This morning's commute and other commuting stories

what can you do

Call the police?

what can you do

D-lock them in the cock

Shepherd's Bush this morning...?

sunny crisp morning --- and im driving in as i got a long journey tonight up the country
so many cyclists riding in
#jealousy

I'm considering commuting from West Ham station, along the greenway for a bit, then joining the cycle path to the Embankment, then all the way to Kennington.

What's the Greenway like for safety/muggings?

Back on the bike after a 4 year hiatus and reluctant to mix with the traffic as I can't hear motors coming from behind, plus I want a grief free commute as much as possible.

Quite chilly leaving for the early start today; think I was a bit cavalier just putting on a long sleeve cotton top. Then again my wife went out later on her bike and says she put on a cashmere scarf and her new wool trenchcoat which would have boiled me alive.

First on the scene of a motorbike being rear ended at traffic lights. Rider was fine, moved the motorbike off the road, took a few photos, driver swapped details and should all be sorted out by insurance. Left my contact details just in case. Will write up some notes when I get a chance in case they ask me for a witness statement.

Always a reminder that even riding as safely as you can think you can still be taken out by someone who just isn't paying enough attention.

I don't think there is much they can do in this case, he'd have been long gone by the time they got there. No number plates and a balaclava, nothing to identify them by...

You never know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGHO9_uTOhI&t

Lovely ride in. Only pillocks were on bikes which makes a refreshing change.

Rider down on Bayswater Rd last night. Looked like Hire Bike vs. Motor bike.

Rode to mate's early this morning as he'd snapped a chain (weird, snapped right in middle of inner plate) but unfortunately didn't have a long enough 1/8th chain for him.

You couldn’t stretch it to fit?

I probably could've gone back home and found some 1/8th offcuts but I had wasted enough time and don't want to send a mate out with a chain setup that I wouldn't ride myself.

I chaperoned my flatmate on her first cycle commute in London (E17 to N1) and first time on a bike in about 10 years.

Slowest commute ever but it was glorious riding across Walthamstow and Hackney Marshes, through the Olympic Park onto Hackney Wick. Picked up the canal at Victoria Park and it's an absolute shitshow at 8.30 in the morning

But chains stretch, don’t they?

Trolllolol

If you add links to them they get longer.
They also wear and lengthen but I wasn't going to wait for that to happen.

Got round to looking at Tuesday's off on the Embankment properly.

From the video, it looks as though I just threw myself on the ground...

https://vimeo.com/289659971

At 23 seconds, you can hear the twat that was getting up in my face & telling me off.

Apparently, he was right behind me, and saw me overtaking three abreast...

Anyway. Super exciting video. You're welcome.

My leg hurts.

Had a similar experience after throwing my arm up (no finger gestures) after a close pass by a white van. I then had the van driving alongside me as the two occupants glared and issued threats of physical harm as they squeezed me into the curb.

The answer is a D-Lock or chain. Not to start trouble but something to have in the event of an assault, I have carried one every day since. At least once I have had a driver get out of his car to confront me, threaten to smash my face in and I point out I am holding a D-Lock and after more bluster they got back in their car and drove off.

Bit of a risky overtake for a CSH.

Is this victim blaming?

Is this victim blaming?

¯_(ツ)_/¯

I think the camera makes me look closer that I was. I could have been further out, of course.

Lesson learned: Next time, carry a stick.

Totes Dangerous

Should be in a car.

Cut off his hands.

Probably killed a kitten.

#neverreadthecomments

I chaperoned my flatmate on her first cycle commute in London (E17 to N1) and first time on a bike in about 10 years.

Slowest commute ever but it was glorious riding across Walthamstow and Hackney Marshes, through the Olympic Park onto Hackney Wick. Picked up the canal at Victoria Park and it's an absolute shitshow at 8.30 in the morning

Maybe try Quietway 2? It never seems too busy to me, even in rush hours...

That looks perfect, will recommend it to her- cheers!

I was behind you too, definitely 3 abreast, you should be ashamed of yourself making a innocent camera lie for you.

Heal up fast.