This morning's commute and other commuting stories

This was a terrible mistake.

Come on YAL, sort yer replies out man....

If you did indeed intend to reply to me I'm seriously impressed that it would take you 130 miles in full PPE and work boots to stop having fun. Proper Prosportiving that.

I am terribly sorry, now deleted and am pleading for forgiveness.

Left at just the right time to avoid the morning rain, fully expect some sort of weather karma will ensure I get drenched on the way home

Too late, I shall rain brimstone and damnation on you next time I see you at the track, you bad bad man....

Then we can all go for a beer, or as its now know 'doing a Canopy'

Got half soaked, didn't mind. Giordana insanely-priced-binliner-rain-jacket-thing works amazing, but that left everything above my neck and below my waist soaked through.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-cycle-lane-measures-could-10048733

These things have been installed around the corner from my parents' house up norf. Bloody nightmare.

Those look like utter bullshit. If they don't pull them... group trip up north, bring your own mell hammer.

I don't see how they're more dangerous than a kerb...?

I don't see how they're more dangerous than a kerb...?

A kerb is where you expect it, to your left and pretty constant.

Not randomly placed dividing lanes in the middle of the road.

I think they are a good idea but am yet to conclude whether they are good in reality.
We have them in Brighton as well.
I think they're more to warn cars off from drifting.
I guess once you know they are there then it should be fine, but I fear a sunday rider might just come a cropper and tumble into traffic.

Oh, and it was cold this morning! Three layers and a neck warmer.
I might have overdone it in my reaction but the cold days are here.
That makes me very happy, by the way. I LOVE this time of year.

Bridge over Deptford Creek was blocked off this morning. Went around the barrier and continued on to enjoy the traffic- free roads. Supposedly the bridge was found to be structurally unsound last night and will be closed for a week. Let the SE travel chaos begin! (bridge open to peds and cyclists supposedly)

Even @hippy?

Bright and sunny in Belfast.
So a nice cycle in.

Got undertaken by somebody on a Boardman Team road with crabon fibre wheels at absolutely destroy me speed.
I said to him in the green box I could've turned left maybe not undertake?
He said he was watching me, turned out he was cycling 18 miles to get to work. Fair play.
Nice guy anyway, with eh, sunglasses that look like they came from a tourist shop, with pink sides, despite the all £££ outfit :P

suppressed wants for crabon fibre all bike which I don't need commuting 7 miles

Light drizzle.

40mph+ punishment pass along Lambeth Palace Road. Why? I pulled out early to take the lane as I could see a bus parked up ahead with its hazards on and I knew that the mini-bus behind me wouldn't be able to get past the bus given the oncoming traffic so I didn't want it to overtake me and then block me.

Caught up with irate mini-bus driver in a queue of traffic outside St Thomas' hospital. Gave thumbs up to him. He looked on the verge of an aneurysm. Good spot to have an aneurysm though, right outside an A&E.

Would cycle commute again. 8/10

First ride in from my new place in North Landan. Guessed my route in and it worked out well. Shame about the muggy/wet weather. Need to re-think my clothing as an 8km Brompton ride in a suit is not ideal. Trouser suggestions?

Le Manfriend has SWRV trousers which seem to work well also if you have a case of the cycling quads. They look pretty neutral.

He also rates Merino wool highly, doesn't go smelly and breathes.

^ Red lips would be 11% faster...

A kerb is where you expect it, to your left and pretty constant.

Not randomly placed dividing lanes in the middle of the road.

They're not random, they're just a demarcation of the left side of the carriageway. If they are 'likely' to catch you out then you shouldn't be riding a motorbike.

This is a bicycles we're talking about, for some reason street planner think we only need the lane slightly wider than our tyres to fit through.

In reality, cyclists need at least a car's width.

Are you commenting on the size of my ass?

stomach ache all last night, terrible sleep, really laboured commute as a result, with a clusterfuck of lorries delivering to shops and creating a lot of congestion, then once I was free of it I reckon I could count the number of safe passes on one hand, on average I seemed to be getting about ten inches of room. Cue every increasing comedy arm waving at the offenders. They are usually long gone of course, but I do find the next car to pass me does usually give me a very wide berth as a result.