This morning was the first day with no torrential rain around 0600 so I took the Cube out of the basement and rode to work.
Weather-wise it was fine, not particularly cold and no fresh rain although there was still some water on the road surface and lots of small debris washed into the cycle lane of the main roads.
On a small downhill section, I was braking for a roundabout, certainly not going fast and the back wheel slid away about ten inches to the side. I straightened out automatically but I am glad it happened there and then and not at a more serious part of my journey.
It reminded me of when I was a new driver in winter. I would slide around as much as I could when I was alone on the road because I didn’t want to feel a slide for the first time when I was headed towards a truck on the wrong side of the road. I still do it in the car if I am alone, just a tiny bit of extra gas to feel the slipping point and then ease off again.
Today’s wobble was a timely reminder that I don’t need to be riding on ice to lock a wheel, just some surface moisture is enough and it means I can tailor my speed accordingly.
The car drivers seemed to be in more of a hurry to get to work and there were some very poor overtaking decisions being made. Some drivers think that they have executed a perfect manoeuvre by skimming past me and then moving out wider once they have passed.
Frankly, I don’t care how wide you go when you are past me. I am only interested in how much space I have when you are alongside me, not how much room you are giving to fresh air.
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