Back on the saddle...
Discussion
So this happened Sunday night...
1/ Somewhat selflessly "This guy's a bloody menace and needs to be taken off the road before he kills someone".
2/ More selfishly "I'd be cycling about here, around now; For F
k Sake!"
I got a little carried away on a project last night but today my bike and I are ready to go now, I've deliberately left my Alfa on empty and barring any sudden meteorite impact I will be cycling to work tonight.
Liquid Knight said:
On the way into work last night I observed a driver who was all over the place. + or - 10mph of th speed limit, drifting over the centre line running over a couple of catseyes before jerking back to the left.
I have a rule about these things...
"If I were a Police officer would I pull this guy over?"
...if the answer is yes I call 101 hands free immediately and report it.
There were units close by so I gave a running commentary as the driver nearly hit cars coming the other way before clipping the curb the other side. I lost my view briefly as he jumped a real light and had to use a bus stop lay by to avoid a collision. CCTV had him at this point. From the lights I got to a straight just as he turned right into a side road and CCTV lost him. I followed and he parked up outside a house and I managed to give the operator a full description of the driver as I went past. I got to the end of the road ready to turn around and keep an eye on things until the Police unit arrived and my mirrors filled with blue lights.
If you report someone you believe to be a drink driver today; you save a life tomorrow.
The arresting officer was a friend of mine and swung by work to get a statement, tell me the driver was five times over the legal limit and was being held over night due to the black bin bags of freshly cut cannabis that were in the boot of the car. He didn't tell me exactly how much but it was a "custodial amount".
So a top tip for any apprentice drug lords out there. Make sure your transporter drivers are sober enough not to attract attention.
...and I had two thoughts running through my mind.I have a rule about these things...
"If I were a Police officer would I pull this guy over?"
...if the answer is yes I call 101 hands free immediately and report it.
There were units close by so I gave a running commentary as the driver nearly hit cars coming the other way before clipping the curb the other side. I lost my view briefly as he jumped a real light and had to use a bus stop lay by to avoid a collision. CCTV had him at this point. From the lights I got to a straight just as he turned right into a side road and CCTV lost him. I followed and he parked up outside a house and I managed to give the operator a full description of the driver as I went past. I got to the end of the road ready to turn around and keep an eye on things until the Police unit arrived and my mirrors filled with blue lights.
If you report someone you believe to be a drink driver today; you save a life tomorrow.
The arresting officer was a friend of mine and swung by work to get a statement, tell me the driver was five times over the legal limit and was being held over night due to the black bin bags of freshly cut cannabis that were in the boot of the car. He didn't tell me exactly how much but it was a "custodial amount".
So a top tip for any apprentice drug lords out there. Make sure your transporter drivers are sober enough not to attract attention.
1/ Somewhat selflessly "This guy's a bloody menace and needs to be taken off the road before he kills someone".
2/ More selfishly "I'd be cycling about here, around now; For F
k Sake!"I got a little carried away on a project last night but today my bike and I are ready to go now, I've deliberately left my Alfa on empty and barring any sudden meteorite impact I will be cycling to work tonight.
New for 2015
I've left my motorbike gloves in the cupboard carbon fibre knuckle dusters have been replaced with hi-viz and reflective comfort grip thinsulate gloves. Should be better for me and better for other road users to see my (various) hand signals.
The most hi-viz and reflective helmet I could find. With my lights front and rear.
As well as the redilite II and solar light on the back I'll have my 1800 Lumen on low and dipped (ready to strobe) and my new 3000 Lumen main beam (just in case).
Still no airhorn as they tend to provoke (wake up) drivers and I'm sticking with the old pedals as I ran out of money this month.
I will be wearing my deathmask as usual for two reasons. The roads are still very muddy and now with added salt grit and as I've said countless times before you can wear all the hi-viz and reflective stuff in the world but if you want to be seen wear a mask.
I've left my motorbike gloves in the cupboard carbon fibre knuckle dusters have been replaced with hi-viz and reflective comfort grip thinsulate gloves. Should be better for me and better for other road users to see my (various) hand signals.
The most hi-viz and reflective helmet I could find. With my lights front and rear.
As well as the redilite II and solar light on the back I'll have my 1800 Lumen on low and dipped (ready to strobe) and my new 3000 Lumen main beam (just in case).
