This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Sp haven't even got any lights on
M it's not dark
Sp yeah but it will get dark
M well then I will put lights on

10/10.

I think some people are so mechanically clueless that they don't realise bikes are modular. Like we all ride to Halfords in Autumn and get them to fit lights and oil the chain or something.

Rubbish. Nobody who goes to Halfords oils a chain

Was such a beautiful morning and view I had to stop and take this photo one morning last week on my way to work.

Pink jersey seemed appropriate this morning

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Had a run in with one of those messenger scooter nobs this morning. He thought it was a great idea to push me out the way when waiting for the lights in the ASZ. When I pointed out the 4/5 scooters/motorbikes waiting in the correct area compared to his very wrong and illegal positioning, his response was 'you can tell me what to do when you pay road tax'. We all know what came next - explanation of VED, highway code etc. Goes without saying I got told to f**k off before he sped away only to reveal the big L stuck on his number plate. What. A. Plum.

I don't bother trying to explain this anymore. They're never happy to hear it. I just say, I've got a car at home that I've paid my tax on. Then I get the "Fuck off" in first and ride off.

YEAH!

Nice rumble along the Wandle Trail this morning. Then a switch to a willy-waving Cat 6 race on the CS7. Thanks for the workout chaps! I didn't kind of get involved..honest..but if these chaps HAD to be in front, I was happy to wheelsuck.

Chap on a chrome lugged look track frame this morning... about to DAS when he starts coasting

:-(

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wtf

Yep similar - alternatively, I have taken to trying the "do you actually want to know the answer or just argue" approach, when abused / challenged... similarly productive but quite funny seeing the response.

If the driver in question is male, I've taken to blowing a kiss, no words. It either:
A) Diffuses the situation, they have a laugh (sometimes they do it back)
B) Makes them really angry/about to explode with rage and you can ride off into the traffic with a lot of satisfaction

The roadie douchbag this morning who cycled through a pedestrian crossing when a mother and buggy were half way across

You absolute prick.

When I caught you at the next lights the excuse of being "miles away" from her didn't really cut it. Dickhead

(Rant over)

Told by a pedestrian that I should chase down a cyclist who ran a red light because "it gave us all a bad name"

Mild irritation/10

headwind/10

Tree Jizz facial/10

Regretting fingerless glove/10

No gloves. Yolo. 10/10.

I wish motorists would stop using CS2 as a resting spot for the nose of their vehicles. Seems like the standard procedure in Bow/Mile End/Stepney/Whitechapel

Had the same response from someone who did that exact thing on CS7 a few months ago. The complacency/selfishness is staggering.

So much this. CS2 is a bloody clusterfuck from beginning to end.
Kennington on the other hand is treewee central at the moment. Glad I wore my glasses so 6/10.

Turning right off Southwark Bridge I use the main carriageway for about 50m and then turn right down Cousin Lane. Therefore, I don't bother with that bit of segregated cycle lane - why would I want to be all the way over there on the left and have to cross a lane of oncoming cyclists then three lanes of 'regular' traffic, when I can join one of those three lanes and only have to cross two? Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Had a motorcyclist this morning slow down as he was passing me in the main carriageway to tell me I should be in the cycle lane. Made it clear I was turning right with a shout and an arm out - but there wasn't really the opportunity to stop and explain the theory behind my positioning...

Heard a "TWAT!" in my direction from a lorry in traffic on the other side of the road...

Presence of seg lane == assumption cyclists are no longer allowed on the road

Irritated/10

So much this. I'd love to see a campaign to educate road users about where cyclists can and can't go.