This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Had to test out my rad skidder skillz on way home as a very hefty man walked out blindly in front of me on Portland Street.

Pram pushers seem to think they are magically immune to anything hitting them. Which is bonkers.

Double post, opps

^^^+^^ this happens SO frequently I don't bother posting it on here any more, I've accepted it's just a part of the commute. For example 10 mins ago I narrowly missed a ped strike and I'm talking centimetre's away from this bloak running all four lanes of Elephant&Castle/OKR to catch a bus and 2 mins ago on New Cross Road, a ped stepped out behind a van, blamo. He'll probably think twice next time?

In comparison I never get in any bother or shouting matches with motorists or motorcycles at all. I've had 1 minor incident involving a vehicle trying to park on me and that's it in the last 2 years.

Maybe it's cuz I'm a super defensive rider, I'm never in too much of a rush either so don't often get into situations with pedestrians...

I get into slanging matches with motorists all the time tho'... Always cuz I'm riding primary... I'm learning to ignore the car horns and waving with a smile on my face as they go past...

One day I'm gonna get my head kicked in by one of these cunts... Probably cuz I'm not wearing a helmet...

Had a moment of absolute terror this evening when a Zipvan driver, blinded by the low sun, overtook a bus on Agar Grove straight towards me. The moment she breached 5 metres and I had nowhere to go, was when my heart sunk . I slammed on the brakes and she did eventually stop at the last second, then glared at me.

I think I went fully mental at her.

^that sounds truly terrifying
I had a beautiful ride in this morning. Was NOT looking forward to it; cold, early and the tiniest hint of a hangover but it was fantastic. The air was crisp, traffic sparse, and all I could hear from my bike was the tyres rolling over the tarmac.
Chuffed with this photo of the sunrise too:
http://instagram.com/p/tXBujmsu9G/

I choose to cycle but it gets me more and more frustrated. I wouldn't go back to the train though.

I think the tube/train is like socialism, whereas cycling is capitalism. On the tube it doesn't matter who you are, how much money you have or what you do, we're all subject to the system and we're all getting to our destination at the same time, for the same price. When you're cycling the most ruthless, rude, pushy fuckers get there first. The risk takers.

#popsociology

rider down on brixton road this morning, i didnt stop and stare, like most of the drivers idling past. you see that and the first thing you think is 'fuck me, if i'd left a bit earlier that could have been me'.

hope all's well.

Rode in. Slight tailwind. Pushed quite hard. Ride uploaded to Strv. Waited. No achievements. None.

I am disappoint.

#csb4lyf

Last walk over Putney Bridge as it'll be open by my next commute, it's been a nice change.

fellow morning bicycle-riding commuter: "hiya, did you know I catch you up almost every day"

me, bemused, but delighted at such unexpected conversation: "err, oh"

fellow morning bicycle-riding commuter: "you are one of the worst cyclists i have ever seen"

{conversation continues a little, then tapers off}

taking this as a complement on the chin for now...

(something about coloured lights seemed to be getting his goat a little, although we did happen to enjoy our meeting of riding-philosophies at the Euston Road traffic lights, awaiting the road to be clear, which is usually accompanied by a light on top of a stick turning to green, :-)

After spending two weeks doing LEJOG I have marked the return to the London commute this week by riding a single speed brompton to work not particularly fast. I don't feel the need to prove anything, I'm still a bit tired (my body is only gradually adjusting to not getting 5000kcals a day) and it's nice not to have to wear Lycra after two weeks of smearing chamois cream on my nether parts.

But bloody hell, people really take umbrage at people who are choosing to take their time, don't they? Loads of sweaty running-shorts-and-trainers-with-no-foot-retention types in particular, they seem to think they've accomplished something by grinding past me in a squeal of unlubed drivetrain.

But the brompton amble has for the main part worked out pretty well - the commute has been largely zen and stress-free, and still quicker than walking which is what I usually do when I want to slow down and chill. So, yay. I think I just need to find a route that's more off the main roads so that I can increase the mellowness.

@doppelkorn I like the analogy. But you still get the pushy and downright rude f*ckers on the train and the tube and woe betide anyone who gets in their way, including kids and heavily pregnant ladies this morning, it would seem...

I guess some shit still floats, whatever system you live in!

Saw someone riding a built up Colnago Master Futura Limited edition down Oxford St this morning.
Last time I saw one of these it was just frame and forks for 20000€ in Berlin...

1 Attachment

^That is sweet.

Highlights this morning were;

• Cab driver driving at about 35mph along Jamaica Road with the fucking paper spread out on his lap doing a SuDoku. Just unreal.
  
• Going past lots and lots of drivers using their phones, I managed to make out through a window that one was mindlessly scrolling his twitter feed at 30mph. FFS.
  
• Calling out another cyclist for the first time. A tall posh chap who just bowled through every pedestrian crossing red lights, sending peds spinning and skittled. Saw him do it four time. Then he came within inches of taking out a woman with a baby who was crossing High Holborn and so I said something. CSB
  

Last walk over Putney Bridge as it'll be open by my next commute

You reckon? I'm still "enjoying" Wandsworth bridge at the moment.

Today was 10/10. Almost all greens. Less nodders due to me being late to work. Overall good.

AND Putney bridge opens tomorrow!

taking this as a complement on the chin for now...

I once watched you egregiously jump the red light at the Union Tavern up Lloyd Baker Street. I was on gears and so I assume that's why you didn't recognise me.

I saw that, looked pretty horrific...

I echo your sentiment...

I once watched you egregiously jump the red light at the Union Tavern up Lloyd Baker Street. I was on gears and so I assume that's why you didn't recognise me.

Oooh, have you got one of those "word of the day" calenders?

Cunt peds wandering through lanes of traffic. Cunt peds stepping into traffic because "one lane's stopped so all must have stopped, right?". Cunt drivers on the horn when I'm passing slower riders.

Don't all you cunts know I'm transporting life saving equipment beer home? Go fuck yourselves London fuckwits. Here's hoping something much bigger than me (cue: Schick) drives through you and you're too scared to cross a road again.

I had a beautiful ride in this morning. Was NOT looking forward to it; cold, early and the tiniest hint of a hangover but it was fantastic. The air was crisp, traffic sparse, and all I could hear from my bike was the tyres rolling over the tarmac.

Sounds like the best hangover cure there is.

I'm enjoying the cooler mornings. I can now pootle into work on my functional bike and not be sweaty when I get there.

egregiously

had to look it up too, :-)

would have most likely been using all sense-of-vision to ensure a clear passage (!), apologies for the greeting omission!