This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Did something happen on DD?

Just the most needlessly aggressive passes and a number of people noticed them littering and stuff. I have to admit much of the first hour past the m25 for me was team/club riders forgetting it isn't a race but them blue jerseys really stand out.

Ah yes, the London Club Wankers.

Regarding the body movements skidding is very unlike braking.
While skidding you move your weight forward to initiate the skid easier.
While braking you move your weight backward to not go over the bars.
Grabbing the brakes while shifting into skid position will surely give you a chin-ache..

Also physics suggest that skidding is less effective than properly using a good front brake.

IMO whipskidding is a nice stunt to pull for show and fun but in no way a proper measure of braking.

Just the most needlessly aggressive passes and a number of people noticed them littering and stuff. I have to admit much of the first hour past the m25 for me was team/club riders forgetting it isn't a race but them blue jerseys really stand out.

This was my experience of them too. Always beware full kit wankers.

ABC cinema... today was nearer odeon..middle of a lane and check his phone texting as they went green and then texting some more..

Maybe they are just checking the times for the new Transformers movie that we are all so stoked about (Y) and txting their friends the good news

The ABC is now fitness first streatham but when you say that people look baffled. The odeon part the traffic goes from a generous 2 lanes + bus lane into 2 narrow lanes it's always the thing that you pass the odeon traffic lights and by streatham library you hit stopped traffic. The other one checking his phone(who is a different guy) was in croydon just at the first lights after the underpass, not super crazy dangerous just if you bothered to stop at the lights why not wait a few seconds more.

There is a whole article on Sheldon Brown's site about how to brake without skidding or using your face: http://sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html

Ah yes, the London Club Wankers.

An email to the club secretary (or just the @info address) can be useful. I got tired of constant close passes by London Dynamo in RP that I sent an shitgram and got a decent response from the secretary saying that he'll mention it to all members.

For those that don't get it: just because you're out on a club run and are happy riding in a tight group/paceline doesn't mean that everyone else in the park wants to be passed with an inch to spare.

I now keep an eye out for them and do some exaggerated wobbling as they approach.

Jesus Antidotes, I'm normally on the bridge at that time but had to be in early this morning so I missed it. I am always shouting at peds on that bridge who think it's ok to run in front of 5 lanes of traffic.

^^ Better watch it when taking this approach though, sometimes one of them turns out to be on here and will take the opportunity to post a dozen patronising responses to make sure you realise that any problem with the club's cycling is your fault, not theirs, and furthermoar they are professional racers and you are merely a young woman with more keyboards than sense.

Indeed.

Hence London Club Wankers to narrow it down (or Team Blue Waffle I like to call them).

Chopper CC 4lyf

Cheers bothwell I'll give Sheldon's wise words a go.

I'm by no means a stem humper when I'm using the rear wheel to stop. I only lift my but off the saddle by a cm when locking my legs but yeah I could use a better technique.

^^ Better watch it when taking this approach though, sometimes one of them turns out to be on here and will take the opportunity to post a dozen patronising responses to make sure you realise that any problem with the club's cycling is your fault, not theirs, and furthermoar they are professional racers and you are merely a young woman with more keyboards than sense.

Rather than being oblique, can't we just call fasteddy a patronising arrogant prick, and move on?

In fairness, he probably doesn't suffer bikeface though.

Jesus Antidotes, I'm normally on the bridge at that time but had to be in early this morning so I missed it. I am always shouting at peds on that bridge who think it's ok to run in front of 5 lanes of traffic.

Hi Kat! Yeah I should have been doing less speed today, I know it can get hairy around there, especially after 8.30.

If you spot me again today and DAS me lol :/ I can't promise my left leg wont fold in half.

Legals: (will only DAS after lifesaver/rear traffic check and all is safe)

No worries will just shout hello! A ped walked out backwards into the bus lane last week without looking so her friend could take a photo of her. Moron!

No worries will just shout hello! A ped walked out backwards into the bus lane last week without looking so her friend could take a photo of her. Moron!

