This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Did you respond to either of his compliments? Sounds like an awkward time for all.

"Nice jersey"
"Thanks, bit warm today"
"Yeah"
4-5 minutes of silent riding next to me.
"Nice bike"
CSB.

Tooley St westbound is a bit rubbish at the moment. Anyone know how long the works are likely to last?

Until 2018. It's going to get worse and turn into a contra flow soon. I'm debating switching to tower when it's peds on the left, those poles and cars going in the opposite direction on the right.

Hmmmm. Time to look for an alternative.

It's a nightmare already. Last night coming off from London bridge peds were only looking left, and with the tight turn and constriction of cyclists into that small channel its only a matter of time till a serious accident. Had to shout almost the whole way down the hill.
This morning heading west witnessed some total dumbassery as cyclists went across into the eastbound lane to get round a stationary bus on a blind corner. Was just waiting to hear a head on cyclist-cyclist collision.
Switch to tower like @yarklad says seems to be the logical step

Hope they're improving the surface on Tooley St. It's pretty rubbish down there.

Should have asked if you can use that excuse in future?

Indeed. If there'd been some level of contrition or an apology I'd have dropped it, but there wasn't so I really don't feel too bad about lodging a report.

what's with the manic three-up overtaking on the North-South super highway? Twice in a week I've had an ambitious overtaker swing into the two-up northbound riders, no signalling, apology or even acknowledgment. Have I missed something? Is bar clash the new tip of the trilby??

The sunny weather bringing out those with little clue.

So much this. I don't usually commute, but i cycled through central today at 9am and witnessed all kinds of fuckwittery by other 'cyclists'. Surprisingly those driving were well behaved today.

Why when you overtake somebody at a fair rate do they insist on pulling up to the right of you at the lights and then struggle to pull away and are consequently left in the middle of the road??

^ totally this.
Especially when they pull up just ahead of you... and pull slightly in front of you. That does my nut

Games makers hehe. Long time no spot stevo_com

I used to commute Westminsrer bridge both ways. Then about a month ago changed because i spotted Zebra_Cyclist and decided to chase him down for a chat so ended up taking Lambeth bridge. Now i use Lambeth both ways every day.
On the way in you don't have to deal with Westminster Bridge Road by Waterloo stn, or with lorries from vic embankment coming through the lights when no room and blocking traffic from bridge. On way home you get the sweet slick tarmac of Lambeth Road. Lovely jubbly

Out on an errand yesterday around Brockwell Park and Dulwich Village. My but that's pretty.

Just came past Elephant. Can't quite figure how they want you get from the end of the new cycle lane at St George's Circus (coming from Blackfriars) to the Walworth Road. Anyone?

Edit: lovely day!

There's nothing wrong with making the best and most efficient use of the ASL/'cycle box'. If that means pulling alongside (or even in front of) those who may have overtaken me but are content to queue all the way back down along the kerb, then that's not my problem :)

It goes right down Lambeth road then left at St George's road. I used this bit last night as my usual route was being dug up, reached the lights crossing from tabernacle to tube station, aiming to turn right past the bus stops and head to walworth road. The light for me turned green in tandem with the pelican crossing, but has anyone spotted an alternative to illegally cutting right across this crossing?

I feel like the way the TfL wind is blowing that snaggy bits like this will be improved upon in the next few years. Cf. proposed additions and improvements at Vauxhall for SW-NE travel.

This I'd accept - if I had not left a space to my left for them to pull in to. How thoughtful of me...
Either way. Won't be going out at that time in the morning in a hurry again. Thankfully I work from home...

Cycled up Coldharbour Lane in glorious sunshine. 1.8mi versus my usual 6.4mi. 3/10. Reminder to self: only stay at girlfriend's when raining.

Can't wait to ride home...

Why thank you sir.

maybe zig and zag back via the the mini service road? Simpler movement if coming from London Rd according to here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/elephant-and-castle

Blackfriar Bridge is already over capacity this morning, end up hopping on the road instead to Ludgate circus.

Thanks. Kind of like this? (from cyclestreets.net). A bit counter-intuitive, but maybe that's from habit of going the direct way mixed in with all buses and cars down London Road.

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