The daily "I cycled to work" thread
Discussion
Usget said:
Cyclists are w
kers. Well, some of them are.
Took a couple of my visiting Indian colleagues out on the Boris bikes last night as they wanted to do a bit of sightseeing. We stopped on the left at Parliament Square as I wanted to walk them over the lights rather than fight with the traffic on the gyratory... and this manoeuvre was evidently too complex for some bellend on a hybrid who shouted "YOU CAN'T JUST STOP" at the rear-most of us three.
I responded with a reasonable (I thought) "Give her a break," which led to him hauling his bike onto the pavement to have a stand up argument with me. I tried patiently to explain that, often, Boris bikes are ridden by those less familiar with London's roads, that they should be expected to do the unexpected, and that he might try reading the road better in future. As it turned out, this didn't go down well, so after he'd told me to fk off, off indeed he fked.
I often wonder if people like that get into arguments on the road every single day; and whether any of them ever actually explode through self-righteous anger?
Don't take it to heart, he would have just been in a hurry to get home to the NP&E forum.kers. Well, some of them are.Took a couple of my visiting Indian colleagues out on the Boris bikes last night as they wanted to do a bit of sightseeing. We stopped on the left at Parliament Square as I wanted to walk them over the lights rather than fight with the traffic on the gyratory... and this manoeuvre was evidently too complex for some bellend on a hybrid who shouted "YOU CAN'T JUST STOP" at the rear-most of us three.
I responded with a reasonable (I thought) "Give her a break," which led to him hauling his bike onto the pavement to have a stand up argument with me. I tried patiently to explain that, often, Boris bikes are ridden by those less familiar with London's roads, that they should be expected to do the unexpected, and that he might try reading the road better in future. As it turned out, this didn't go down well, so after he'd told me to f
k off, off indeed he fked.I often wonder if people like that get into arguments on the road every single day; and whether any of them ever actually explode through self-righteous anger?
HereBeMonsters said:
GarryDK said:
fking flat tyres!
Get some properly armoured tyres. I haven't had a flat in 3 years of commuting on my Panaracer Crosstowns. OK, they weigh a kilo each (26 x 1.75) but I think that's worth it in the grand scheme of things.king flat tyres! There are probably more expensive versions that are better and lighter at the same time.
It was my first puncture on the single speed which do have armoured non slick tyres and its been close to 700 miles.
lepetitoeuf said:
Recently I've noticed the less scrupulous cyclist about town pulling a new trick, which will only add to the hatred poured upon us virtuous and noble heated road users.
We've all witnessed the red light jumper in it's many forms; the drifter, the bullet, the pre-amber asshole. Indeed, some of you are suchs.
The latest one, is the fully grown man who believes that upon approaching a red light, it is right, safe and courteous to mount the pavement, ride past the junction on said pathway, then bump back down the kerb, on to the road, once they are past this hideous impediment.
Seen last week in Kensington and this morning near Lancaster Gate. I'm speechless, although I'm sure other road users are all very impressed at the cunning and ingenuity employed by these tts.
Well don't come down High Holburn at 6.00 then as you'll regularly me using an otherwise-unused traffic island for this very reason. There's a bike box at the head of the junction and due to the haphazard positioning of the motorists ahead of me it's often the only way to get to it.We've all witnessed the red light jumper in it's many forms; the drifter, the bullet, the pre-amber asshole. Indeed, some of you are such
s.The latest one, is the fully grown man who believes that upon approaching a red light, it is right, safe and courteous to mount the pavement, ride past the junction on said pathway, then bump back down the kerb, on to the road, once they are past this hideous impediment.
Seen last week in Kensington and this morning near Lancaster Gate. I'm speechless, although I'm sure other road users are all very impressed at the cunning and ingenuity employed by these t
ts.In other news I'm 50 and pay RFL on two cars.
Edited by AC43 on Tuesday 16th September 14:10
Strange morning today. Misty, chill (still in SS jersey but went for the Howies one, it's a bit warmer). Traffic pretty bad. But despite not feeling it at all... arrived in completely 'normal' time. Must have had a tailwind.
In other news, I've broken my saddle after hitting a big pothole. Only a Specialized Riva but it now creaks over bumps and especially when I'm forward on the nose. Annoying.
