This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Welcome home.

Credit where credit's due to the taxi driver who stopped to let me across the cycle "crossing" on Upper Thames Street.

The thought was there - really nice gesture - but there were two lanes of traffic to cross, and the other one was flowing.

Might have to consider the idea that not all taxi drivers are complete dickheads.

Got undertaken by someone in full kit on a Cervelo this morning, who I then promptly rinsed in a straight line about 3 seconds later. Also it's proper sunny. 9/10 (-1 for undertaking man).

What was up with London Bridge this morning? Havent bee commuting in that long but havent seen it backed up across the bridge going northbound like that.

Some guy in rapha baggies and a red top undertook a massive left-indicating lorry on the OKR, then jumped numerous reds. Worrying to watch.

Caught the aftermath of what looked like ped v cyclist on the north/south crazy highway last night coming south onto Blackfriars Bridge.
Female ped was lying on ground surrounded by a few people. Didn't look too badly hurt.
Can't say I'm surprised - lot of peds chance their luck there crossing in front of bikes recently.

Left 10min late had to go flat out streatham to thamesmead which is ages, a few more minutes and I can thames path around the worst bits.

On the way back plenty of time so could stop often and catch many pokemon on the thames path even took 2 gyms that way.

caught them all/10

Bliss this morning. Beautiful weather, freshly cleaned, de-greased, re-lubed and tuned bicycle with a slight tail wind to boot. Still getting over a cold and considered the train as I awoke, so glad I chose pedal power. Looking forward to a sweat fest on the way home.

First time not fixed for nearly 6 months. Felt really weird coming up to junctions etc, where i'd usually slow down with my legs. Also going uphill - no pulling the cranks up.

Also, gears are noisy. (esp when they need a service)

Drafted a nimble Castelli-clad Boardman rider from Manor House all the way to the Truman Brewery.

Managed to get a thankyou in before he vanished.

10/10 would draft again (although I think it's his turn now)

A sporty young girl on a road bike stopped to tell me I'd get more power if I raise my seat.

I'm on a 20" wheel shopper bike with a big wicker pannier.

I really appreciate the spirit in which the advice was offered, but I'm not entirely sure max power was a key design consideration for my bike.

Should've told her the motor in your seat tube had you covered.

Ahh, the joy of everyone else being away on holidays...

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Enjoyed that.
Oval to Pimlico via Vauxhall Bridge segregated cycle way is at capacity.
Especially at that very silly bit where it squeeze down to single file to go under the bridges South of the bridge.

What kind of wine?

Very nearly taken out by an Audi estate at the top of Denmark Hill. 90% my fault as I pulled out of Sunday, turning right as a van was turning onto Sunday. Stupidly assumed it was clear behind the van. Thankfully the Audi driver was more awake than me and slammed on the anchors. Although I'm giving her 10% of the blame as there was no way she was under the 20 mph limit before she braked.

Said sorry and thankyou, paid more attention for the rest of the journey.

Stresses me how little drivers care about the 20mph speed limit. Think of the children!

I think the plan for the 20mph limit is that the law abiding drivers will slow down those who are wanting to speed rather than have any actual enforcement.

Yep, and if its a 30 loads of people do 35. If its a 20, more will stick to 30 or less.

I thought the hottest day of the year would be a good time to start the commute again… and despite wall to wall nodders it was a great ride in. Does anyone have any route tips to help get Chiswick (South Acton) to Monument (Lower Thames Street) down to a decent time? Cheers.

I have to assume that the pricks who tear down my narrow street at 30 would do so at 40 if it weren't for the 20 speed limit.

Not to detract from my wrongful manoeuvre, I definitely fucked up, it's just it might have been slightly less dramatic if she was following the speed limit.

I still think the hottest day of the year is a good time to start cycling to work again… and despite wall to wall nodders it was a great ride in. Does anyone have any route tips to help get Chiswick (South Acton) to Monument (Lower Thames Street) down to a decent time? Cheers.

I fucked up ever so badly yesterday, the double decker buses always stop at a certain bus stop so I squeezed thru a gap and the bus wasn't pulling in. Dumbass. I was going to email the bus firm and apologise, the bus was behind me for a while and I was going to mime putting a gun to my temple and pulling the trigger as an apology. Sorry Mr Bus Driver.

Massive twat on Fireblade/Ninja type thing wearing a predator helmet. Apparently dropping the clutch and revving to 10,000 rpm is a polite way to notify me and those darned peds on the pedestrian crossing to get the fuck outta my way. Lost all sense of cool when i joined him in the bike box and started making brum brum noises next to him, van driver laughed, everyone else thought i was odd.