Still no airhorn as they tend to provoke (wake up) drivers and I'm sticking with the old pedals as I ran out of money this month.
I will be wearing my deathmask as usual for two reasons. The roads are still very muddy and now with added salt grit and as I've said countless times before you can wear all the hi-viz and reflective stuff in the world but if you want to be seen wear a mask.
Good news; bad news.
My new gloves are brilliant. Superb grip, soft, warm and I'm sure my hand signals were noticed more last night and this morning than ever before. As well as being a lighter colour my new helmet weighs noticeably less and my new main beam front light is like riding down the road with a camera flash stuck on.
The bracket on my rear helmet light broke. It's two years old and doesn't owe me anything so no real issue there. I've replaced it with red reflective tape. For the last couple of weeks I've felt like I was going down with a cold/flu; the ride in was good to clear my system but the disadvantage of wearing the Deathmask there was nowhere for the phlegm to go.
Apart from that it was the usual no wind at half four but as soon as I got on my bike it was a blasted head wind.
Forty three minutes there and thirty six home in a tail/head/side/head/side/tail wind. I guess my Lusso has made me lazy.
My new gloves are brilliant. Superb grip, soft, warm and I'm sure my hand signals were noticed more last night and this morning than ever before. As well as being a lighter colour my new helmet weighs noticeably less and my new main beam front light is like riding down the road with a camera flash stuck on.
The bracket on my rear helmet light broke. It's two years old and doesn't owe me anything so no real issue there. I've replaced it with red reflective tape. For the last couple of weeks I've felt like I was going down with a cold/flu; the ride in was good to clear my system but the disadvantage of wearing the Deathmask there was nowhere for the phlegm to go.
Apart from that it was the usual no wind at half four but as soon as I got on my bike it was a blasted head wind.
Forty three minutes there and thirty six home in a tail/head/side/head/side/tail wind. I guess my Lusso has made me lazy.
New pedals!
Okay I didn't get V8's or V12's I thought I'd give the new ones a try.
Compared to the old ones...
...they are much lighter, smoother and look like they'll take a healthy chunk out of my shin when I start snapping chains.
The colour is a close contrast between the dark and light grey on my bike.
I ordered black ones but these are better.
One issue of legality. There is nowhere for reflectors to go.
I took the four from the original pedals...
...and superglued them inside...
...not quite legal...
...but better than nothing.
I've also been looking at killing two birds with one stone as far as luggage and dangerous overtaking are concerned.
http://practicalcycles.com/products/188677--xtracy...
A sidecar. If I make it on a spring loaded hinged frame I should be able to lean into corners and have enough suspension to take a few bumps. I'll look into the idea tonight at work and probably dismiss the idea by morning.
Tonight is the last drive of my Alfa GTV. I sold her on for a little profit and to be honest sh was far too good for me to use for work. So I'll be cycling more often as well.
Okay I didn't get V8's or V12's I thought I'd give the new ones a try.
Compared to the old ones...
...they are much lighter, smoother and look like they'll take a healthy chunk out of my shin when I start snapping chains.
The colour is a close contrast between the dark and light grey on my bike.
I ordered black ones but these are better.
One issue of legality. There is nowhere for reflectors to go.
I took the four from the original pedals...
...and superglued them inside...
...not quite legal...
...but better than nothing.
I've also been looking at killing two birds with one stone as far as luggage and dangerous overtaking are concerned.
http://practicalcycles.com/products/188677--xtracy...
A sidecar. If I make it on a spring loaded hinged frame I should be able to lean into corners and have enough suspension to take a few bumps. I'll look into the idea tonight at work and probably dismiss the idea by morning.
Tonight is the last drive of my Alfa GTV. I sold her on for a little profit and to be honest sh was far too good for me to use for work. So I'll be cycling more often as well.
Interesting commute this morning. Nobody tried to kill me to death and I made it in thirty eight minutes. Not bad considering how unfit my Alfa has made me.
Okay I have made myself in the Alfa.
This evening I thought I'd do my good deed for today. As I approached a hump back bridge I looked behind me and a double decker bus was on its way so I tucked into a side road to let the bus through. Headlight flash and wave for job well done. There was a car waiting the other side; that's right some tool in the Highways Planning Department put a "T" junction on the blind side of a bridge with a blind bend leading up to it from the other side. So I waved the guy out and the driver of the Corsa looked at me as if I had wiped my arse on his necktie. It took a while for it to penetrate the gorm and I didn't even get a signal of thanks.