Those of you who sometimes ride in on 'best bikes'... how do you ensure the safety of your pride and joy? If I buy myself a weekend toy I'd also want to ride it to work on nice days. We have racks in our basement but I'd be gutted if it got damaged...
In other news, I've broken my saddle after hitting a big pothole. Only a Specialized Riva but it now creaks over bumps and especially when I'm forward on the nose. Annoying.
Those of you who sometimes ride in on 'best bikes'... how do you ensure the safety of your pride and joy? If I buy myself a weekend toy I'd also want to ride it to work on nice days. We have racks in our basement but I'd be gutted if it got damaged...
lepetitoeuf said:
Recently I've noticed the less scrupulous cyclist about town pulling a new trick, which will only add to the hatred poured upon us virtuous and noble heated road users.
We've all witnessed the red light jumper in it's many forms; the drifter, the bullet, the pre-amber asshole. Indeed, some of you are suchs.
The latest one, is the fully grown man who believes that upon approaching a red light, it is right, safe and courteous to mount the pavement, ride past the junction on said pathway, then bump back down the kerb, on to the road, once they are past this hideous impediment.
Seen last week in Kensington and this morning near Lancaster Gate. I'm speechless, although I'm sure other road users are all very impressed at the cunning and ingenuity employed by these tts.
We've all witnessed the red light jumper in it's many forms; the drifter, the bullet, the pre-amber asshole. Indeed, some of you are such
s.The latest one, is the fully grown man who believes that upon approaching a red light, it is right, safe and courteous to mount the pavement, ride past the junction on said pathway, then bump back down the kerb, on to the road, once they are past this hideous impediment.
Seen last week in Kensington and this morning near Lancaster Gate. I'm speechless, although I'm sure other road users are all very impressed at the cunning and ingenuity employed by these t
ts.
Agreed. I'm not sure why they think that riding on the pavement is a lesser crime than jumping a red light? 
I also smile at those who hop off, run across the junction and get back on like they can't afford to wait for 30 seconds at the lights, often to be overtaken on the next stretch because they don't ride very quickly
AyBee said:
Agreed. I'm not sure why they think that riding on the pavement is a lesser crime than jumping a red light? I also smile at those who hop off, run across the junction and get back on like they can't afford to wait for 30 seconds at the lights, often to be overtaken on the next stretch because they don't ride very quickly
The only situation in which I would see this as acceptable would be that of the poster on previous page, whose wife was fit to burst.
Either the speed of your journey is unimportant, in which case what does thirty seconds matter... or it is imperative, in which case, ride faster!
AyBee said:
Agreed. I'm not sure why they think that riding on the pavement is a lesser crime than jumping a red light? lepetitoeuf said:
Recently I've noticed the less scrupulous cyclist about town pulling a new trick, which will only add to the hatred poured upon us virtuous and noble heated road users.
We've all witnessed the red light jumper in it's many forms; the drifter, the bullet, the pre-amber asshole. Indeed, some of you are suchs.
The latest one, is the fully grown man who believes that upon approaching a red light, it is right, safe and courteous to mount the pavement, ride past the junction on said pathway, then bump back down the kerb, on to the road, once they are past this hideous impediment.
Seen last week in Kensington and this morning near Lancaster Gate. I'm speechless, although I'm sure other road users are all very impressed at the cunning and ingenuity employed by these tts.
Watched someone do something similar this morning (road blocked with cars so hopped onto the pavement) only to nearly get knocked off by a workman exiting a house onto the pavement not expecting a cyclist to be doing 15mph on the pavement. Said workman did not look happy and I overtook said numpty 100m down the road.We've all witnessed the red light jumper in it's many forms; the drifter, the bullet, the pre-amber asshole. Indeed, some of you are such
s.The latest one, is the fully grown man who believes that upon approaching a red light, it is right, safe and courteous to mount the pavement, ride past the junction on said pathway, then bump back down the kerb, on to the road, once they are past this hideous impediment.
Seen last week in Kensington and this morning near Lancaster Gate. I'm speechless, although I'm sure other road users are all very impressed at the cunning and ingenuity employed by these t
ts.Not a great ride in this morning - 2 miles into my commute my pedals quite literally stopped working. They'd rotate along with my chain and rear cog, but the wheel just wouldn't move. Walked 2 miles back home and jumped onto my MTB only to remember the gears were a bit buggered and could only use the smallest cog and so my ride in this morning was like a spin class.
