This morning's commute and other commuting stories

I was already the recommended distance from the parked car so it was a bit of a choice between "extra squeeze" and "this is not by the book but I like my teeth" last minute decision.

That road is also normally fine because there IS a lot of overtaking space on chevron between the two lanes, but there's always one **** it seems. I normally go right in the middle if there is nowhere for drivers to go to prevent the squeeze. Not that THIS helped two weeks ago.

Perhaps I should consider, em, cycle training?

I think a distance activated flamethrower is more useful but they are quite heavy I've heard ;)

Teaching a children's course today I hadn't noticed the sticker on the back of a van next to where we had stopped till one of the boys said "I don't understand, why does it say 'My other ride is your mom'?
On a less amusing note I'd almost forgotten how dispiriting it is to cycle around Stamford Hill with the majority of drivers ignoring traffic law and being so inconsiderate, impatient and reckless.

Prefer ones that do the other ring like this style one.

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-accessories/kids-bike-accessories/kids-marble-bike-bell

Only use for bells is far off pedestrians if you are coming up behind them on a tow path or in a park and want to warn them long before, everything apart from that is slowing down or better positioning.

My new commute takes me up Stamford hill and then down lower Clapton road. It’s real concentrated run of bell end driving manoeuvres.

The bit between the top of Stamford Hill and Stoke Newington station is particularly special

Fair enough. I'd be interested to know if cycles are a particular problem then.

This was my commute for a couple of years. It still amazes me that I managed to get through it without ever being involved in an accident.

Someone on a lovely dark green Feather rode past me the other way this morning. Think it might have been this one. Brightened up a grey, rather chilly commute.

i guess bikes are generally moving a bit slower + more manoeuvrable than cars so not as much of an issue.

Anyone see what happened on Camberwell Rd this morning? I rolled past at 6am to see a moped under a car. The car was at a strange angle which made it look like someone had intentionally taken down the moped driver.

Pimlico plumbers van had wiped out a belisha beacon through Penge today. Looked as if it had simply swerved left just before the crossing which would suggest it was trying to avoid a ped. Ambulance and fuzz in attendance so hope everyone was ok.

My new commute takes me up Stamford hill and then down lower Clapton road. It’s real concentrated run of bell end driving manoeuvres.

Do you mean Stamford Hill and then Clapton Common/Upper Clapton Road? That stretch has many problems, the main one being that because of the low prominence of town centres it's typically treated like a town centre by-pass. Lower Clapton Road only starts at the Lea Bridge roundabout.

Really hate riding down Clapton Common/Upper Clapton Road, I think because it seems to have about a billion sets of traffic lights and drivers always seem to be acting like idiots trying to beat the reds and get to the next queue of cars five seconds faster. Used to ride it frequently to go to my barber but now I just get the bus. More than once I've seen people attacked by teenagers on mopeds there too (pedestrians and not cyclists, admittedly) so I generally find it a stressful place.

Well, it certainly is a street with lots of problems that could do with a consistent street-long review. The one thing I've never seen there is attacks, but then I haven't seen many elsewhere, either.

Yes, I’m coming from seven sisters so Stamford Hill then all along Clapton road. The one good thing is traffic is usually at a stand still/ slow moving so you can anticipate dumb moves or filter to avoid.

Next week I’m going to give the canal paths a go.

I'm sure you're aware of this, but just in case:

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/260063/

Even if a main street seems like a pain in the arse, you should at least use it out of hours because of personal security issues on towpaths etc. The Springfield area has been terrible for muggings in the last few years.

Thanks, had been keeping an eye on that thread for a while now. Only ridden down there once but am aware of the muggings. There’s a lot of schools traffic and minibuses on the Clapton road stretch so it should quieten down in a few weeks time for a bit.

eurgh headwind the whole way in if this is summer I'd rather go back to winter.

Near-misses (other people) all the way in - much changing lanes/nipping in & out without looking. Monday morning or just sun's-out-DGAF?

Other than wincing at other people almost getting squished, a nice ride in...

Today there must have been something in the water: The closest overtake I got was from a learner driver and it was about a meter. (so still fine)

Drivers stayed well back instead of inspecting the fine details of my rear reflector, went out of their way to give me loads of room. Wow, if all commutes were like that...

10/10 would hug everyone on road again

If only every day was like this...

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First commute in over a month, coming back from paternity leave. Insane amount of courtesy shown by a number of drivers, no close passes, everything textbook apart from one dickhead on a mountain bike undertaking me as I stopped for a pedestrian crossing. What the fuck has happened while I’ve been away?

Interesting there seems some positive vibes today.

My sunday ride yesterday was a different story. A couple of needless confrontational moves by drivers in the Surrey Hills and a driver stuck in a queue (leading up to Chiswick bridge) beeping incessantly in impotent rage as another driver tried to filter in front. I put it down to hot weather, lack of sleep and general grumpiness at being stuck in car.

A colleague of mine thinks it may be due to the school holidays, no more stressing to get to school on time, then fighting through traffic to get back to work.

A schoolrun stress is no valid reason to drive like a tit for me (not that there are ANY but come on...I see the close passers at the same red traffic light I am waiting for 90% of the time), but i'll take 2 months of peace.

New commute today after moving house at the weekend - 0.2miles shorter with more downhill in the morning & more climbing in the evening. Think I prefer it that way around so I can easily zoom into work, but the main supermarket is at the bottom of the big hill later which isn't so ideal.