This morning's commute and other commuting stories

That’s all I’d do. Rear wheel on my commuter is currently goosed - I had two spokes go last week and when I checked a day later, I snapped two more. Gulp.

So best I don’t check

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Never check. It's like Schroedinger's cat.

Arrgh I had that on a London to Brighton a couple of years ago. The loooonnnng walk of shame (and massive irritation with myself*) as I walked it all back to the nearest railway station (Merstham?) has stayed with me. Piss poor planning and potholes.

*because the only tool present on the journey was the one riding the bike : /

Sigh, was cold in shorts this morning, ready to accept it's time to dig out my jeans.

Managed in shorts, ss top and full gloves and a slightly thicker top but we're into that time of year.

Lots of absolute c**tery on the roads the last few days. Close passes etc and also nearly being taken out by the same lady roadie two days in a row. She did it again this morning (squeeze through a gap at speed and then drift across). Mentioned it to her at the next lights - she seemed oblivious but also apologised. Can't compute when people apologise in London - had to sheepishly put the shank away.

Can't compute when people apologise in London - had to sheepishly put the shank away.

Hahaha I know the feeling. The torpedo is ready, aim is steady - and then they apologise and I'm like.... "oh... ok then".

deffo could have done with toe-covers this morning

it's getting to that annoying time of year when i need winter gear for the mornings then end up with pockets full of gloves and arm/legwarmers on the way home

Jacket on at the start of the commute, goes in the basket halfway though. #basketlyfe

First commute since Transiberica.
Arse little tender but manageable.
England is colder than Spain... who knew?

Pretty funny watching dude jump every light from Ealing to Shebu only to be busted by cops at Shepherds Bush Market.

Aarghhh flying things get out of my ears Jesus I know your ears are supposed to get bigger when you get old but felt like a pair of nets this evening and anyway if you bust a spoke what’s the ‘get me home without walking’ roadside fix as I got a spoke tool thing in the kit I carry and could do some adjustments but tonight ran over a squirrel but it didn’t seem to die so am hoping it just caught the tail so

Had someone in a people carrier squeeze past me in a sea of revs to get from the lights to the next set 50 metres up the road, as i rolled past I stopped and asked him if he lives his life a quarter of a mile at a time. Obviously not a fast and furious fan as rather than congratulate me on my hilarious reference he just said fuck off c*nt.

" a sea of revs" I like that, nice turn of phrase.

So, fun commute then by the sounds of it...

I've been getting lifts to my halfway point to work, and it is all cycle lane from there. So not many stories, bar fixie skidder with no brake (sigh) and a nice Colnago track spotted.

The only annoyance is that some drivers think part of it is a driving/parking lane (the raised kerb stones are not enough of a hint people?) and some vans just plonk down after 5 when the wardens have gone home.

I have not been bothered yet to take photos and report the plates to the Department Of Easy (D Of Environment aka roads service aka obstructions police) cos I suspect they do sweet f-all, but I am getting annoyed with the vans as it is the same people all the time.

Getting nippy in Belfast, the purple snood/balacla crossover is out.

Took a left at Tooley street to avoid London Bridge and Bank Junction and arrived pretty chilled for the first time in a long time so one of my better ones!

I've been having the same issue, every morning outside a school on a busy road there's a string of cars (usually anywhere between 4 and 10) sat on the bike lane right after traffic lights, meaning I have to take primary and piss off all the drivers behind me, of course the engines are never switched off either so they're choking their own children and their pals.

But who am I best reporting that too? annoyingly there is ample free parking spaces on the Tesco or lidl 2 minute walk up the road as well as on all the local side streets.

But who am I best reporting that too?

School first, although they'll be having an ongoing battle with trying to get parents to park responsibly and cut out idling. Many parents think it's their divine right to park/drive like c***s for the safety/convenience of themselves and their children.

If it doesn't get better then get the local council involved.

If it's still crap then take photos/videos and then try the local papers. Shaming individuals is always a reasonable storyline.

Just remember that the school has zero authority for what happens off its premises and they're likely equally frustrated.

We've slowly been educating the parents at my daughter's school and we have now managed to get a guide to free parking within easy walking distance of the school added to the "welcome pack" that new parents get. Many are just unaware that they can park a couple of minutes walk away without risk of a parking ticket or clamping, and they're also unaware as to the dangers (double parking, parking close to junctions and obscuring sight lines, pollution, etc) that shitty parking creates.

But who am I best reporting that too?

Might be a long & arduous process, but the/your Local Authority should have a contact number for 'Parking Enforcement', and I would email your local Councillors, if the same borough.

Obviously not a fast and furious fan as rather than congratulate me on my hilarious reference he just said fuck off c*nt.

I lol'd

ran over a squirrel but it didn’t seem to die so am hoping it just caught the tail so

Ran directly over a squirrel once. It survived and seemed in rude health. They're pretty tough little critters.

Someone had a car horn that played La Cucaracha today. I thought this was just from the Simpsons.

Edited

Edited

I mean... I fully understand the sentiment. I hate it too. However, my conclusion from this is 'use a bike'.

Congratulations to the oaf who had a full-size road bike wedged onto a very busy circle line tube at Baker St this morning about 07.45, you were super-popular with your fellow passengers