This morning's commute and other commuting stories

The problem with that ingenious idea and the metre long things with scratchy ends is that it stops the cyclist from filtering or just going close to stationary cars. Mind you, there are plenty of people who don’t seem to understand the difference between a cyclist passing a car with only inches of room, and a car doing the same to a cyclist.

Oh you just reminded me about the other guy I forgot to report last night.

Stopped halfway across a ped crossing... why... on the fucking phone of course.

Dunno about the scratch pole but my sprayer setup wouldn't stop filtering. It sprays out.
Configure it so it only activates if the speed differential is higher than filtering speed, job done.
Obviously not a serious idea, it's just crossed my mind a couple of times.

Re: poncho
I find the Carradice one good. Needs reproofing from time to time.

I am currently trying to revive the idea of doing a new cape design that’s better than what’s out there. Made of unobtainium or kryptonite.

I’m been using the ‘the peoples poncho’ for the last 2 years. never tried any other but I’m happy with it

Re close passes I thought this was a good informative video- explains why you need to give cyclists ‘more’ space than a car

https://vimeo.com/272643165

Driver pulled out on me the other day, I gave them the wave a pro gives another that's sitting in the breakaway doing no work... so they followed me up the next side road. Braced myself for the usual verbal as they passed window down, only to get an apology from passenger. Gobsmacked.

#thetimestheyareachangin

i was in a uber last night for the first time in ages as my wife was unwell. So weird to be going through central london in a car, feel so alienated from the world. CSB

Good to hear. Doesn’t cover your hands, right? I should try one out sometime.

The pub on the corner of Choumert Road's still the Victoria Inn, isn't it? Photos on Google suggest the Prince Albert's gone upmarket - pretty sure when I lived in Peckham it was a terrifying rough pub festooned with St George's flags...

Can do, has little loops for your wrists/bars.

I dont think so. I was giving him a proper earful and I dont think he thought he had done anything wrong. I'm surprised he's got to that age, taking major junctions like that.

The Victoria in Bellend. . . Road does more than reasonably good food.

Yup, excellent Sunday roasts, albeit at super-gentrified prices. The Montpelier down the road was cheaper, but the food seemed to veer between terrible and great - they couldn't seem to keep a chef for any period of time.

“they couldn't seem to keep a chef for any period of time”

They were all bellends.

I have often envisioned something similar, only it would spray blood. Hopefully triggering the thought sequence "ohgodthere'sbloodohgodwhodidIhitohgodI'mintheshitohg..eh..oh sweet relief I didn't kill anyone, I never want to feel like that again, I'm giving those fucking cyclists a wide berth now"

Unfortunately I imagine the reality would be something like ‘the little fucker. Cyclists are all the same, ill close pass the next entitled 2-wheeled shit I see’

Yea it got done up about three years ago I think, not been the same since. It was brilliant before that, and the manager and her husband were awesome. Free roast potatoes and fish finger sandwiches on the bar on a sunday for all the punters watching the footy and the locals were always up for a chat etc. Oh and it was £2.80 for a pint of sports lager too. I loved it!

@JurekB That pub is crazy expensive. They tried charging me £6.50 for a pint of average mainstream 'craft' beer in there!

TBF it is probably more than 5 years since I last ate there - I appreciate that prices may've changed / become outrageous.

Ah that was when it was good, but I think the manager changed over and subsequently 'revamped' it (painted the outside gentrification grey and put a few succulent plants about inside etc).

also re: poncho
blacks outdoor shop have ponchos in a range of colours for £3 in the sale.
got myself a snazzy bright yellow one, not ridden in it yet though so it might well be shit.

Shitty weekend makes for a good monday commute, even when the weather is shit.

My other half witnessed a rider vs ped collision yesterday evening around 8.45pm at St. George's circus. Rider went flying and ped ran off. Hope all involved are ok!

Woman doing close to 30mph down Crystal Palace Park Road last night with a flat rear - she knew about it too because she stopped at the bottom of College road to check it out.

Of course she was still going too slow for the numpty who overtook her on the wrong side of one of the traffic islands into oncoming traffic.

Saw another cyclist on Tottenham Court Road with a backpack with a 'baby on board' sign attached to it. She RLJ'ed every set of lights and rode in an absurdly dangerous manner.