Anyway, MTB booked in for a big service tomorrow whilst in the office and road bike will be dropped off at the LBS tonight for them to sort out the freewheel issue.
Anyway, MTB booked in for a big service tomorrow whilst in the office and road bike will be dropped off at the LBS tonight for them to sort out the freewheel issue.
Had an odd ride in today. Got just outside of the village and my quads started to really really hurt, struggled on a usual 20+mph sector to crack 10mph. Decided that it would work itself off on the way but it didn't, 30 minutes slower ride than usual. Really looking forward to riding home now.
lepetitoeuf said:
I have to admit I'm quite surprised that you guys are condoning adult cyclists riding bikes on busy high street pavements (High Street Kensington - 6pm), to avoid red lights
I'm not condoning people cycling fast down busy pavements to save a few seconds.It's just that there are times when hopping on an off kerbs makes perfect sense. The deserted traffic island in High Holburn for example. I can either get wedged between a bus and a taxi, neither of whom know I'm there, breathing in all the filthy diesel fumes wondering which of the Carlos Fandangos behind revving their engines me are going to floor it when the lights change and take me out. Or I can use the deserted island and hop up it along it and then down into the bike box at the front.
Like wise there are sometimes traffic lights where it makes zero difference. Turning left off Regents Park for example where you can see 200 yds in all directions and there are usually zero pedestrians.
I often resist as it obviously sends some motorists in apoplectic rage but, really, I can't see the harm in going through at walking pace from time to time.
Back on the cycle commute in the new home of Shropshire, it would appear that some greater force has filled it full of rolling hills, not big ones just up n down n up n down.
Oop North in Preston it was flat, if you wanted a hill then 5 miles inland and go up a pennine.
Not sure I like this midland hilllets business, good exercise mind.
Oop North in Preston it was flat, if you wanted a hill then 5 miles inland and go up a pennine.
Not sure I like this midland hilllets business, good exercise mind.
Had a great cycle home earlier. Did the traffic island thing and one red light as a point of principal.
Doing it on my pub bike tomorrow as need to lock it up on Kilburn High Road for a while after work.
Not looking forward to going back to V brakes after eight months of Avid Elixirs. Discs make such a massive difference in traffic. Looking forward to the novelty though.
Doing it on my pub bike tomorrow as need to lock it up on Kilburn High Road for a while after work.
Not looking forward to going back to V brakes after eight months of Avid Elixirs. Discs make such a massive difference in traffic. Looking forward to the novelty though.
nagsheadwarrior said:
Back on the cycle commute in the new home of Shropshire, it would appear that some greater force has filled it full of rolling hills, not big ones just up n down n up n down.
Oop North in Preston it was flat, if you wanted a hill then 5 miles inland and go up a pennine.
Not sure I like this midland hilllets business, good exercise mind.
My commute is about 1100 vertical feet if I take the least hilly route, round trip. Tonight I purposefully went the lumpiest way I could and it was 13 miles and 1027 vertical feet.Oop North in Preston it was flat, if you wanted a hill then 5 miles inland and go up a pennine.
Not sure I like this midland hilllets business, good exercise mind.
Looking trough Strava, I noticed a pal had done 65 odd miles around London and Surrey, to have clocked up only 1900 vertical feet.
The hills here in Devon might explain me losing 15 odd kgs in about 10 months, and the odd top ten on real hills on Strava. I love hills now! Stick with it!
Lovely ride home again. Vicky Park, bit of canal path, Lizzy Park, bit of road, Wanstead Flats, up to the forest. Making the most of the nice evenings.
Is it me though - I keep cruising along behind people, moving up to take my turn and then 100 yards on I look round and I've dropped them. Oops.
Is it me though - I keep cruising along behind people, moving up to take my turn and then 100 yards on I look round and I've dropped them. Oops.
Pub bike was great. I'd forgotten how much fun a 26er is for weaving in and out of London traffic queues. Whippet-like compared to my 29er.
Canti brakes surprisingly effective (but then again they usually are immediately after being properly set up.
Satisfying to cross London on something I built up myself.
PS Traffic island in St John's Wood. But no red lights.
Canti brakes surprisingly effective (but then again they usually are immediately after being properly set up.
Satisfying to cross London on something I built up myself.
PS Traffic island in St John's Wood. But no red lights.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff