This morning's commute and other commuting stories

That's the city of london corporation and stuff making sure they don't give up any space. Bike racks are one of those things that don't profit directly and will almost always be in use so can't really be destroyed once they are put in. Also those in the positions to change it generally dislike cycling.

http://road.cc/content/news/157779-plans-safer-cycling-routes-city-london-likely-be-scrapped

...more of the winter gear, snow socks, gore text boots, and the softshell gilet...

The hell is your commute? Iceland?

I've been in 3/4 shorts, tshirt and Merino jersey recently and that's in Scotland!

Soft southern fairies.

The bike lock up in the basement at my work is under-utilised. I'd say 2/50 staff ride to work. Wonder how that compares to the average place which does/doesn't offer safe parking.

Wonder how that compares to the average place which does/doesn't offer safe parking.

Ours is over subscribed. Quite a few bikes have been there a while and not moved, but I'd say 50+ people (of 1200) cycle in at the moment, and that goes up to more than a 100 in nicer weather. There were only 5 or so free spots when I locked my bike up 20 minutes ago and I saw 3 more people come in to the locker room whilst I was there.

I'd still cycle in without our secure parking as I just use a commuting hack bike and there's quite a bit of cycle parking around Southbank, but it'd be more of a faff. I wouldn't be able to do it without showers at work though, no way.

Left at a different time today. Hit peak douche. Probably worst offenders being cyclists (riders 'slipstreaming' behind me, twat on a boris bike sailing through red into a stream of other cyclists, idiot texting while exiting sloane square onto sloane street).

Tosspiece in orange fluoro jumped 3 reds going up Whitehall and the Charing X Road.

Saw him turn into Chandos Road (after I'd got off to walk the final few metres to my office) so I ran to intercept him at the Zebra crossing. Inevitably he sailed through all the people crossing and I shouted at him.

He didn't look like he took any of it in.

Why bother?

A saddle sore just in the wrong spot ouch that's what I get from cycling 20 miles on my mum's bike. Other than that, quiet commute with White Van Man joking I broke the speed limit when I held the door open for him.

(we have little speed checkers on the road lately, no, if only, yes I will try)

Much sympathy! Though I'm not sure there is such a thing as a saddle sore in the right place...

Why bother?

I had a similar thought about the lady on the blue single speed in the white headphones RLJ-ing all the way from Clapham to E&C this morning.

I go through phases of being bothered by RLJ-ing and similar, and phases of really not being that fussed. I mean, maybe I'm concerned about the cumulative effect behaviour like that has on motorists' perceptions of cyclists, and their subsequent treatment of us. And maybe I'm concerned about the safety aspects of it, and the potential catastrophic consequences if she gets it wrong. But really, if I really think about it, and I'm very very honest with myself I'm probably just a bit jealous she's 'winning' by getting to her destination faster...

Shout out to the friendly cabby for not hitting me after I panic-merged into his lane when a van slammed on in-front of me and I wasn't paying attention. Glad he got a chuckle out of it.

Different strokes for different folks. I get chest infections every time I get a cold (asthma), so would rather be a bit sweaty in winter, and not have to deal with two to three weeks of not being able to breathe and talk at the same time, whilst being off the bike and using public transport, than get into a pissing contest about who can wear the least amount of clothing in the coldest temperatures.

But you are getting there safely. Watch a lady this morning at Bank junction pull across the oncoming traffic as she though she had enough time. Not even the 3 motorbikes made the same move as it was highly dangerous she didn't seem to care or notice.

ooh bank... I wouldn't pulling dick moves there...

Have people heard that it might be changed to just buses & cycles only across that jnctn? Would be really interesting to see it done somewhere high profile like there.

@skilidsid
Very honest post, that. I feel something similar.

Heard about that, interested to see what happens. It sounds like a great idea, but practicality? A lot of traffic goes through there and it will have to go somewhere else?
Thinking Monument / London Bridge could become even more of a nightmare if they go through with it. It's quite easy to dodge Bank as it is, might not be so easy having to go through a ring of traffic to get to a cycle friendly version

But you are getting there safely.

True. I'm not making a case for RLJ-ing, just working out my reasons for the sense of annoyance I feel when I see people doing it. I mean, it doesn't affect my journey directly, so why am I bothered?

I think it's a fairness thing. In any system where some individuals flout the rules, seemingly consequence-free, the people following the rules are going to feel a bit hard done by.

the people following the rules are going to feel a bit hard done by

as well they might, and so what. The real problem arises when this sense of indignation is used an excuse to treat people who just so happen to share a mode of transport poorly. This mentality is the issue, not the people pissing about on bicycles whose behaviour, albeit illegal, is used as a convenient excuse for legitimising abuse.

A good reason for NOT jumping lights is that doing so passes all responsibility for your wellbeing onto everyone else in the immediate vicinity (drivers, walkers, other cyclists) - it's an abdication of personal responsibility which = a dick move in any environment.

some light toilet reading on the matter.

rlj thread >>>>

some light toilet reading on the matter

Great read, very interesting.

rlj thread >>>>

Good point, I'll stop clogging up the commuting thread now.

Tx ^_^

Hah, not really, in theory it's a hair follicle inflammation but those always hit where you don't want them like your face/saddle contact points... ;)

face/saddle contact points

I think you're doing it wrong.

My face? I may do it wrong.

I'm off to the skincare section in Boots...perhaps chamois cream isn't the end-all skincare ;) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I just had a similar thing flare up. Fucidin cream seems to have sorted it out.

City council looking at it on 20th of the month I think

Had a full on shouting match with some silly cunt who started beeping at me because he wanted to merge into a non-moving queue. There should be some sort of automatic driving ban for anyone who decides to drive to work on a strike day. Clearly not intelligent enough to be allowed behind the wheel of a vehicle.