This morning's commute and other commuting stories

I use Shimano CLICK'R PD-T400 pedals:-

And I get comments from people on my commute that don't realise they are clipless pedals.

They make it so much easier to ride to 5-a-side football in astroturf boots or to just nip to the shops in trainers.

Double sided and the reflectors make them legal for use at night too. They're heavy but my commuting bike is a tank so it matters not.

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No, they were definitely not spd pedals.
Plastic BMX pedals if I remember correctly, and the guy had no cleats on his shoes.

@Stonehedge the bike-jacking on the canal path in Peckham, was it late, or a nice bike, or anything special? Or just a random act of violence?

I'm not sure why I want to know that, but I use that path quite often, normally in the day time. It's a nice route. There was a spate of bike robbery along there a couple of years back, but I hadn't heard of much recently.

Local lady, riding a beater home late. I don't know much apart from that she had phone nicked too.

If I hear any more I'll post details.

I run and cycle down the canal path quite often both day and night and haven't seen anything concerning. Just goes to show that you shouldn't let your guard down.

Had a terrible ride this morning. No energy, a surprise unclip and accidentally hitting a parked cars side mirror. Felt like an utter newb, stopped to fix mirror though. Should have stayed in bed.

Slow commute helped spin yesterday's run out of my legs. Very slow going through Fulham and Parson's Green, quite a bit busier than normal but then I was earlier than normal.

Going to be interesting on the way back into that wind.

Shit. I use that. So the main roads are too dangerous because of traffic, and the quiet routes are too dangerous because of useless cretins who can't support themselves without harming others.

Not looking forward to the 40 MPH wind...tailwind on the way to work, so the way home is going to be not so megafun O_o

Because 'ergonomic shaping and sole technology for optimum energy transfer' is essential for pacing out of the lights as soon as amber turns green.

Nought you can do about that 'mot'. Happens. All drivers take that risk when getting out on to the roads. Hand it over to insurance and reeelllaaaax! Maybe some Arnica and ale for the bruising!

@Stonehedge I saw a group of four dodgy looking youths at the top end of Surrey Canal Path around 7.50pm last night.
Something about them that just smelt wrong. They were looking around but let me pass and didn't say anything.
There was a woman cycling behind me that i'd passed earlier.
I had a feeling I should stop just in case but was late for the kids etc... and there were other people around.
Hate to think it was her and I may have been able to stop it. Pls let me know if you get more info. I'll tell my wife to avoid that route home.

Watched in horror/disbelief as a female cyclist decided to continue her journey even though the rest of the traffic had been stopped by workmen to allow one huge HGV vehicle out and another into a building site on Old Broad Street. She cycled right in front of the turning vehicle and right behind the other, neither driver would have seen her had they been less careful it what they were doing. Blissful unaware at the workmen shouting out her to stop, still didn't stop the sheep on a Boris bike going after her. All this just to get to the lights 20 seconds before everyone else.

On a brighter note, fully pumped up tires and a tighter chain made for a nice commute.

If only there was a thread where we could discuss whether or not it's time to start calling out bad cyclists.

I did not commute today. For once I was glad not to be working. Esp in this wind.

Yeah, I'm not sure whether to bother riding home, wind is mad.

@Greenbank 's pedals look very much like your classic DX ...

@Greenbank Do you actually think pedals without reflectors aren't legal? You're normally so well informed/appropriately pernickety to fit in on this here forum (I include myself here, not in any way a dis!). I agree they're a good idea, but as far as I understood it it's only illegal to sell a complete bike without them, not to ride a bike without them. I've seen you mention this 'reflectors make pedals legal' idea somewhere else recently so I'm just wondering...

Sleep under your desk.

@Greenbank Do you actually think pedals without reflectors aren't legal?

They're required to legally ride at night in the UK:-

http://www.ctc.org.uk/cyclists-library/regulations/lighting-regulations

Of course, the law is a bit silly as it requires them to be fitted on a recumbent, where they'd be next to useless.

The Police obviously don't enforce this legal requirement, which is probably right, in which case that part of the law should be scrapped.

I'd personally prefer it to be a suggestion that people have something reflective on the pedal/ankle/shoe where appropriate. Ankle straps give better visibility from the side (which pedal reflectors mounted facing forward/back don't). Bright things moving up and down are better at catching the eye compared to steady objects (such as rear reflectors or lights) alone.

Interesting. Thanks.

Entirely agree on their efficacy.

Loved this bit of detail:

pre-October 1985 cycles don’t need pedal reflectors.

Loved this bit of detail:

pre-October 1985 cycles don’t need pedal reflectors.

Indeed, cue "Trigger's Broom" / Ship of Theseus discussions...

Though prone to bouts of wanderlust, can't say I take on the hobo mantra of 'Wherever I lay my head I call home'. Really just want to get out of here!

Causes a bit of a kerfuffle for the National 24hr TT every year - I think most people settle for ankle reflectors.

epic gusts and totally soaked. happy commute