This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Corner of mehetabel road and Chuchwell path in Homerton. Can't grab link to location.

Done.

My hero

The forum should mount a vigil in the area, maybe once a week, maybe on Wednesdays

Shared too much of my commute in the proximity of a Bellend on a Brompton. Tried to keep my distance but it's difficult when he was:

Smashing his way through groups of riders, pushing to the front, blowing reds in the most dangerous manner, riding the centre line then swinging wildly back to the kerb without even a check.
All while smashing his Brompton about and letting out Viking roars to indicate how hard he was working.
Prick.

Update - Just found a guy on Strava flybys who looks a bit like him and has only just started using Strava. I hope it dawns on him that on his third ever ride he would've probably PR'd most of it anyway.

Shit! I go through there every day, will keep a look out.

Did they damage your bike?

Negative, it just impacted on the surface. I didn't even realise until later when my brain caught up with me. (That's how awesomely fast I am). Then checked the footage at work and thought, oh er.

'Make yourself impervious to any stick-based attack!'*

*Minor crosswind may result in death

sooo I got a ticket today on Newgate Street for cycling opposite traffic as half the road is closed.
Well, I partially understand that they fine me. However, over the past few weeks, several times I passed police officers on that road and they did not bat an eye that I was cycling that way - I even had a chat with one of them and she said it's going to take about 3 months til the works are finished. Also, they kept the bike lane and the signs are a bit misleadingly placed. Also every other cyclists use that bike lane - I know it does not make it less wrong, but still, they just fined me and 3 others.

I got an invitation to their Safety Road Show (Exchanging Places) at St Pauls on the 21st of July to clear my ticket. Does anyone know what that consist of? Do I have to give a presentation or something?

^Sounds like they're trying to increase attendance.

Probably consist of them being very condescending and having to listen to a load of stuff about how cyclists are irresponsible - if you don't want to pay the ticket, just swallow your pride and sweetly smile your way through.

Might be worth getting in touch with TFL if the signage is inadequate, perhaps even grounds to dispute the ticket? Although, that's sheer speculation on my part...

EDIT Took a look at the 'road show': https://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/news-and-appeals/Pages/Exchanging-Places-road-show.aspx

You get to sit in a lorry cab and learn about how badly designed they are. So, you know, all good that we get to learn about that and nobody tries to legislate for improved HGV design...

This morning at about 9.30 on Rectory Road, next to Stoke Newington Common on the one way system, bloke by the side of road in helmet, sat in grass, with young girl, assuming his daughter, sat on his lap, being tended to by police. Both looked ok, anyone else see it?

Yeah I would not mind doing that to clear the ticket, but the police officer mentioned something that I have to give a talk or what. Maybe he thought a brakeless rider is the perfect manifestation. of cycle safety.
It's nice of them though that they give you this option.

Went around E&C in primary because the cycle lane was blocked by a bus.

Got beeped at by a different bus for not being in the cycle lane.

Stopped at his window at the next opportunity to discuss the matter. He bottled it and motioned me on. Good decision.

Would rather be in primary in front of him than to his left when he pulls in anyway.

Two pairs of knicks and chamois cream for a 30min commute after two days off the bike...

#beatyourmeat

Thank you to the guy who stopped at Vauxhall underpass to help me get my chain back on. As it happens it broke 3 times on my ride home until I went limped to Seabass in Camberwell who fitted a new one. You saved me a good chunk of time though, and your assistance was very much appreciated.

Cycling with a cold in summer is not the one. Lurgy be gone.

meh/10

Ditto. Shut up lungs. phlegmy/10

Black Prince Road was a total cluster duck this morning. Think I counted about 20 scaffolding trucks parked up nose to tail between Albert Embankment and Kennington Road.

Sending healing vibes to you, big up!

Swapped this bike for a couple bottles of wine last night: got brand new wheels, tires and cassette and pannier rack with it; and used it for the morning commute today. Usually I'm on a steel frame peugeot with 700x25 tires, so thought this would be sluggish as hell. Was very pleasantly surprised; it's much comfier ride, only a little bit more effort on the flats to keep up to my normal speed and so much better at going over drains/rubbish tarmac etc! Not used to really wide handle bars so couldn't filter as much, but that's probably for the best.

Roofing work on the Vauxhall Gardens estate meets excavation works for the St James projects on Albert Embankment resulting in crazy lorry maneuvers in the area.

I got an invitation to their Safety Road Show (Exchanging Places) at St Pauls on the 21st of July to clear my ticket. Does anyone know what that consist of? Do I have to give a presentation or something?

Are you any good with Powerpoint?

Woo, back in London after two years in Helsinki, had my first bike commute on a hire this morning.

So much undertaking. So much crawling up the left of vehicles when there's no space. Not that much rljing.

Shouted at a guy for suddenly swerving left in front of me without indicating.

God I've missed it.

For once I felt sorry for the guys driving the things. Apart from those who were texting / Pokemon-ing at the same time obvs.