• It's a sunday, not a normal commuter day.

    Today i rode a bike in London for the first time.

    A rental.......a boris bike.......

    Started off at Stratford International, wandered about until i found the Velodrome which is ace, never been in a velodrome before...... by fuck is that banking steep, some riders had taken forum advice on ice/snow conditions and while hugging the rails didn't lean in the banking.
    A coffee and cheese and ham posh toastie was cheaper than a motorway services and a bit cheaper than expected from previous in London. Was tempted to DAS but expected to be chucked out of velodrome if i did.
    Found SkinnyErics bike shop on route to Victoria Park, shop is ace, spent money.
    Boris biked from Victoria Park to Mile somefink.
    Boris was heavy but functional.
    Staggered down to Canary Wharf.
    After walking a bit more took another Boris, this one had a semi auto gear shift and would drop from 3rd to 2nd. Canary Wharf...... kinda got trapped there, shut roads or no access through manned barriers.
    Came close to the 30min limit on Boris rental so parked bike at empty docking station, not all stations where empty mind. Wandered about a bit more.
    Another Boris and took main roads, chopped up to Victoria Park, slipped the pedals at the lights, overtook others, didn't RLJ, whitevanman gave me a wide berth, this Boris slips in third, no other rider shouted at me. Front brake is a bit off but works, did try to skid all three bikes and failed 3 times. But brakes did stop me when needed.
    Hacked through Victoria park to original docking point of the day, nearly DAS'ed someone but as they passed me and coasted i twigged it was a front brake only SS not a fixed.
    My knees hurt and i staggered back to Stratford.
    Saw something unfold at the olympic park.
    Rider talking to a driver (maybe through a closed drivers window) and several cars beeping horns and one try to pass....... on a zebra crossing.......something happened, don't know what, much beepage from stacked cars.
    My Knees hurt.
    Got train home.
    Knees hurt more.
    1ltr cheapo white wine, knees relaxing.

    Ridden in city. Screw commuting at rush hour, i need a good primary lock and screw using a boris bike again as the sizing is for short arses. Will ride again but on beater not a Boris.

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