This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Don't take it personally, too many people with too much hate.

I got a tirade of really high level expletives shouted at me in Frome (Somerset) on a wet Sunday evening on almost deserted roads. My crime was using a roundabout and preventing a driver from doing a quick pull away from ASDA...

That's weird cos I know exactly what you mean, but rarely get abuse. I go through it every day. They do love to squeeze past you into the left (straight on) lane though as soon as they realise that the light sequence has robbed them of precious seconds!

I'm blaming the cold morning for peds doing stupid things this morning. Guy using a zebra crossing which I spotted so slowed about 2 cars lengths before the crossing so I didn't have to stop, fella just stops in the middle I'm waving him on. Nope I end up stopping he then continues crossing, most bizarre. Women and her three small kids just decided to cross without even looking almost taken out by a moped.

Still lovely morning for a cycle, made even better that I finally had a chance to wear my winter glove combo.

9/10

Crispy morning seems to have killed off the last of the resolutionists apart from the select few super prats. Zen commute otherwise.

I'm blaming the cold morning for peds doing stupid things this morning.

Yeah. I decided to use the CS7 bypass of E&C this morning - where there was a bloke wheeling his Brompton along in the blue paint with a line of us actually on our bikes behind him. Couldn't bring myself to say 'Mate, get on the bike or get on the path', but I wanted to...

Also, lots of people filling up gaps that I've left in front of me so that I'm more than a couple of cm from the vehicle in front. Stop that.

Trying hard to maintain last night's zen. Mostly doing OK.

A chilly 8/10

I'd calmed down by the time I caught up with him.............

best thing............

The frosty air making my ears tingle in gentle pain but not quite numbing them.

The crispy crunch of freshly spread salt as 80psi tyres with 95kg of downforce crunch the salt into the tarmac.

The big mug of tea with a large single malt chaser as my ears return to normal.

1. Crush your enemies.
   
2. See them driven before you.
   
3. Hear the lamentations of their women.
   
   

Every day, I see cyclists crashing through pedestrian crossings with that in mind, at least.

Rolled along with a bloke today on some carbon bike wearing neck-to-toe Rapha. An athletic-looking type in his 50s. His cap was the one with flowers on (Attaquer)?

Anyway, I had to fight the urge to say to him at every set of lights: "They say cycling's the new golf."

I mean, he must have been wearing at least £400 worth of clothing to cycle to work.

Of course, how he spends his money isn't my business, but it's just a lot of "I have nice gear", you know?

If I could I would.

Have they changed the phase of the lights at the top of the Walworth Road? Last ones before you get to E&C, outside the big Chinese restaurant.

I think they have but may have been still half asleep. Seemed like the traffic heading south moved off a lot sooner than those heading north. Shared a puzzled look with another rider.

Zebra crossing etiquette is odd. I was heading south on the Newington Green roundabout last night. A guy comes around the corner, in the dark, in dark clothing, about 15 feet ahead of me and makes a beeline for the crossing. I apologised for not stopping, despite the fact that I didn't have time to stop bar full anchors, and he gives me a WTF gesture.

I wonder if he's considered pedestrian training?

That place is terrible, I pretty sure people think 'Zebra crossing everyone must stop for me' thats not always possible though, I almost ran someone over as they just walked straight out expecting me to stop within 4ft

Assholes.

This

I just didn't understand the gesture, no other road traffic, plenty of time for him to get across and me to carry on. Had he not been stopped bang in the middle I may have been able to go around him. Plan weird

Hope for the best, plan for the weird.

I didn't know ones that are broken up are classed as separate, I got pulled over for going through one whilst a family were crossing one, but still on the other side of the road.
Luckily I didn't get a ticket for it as I'd have just paid it, but knowing that, I would've been able to contest it.

appreciate the solidarity ;) Feeling less aggrieved today. Think I was extra riled up as he quickly sped off before I could respond.

@fizzy.bleach by 'always' I mayyy have been exaggerating and actually meant it's the only place in my whole commute I get any grief. does grind my gears when motorists skim past!

Cold hands this morning but a beautiful day. Should probably put some bar tape on and stop the chilled metal draining the warmth from my fingers. Or try some non-aldi gloves.

Did my best to stay chilled with close passes, still muttered to myself in annoyance once or twice.

My driving instructor told me about that one way back in the day. It was certainly news to me then.

I've actually stopped wearing a lot of proper cycling gear for going to work. I'm not even sure why.

Shorts and t-shirt and SPDs. Sometimes I wear a baselayer and jacket as the temperature requires.

I'd feel self-conscious in RAPHARAPHARAPHAboutiquecasquette.

Rugby socks?

I loved Rapha when I first found it, but now everyone is wearing it.

Think everyone dressed in it at traffic lights looks a bit silly now

It is a bit odd when they've spent more on their shiny pink back pack cover than they have on their bike.

Footie socks are the thing. But not pulled up to the knee FFS.

I saw the same in Islington last year, a man and a woman with three massive macaws perched on various shoulders.