You weren't on Westminster Bridge were you? Horrendous for that. Must get Big Ben in the background = must step out into cycle lane backwards without looking.

I usually ride in primary in the bus lane if I can, but at this time of year its full of those stupid open top things going slower than even me. And I'm on a 2 speed Brompton so not going very fast.

Have taken to going over Lambeth Bridge and back up by St Thomas's Hospital to get to Waterloo lately to avoid.

^^ Better watch it when taking this approach though, sometimes one of them turns out to be on here and will take the opportunity to post a dozen patronising responses to make sure you realise that any problem with the club's cycling is your fault, not theirs, and furthermoar they are professional racers and you are merely a young woman with more keyboards than sense.

I'm sure any claims that I'm a woman will be flip turned upside down by my beard and hairy legs and how the club riders have shaved legs.

Yeah this was on Westminster Bridge, she stepped out into the bike lane and then into the bus lane! It happened to the rider ahead of me so I managed to swerve in time.

Have taken to going over Lambeth Bridge and back up by St Thomas's Hospital to get to Waterloo lately to avoid.

I use Lambeth Bridge and Lambeth Palace road in the mornings (going round Parliament Sq isn't nice). On the way home I use Westminster Bridge, Parliament Sq, Abingdon St, etc.

I'll use the Lambeth Bridge route on the way home if there are any big demonstrations going on too as that usually makes Parliament Sq hideous.

One of the main reasons I started using Lambeth Bridge is because the road surface on Bridge Street, outside Westminster Station, is totally and utterly sh*t. You're in the middle lane surrounded by taxis and coaches all wanting to turn left onto Victoria Embankment and bumping around all over the place. Not nice. I do a little back roads route from Hyde Park Corner via Vincent Square and Marsham Street and pop out onto Horseferry Road and away. Not far but the road surface is generally much more pleasant.

In the morning I cycle the other way from home and get on an empty Piccadilly Line train at LHR, then get off at South Kensington and ride along the South of Hyde Park, out and round the roundabout (takes too long going throught the two sets of cyclist lights on Wellington Arch).

I use Lambeth Bridge/Parliment Sq every day coming from/going to New Cross. I go via Camberwell/Kennington rather than using the OKR which is guaranteed death.

But on Wednesdays after work I'm at HH so I take Hyde Park Corner>Victoria>Vauxhall>Brixton. By the time I make it to track I am wired. I think I'll be giving tonight a miss.

They've filled in the potholes outside westminster station.

Maybe try going via Kennington Road and Milkwood Road to HH?

Changed my life.

Almost sideswiped by Addison Lee taxi this morning, he indicates right, decides the layby on the left is better suited so pulls over without looking in his mirrors pushing me to one side (without touching) so i slap on his window. Shout at him as I go past and then he gives me the universal sign of "wanker" though the window.

I turn round as that was the final straw so peddle back to ask what his problem is as he is unloading clients and in the conversation goes "What do you want me to do about it?" and my response was "How about an apology" and the answer I got "Go fuck yourself"

Wow. As 2 paying corporate passengers are standing around and that was not the response I was expecting.

Took pics of the reg so any suggestions of best course for a positive reaction from Addison Lee or would that be a waste of time?

Got a response back from Addison Lee; much faster than I expected so probably a cut copy paste job

Thank you, for your email, regarding our vehicle registration LM12 UZU. We are sorry to receive your email and disappointed that the driver who was witnessed did not meet your expectations.
[FONT=Calibri]With reference to the points you have raised, we have noted your complaint on the driver’s permanent record and this incident has been referred for further investigation to our Driver Liaison department. The driver will be interviewed regarding the incident and depending on the results of the investigation, referred to one of our disciplinary options including being removed from active duty and retrained at our Driver Training School. [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri] [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]It is not our policy to disclose the results of any internal disciplinary procedures but we appreciate you bringing this matter to our attention as without this we will not be able to continue and improve the level of service we provide. [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri] [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Once again, please rest assured that the matter will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken to ensure this does not happen again.[/FONT]