This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Yeah, and without even looking in each other’s direction. And preferably that double high five they do in top gun, or am I ruining it now?

That would have been very cool. I was filtering on the outside of a traffic jam and saw a cyclist coming the other way. He always wears an anti-pollution mask so I soon clocked it was him. Raised my hand and called out his name to catch his attention. Once he registered it was me, he held out a hand in similar acknowledgement and as this happened we found ourselves in a perfect position to high five, so went with it. We'll aim for the cool one next time.

They have finally started resurfacing the Tescos to Bricklayers r'bout bit of Old Kent Road.

Rode in and hour later today. What a shit-show of dangerous cycling.

I was quite impressed, rode home at 930pm ish yesterday and saw the road crew setting up, rode back 11 hours later and there was no sign of them, just a newly smooth patch of road.

What frame bag is that?

cheapo ebay job (as is everything cycling related I own)

Another 20-odd miles along the Ruislip & Uxbridge roads,
and
our local TT track the A312 Parkway.
It struck me, as I eventually manouvred myself into the advanced stop zone at Greenford traffic lights, that many drivers may ignore them, as they have never seen an unaccompanied bike using them.
Why is the accepted road marking just a bike on its own?
Also, there's normally space to 'write' 'Bikes only' next to the riderless bike sign.

drivers

Because

Remembered to swap the front pads tonight. Thank fuck. That regular scratching sound as the rotors disappeared was getting on my tits.

I have these brakes and know that screw well. What you wrote made me go cold. That must have been terrifying!

just a bit!
hopefully me writing about my error could save someone else from having to change their shorts.

Apologies to the three drivers who tried to kill me today, I missed the memo Cyclists Stay Off The Fucking Road Friday.
Did quite enjoy the novelty of punching a van though. Would definitely do again.

I punched a van once. Was riding a motorbike though. Stopped at a red light, van driver pushes past, literally touching me with the van, through the red light forcing a crossing ped to jump out the way.
The light went green, I saw red, his mirror saw the floor in a hundred small pieces.
Felt bad afterwards. Wouldn't punch again.

I have a "van burn" on my arm from another left hooking cunt this morning.

Not sure what's going on?
People too busy watching the Article 50 petition counter while driving to work?

Shouted "Whoaaaa!" when a scooter pulled out in front of me this morning. The driver jumped and wobbled all over and then shouted: "fuck off I saw you". All you can do is laugh sometimes.

I love that response.

"Oh, so you saw me, you're just a shit driver/rider then? Or a cunt? Which is it?"

Aside from an Audiot passing me waaaaaaaaaaay to close not too many idiots lately.

Way to work yesterday: No problem
Way to gym and back: Oh, the return of the Mystery Click. Tightened cranks/seatpost but it's still there... time for a little TLC for the bike.

Spotted a cyclist with a car wheel hubcab on the right handlebar with some handle to keep it there, like it was some sort of shield.
Mad Max Belfast edition? Prefers to whack vans with that rather than use fist?

Didn't get a chance to ask him :)

Last night; making my way downtown, cycling fast. Guy driving a car pulls out from the left to go straight across, doesn't see me and my right of way until I'm all up in his fairytale land of care free driving, and then shouts a panicked "woaahhh" at me, like I might have knocked him off his car. On my bicycle. Dafuq?

Pisses me right off when drivers tell me to ‘ride on the left’, or the gutter basically. Especially when it’s a bus driver who then proceeds to close pass me at speed, to simply cut me up as he pulls into a bus stop.

This is in the city, where the roads are narrow and busy and top speeds are low. Regret not getting his details and reporting him and his shitty dangerous driving.

Cameras save you relying on memory.

Cameras on busses doubly so

Likewise

Lorry blocking all lanes of Brixton Road just out the front of Brixton Cycles. No idea how it came to be at this angle

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Tried the Waterlink Way today. Big detour but so nice to be away from traffic for a big chunk of the commute.