This morning's commute and other commuting stories

^uknowsitbruv

Guilty as charged today

I was reading about the new proposals for the bike tracks along there, I think the Gordon Road turning was mentioned as the worst conflict point/most collisions between bikes & motors. So I guess the real fault is with the planners. Glad you're ok, hope the Brommy is relatively unscathed too.

It is a shitty design, I hope they stop dragging it out and fix it soon. I reckon I've got fairies, I was very lucky to walk away unscathed this morning.

Thanks for the well wishes guyz!

Eeek! just seen this thread.. glad you're ok!!

"I'm lost"

Well, that's alright then.

Glad you're ok!

I prefer "cat 5 racers" or "cuntmuters".

apropos nothing:

Working on my stretching I'm getting better, think I might swap my bullhorns back onto my fixed gear. Found myself in a weird position with my wide risers. Also I really need to get a new saddle. Charge Scoop really isn't working for me.

Flexibility/10

The plan is for a 12 month trial one way. That is the current track goes one way East bound and the West bound carriageway goes bikes only. So one way eastbound only for cars. Which would simplify that junction.

Some details here https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/261192/

I'll have a read, ta!

You can never quite predict what's going to happen at that junction. Is it going to be "is that it? I was expecting armaggeddon" or mexican taxi standoff or perhaps sudden emergency nodder stop. How about someone pondering turning off into the road but then deciding that t-boning a taxi is maybe not so great and cutting you up as they retreat back to the danger of the cycle path or my favourite - the Star Trek transporter taxi which suddenly materialises in front of you even though you KNOW you checked every possible direction.

Sounds like you got lucky - hopefully no damage to you or bike

@rhowe Yeah I got away with it unscathed, it's a miracle!

I look EVERYWHERE when I use that junction, sometimes it's not enough, proper shit myself.

Damn, glad to hear that you are okay @Cazakstan! Hope the brommie is fine too. So scary.

The Torrington Pl bike lane used to be part of my commute until I just stopped using it and used the road. Besides incidents with cars and pedestrians I have never seen so many bike on bike crashes as there.

Surely the worst bit of cycling infrastructure in central London?

Took my old route today via Oval and Kennington still not convinced by the new super high way thingy found myself stuck in the road waiting for the slower ride to go pass the access point so I could join as it's juts not wide enough. Then watched as the first pack of riders got squashed by a bus.

I see the standard of rider on the CS7 hasn't improved #undertaking #squeezingdownleftturningvehicles #generalcun*tyness

Nice chat with another rider this morning, talking about mountains and places nicer than grimy old London.

Front wheel brushed by white van man, sporting West Ham knuckle tattoos, who cut across me on Euston Rd. "I was indicating back there", he said, which I could obviously see clearly behind me? Didn't notice indicators from shoulder checks either.

I shouldn't have shouted at him, as it wouldn't achieve anything other than to antagonise both of us and I was more annoyed that I should probably have anticipated it from his road positioning. I feel soiled (not brown trouser variety) from the whole foul-mouthed exchange with the cretin in question.

Otherwise, an uneventful journey. Must pack eyes for back of head tomorrow 5/10

Dunno if same in London, but massive RJL by cars this morning. 5 cars going through when it was a red as an overripe tomato.

Then this is followed by the rants about cyclists RJL on Facebook.cough My colleagues seem to think it's worse on cycles cos you're more vulnerable. Ah, us humans and logic.

Avoided worst of traffic though so 7/10

Yesterday I saw a bus driver at old St roundabout ready a copy of the metro spread out over the steering wheel, swerving in and out the cycle lane and generally being a major hazard. I tweeted tfl but got no response. What's the best way to proceed to get tfl to recognise the seriousness of this guy's behaviour? I got the number plate but sadly didn't have time to get a photo.

Had similarly stupid conversation with colleage who says he only looks out for things that will damage him while on the road. As cyclists don't really fall into that category he doesn't look out for them, and that I should be looking out more.

After being told that that was a bit selfish he just went off about how I really should wear a helmet...

there's only one thing for it.

Last bellendry I had was a female driver.

Clearly no chicken skin handbag, so what does one do? ;)

the Uppercunt, obvs.

(please don't anyone punch anyone in the genitals - it's not nice and you'll probably get arrested)

I associate that action with self-defence, being backed in a corner. Emergencies only.

For everything else, there's ranting and massive eyerolls, air kisses, mouthing nasty words and "signals not in the highway code". Or a friendly word at the traffic lights.

But nearly everybody gets on the defense, no matter how nice you try to explain you are not psychic and can't anticipate all. So, ultimately it's up to you if it's worth the bother.

If a cyclist decides to go left of a lorry, or cycle unlit on a road with no lights, well, yes. Anything else it really depends on my mood to be honest.

Someone getting CPR on Kennington Road about 8:20. Lots of police and ambulances.

Unsure as to whether it's a cyclist or not. Hope he(?)'s OK. Very sobering.