This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Horrendous close pass this morning. Nice big van came within about 2 inches of my bars, clearly a punishment move for overtaking him a few minutes before in slow moving traffic. He got about 20 yards in front before getting held up again so I gave him a friendly smile and thumbs up (trying to channel ogmios) as I sailed down the bus lane past him

I decided to try out a faster route than my usual bimble down the lea river towpath on my commute from wood green > mile end. Taking the more direct route through seven sisters > stamford hill > clapton common then through hackney, shaved off about 20 minutes from my journey time but it was a significantly less relaxing cycle. Think I'll stick to the towpath in the future - adding on a mile to my commute to feel relaxed and enjoy the scenery/lack of cars on my way to work seems worth it

definitely worth it.
sorry to hear about the close pass.

Think I'll stick to the towpath in the future - adding on a mile to my commute to feel relaxed and enjoy the scenery/lack of cars on my way to work seems worth it

It's what poochie would do.

It's what poochie would do.

yeh, but to the extreme

Right on, Mr S!

I've a similar approach, do the cycle paths and back lanes is much better for my mental health but, it's sends the commute to just over 15 miles. Other option is a fast A road that is about 11.4 miles but the aggressive encounters ramp right up from 0 to a few a week.

Ditto this, but not the same difference I distance. I didn’t realise how stressful I found road commuting, especially in the morning, until I found a cycle path most of the way to work. Still head back in the road.

Also,

Absolutely Baltic this morning with a bastard headwind. 2/10, would not recommend.

I get the bastard headwind this evening. Although for some of this morning I seemed to have it too.

glad I got covid this week rather than last week.

Weird first 10-15 minutes on the ride home today. Left in bright sunshine and turned the corner into a wall of dark grey cloud and snow/sleet falling all lit up in the low sun. Looked amazing. Then onto the main road and just horizontal snow into my face for a good 10 minutes. Was glad of my shades as it hurt the face. Abated after 10-15 minutes or so.

It was like that all day. I was constantly switching between sunglasses on with jacket undone and buff covering as much of my face as possible with jacket zipped up to the throat, hood up. Mental.

That weather this morning took out about 80% of the cycle traffic there was yesterday

Have to say I don't mind seven sisters/Stamford hill too much. There's obviously no point trying to use the bike path but the bus lane is generally fine. Traffic up the hill is just always rather busy. The bit after towards Clapton is really not very fun at all though. Maybe keep going to Stokie and cut through past Hackney Downs instead?

The towpath is fine but the bit between marksfield park and the rowing club stays wet for ages after it rains

Yeh I'd agree, reckon if I do it again I'll take the the hackney downs route you suggest as the Clapton common bit was just nasty. I don't mind the soggy towpath so much as I'm usually on my muddy fox with mudguards etc. But the recent reports of bike muggings in Springfield park make the road option a bit more attractive on the way home

Also, lousy Smarch weather this week can do one

RIP my crank arm fixing nut this morning which sheared half way through my commute. Lovely wet walk through borough this morning :(

Smashing tailwind on the way in today. Hoping it turns before home time.

Was late today so rushed a bit, overtook some guy cruising slowly and he took a little shortcut immediately to get back in front of me, whipped a skid, then jumped all the red lights in an effort to maintain a lead in the race against me going on in his head.
Definitely on here, top lolz.

can't beat a bit of silly commuter racing every now and then

Rode to work to pick up some supplier goody bag. First time in London for at least 4 months I guess, could be 6 could be 12. I don't remember. Feels like riding through Tirana or something. Terrible roads, busy as fuck and pretty random driving, especially by scooters and white vans. Can't say I miss it that much.

Windy as fuck too

riding through Tirana

some roads had seen some improvements during the pandemic but I don't think we are there yet.

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I was on some lanes in the Chilterns today that I almost stopped to take a photo of, they were so fucking bad. I swear there was more pothole than road.

I got my best bike all set up for Cobblemonster yesterday with a new chain and cassette so decided to commute on it today. It’s so nice riding something nice in to work. The temperature was up a bit from last week and was actually quite warm on the way home. Happy days.

That fucken headwind this evening can fuck right off