This morning's commute and other commuting stories

roll on next week!

Two abreast is absolutely fine. Overtaking into oncoming traffic is not.

Frustrating that you can't get a fast clean run of lights from the bridge through Ludgate circus though.

I've been involved in one bike-on bike crash there and seen at least 5 more North & South bound in the last couple of years - don't think you should even try to get through there fast.. several caused by people entering/exiting Embankment and cutting people up on the lane

Half term next week for the missus kid.

I can only guess that they are either cats or gremlins.

Dunno. It's really really narrow through there and not the usual width; you really are brushing peoples shoulders two abreast. With a few people wanting to turn right down Victoria St and peds just randomly stepping out it's a right clusterfuck which is much simpler if people went single file and a tad slower for a bit.

Sorry, I meant the attitude of wanting 'nodders' off the road

that wasn't directed at you especially sorry - I saw one again yesterday though (looked pretty bad -paramedic there by time i passed)& has been playing on my mind

I don't mint if its busy and I'm all for getting more people on bikes. I just think that as the sun comes out the standard of cycling drops and it shouldn't. A bit of rain and I find that the people that cause these issues go back to the tube and its a much nicer ride in.

That might have been the one I spotted - looks like everyone was walking wounded. But that makes it two crashes in 2 days on that stretch!

the inside cycle lane south around e&c and the mini cycle lane behind the bus stop opposite oval tube also southbound are absolutely not wide enough for 2 bikes yet pretty much every time i use them some roadie twat thinks that the narrow bit of cycle path just before it opens up into an entire road lane is the time to try and push past.

and of course at most lights where it is wide enough for two bikes the same idiots push up the middle of both lines of riders to wedge themselves somewhere near the front except now theres no room for anyone to set off safely when the lights change so they usually get let through and their cuntish behaviour is reinforced by being rewarded.

The thing that got me most was immediately after we had all passed the accident & crossed the bridge some idiot went for an overtake approaching the security gates on the south side - realized both gates were full, emergency braked & got then wedged in the recess in the middle! would have laughed normally but no so funny in the circumstances

I don't know, I guess I overheard someone saying half-term and assumed the lack of traffic was due to it. I only know Aussie school holidays and even that memory is pretty hazy.

I want everyone off the road. Especially Brompton riders and people who have an unhealthy fascination with mudguards and flaps...

Yeah, oval/Kennington area is prime for roadie twats assuming they travel much faster than anyone else and consequently barging to the front of queues and holding everyone else up.

Actually enjoyed the rain this morning although no overshoes >>>> wet feet

By Brompton currently has no mudguards or flaps, how about that eh?

Was fucking horrible this morning however.

I still have a mudguard on the Tripster. I hate myself though.

Of course it rains the day after I finally fix all the fucking squeaks.

I can't wait to take that stupid guard off.

I'm on your hitlist on some days then :p

"hell is other cyclists"

Car did not start yesterday, add a Brompton in the trunk and a £20 school run taxi bill and a nice cycle through the Comber greenway. Which really is lovely. Well worth a cycle if you make it to Norn Ire.

Today, the usual fixie with no foot retention and a massive gear crowd. I've no idea how that cyclist is going to get back up the hill as they already slowed down significantly on the flat when we met at the lights 3 miles down. Ah well.

Much sun, no wind, no stupid idiotry so two good commutes.

Nah, I don't actually give a shit. I have loads of arguments with shit head drivers but mostly pleasant interactions with other cyclists. 'Pleasant' can also be me crushing them like last night's red light jumpin' racer lad who got beaten by a certain fat lump on his fat-tyred, mudguarded touring bike. #notrackstands #smoked #carbonneutralised

I don't mint if its busy and I'm all for getting more people on bikes. I just think that as the sun comes out the standard of cycling drops and it shouldn't. A bit of rain and I find that the people that cause these issues go back to the tube and its a much nicer ride in.

If enough people start cycling we might get cycle lanes that are wide enough for overtaking.

The problem with the Blackfriars superhighway at this time of year is it's at over-capacity at peak times.
The lights aren't phased to favour cyclists and you can easily find yourself forced to wait for a second green until you can clear Ludgate Circus (northbound in mornings).
That's especially frustrating when motorised traffic is given priority for much longer than cyclists at most points along the route.

When you find yourself thinking you'd prefer being on the road with the cars and lorries then something's not right.

Also what's with the diversion signs encroaching on the bike lane? They need to be moved (again).

Just think though, some proportion of these idiots who don't know how to use the roads would be driving if they weren't cycling. I'd rather dodge morons on bikes than morons in cars.

My commute doesn't have cycle lanes and I'm very thankful for that.