This morning's commute and other commuting stories

It's saying that cyclists choose to ride where it's dangerous, which isn't at all true, they're bullied there. Have K&C done a campaign on advising drivers that dooring's an offence? I dunno, I'm just uneasy with the "Cyclists willfully dicing with death" motif.

I quite like it, riding close to parked cars is bad and it's now written on a bus for all to know.

Why is it aimed at cyclists at all? It's insane. The two issues are people opening their doors into traffic and the attitudes of many drivers towards cyclists in a position away from the gutters. And yet this advise suggests cyclists are playing some stupid fucking game.

Because cyclists are the ones who would (if they didn't know any better) be cycling in the door zone. There's nothing insane about it.

The poster is educating cyclists that it's dangerous to ride in the door zone. Now, cyclists may currently do so because many cycle lanes put them in the door zone, or maybe because they just don't know any better/hadn't appreciated the danger. I don't personally know any cyclists who've been bullied into the door zone, but fair enough, I'm sure they exist.

Hopefully this poster will also educate drivers who don't why cyclists don't cycle right next to parked cars.

Also, however well educated drivers might become about looking over their shoulder and in mirrors before opening their door, I still wouldn't ride in the door zone. It only takes one person failing to notice you to door you.

it's now written on a bus for all to know

spindrift's a Remainer, though, so it does bugger all for him. :)

(I haven't seen the offending image yet.)

Yeah, I think getting the message out to drivers that there's a reason we cycle 'in the middle of the facking road' from time to time is helpful.

Same council built this:

Cycle here! Don't cycle there, ARE YOU SUICIDAL!?

I like this one which decides that siting you in the door zone isn't enough so adds in a chicane to the cycle lane.

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.already getting bored on very dark commute (80K) - wondering about playing some of this popular music" ... so :

a) phone holder on bike music from the phone's speaker (its waterproof)
b) bone conductor headphones (allows background noise)
c) single earpiece headphone (right ear free for cars)
?

Just get open backed headphones. You'll still be able to hear what's around you with sensible listening levels, and the sound quality won't be tinny and awful not all everyone else have to listen to your peculiar musical interests.

I have these:

http://en-uk.sennheiser.com/bluetooth-stereo-headset-mm-100

They are pretty decent quality and can be worn with a helmet.

Ignore the listed price btw, they usually go for half that.

@Jezston -thanks for that - i'll keep an eye out

-7.8 degrees up here + freezing fog + road closure adding 2k to route + frozen thumb ends + frozen mist on glasses = awesome commute today - things to keep you on your toes means you forget how long it takes to ride in ;-)

Had to tube / bus it, was horrible. lost £20 on the way in. Gutted

First day back on the bike for at least two weeks of a flu/virus bug! London hasn't changed much aside from the increasing road works and closures of my normal route which is a tad frustrating to navigate. Nevertheless it good to finally get the old legs working again and be a bike wanker again!

10/10

To the guy in full face helmet and googles, sound making device for turns and full camera setup coming through E&C, Borough and London Bridge, just because you think you are safer than the rest of us doens't allow you to disobey the rules and RLJ. In fact its even more stupid on your part because the evidence is right on your GoPro.

Everything feels much the same after a week on holiday.
Total trackstand/toe overlap fail. Smashed my knee on the bars. Don't know how I stayed upright.

CSB.

35 years ago I used to drive into to work in London in my car. City and then pick up the wife in the West end then home. It slowly became more congested. 25 years ago I switched to a motorcycle. Free easy parking and enough space to manoeuvre around those pesky cars n busses. Sorted. But with more congestion, and less available parking I switched to cycling (wife no longer needs a lift) and parked in the office bike shed and showered and kept all my stuff at work. Brilliant. Now I've switched to a new job. London's West end. No showers. No cycle storage. No space for shirts or suit etc. More cars. Less space on the road. I'm doing it. Not showering. Locking my pride and joy on the street. Crushing my clothes in my regulation filing cabinet. I've even taken the tube. Can't help feeling progression towards sustainable, environmentally friendly, safe, widely available transport is limited and struggling. I'm not giving up.

Can you find a gym nearby that'll let you rent a locker/bike parking/use of shower?

i'm a bit worried about the right thumb - should it still be sore after thawing out 3 hours ago?

This morning was odd, now that the ice/fog/smog has gone traffic seemed to be back on full-attack mode.

Politely pointed out to a chap busy maneuvering his way into the side of me, intent on moving forward an extra two meters in Dulwich school-run gridlock, that it might prove safer if he checked his mirrors and blind spot before squashing me. Looked at me like I was mad, garbled response about 'not having eyes in the back of my head' – agreed, but if you TURN YOUR HEAD, you can in fact SEE BEHIND YOU... FFS.

Reminded me how pointless it is moaning at drivers.

Got the tube in today as I left my bike at work on friday because I got drunk, plan to ride home today - put on my bike jeans and my bike 'casual' jacket.

But not my fucking shoes with cleats on because I'm a stupid fucking idiot.

Argh going to have to tube home, and then do it again tomorrow, and no riding :(

Hmmmm. Good shout TR. Will look into that.

zip ties or gaffa tape ?

I think I see that guy often. Bet he doesn't upload that footage to his wank YouTube channel.

I think there are two of them, one who I believe I have complained about before who inexplicably wears his full body armor and proceeds to cover it all in black clothing.

I've got to find an alternative route to Bishopsgate. The bit between Boxpark and the light before London Bridge is just so dangerous these days. Suggestions welcome...

How about that https://www.strava.com/routes/7515586

Although as bad as your current route may be I'm not sure going through Bank is any better, and the bit below Moorgate might be one way (try Old Broad St the other way?)

On the other hand it greatly increases the odds of us spotting each others.

Otherwise commuting slightly earlier or later could do wonders.