-
Top end of Church Street putting the hammer down to get to work. Coming up to overtaking a female cyclist just as two cars coming the other way indicate to turn right across on coming traffic. Car one sees a gap between me and first bike and decides to gun it, oblivious to the fact I'm going twice as fast as the first bike. I'm just about to to start jesturing and shouting when car two follows without even looking my way... I was convinced I was going down but the driver must of had a sixth sense (or heard me screaming) because he stopped half way through the turn while I flew in towards the kerb passing the front of his car by about 3inches.
I was approaching the junction in the middle of the lane and made eye contact with the first driver and couldn't believe he went for the gap. But in restrospect maybe I should have anticipated the second driver might have done something stupid and slowed right down. Live and learn...
-
IME one can count on the second vehicle sheep-like following the first a good 10% of the time. The worst case is when it takes the vehicle behind you by surprise as well, ruling out an emergency stop. At that point there's very little to do but aim for the boot of the first vehicle, such that the gap appears in front of you when you need it. Thus far I've made it, but TBH I'd much rather we just publically flayed a few twats who can't do their own looking pour encourager.
-
At that point there's very little to do but aim for the boot of the first vehicle,
- 1
- 1
-
Braking is so uncool.
-
I had a close call today thanks to a DRAIN COVER.
Swerved to avoid car undertaking the car ahead of it signalling to go right. My wheel was at the perfect angle, and slimness, to slide INTO the drain grate. There's not a lot you can do with your wheel 4 inches down a drain other than fall off.
It must have looked cool though because I came off but my bike was still standing upright thanks to the drain.
-
I've gone two years without having an accident then I have two in a week
First one, not my fault, Im on the roundabout near Warwick Avenue station turning right, a car is edging forward on the other side of the round about to go straight. I think she has seen me as she is going so slowly but just as I ride in front of her she accelerates and just clips my back wheel. She was quiet apologetic and offered me a ride home, which is nice. Coincidently there was an ambulance on the scene but all I had to show them was my grazed elbow. Regrettably I didn't get her details as I thought everything was fine, only to get home and find my backwheel is bent beyond repair, only £30 down though so not too bad.
Second accident, my fault this time, going down Euston road, lights just change to red. I think I’m ok to go since I’m in the middle of the road and it will take pedestrians a while before they start pouring on to the street. It’s not pedestrians I need to worry about as a cyclist who had been cycling on the pavement decides to cross the road at speed, I go straight in to her. I apologised, so did she and we both got on our way.
I hope this run of bad luck doesn't continue.
-
Today - Female, 30something, Nissan 350z (black), texting, excessive speed, approaching contraflow/roadworks, temporary lights at red...
Cuts right in front of me causing the 'swerve'..
Tap on window .. Ignored due to urgent texting .. tap again (temptation to open door .. see a previous post of mine) .. decide a BOP charge not worth it .. more 'urgent' texting .. a smile
I GIVE UP2 days ago - Abuse from a DRIVING Instructor .. me at 30mph on road bike .. not in 'bike lane' ..
I GIVE UPHow does one report this shite without witnesses?
Toptube MACE beckons... -
"gesturing", "shouting" and "screaming"... did you not think about 'braking'?
Yeah I thought someone might bring that up... I did reach for the brake when the first car cut across but didn't squeeze because I knew I would miss the back of it and when the second car went as well it was too late. I think I would have flipped over the bars or lost the front wheel if I braked so I instinctively swerved instead. But as I said I should have adjusted my speed approaching the junction... I was going too fast...guilty!
-
2 days ago - Abuse from a DRIVING Instructor .. me at 30mph on road bike .. not in 'bike lane' ..
God thats irritating
-
Treadders, do you mean Stoke Newington Church Street?
Yeah I thought someone might bring that up... I did reach for the brake when the first car cut across but didn't squeeze because I knew I would miss the back of it and when the second car went as well it was too late. I think I would have flipped over the bars or lost the front wheel if I braked so I instinctively swerved instead. But as I said I should have adjusted my speed approaching the junction... I was going too fast...guilty!
I hope you don't mind me saying this, but if you get some cycle training, one of the first things that's taught is the proper use of brakes--it sounds as if you were in a quandary because you were unsure as to how to come to a safe stop.
If you're in LB Hackney (as inferred from mention of 'Church Street', but of course there are about a dozen Church Streets in London and probably hundreds around the country), you can get free cycle training--phone up CTUK on 020-7231 6005 to book a session. You'll enjoy your riding so much more as a result.
-
at the point you 'know' that braking is not enough i recommend ditching the bike and roll method.
I've used this several times so far in London and i usually roll back to my feet. Its does scratch your bike but that's secondary.
Works well if you know where your going to land is safe, i.e not going to roll into oncoming traffic or another lane.Otherwise your in shit creek and gotta hold on in there, like when i was being harassed by a driver on Edgware road
where he thought it appropriate to emergency brake in front of me (on purpose),
causing the bike to become completely wedged in his bumper. Served.Awarness is everything.
-
Today - Female, 30something, Nissan 350z (black), texting, excessive speed, approaching contraflow/roadworks, temporary lights at red...
Cuts right in front of me causing the 'swerve'..
Tap on window .. Ignored due to urgent texting .. tap again (temptation to open door .. see a previous post of mine) .. decide a BOP charge not worth it .. more 'urgent' texting .. a smile
I GIVE UPnext time when something like that happen, try and scream "POLICE!" at the top of your voice, she'll notice.
-
Treadders, do you mean Stoke Newington Church Street?
