This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Wrapped up like a human condom, I rather foolishly expected my new shoes to be more watertight than they proved to be.
Cunningly brought spare socks though.

I took the tube.

I was riding into work this morning thinking how even though it was pissing down, I still wouldn't want to be travelling any other way. Then I got a sodding puncture about 2 mins ride from work and had to push the bastard shitting bike the rest of the way.

6/10 still better than the tube

Shed is already infested with gremlins. Pumped up the tyres last night, front was flat this morning. Pumped up again, now fine. They have removed the radiator from the stairwell in work though so it's anyone's guess as to whether or not my gear will dry out by 6pm.

I took a Taxi*

I'm going to get him a Stay Awesome cyclist sticker for it

*My brother-in-laws

Planning to ride brakeless for the first and last time tonight.

Had my bike stripped for parts and have replaced all components apart from brake caliper at the office. New brake waiting at home.

I'm enjoying the sense of anticipation. Feels like I did before I rode a fixed gear bike for the first time.

You and me both, except I went for a slightly spinnier gears for a bit of lols (49/20).

48/19 for me. Spin to win etc.

Nice greasy roads today. Should mean rad skidz galore.

Waterproof socks ftw this morning. Best 14 pounds ever.

Test rainy ride with a new jersey this morning.

#Gabba4lyfe

That was a very serene experience. Riding brakeless on the road made me realise how little I use my front brake anyway. I can understand why some people like it.

Can't say I'd want to do it again though. I've had a few too many chain snaps for that.

What waterproof socks did you go for?

fucking hell this evening was carnage

Yep, was pretty much what I can only describe as a big festival of twattery

Yes, tonight was a bad one - by the time I got home I was extremely tense.

A 7 series BMW blew straight through a red light and almost T-boned me, which seemed to set the tone for the evening - no one seems to be looking where they are going.

Someone came off his folding bike at the bottom of a small hill in front of me. I stopped to help him but luckily he was just slightly stunned and embarassed. I told him I've come off my bike loads of times and not to worry.
It was lacking for traction today though.

Sealskinz mid weight. Sopping wet shoes, toes only slightly sweaty...

Does anybody know or understand how the new cycle lane lights going south work on Vauxhall Bridge Road? At the bridge junction the green light for cyclists seems incredibly short and stops whilst the green for cars seems to continue for appears to be at least twice the time.

I'm also totally bemused as to where to go heading south at the end of the bridge. Are they really expecting all cyclists to queue at the pedestrian crossing on the pavement and wait, whilst cars go past on green?

Either I'm fundamentally missing something, or it feels like all the roadworks are a bit of a retrograde step? It is a segregated cycle lane, but now takes substantially longer and the queuing will be horrendous going south after the bridge in peak periods.

It's horrible. I actually complained to tfl about the south side southbound piece (ridiculously narrow tunnel exit by RVT! and crazy slalom in the middle of the road) at the consultation but they didn't change anything...

im 28. i live in a suburb of texas. tonight i rode my basket bike to the grocery store for some small items. on the was there some kids in the parking lot where snickering and laughing and saying things like "cool bike dude, is that a huffy". on the way out i rode right back past them and one dingus ran towards me running in the style of what was meant to be someone with mental issues. i stopped my bike enraged prepared to stab a highschooler. he yells "oh no hes coming to get me" and runs back towards his squad of minions cackling.

i have baby food and formula in my basket.
my kids gonna grow up in a world filled with idiots and bullies who think the simple act of bike riding is something to be made fun of. shit

The idiots are winning.

Dude. They're kids. Having a laugh. I fear if you can't just brush off jokes made by kids, if you start squaring up to children at the age of 28 it might be you that has the problem.

This ^

Don't you guys all have guns for the sort of thing?

You shouldn't have to tolerate it like us poor unarmed nations.

You should have caught him, and cradled him in one arm. Then with your spare hand started preparing a bottle of formula milk...

#pagefail