This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Well, I'm glad you weren't 6 inches to the right... X

Thursday.
I had to fist bang the window of a bus who began to overtake, didn't have enough road to finish the job so just started pulling in and pinching me out.
Thursday.

Similar deal for me. I was in the left lane, bus in the right lane cornering round right into Haymarket. Bus drifts across towards me to take the turn easier. Touching distance. Bang on door, bus driver doesn't give a single damn.

Working on road bike trackstands on the commute, anyone else have issues with slightly raised painted lines in the road? Always seem to knock my balance off.

I'm also very glad.

I came off because of one a few weeks back, fell straight into the middle lane trying to go round a parked car in bus lane, fell straight into the other lane. Luckily all the traffic had past me.
I'd have been flattened.

Slowed down to allow a big duck* to cross road along South Carriage Drive. Me and Addy Lee driver exchange grins and thumbs up to signify how cute we find the duck situation.

*Duck type to be identified. Bigger than normal. Walked slow.

Tried to filter between a car and a DPD van this morning and hit my hip on the van's wing mirror. Felt like a total bellend and apologised profusely for being fatter than I thought I was. Van driver was fine with me being shit at riding a bike.

Ended up getting to work and realising I hadn't packed my trousers.

Trip to TK Maxx on Gracechurch Street, £50 on new trousers, missed the morning meeting.

Thursday.

Amazing. What did you wear on your trip to TK Maxx?

It makes trying stuff on only take half as long and you don't need to pay 5p for a bag to get them home.

I've given up being angry on my way to work. It's the future, guys!

Done that before, and forgotten underwear too.

Worst was years ago when I used to use the Boris bikes. One morning I got off, went to pick up my bag from the front and got my rather nice white work shirt caught in the handlebar grips and as I stood up again ripped a huge hole in it. Needless to say I had to get a new shirt and I looked rather stupid on my walk to Oxford Street.

Did exact same thing on my 2nd week at new job.
Turns out TM Lewin open at 09.30 and Charles Tyrwhitt open at 08.30. Apparently the latter make a lot of sales in that time slot due to forgetfulness and spilt coffee

@TurtleRecall Wore my rather fetching lycra shorts to TK Maxx (and on the walk up past Monument).

Thanks guys, it's nice to know I'm not the only one.

Silver lining: I quite like these new trousers.

Lycra shorts with brogues/shirt/tie etc?

Nah - base layer and long sleeved jersey. Got changed completely once I got back to the office.

Smart/sporty is the new smart/casual.

Formaleisure? Since Athleisure is a[n abhorrent] thing...

Cazhtech

I like how they have an ironing board set up at the back of the store so you can iron out the packing folds of your newly acquired emergency shirt.

That is class.

The iron of shame.

Just rode along Cannon hill lane and saw a lad with barely visible lights struggling up the hill one handed.
Got his phone out staring at the screen.
Multi-tasking at it's best ?

Had a f*cking flat 500 m from work on the way home. It's straight downhill on a cycle path from the start and as I was in a hurry to pick up kids etc had to run back uphill to catch a bus which roared past me as I was locking up my useless bike next to the bus stop. Caught the next one & made it just in time. Feels silly, sitting on a bus in lycra. On the plus side no one had stolen the bike when I went back for it later.

There's a reason there's a huge number of Thomas Pinks near law firm offices around Liverpool St - you get a shirt allowance if you have to work an all-nighter. At least, you did before the recession, maybe less so now.