I hope you don't mind me saying this, but if you get some cycle training, one of the first things that's taught is the proper use of brakes--it sounds as if you were in a quandary because you were unsure as to how to come to a safe stop.
If you're in LB Hackney (as inferred from mention of 'Church Street', but of course there are about a dozen Church Streets in London and probably hundreds around the country), you can get free cycle training--phone up CTUK on 020-7231 6005 to book a session. You'll enjoy your riding so much more as a result.
Yeah Stoke Newington Church street.
No I don't mind you say that. Your quite right I didn't know how to stop safely. I was travelling along at quite a pace on my Fuji track and the second car made a go for it when I was about 10ft away!
This incident happened a couple of months ago when I was reasonably new to fixed wheel (although I'd been riding in London for years) and was still enjoying the extra pace from the bike (which is why I made the switch). I was also still tuning in to the different riding style, working on my skid stop and still getting a feel for how much traction my new skinny tires were giving me and therefore how much pressure I could exert on the front brake in different conditions.
What I learned from the whole incident was to always watch that second car, assume it will try and go as well, and to be much more aware of my pace in general. I know now I was going too fast and should have adjusted my speed far earlier. I guess I posted so that others may learn from my mistakes.
As for cycle training: thanks for the info, I'll definitely look into it.
-
Asshole motorbike rider, Kingsland Road. It's the first time I've ever had an issue with motorbikes, normally they understand cyclists, especially the whole "I did not see you thing".
So anyway, there was a motorbike turning right into a side street, also a car coming from that street turning left. Between them they were deadlocked, neither could turn until the traffic further up moved forward. A cyclist directly in front of me took the gap between them. I was following that rider at a safe distance, but as I went to pass through the gap the motorcyclist decided "fuck it" and tried to cut across me. I slammed on the brakes, he then called me a "bastard" and went on his merry way. Not nice.
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by **hippy** [](http://www.londonfgss.com/post634003.html#post634003)*My workmate arrived today on his 2 week old Condor Cross bike. Buckled front wheel and snapped fork. Some bird in a Jag had done a U-turn in front of him without looking. He's got all her details and will follow it up.*
Snapped the fork? How did that happen? Nasty. She pulled a U and then what?
-
can i have a copy?
Yeah I thought someone might bring that up... I did reach for the brake when the first car cut across but didn't squeeze because I knew I would miss the back of it and when the second car went as well it was too late. I think I would have flipped over the bars or lost the front wheel if I braked so I instinctively swerved instead. But as I said I should have adjusted my speed approaching the junction... I was going too fast...guilty!
No squeeze! Unless you run disc brakes it is very unlikely you will go over the bars. As soon as the rear wheel lifts then let go, then apply the brake again as needed. Approach as fast as you want, as long as you can slow down again!
-
on my way back tonight, some jackass beeps me at some lights because I move in front of him (bear in mind the traffic is static). When the lights change he revs and tries to burn off, but he's second in the queue so has to go slow behind another car. this means I'm trundling along next to him (this seems to make him more angry. why?).. so on the next round about he speeds up next to, and then ahead of me by a fraction and pulls across me a the last second to turn left, from the right hand lane. Clearly trying to cause me to crash. Well! I can tell you, I shook my head fiercely at that man. Yes siree bob.
I think he's learnt his lesson.
-
just a thought and shoot me down in flames, but to share/spread the word on dodgy accident hotspots, would it be possible to have a google map (similar to the bike shop map) with dodgy locations marked to either highlight awareness or make riders think about re-planning routes to avoid dangerous locations e.g. north end of Blackfriars Bridge
-
2 days ago - Abuse from a DRIVING Instructor .. me at 30mph on road bike .. not in 'bike lane' ..
I GIVE UPI was having driving lessons and my driving instructor said "I don't understand why bicycles should be allowed on the road, they should be on the pavement."
-
No squeeze! Unless you run disc brakes it is very unlikely you will go over the bars. As soon as the rear wheel lifts then let go, then apply the brake again as needed. Approach as fast as you want, as long as you can slow down again!
Cheers for the advice, I was more worried about the front wheel locking up. I'm getting much more confident with emergency stopping now. Some lady walked out between two parked vans yesterday and I squeezed hard, back wheel lifted but (like you say) by releasing a little bit managed to keep nicely balanced. I'm also really getting the hand of stopping fast by locking up the back wheel.
-
Not a close call but earlier today someone pulled alongside me, beeped a lot, shouted a lot (didn't hear what, windows were closed. Who has their windows closed on a day like this?), gesticulated a lot, and drove off. The only thing I can think of that I was doing wrong was having the nerve to be on the road!
Reminds me of a time when I had my seat+post nicked. Obviously had to cycle to the shops to get me a new one. I was riding up hill standing when a car pulls up along side me lights flashing, beeping constantly.. I couldnt think how i had offended him.. I was riding in a straight line in the bike lane.
Turns out, two indians where in the car laughing their heads off - shouting at me 'NOSEAT NOSEAT!"...
did they think that someone had stolen my seat mid journey and i was in for an anal intrusion when i sat down?!...fuckers.
Treadders
Steff
Greasy_Slag
hippy
pleaderwilliams
citygent
Lookatthisguy
hurricane_run
commie
the-smiling-buddha
Oliver Schick
Dylan
edscoble
stormalx
eddie
kisu_shimo
cookiesdonniedarko
buzz_lightyear-
Post a reply
About
The daily Close Call
Posted by
The last 3 close calls have been down to young black girls with no fucking idea how to drive.. racist or sexist??
either way i don't care, but the next one i get hold of will be spitting out bits of her fucking phone for weeks