If I meet him tomorrow he'll have to wait and sit behind me over the bridge and blind bends.
Okay I have made myself in the Alfa.
This evening I thought I'd do my good deed for today. As I approached a hump back bridge I looked behind me and a double decker bus was on its way so I tucked into a side road to let the bus through. Headlight flash and wave for job well done. There was a car waiting the other side; that's right some tool in the Highways Planning Department put a "T" junction on the blind side of a bridge with a blind bend leading up to it from the other side. So I waved the guy out and the driver of the Corsa looked at me as if I had wiped my arse on his necktie. It took a while for it to penetrate the gorm and I didn't even get a signal of thanks.
If I meet him tomorrow he'll have to wait and sit behind me over the bridge and blind bends.
What is it about Tuesdays?
Yesterday was fine, nobody tried to kill me. Today it was one near life experience after another.
This morning's freezing fog was an adventure and a blessing is disguise as I had forgot my battery charger I only used my smaller light. I used the battery from my main beam light to get home.
Yesterday was fine, nobody tried to kill me. Today it was one near life experience after another.
This morning's freezing fog was an adventure and a blessing is disguise as I had forgot my battery charger I only used my smaller light. I used the battery from my main beam light to get home.
Nothing really to report from this morning. A few pillocks but not as many as yesterday (yes I'm counting).
This evening. I gave way to traffic on the hump back bridge (I would post this on my Good Deeds on the road thread but I'm barred from it) and my Barn Owl friend is following me along some of my route.
This evening. I gave way to traffic on the hump back bridge (I would post this on my Good Deeds on the road thread but I'm barred from it) and my Barn Owl friend is following me along some of my route.
Last night wasn't much fun. There was hardly any wind but it felt like I was towing a caravan. Sure enough I got to work on time but my front tyre was 30PSI and my back tyre was 35PSI. Those tubes are close to two years old now but I suspect foul play.
The ride in wasn't all that bad. If anything it reminded me of my old bike. Only a couple of idiots and the bus I used to draft into town now runs ten minutes earlier (due to a timetable change) and I panicked a little when it passed me a good few miles from usual spot.
The ride home was weird. I was hot but my feet and hands were cold. The wind had picked up and if it wasn't for that I'm sure it would have been a wall of fog as the air was so humid. A few degrees above freezing but ice had formed on my spokes, cables and lights by the time I was in my village. It was light enough for the Cows to stare at me, a rather welcome intrusion as it means it'll soon be Spring.
The ride in wasn't all that bad. If anything it reminded me of my old bike. Only a couple of idiots and the bus I used to draft into town now runs ten minutes earlier (due to a timetable change) and I panicked a little when it passed me a good few miles from usual spot.
The ride home was weird. I was hot but my feet and hands were cold. The wind had picked up and if it wasn't for that I'm sure it would have been a wall of fog as the air was so humid. A few degrees above freezing but ice had formed on my spokes, cables and lights by the time I was in my village. It was light enough for the Cows to stare at me, a rather welcome intrusion as it means it'll soon be Spring.
I had a decision to make this morning thanks to a local drug runner crashing into a listed building.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-31522...
1/ Go home, get changed and drive to work.
2/ Go back two miles and go an extra two miles round.
3/ Take the slightly longer route via the road I was attacked on last thread (nothing ever came of it even though I described all the vehicles involved, make, model, colour, number plates etc; and the address the vehicles were based it was my word against fifteen of them. It will be dealt with as soon as they least expect it).
The alternative route isn't a bus route so it wasn't gritted. Clear patches were dry but bumpy; sheltered areas were sheet ice. So I used the dry and open lines as much as possible and knocked my speed down where unavoidable. I was six minutes late.
The wind picked up during the day so I was looking forward to the ride home. Sure enough it dropped when the Sun set so I had neutral wind again.
Tomorrow looks like it's going to be fun. Dry strong breeze in the morning and monsoon in the evening.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-31522...
1/ Go home, get changed and drive to work.
2/ Go back two miles and go an extra two miles round.
