This morning's commute and other commuting stories

You carry on on the left of all traffic (including left turning traffic). Then there is a traffic light (separate for cycle and other traffic). So it means having to wait a bit more than otherwise.

You even have to wait if you are just turning left

Squealing brakes which I assume has something to do with giving my bike a clean of sorts over the weekend. Inclined to think it's my rims as I only just replaced the pads a month ago.

Was going alright before heading onto Great Smith Street where it felt like chaos. Had to walk along Horse Guards Parade as well, state opening of parliament or something.

Nice and dry though, 6/10

New system at Stockwell is a bit fancy, improvement though on first glance

Had a close one with a coach driver who wandered out into the cycle lane opposite Millbank tower from between two coaches whilst looking the wrong way.

Luckily I'm always pretty wary of foreign coach people so had just shoulder-checked and moved out into the lane as I passed the coaches, but it was still a shock to see him stride purposefully into the cycle lane whilst staring the wrong way down the road.

Is there not a new shared pavement that allows you to cut the corner to South Lambeth Road?

Just properly lost my shit at a taxi driver who nearly took me out turning on to the Bristol to Bath railway path. Such a dodgy junction, I really shouldn't give drivers the benefit of the doubt in that spot.

Which spot is that?

Here

Of course no drivers obey the 20 limit, which would make the semi-blind corner less of a problem.

Ah, that's where I thought you meant. Nearly come a cropper there myself so always take it super-cautious. I've had some close ones with people cutting off the corner at the junction down the road, too.

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Yeah that's horrible too, and the whole of Midland rd. actually.

They might be making one but not at the moment.

Rode the long way home (stayed on the canal a bit longer), was nice.

Same. Picketts Lock down to Victoria Park, Grove Road to join CS3 all the way to Parliament Square and then up to Great Portland St. Then the same route in reverse to get home.
CS3 flowing surprisingly well despite being super-busy. First time I've used it and it makes a change to Camden Rd.

https://www.strava.com/activities/577682296
https://www.strava.com/activities/578278825

Close encounter with fat biffas this morning.
Both stride off the pavement over a mini roundabout, both look left, as both biffas don't look right they don't see me, and i had a high Vis vest on.

I worked out sharpish that big bird would be the softer landing if impact occured, a quick shout and some supple wrist action to the bars avoided impact.

Rest of the day was boring as was the ride home home, apart from flying insect things.

Biffa?

?

ha! fat people are stupid. etc.

The pair of them roughly equated in size to having a biffa wheelie bin jump out in front of you, i wouldnt want to hit a wheelie bin though as they are not soft :)

No riding today as day off and still in bed with big mug of tea :)

Spotted the cycle lane but used the regular lane at Stockwell again. Definitely quicker.

To the chap who pulled up slightly in front of me on my right hand side as I was waiting at the lights to turn right (and signalling), rather than hanging back and letting me turn, I hope you enjoyed your very mild karma when you completely missed your pedal as you pulled away. It was proportionate to what you deserved.

I got a chuckle out of it, anyway...

Not a nice insult to throw around.

So many Boris bikes cutting in front and running red lights!

As much as a summer dress must be nice and light aren't woman scared it will get caught in the wheel or chain etc? I get worried if my shoe lace is loose let alone untied!

boris bikes have skirt guards on the rear wheel for that reason

Bright driver turning left as he was right at my level on Kingsland road and as I was at a decent pace. Managed to avoid hitting his car, maybe i should have, that would have left him a souvenir

Pissed off by some careless drivers

Replaced both tyres on tourer (Panaracer Paselas, nice and light but they don't last as long obv. as a tyre made out of tank threads), cleaned rims.

Then tried the new cycle lanes in Belfast city centre. And bar suicidal peds due to intersections with kerbs occasionally they're just perfect. I'm an experienced enough cyclist but nothing beats a segregated cycle lane for pure relaxing. It's a detour but may take it more often.