This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Not my usual commuter to be honest, I've just fitted some new 27.5 wheels and wanted to try them out.

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Rad nevertheless

Thanks, still a very capable bike as it happens.

@coventry_eagle - respond to PMs... (Just that someone else is interested so could pass them on before winter if you don't want)

My pre 5am start this morning was rewarded with a bat flanked ride along the river and on the return leg a Chinese Water Deer was stood in the road. I think I could be turning into Chris Packham.

Car entering and driving along cycleway ("it's allowed cos i live around here"), motorbike driving along cycleway, later ended up stuck mid traffic light junction 'cos not wanting to barge thru peds crossing on their red man (one had sameroller skates as me) then as I ebentually roll through to exit after all the peds are done the beeps begin and someone starts having a go at me for rlj'ing.

On way home taxi parked in entry to junction across cycleway, polite conversation about dbad was OK, but car parts courier in jam in opposite lane starts having a go at me. Other driver stops to offer support to me. Then this as pictured on the cycleway, refuses to move because after she initially waved me away like one of her smelly farts I stuck around and she'd have gone two minutes ago if she wasn't arguing with me but her mum is in the shop and I'm out of order she's doing nothing wrong.

They're everywhere and it is getting worse. Sunak's "End the war on Motorists" can get in the bin.

Cameras going on from Monday, I won't have a shouty youtube channel but they'll all be going to the po-po now.

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^ scooter man was asking her to move too.

cx bike, running dismounts then shoulder carry up and over on foot would make for good commute cx training too.

anyone have the misfortune of cycling through the city this afternoon?
I rode from Russel Square area to Herne Hill via Brixton and it was madness. Saw 2 car crashes, some mad U turn manoeuvres, plenty of near death experiences, so much glass still on the roads from last night.
I know it’s all cos of the protests and that today, it’s just bonkers how much slow traffic makes people in vehicles just lose their shit. London’s always a bit shit, but boy, i got a headache after that commute home haha.

it’s just bonkers how much slow traffic makes people in vehicles just lose their shit.

Have observed this recently, like trapped rats.

Got some weird beef off a dog walker on a cycle path as I rode past him yesterday.
"USE THE ROAD!!!"
"What?"
"USE THE ROAD!!!"
I'd stopped at this point as he was being an arse.
"This is the national cycle network, mate! Look at the signs!"
He made some 'uh whatever' type gruntings.
I explained it was a shared use cycle path and he should ty and be a bit more considerate, then left it.

It's literally NCN6, bloke had no idea.

Third driver in a few weeks I’ve seen watching TV while driving. Phone on their dashboard, just staring at it while driving through central London.

i've seen the same a few times recently as well.
i'm tempted to go and stand by the side of the road with my dslr at rush hour and see how many phone drivers i can snap texting/watching TV/instagramming etc. while driving.

Horrible commute last night, seemed like I was totally invisible. Fun one tonight though, finally finished building up my new old man fixed gear after a few weeks of not being able to ride fixed. Nice and comfy and smooth, no notable dickhead behaviour!

Just helped a paperboy up and back on to their bike. They have leaf cleared the cycle lane. YAY! They have left the bits behind the bus stop covered in crap.BOO! I turned the corner to find the poor lad tangled up in his bag and bike. Bless them. Dusted him down, straightened the handle bars and away they went. The poor sod was redder than their rear light. If they had left the whole lane uncleared it would have been much safer.

You sure it was Paper Boi?

Brown Trouser Time™

Where'd the chain snap? Quick link, pin, sideplate?

What @PhilDAS said.

I don't want to own a Lefty but I kinda do as well.

We've had this before on a shared path near Park Royal. The fuckwits look proper sheepish and mumble off into the distance when you point at the bike sign right next to their stupid heads.
Most people are idiots. Don't ever forget.

I keep forgetting, because I'm an idiot.

No a pin walked open on a regular link and then to make matters worse it bent the rear track end and then did the same to another link, leaving me with 2 bits of chain. I knew I should have put on a new chain when I bought it, but the whole build was never used, just 20 years old.

Fair. I don't think forgetfulness makes you an idiot. Generally lack of awareness, lack of observation and forethought make you an idiot. I mean, not you specifically, although I dunno, maybe... :D

Yeah, he certainly quietend down when I explained it was a cycle path. Didn't have a sign close enough to gesture at, but if I had I would have said:

"See those signs.. what's on them? Bike, big person, little person. What's not on there? DOGS! Now put it on the leash or go to the park."

You just reminded me to add 'barking dogs' to the I Hate thread...

I've been a Cannondale fanboy for around 33 years now and for the last 23 I've been laughing at the fools riding these stupid forks. 2 months ago I was building up a £25 F2000 frame from stuff I had laying around, I didn't have forks though, but there were some lefties for sale locally for silly money. The rest, as they say is history. I'm sold. I love them.
*pic is genuinely from today's commute (the long way round).

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