3/ Take the slightly longer route via the road I was attacked on last thread (nothing ever came of it even though I described all the vehicles involved, make, model, colour, number plates etc; and the address the vehicles were based it was my word against fifteen of them. It will be dealt with as soon as they least expect it).
The alternative route isn't a bus route so it wasn't gritted. Clear patches were dry but bumpy; sheltered areas were sheet ice. So I used the dry and open lines as much as possible and knocked my speed down where unavoidable. I was six minutes late.
The wind picked up during the day so I was looking forward to the ride home. Sure enough it dropped when the Sun set so I had neutral wind again.
Tomorrow looks like it's going to be fun. Dry strong breeze in the morning and monsoon in the evening.
Friday I overslept and drove in.
Saturday I bought some new tyres but don't ride at the weekends due to austerity measures the roads are simply not safe.
Sunday fitted my new tyres in time for a monsoon.
Today. Hmmmm. I might cycle in depending how much work I get done on my Panda.
I mentioned before that I have been keeping count of the number of safe or silly over takers. Tonight I'll tabulate those results and see if my theory about Tuesday being the most dangerous day of the week stands in rural Norfolk.
Saturday I bought some new tyres but don't ride at the weekends due to austerity measures the roads are simply not safe.
Sunday fitted my new tyres in time for a monsoon.
Today. Hmmmm. I might cycle in depending how much work I get done on my Panda.
I mentioned before that I have been keeping count of the number of safe or silly over takers. Tonight I'll tabulate those results and see if my theory about Tuesday being the most dangerous day of the week stands in rural Norfolk.
This morning was pleasant, quiet -2'C, little wind and apart from my new tyres dragging a little on the front mudguard it was all fine.
Continental CityRIDE. Not bad at all. Reflective walls, wider, rounder, nice directional tread and a good lean angle. It's a sham I can't chuck the bike about as much as my old one. I gave it a go and the lack of suspension meant the bike would shake loose. Nice confidence builder but still a million times better than the old ones.
My journey home was a typical Friday "90% of the drivers should be locked up for attempted murder" ride home but I made good time.
Very good time.
Thirty six minutes and ten seconds!!!
So what? I'm supposed to be aiming for a sub-thirty four time; right?
I spent at least two minutes sat at traffic lights, with another few seconds braking for the red and taking off at green and it would have been a thirty four fifty-something.
Just need a green light day and either terrible drivers to motivate me negatively or be a good mood to break my barrier.
Continental CityRIDE. Not bad at all. Reflective walls, wider, rounder, nice directional tread and a good lean angle. It's a sham I can't chuck the bike about as much as my old one. I gave it a go and the lack of suspension meant the bike would shake loose. Nice confidence builder but still a million times better than the old ones.
My journey home was a typical Friday "90% of the drivers should be locked up for attempted murder" ride home but I made good time.
Very good time.
Thirty six minutes and ten seconds!!!
So what? I'm supposed to be aiming for a sub-thirty four time; right?
I spent at least two minutes sat at traffic lights, with another few seconds braking for the red and taking off at green and it would have been a thirty four fifty-something.
Just need a green light day and either terrible drivers to motivate me negatively or be a good mood to break my barrier.
This morning I was woken up by the wind at half four. Sure enough it was a blastard headwind all the way and I was knackered most of the day.
The ride home was a very impressive 34.30
Part tail wind and part motivated by the monsoon that was minutes behind me. I got flashed by all three 30mph warning signs.
A little late with the update as after a nice long hot shower I sat with a well deserved Becks Blue (I've given up alcohol for Lent) and nodded off.
Oh well, same again tomorrow.
The ride home was a very impressive 34.30
Part tail wind and part motivated by the monsoon that was minutes behind me. I got flashed by all three 30mph warning signs.
A little late with the update as after a nice long hot shower I sat with a well deserved Becks Blue (I've given up alcohol for Lent) and nodded off.
Oh well, same again tomorrow.
Head wind in, tail wind home.
So it's time for the top three pillocks of the week.
3/ PoB tonight, dark grey hoodie, black trousers, no lights, barely inflated tyres, wobbling about on the road at about six miles per hour. I breezed past and as I waited at a red traffic light he pootles up, and mounts the path to jump the light.
