Things I've learnt from commuting

[splat]

Saw them again this morning, going the other way. I feel we're now commuting buddies as they even gave me a wave from across the R44. Two Bulls and a lady.

 

Wouldn't that be a cow ? 

[Velouria]

Wouldn't that be a cow ? 

[EddieV]

... trying to dodge sewage spills running across the roads at the moment is getting out of hand in my daily commute. Not nice cycling through it   

Heard that with load-shedding the sewage pumping stations can't handle the capacity which causes the system to overflow …. Some instances I can see it running into the storm-water system? …. Catastrophe waiting to happen

[DJR]

... trying to dodge sewage spills running across the roads at the moment is getting out of hand in my daily commute. Not nice cycling through it   

Heard that with load-shedding the sewage pumping stations can't handle the capacity which causes the system to overflow …. Some instances I can see it running into the storm-water system? …. Catastrophe waiting to happen

It's Friday and I'm GRUMPY.....and then you mention ****!!

 

Had a blocked sewerage drain in my street with it running down the street for 3 days before Cape Town City Council came to sort it out. At the Claremont Station they have now had a moerse big mobile pump in the middle of the road pumping **** out of a manhole and stinking up the place.

 

Like I said, I'm GRUMPY!

[ABrooks]

I love commuting at this time of year, particularly because I work in Stellenbosch. You're never quite sure who you'll bump into on the road. This morning I caught 3 mountain bikers (eventually), and as I got closer I could see a lot of flags and stripes on their sleeves. The Team Bulls trio of Alban Lekata, Urs Huber and Simon Stiebjahn.

 

I did my best "breathe through my nose while giving a cool but friendly wave" as I cruised past them sitting at threshold, my legs and lungs burning!

 

From where do you commute in the mornings to stellenbosch, and which routes do you normally take? I want to ride in from Protea Hoogte, but still unsure if I want to go past Kayamandi so for now I'm considering Devon valley road.

[Velouria]

From where do you commute in the mornings to stellenbosch, and which routes do you normally take? I want to ride in from Protea Hoogte, but still unsure if I want to go past Kayamandi so for now I'm considering Devon valley road.

I ride from Somerset West - R44 to Technopark.

 

I have a mate who commutes from that side, and goes through the Bottlery Conservancy on his MTB - avoids Kayamandi completely. Another alternative is to ride towards Kuilsriver, and then go over Polkadraai into Stellenbosch that way (I have a weird love relationship with Polkadraai). Devon Valley is also an option - and probably the quickest route in. You also get some good hill training every morning and afternoon!

[Dadbod Racing]

So there I was this morning cruising along in no rush in the cycle lane, thinking was it a good idea to cycle in! I suffer from asthma  and today my air passages and lungs are not so lekker. Anyway, i hear this vehicle coming at a speed, engine roaring and as I am about to pass a side road, this lady in her prado appears and keeps rolling completely igonoring the stop! As she is coming thru the stop, i shout very loudly HHHEEEYYYYYYY, she pulls anchors, her face is white from the skrik and my hey continues in one breath with are u F'in jus! Shew i think to my self and continue my cruise. A few hundred meters, i am dodging cars whi decided they can make 2 lanes on a single lane road my using the cycle lane. I connect someones mirror and I end up on the pavement. All is good, guy jumps out, i tune him u cant be driving in the cycle lane. He goes huh, and looks at lane, as if it is his first time he sees it. I take off. What a start to the day. 

 

That my man, should have been bolded and in caps.... 

 

Hope you ok?? 

[ABrooks]

I ride from Somerset West - R44 to Technopark.

 

I have a mate who commutes from that side, and goes through the Bottlery Conservancy on his MTB - avoids Kayamandi completely. Another alternative is to ride towards Kuilsriver, and then go over Polkadraai into Stellenbosch that way (I have a weird love relationship with Polkadraai). Devon Valley is also an option - and probably the quickest route in. You also get some good hill training every morning and afternoon!

I've ridden the Bottelary-Devon Valley-Polkadraai loop before, as those are the two options that I feel comfortable with at the moment, still need to get a bottelary trail permit.

