This morning's commute and other commuting stories

I think it's as much about me not knowing where I'm going. User error. I'm sure I used to be able to navigate my way around there.

Depends how quick he was cycling though doesn't it?
He may not get to work any quicker than you - but if he's really really slow then jumping the lights does speed up his journey.
Surely at the very least jumping reds gives you the theoretical chance of speeding up your journey.

+1, there used to be a guy on my commute who was ridiculously slow, but NEVER stopped. He rode an absolutely battered mtb with wheels wobbling all over the place... it was quite funny. I was generally finding myself overtaking him as he'd always get in front of me.

I used to do that commute.

Kimpton Road/Benhill Road > Portland Street > Rodney Place > Falmouth Road > Trinity Square > Great Suffolk Street > Tate

Depending on what part of Camberwell, you miss out Walworth Road and Elephant entirely. It's a bit longer, but quieter and fast enough.

Just think how much quicker you'd be if you didn't stop at those pointless red lights

Bike broke on the way home last night, got the tube the rest of the way.
Built up a bike last night at midnight, rode it at 6 to work this morning. Few adjustments but fast/10 after riding a shitty fixed beater the past few weeks

+1 I'm really starting to like the new E&C infrastructure too (my usual journey is going from Kennington to Newington Causeway), with two caveats.

1) Peds sometimes still wander out onto the cycle path behind the bus stops - but this is easily dealt with by not blasting through at full speed.

2) If you hit the crossing over St. George's Rd. at the wrong time there's a significant wait.

Overall, though, from a personal perspective I think it's an improvement.

Is it me, or are the E&C traffic lights badly phased, in relation to traffic coming from London Road towards NKR? The traffic from Newington Causeway seems to be released before the London Road/NKR traffic has stopped. Originally I put this down to RLJing drivers, but it happens so obviously and frequently, I wonder if it's the light phasing.

You mean the northbound section of Newington Butt? yeah peds often do, but exactly like you said, as long you're sensible with your speed, it's fine.

Lane wide enough for a single bike, again fine cause I can prevent people from overtaking badly.

2) If you hit the crossing over St. George's Rd. at the wrong time there's a significant wait.

i saw that, I just skipped and went onto the main traffic light via the peds crossing and waited instead.

Even when that light on St. George's Road is green, they still have to wait for the light on London Road, which by the time traffic is released from the main traffic light, I can head toward London Road without stopping.

Sadly those pesky things stop me from being run over so I let it slide.

Thanks. I may give that a go.

You mean the northbound section of Newington Butt?

Yup.

i saw that, I just skipped and went onto the main traffic light via the peds crossing and waited instead.

Might try this tomorrow.

Also depend on the phasing, you can actually join the traffic if it's green already, and green to London Road while everyone waited at St George's.

Coming off Waterloo roundabout (from E&C) on to Stamford Street, as I'm turning off black cab overtakes, then slows down for the corner and takes a racing line on the corner, effectively pushing me into the curb. I started to hit his body work to let him know he's too close and he then pulls up and says "couldn't you see me? Am I not allowed to use the corner etc etc". I'm well aware that I should be the one staying safe b/c I'm not in a big metal box (I'm starting to sound like my mother). Is this his problem for passing then slowing and pulling in? Or should I be slowing up every time a driver passes me?

That happens all the time coming from Old Street into Hackney Road, two lanes merging into one on a left turn.

Me Julie's bike had a funny turn this morn. Freewheel wasn't catching when accelerating, just spinning, but a back-pedal clicked it in. Had to get off and loosen the wheel, pushed it far back in the drops and re-tightened to give it a bit more hold.

Worked perfectly until we got to Brixton Cycles where it's now getting a new freewheel and chain.
upgrade/10

Freewheel's sticky, dose with GT85 free up the paw.

Pretty sure the spinner gear is not only more fun, but also makes me faster overall.

Weeeeeeeeee/10

Swapped front brake caliper last week and using the stock 55mm pads and now they have a little wear on them wow you can feel how shit they are.

changing pads atm/10

I've had this fairly often. Drivers' rationale appears to be that because they have managed to squeeze past and get in front of you, it is now your responsibility to keep out of their way.

Mostly deal with it by taking a good primary position, sometimes switching to ride on the outside line (ie middle of road) or if it's all too messed up, just slowing down and waiting for the to gtfo.

Had late client meetings away from office yesterday so got public transport home and having to get train in this morning.

This is fucking shit! Three stuffy crowded trains to travel 9 miles and having to pay for it too. This can fuck right off.

I would have arrived five minutes ago if I was on bike and I haven't even started the second train yet!

This is hell on earth. I'd rather cycle to work slip on a manful cover and lose some skin every day instead of this.

Fucks sake...
That is the second time in my life I've nearly ended up under the wheels of a Nationwide Platforms wagon.

Coming from Camberwell and approaching the junction at Oval, this great big fucker of a wagon does the old 'partially over take then start indicating left and make the big swing across my path'.

Had to abandon and hop onto the pavement while shouting "CUNT CUNT CUNT" which is most unlike me.

Got caught in the bus trap at the end of the Oval segregated lane heading up Kennington Park Road this morning. That is a genuinely stupid bit of infrastructure that spoils what is, on the whole, a collection of fairly good bits.

On the other hand, got into a race with a roadie after that, which was fun and took my mind off things.

8/10