2/ De-badged 04-reg BMW three series in black with blacked out rear windows. I looked over my shoulder as I approached the end of a road and Mr BMW was a hundred yards behind me. I signaled and moved over to the right. Fifteen yards before the junction line and with a car turning into the road Mr BMW decided to overtake and I had to stop so's to avoid a collision with Mr BMW so he could avoid a head on with the car that turned in. Best of all as I had stopped in the middle of the road a white employment agency minibus blasts his horn for holding him up a few seconds.
1/ Temporary lights in one of the villages I ride through. I was waiting at the red and noticed a bus and few cars were behind me. So instead of holding them up through the works I moved over to the left and waved them through when the light changed to the green. I was a few yards behind the last car when we reached the end of the traffic control zone. I could see the amber light reflected in the windscreen of the car waiting. That driver took off and would have hit me head on if it wasn't for his passenger grabbing the wheel. Drivers window open and a barrage of abuse for holding the world up. I pointed out the light wasn't green when he launched it and pointed to the camera on my handlebars. Wheel spin away and held first and second on the limiter as he drove away.
My camera is completely knackered but he didn't know that.
So it's time for the top three pillocks of the week.
3/ PoB tonight, dark grey hoodie, black trousers, no lights, barely inflated tyres, wobbling about on the road at about six miles per hour. I breezed past and as I waited at a red traffic light he pootles up, and mounts the path to jump the light.
2/ De-badged 04-reg BMW three series in black with blacked out rear windows. I looked over my shoulder as I approached the end of a road and Mr BMW was a hundred yards behind me. I signaled and moved over to the right. Fifteen yards before the junction line and with a car turning into the road Mr BMW decided to overtake and I had to stop so's to avoid a collision with Mr BMW so he could avoid a head on with the car that turned in.
Best of all as I had stopped in the middle of the road a white employment agency minibus blasts his horn for holding him up a few seconds. 1/ Temporary lights in one of the villages I ride through. I was waiting at the red and noticed a bus and few cars were behind me. So instead of holding them up through the works I moved over to the left and waved them through when the light changed to the green. I was a few yards behind the last car when we reached the end of the traffic control zone. I could see the amber light reflected in the windscreen of the car waiting. That driver took off and would have hit me head on if it wasn't for his passenger grabbing the wheel. Drivers window open and a barrage of abuse for holding the world up. I pointed out the light wasn't green when he launched it and pointed to the camera on my handlebars. Wheel spin away and held first and second on the limiter as he drove away.
My camera is completely knackered but he didn't know that.
festive cheer said:
Riding in broad daylight.
I can see where I want to go.
Riding in broad daylight.
No mystery;
just the open road.
I won't be needing by big bike light for my night shifts from now on. I can see where I want to go.
Riding in broad daylight.
No mystery;
just the open road.
Trouble is I can see the cavernous potholes and I annoyed a few drivers yesterday avoiding them. That's one of the reasons why you need to give cyclists six feet when you overtake.
Edited by Liquid Knight on Tuesday 3rd March 13:32
Yesterday evening on my way into work I was nearly hit by an overtaking Audi on Lynn Road, Wisbech. Obviously that driver hasn't seen the Penis Experiment clip or has and needs one of those vacuum pump things.
Anyway I lift my right hand off my bars to give a hand gesture not part of the Highway Code when I am overtaken again by someone with blue lights on the roof.
Mr Audi is pulled over in the next lay by and the passenger of the Police car flags me down.
It would have been a conversation if he kept his gob shut.
On my way in to work...
...and on my way home this morning...
...I took a moment to appreciate calm before the storm.
Anyway I lift my right hand off my bars to give a hand gesture not part of the Highway Code when I am overtaken again by someone with blue lights on the roof.
Mr Audi is pulled over in the next lay by and the passenger of the Police car flags me down.
Norfolk's Finest said:
Did he hit you sir?
Me said:
No, but it was bloody close though.
Norfolk's Finest said:
As he didn't hit you we'll give him a warning this time if that's okay with you?
Me said:
Brilliant! Thank you officer.
A couple of hours later I found out via a colleague Mr Audi gave the Police attitude so they ended up giving him three points and a hundred Pound fine for SP50 as he was doing over sixty when they played back the video of the overtake. It would have been a conversation if he kept his gob shut.
On my way in to work...
...and on my way home this morning...
...I took a moment to appreciate calm before the storm.
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