This morning's commute and other commuting stories

I suspect you'll be offered more in the region of £50.

and an entry into next series of big brother?

I'm impressed you are replying to most of the comments on your vid.

It's a common thing for cyclists with cameras. I know a few who have done the same dance with them.

http://www.croydoncyclist.co.uk/video-copyright-and-the-daily-mail-from-50-to-1000/

I do with most of my videos, the first days worth are all subscribers who comment now and then.

Could somebody explain the difference between signalling and indicating?

Perhaps I need cycle training.

Flashing orange lights.

Yep. The Mail has considerable form in that regard.

I was riding past Catford Bridge station early this morning, just under the bridge where the road branches in two at Stanstead Road and the A212. Another cyclist overtook me a too close, I was a bit bemused as the traffic was slowing down as the lights ahead had changed to red so I wasn't sure where he was planning on going apart from into my stopping distance.

I soon found out as he rode face first, straight into the back of a transit which was stopping for the lights ahead. He was up pretty quick, and the van driver was good about checking he was ok. I asked if he was ok and resisted saying what I wanted to about his observation skills, and poor riding prior to the faceplant, he was fine and took the situation in good humour.

Couldn't stop laughing when I got to work, its the only time I have ever wished I had a gopro on my bike.

Managed my first (sort of) trackstand this morning! It was only a few seconds, but I'm counting it because there was a definite 'backwards' motion to keep myself up. Usually I get to the point where I need to pedal backwards to balance, but panic at the idea of moving backwards and bail out.

Made my morning, which was otherwise a massive grind for some reason.

I saw somebody doing that "slowly going around in a circle at a red light because my trackstand is not ready" thing this morning.

Not suggesting that was @skidlidsid

Maximum traffico this morning...
Picked and weaved and filtered all the way from New Cross to Vauxhall.
Unsatisfying to not get a chance to properly turn the pedals.

Traffic was pretty gridlocked going up past waterloo to the Imax roundabout. Then bizarrely clear on Waterloo Bridge.

Pleasing how quickly society breaks down - all it took was for some people to not get through the junction for two cycles of the lights and it was full "fuck this, I'm doing what I want" ploughing up the wrong side of the road/blocking the junction/mad U-turning bedlam.

pleasing? in an evil laughing way?

I was taking the approach of laughing at it rather than being annoyed!

Getting past that point is the last hurdle! If you can unclip/disengage well don't hold back. You'll surprise yourself.

The last hurdle is being able to pick your nose whilst track standing at the lights. Nothing displays complete bike control better.

This. Eventually you'll get to sven (was that his name?) levels of trackstanding; no-handed, seated, cool as a cucumber. Mighty impressive!

I'll never forget seeing Yorgo (OG) drinking coffee and talking on his mobile whilst track standing at brick lane polo.

I'd just arrived for the first time and was feeling a touch nervous. Seeing that prowess did not help.

Cider did.

You're not wrong! I often get an itchy nose at the lights. Can't bring myself to let go with one hand yet though. #goals

Bet Clockwise's copper feels absolutely right in what happened, despite internet fame. They don't even know they look like officious pricks with their 'right, what's your name?' pencil licking.

Clockwise why do you film your journies?

I am only at the level of being able to eat a slice of toast while in fixed gear motion with out crashing.
Trackstanding is a long way off for me.

I'll be happy if I can even recreate the brief couple of seconds this morning...

Coffee and picking my nose seem a long way off even while I'm moving, never mind when I'm stationary.

Watched a two people step out in front of a cyclist today. He stopped just in time and I would assume say a couple of words to them. The guy tried to push over the cyclist but failed which I though was amusing.

I still think pedestrian training is needed.

Granted I'd had a few beers but there were a lot of shitheads trying to kill me/themselves on Upper Street last night.

Particularly memorable were the group of three women standing around in the middle of the road, who started yelling at me in Spanish when I shouted "Hello?"