he/she do anything about it?

Managed to get back up and head off just after the garda car pulled out of traffic and went after her (sirens going and all )...wasn't able to stick around as was already running a bit late for a thing in college. Would imagine that would've been cause for her being charged with dangerous/wreckless driving

Stokolan

johnk123 wrote: »

On days like today I think it's harsh on those who cycle to work but don't have shower facilities upon their arrival.

I find baby wipes are a suitable alternative..

cdaly_

sonandheir wrote: »

Tried but failed this morning. Flat tire after mile or so. Same gatorskin tyre which has given me two punctures in past few rides. Would a piece of glass make it's way into tire, get lodged and cause sporadic punctures? had to get wife and 2 kiddies to give me a lift:D

I had one gator which started regularly puncturing tubes after it had had a particularly bad puncture. Part of the casing was protruding inwards and chafing the tubes. Had to retire that tyre...

johnk123

This happened a friend of mine too!


@sonandheir .....As for the glass, make sure you check the tyres on a regular enough basis. I do and I always seem to pull out tiny pieces of glass. Over time, these would only make their way further and further through the tyre.

godtabh

johnk123 wrote: »

This happened a friend of mine too!


@sonandheir .....As for the glass, make sure you check the tyres on a regular enough basis. I do and I always seem to pull out tiny pieces of glass. Over time, these would only make their way further and further through the tyre.

And check tyre pressure and rim tape. Rim tape got me a few times. It moved and pinched the tube.

If the tyre pressure isnt there the glass can more easily work its way in.

As for this morning it was world championship conditions out there.