This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Just get an English roadster / three speed, hundreds of the things deserving of tlc on Ebay

Set off nice and early from forest Gate to get to the Ilford aldi for some cycling goodies. Fellow cyclist crashes into my rear wheel, totalling it. Try to order addi Lee to get home told wait of 25 mins, drag my bike to Seven kings station but train has broken down cancelling the trains. Order addi Lee wait is now 35 mins.

Got plenty from aldi though so silver lining/10

Back cab drivers seem to have gone ape-shit recently. In two years of commuting from Fenchurch St to Orpington I've never had a run-in with a black cab. Last night, 3 in the space of 2 miles tried to knock me off. Bell end on Bishops gate was so close to me, when I turned the cranks my right heel hit his front bumper. Then another on East Cheap who over-took me, immediately pull in on the left then tried to do a U-turn. And finally the weapon on Tower bridge who saw me filtering and cut left against the curb to stop me getting through, then flicked me the bird. Rest of the commute was fine and my new Challenge Strada tyres are Uber (see what I did there) comfy, if wearing a lot quicker than I'd planned.

Accuweather says it was 100% humidity this morning - not sure about that but it was like riding through fucking soup. Especially since I was commuting with a massive backpack + framebags as I'm off to Scotland after work.

Was nicely warm. Shorts and short sleeved jersey. Bit windy up on the hills (weather not me).

Awesome, Swans really don't give a fuck and I respect that. Not like pigeons those fucking rats of the sky can't fuck right off.

Had a cyclist on my right decide to race me off a set of lights and cuts me up against the curb when there was plenty of room for riding parallel.

Calling him out, I got the finger. Had a heated discussion at the next set of lights, got called gramps. That hurt.

Finishing the commute with red puffy eyes/10

Should have shit in his hand and punched him. Or something to do with sausages.

How would I get "SMIDSY" changed to an admission of guilt rather than an excuse in this country?

being tailgated

Slow down.

Yeah I should've done. I'd decided to be the prick who beats the impatient driver over the speed bumps to show them who's boss.

Actually... should I get a Dutch bike?

Having had to carry a Dutch bike up several sets of stairs several times, I would say a resounding NO.

Get something chill with little wheels like a shopping bike or a brompton or summat. At least they won't weigh and absolute ton and be impossible to carry.

Have you ever lifted a Brompton up?

Got some in the drinks cabinet.

I'd decided to be the prick who beats the impatient driver over the speed bumps to show them who's boss.

There's no way this is prickish. It's actually very clever and rewarding. I do it often. Bonus points for overtaking them on the inside.

See what you're saying, but I live in a house - the bike shouldn't ever be anywhere near stairs.

Also, mad gainz lifting the bike.

I played shot draughts with that once.
Apparently I was a menace...

Have you ever lifted a Brompton up?

It breaks the bottom bracket cartridge apparently.

All sun this evening. Lovely.

Wednesday evening there was a big crash behind me on CS7, at the right turn as you come off Kennington Road onto the A3. A guy's front wheel slipped off the curb (I think, just heard a scraping noise, looked over my shoulder and he was already on his way down) and caused a pile-up. Hope noone was too seriously hurt...

Was doing the Deia loop but road closure shortened it a bit.

Not sure any smashing occurred.

Now where can you get a decent flat white in Soller?

Ooh! I got one!

Last Friday coming back on the superhighway over Vauxhall Bridge (southbound), roadie (I think he was doing L'etape the next day judging by the numbers on the bike) rear ended another rider who was less willing to gamble the amber as you cross all the lanes next to the Vauxhall Tavern.

Disappointingly / Pleasingly all was resolved very amicably.

Smashing is a relative concept. 226W average up the Col de Soller is respectable enough.

No idea where you can get a flat white in Soller. I don't drink flat whites in London, let alone when I'm sausageside. @Cycliste and I generally prefer to go for pints of continental fizzy beer at the Cafeteria Paris on the main square.

These roadworks - I assume they were on the road from Valdemossa to Banyalbufar? Any idea if they'll be finished in a months' time, 'cos that's when I'll be out there next. Pretty sure I'll be rocking it singlespeed again.

Hmmm, after some detailed Strava stalking, I see you started your ride on the carrer de sa mar, by the roundabout. You're not staying at the Casa Bouganvillea are you?

We are at Finca Cas Sant, it's beautiful.