This morning's commute and other commuting stories

So after you left the carbon seatpost snapped?

My nieces and nephew got new Halfords bikes this year. I had to put at least four things right on all of them, from minor things like directional tyres the wrong way round to gears that don't shift and a back-to-front seatpost, mainly not dangerous but like they were put together by people with absolutely no training.

Sunny, dry, cool, fast....10/10

Lovely ride in this morning, the weather was gorgeous! Even the HGV driver at E&C complaining that a fellow cyclist wasn't using the cycle lane couldn't dampen my spirits.

Then I realised I'd forgot to pack pants and socks when arriving to work. Fffffffuuuuuuu—

Found myself mentioning to a hybrideer guy I was passing as I crossed Southwark Br Rd that his front mudguard was on backwards, then as I rode on, it occured to me the forks could have been on backwards. Seen that a lot on rides from 'half price bikes perma-sale' retailers.

Absolutely beautiful commute this morning. Lots of infectious courtesy out there between all road users.

Kenbike city guy on Union St in a suit put all the neon warriors to shame, didn't even care we nearly tangled due to a late shouldercheck after you started going right from a leftish position.

Motor vehicle collision at E&C this morning about 20 minutes ago - not exactly sure what happened, but I heard the crash and it looked like a van going from Newington Causeway had been hit side-on by someone going from London Road to New Kent Road.

Net result was traffic at a standstill while the two of them argued with each other about it in the middle of the road. Didn't stick around to find out what happened next.

Also, I know I'm preaching to the choir, but could people please please please please not go up the left hand side of huge left-indicating articulated lorries at the lights? Trying to figure out if the driver has seen you from his cabin makes me nervous.

Lovely day for it though.

There was actually crank overlap by a good half inch too, crazy stuff. Surprised the guy hadn't stacked it already.

Cracking day today, green wave all the way through E&C for me. A few bellends around of course, but the cool breeze and just warm enough sun made most things seems trivial.

Mayhem around Regents Park this morning with the Eid celebrations. Many expensive cars being driven erratically with zero regard for cyclists.

Returning from filing a bad driving complaint at psni I hear a car horn honking several cars behind me as I wait for my turn on a 5 lane mini roundabout.

I have to go right and there's no guarantee ppl indicate here on roundabouts...so it takes 30 secs or so.

I go right, white van man shouts from his lowered window 'what the fuck are you doing!" My neocortex concludes he was honking and my ape brain respond "I'm on the road fuckface where I'm supposed to be!!!"

Not my finest hour. In fairness I'm way nicer driving... usually. It's hard to stay calm when ppl are threatening.

All other drivers just waited with a safe distance.

i have no memory of riding in this morning.

perfect.

Got the rad fixie out this morning, rear tyre was soft, not flat but not worth risking. Pulled out the cross bike, still muddy. Running late I set off grinning with the speed of a stiff light frame supplemented by gears. I hurtled along the lea navigation towpath like a reckless loon. Coming through Hackney a cycle instructor with kids in tow asked me to ease back the speed as I passed, grinning with delight I obliged and we exchanged smiles. Then once on the open roads of South Hackney and Mile End I open up into a rapid cruise and arrive at work a full ten minutes earlier than normal already looking forward to the ride home.

Park life/10

I love that unexpected thrill of switching to gears...

Almost decided against it today as I was feeling pretty shattered but glad I didn't, sunshine is lovely. Took a nice easy pace Camberwell through to Pimlico.

Gears aren't quite right, but it's nice to have them back.

Still had to win the sprint stage Oval to Vauxhall.

Had a really long ride today went up to bikeworks then out to plumbstead then down a path called the ridgeway and back along the thames path. Must have killed loads of little flies as some sections of the path I could feel them constantly pinging against my glasses and cheeks.

fly massacre/10

Took the Mercian out for the first time in ages today, perfect conditions and looked amazing when I caught my reflection on the way in. Only need to get the lug lining done now! Anybody know anybody in London?

Hard not to just spurt something back like that - don't dwell on it at all.

Colour Tech would do a good job I reckon.

Yelling at dickheads.

Tomorrow I might finally start thrashing the new bike so I'll probably be yelling at it.

Hydro brakes now working?

Rode without a cap for the first time in years. Was strangely cool and pleasant.

Shout out to the monochromatic rider who undertook and then cut me up before calling me out for riding on his wheel. Your lovely Colnago and pro track stands did not assuage me.

Breakfast gin?

toilet duck, ice and a slice.

Not sure if this shouldn't be in the I Hate thread. I hate the silly cow and others who approach red lights and then nip the wrong way around the ped island to go on green and take the road - especially as I'm turning right. Serious fucking wobble this morning with bus and cars approaching. We had words - a mistake she said. Oh yeh. At birth perhaps. Where's the respect for others FFS? Otherwise uneventful and pleasant - maybe feeling the 2 pints of Wandle and half a bottle of Sauv Blanc last night. I just can't do that drinking thing anymore. Anyway taking all into account - 8/10

Thanks @Skülly will give them a go!