[ChrisF]

I ride from Somerset West - R44 to Technopark.

 

I have a mate who commutes from that side, and goes through the Bottlery Conservancy on his MTB - avoids Kayamandi completely. Another alternative is to ride towards Kuilsriver, and then go over Polkadraai into Stellenbosch that way (I have a weird love relationship with Polkadraai). Devon Valley is also an option - and probably the quickest route in. You also get some good hill training every morning and afternoon!

 

Do you possibly have more info on this route ?  May well be the best reason for many to join the Bottelary club ....

[BSG]

... trying to dodge sewage spills running across the roads at the moment is getting out of hand in my daily commute. Not nice cycling through it

Heard that with load-shedding the sewage pumping stations can't handle the capacity which causes the system to overflow …. Some instances I can see it running into the storm-water system? …. Catastrophe waiting to happen

Ja that is a shitty situation. Consider it as Political promises running down the street.

[Eddy Gordo]

Found that my speedmasster light does not want to switch on. Removed it and cycled  to work.

Now when I have the light on, cars definately see you better. Cars encrouching the cycle lane would move and make space for you but not this morning. 

Damn, need to check this light and buy another. Would be benefical to have a back up light 

[ChrisF]

Found that my speedmasster light does not want to switch on. Removed it and cycled  to work.

Now when I have the light on, cars definately see you better. Cars encrouching the cycle lane would move and make space for you but not this morning. 

Damn, need to check this light and buy another. Would be benefical to have a back up light 

 

My RYDER front light glimmers green on the power button after a full charge ... for the first ride, then it glimmers orange for a few weeks worth of riding .... 

 

BUT, once that orange glimmer starts flashing you better charge it QUICKLY !!  The light never goes "dim" .... the glimmer on the power button is the only indication of the charge level, and then it goes OFF ....

 

 

I have two red ligths .... the newer being a rechargable, the other needs new batteries .... 

[Eddy Gordo]

So here I am this morning hugging the cycle lane and flying past me, weaving in between cars, from one lane to the next are two people on road bikes. I slow down as I didnt wanna be near should something happen. Sorry but if you cant behave on the road, I dont want to be forced to be involved indirectly.

Anyway, I thought they turned off, but somewhere I overtook them. Then about 2 or 3 km later they decide they must join the cycle lane. At a traffic light I ask, do you know the law requires you to use the cycle lane? And the reply, ja but you have a mtb and i have a road bike. No thats no excuse, should you be in an accident then you will be at fault! Besides I have  a road bike as well and always use the lanes where provided. His reply is, you have a roadbike? As if in disbelief.

Anyway. I say, its the law, use or dont, its up to you.

Then they continue in the middle of the road weaving cars again. Not even 5 minutes later, mtb'ers in the road! Lol and I know the one on the steelie. They cant see me as they 4 lanes over and I am on the scenic cycle path. Ahh well, dunno what part of the statistic people wanna be, but you not doing yourself favours or representing the sport in a good light.

The only inconvenience of the cycle lane is when you have to slow down to cross the kerb over an intersection, guess its too much for alot of people.

[ChrisF]

... Uhm ..... todays lesson .....

 

THANKS to my wife for phoning me .... and telling me I left my office clothes on the bed ....

 

 

thankfully I was only a few blocks from home.

 

 

PS - what a stunning sunrise !!!

[Eddy Gordo]

Indeed, awesome weather for a commute

[Dadbod Racing]

The irony...... 

 

I dropped number 2 off at school and made my way to work. I felt I didn't need to do the rat run route as A) I'm alone and B) I'm not really in a rush to get to work.... 

 

FAIL!! traffic in and around Rondebosch this morning was gridlocked.... but I had my bike on the back for my commute home today, do I park somewhere and abandon the car or do I just sit and wait it out and get frustrated. 

 

Needless to say I was frustrated beyond words, I couldn't find a safe place to park so just pushed on and got to work super late. The director riding my bike around the table in my office did put a smile on my face though! :-)