A day in the life.... (moan)

[sjtscott]

One things for sure, I'm out for beer after work today so had to take the tube in (urghh to solid packed jubilee line this morning) if that's not something to re-encourage you to get back on the bike nothing is.

[Fleegle]

3DP said:

Personally, I can't imagine any way to kill a passion for biking faster than a daily filtering commute through London in Feb. Add in a week of being unlucky with 'tards...

I actually prefer the commute to a weekend ride out. And the emphasis on doing it in February is irrelevant as far as I'm concerned, its only snow and ice that will normally stop me from taking the bike. (and stinking hangovers)

[J B L]

You'll love it even more once they've removed all the white lines on your main roads.

Filtering between texting drones who rely on a quick glance now and then to see if they are still within their lane or rely on their 'lane departure system' will be interesting.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/12137382/End-of-th...

[sc0tt]

Are you inside or out zone 6 Tony?

[jcelee]

Sounds like London problems with less experienced bikers (judging by the bikes) who lack spacial awareness.
However, commuting is rarely a good time to be 'on it' and if you're almost clipping other bikes then it pays to chill out a bit and make as smooth but relaxed progress as you can. I don't commute into London but take pleasure from the freedom and openness of just being on a bike and being able to pass long lines of backed up cagers. I certainly wouldn't let myself get wound up by less experienced bikers or cyclists.

[Fleegle]

sc0tt said:

Are you inside or out zone 6 Tony?

Zone 5

[3DP]

Fleegle said:

3DP said:

Personally, I can't imagine any way to kill a passion for biking faster than a daily filtering commute through London in Feb. Add in a week of being unlucky with 'tards...

I actually prefer the commute to a weekend ride out. And the emphasis on doing it in February is irrelevant as far as I'm concerned, its only snow and ice that will normally stop me from taking the bike. (and stinking hangovers)

Has anyone told you, you are very odd? For me, filtering at low speed is purgatory. The Feb part is relevant only that it's generally dark and a bit grim, with slimy roads even when the odd space to open up the bike or chuck it into a bend/roundabout does present itself.

If my commute was all town work, I'd use my scooter and turn up the tunes on the Scala, to make it as easy and stress free as possible. It's not like it matters what you ride dynamically when filtering and doing 20mph, so go for ease. Twist n go.

[Fleegle]

J B L said:

You'll love it even more once they've removed all the white lines on your main roads.

Filtering between texting drones who rely on a quick glance now and then to see if they are still within their lane or rely on their 'lane departure system' will be interesting.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/12137382/End-of-th...

Was that published on the first day of April?

[Gecko1978]

jcelee said:

Sounds like London problems with less experienced bikers (judging by the bikes) who lack spacial awareness.
However, commuting is rarely a good time to be 'on it' and if you're almost clipping other bikes then it pays to chill out a bit and make as smooth but relaxed progress as you can. I don't commute into London but take pleasure from the freedom and openness of just being on a bike and being able to pass long lines of backed up cagers. I certainly wouldn't let myself get wound up by less experienced bikers or cyclists.

I rode a bike into the wharf from Herts for 2 an a bit years all weathers. The commute was never fun and I think I saw 1 fatality a month on the A12/ 13 judging by the road signs etc (i.e. I saw the serious incident signs not bodies on the road, only saw that twice in 2 years). however despite the rain and the cold, there was one thing that made it all worth it. 6pm leaving on the A13 to go north all thoes cars jammed in trying to get to the M25 / M11 and you just sail past them home in under an hour. The train etc could never compete with that and with £2 parking all day under john lewis in the wharf it was cheap too.

Lots of scooterist did seem to take chances but then again car drivers did text, do makup, eat etc at the wheel so all of us are bad...is filtering at 30mph really acceptable ?

[sc0tt]

Fleegle said:

Zone 5

Is it not cheaper to train? Unsure of your commute times?

For me now it would actually take me longer to ride and be more expensive.

[J B L]

Fleegle said:

J B L said:

You'll love it even more once they've removed all the white lines on your main roads.

Filtering between texting drones who rely on a quick glance now and then to see if they are still within their lane or rely on their 'lane departure system' will be interesting.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/12137382/End-of-th...

Was that published on the first day of April?

Was yesterday the 1st of April?!!!

Darn, I'm behind on my sales numbers.

[CaptainSlow]

Biker's Nemesis said:

I got stuck behind a tractor for 15 seconds last summer so I feel your pain.

Yeah, those Hondas can get in the way.

[Fleegle]

sc0tt said:

Fleegle said:

Zone 5

Is it not cheaper to train? Unsure of your commute times?

For me now it would actually take me longer to ride and be more expensive.

No, more expensive on the train and also governed by timetables. I don't particularly like the inflexibility.


Oh, and I drink more

[sc0tt]

Fleegle said:

No, more expensive on the train and also governed by timetables. I don't particularly like the inflexibility.


Oh, and I drink more

Fair enough. I'm lucky I can get by on £45 a week, a single train that runs every 10 minutes and a pint after work.

[Fleegle]

3DP said:

Fleegle said:

3DP said:

Personally, I can't imagine any way to kill a passion for biking faster than a daily filtering commute through London in Feb. Add in a week of being unlucky with 'tards...

I actually prefer the commute to a weekend ride out. And the emphasis on doing it in February is irrelevant as far as I'm concerned, its only snow and ice that will normally stop me from taking the bike. (and stinking hangovers)

Has anyone told you, you are very odd? For me, filtering at low speed is purgatory. The Feb part is relevant only that it's generally dark and a bit grim, with slimy roads even when the odd space to open up the bike or chuck it into a bend/roundabout does present itself.

If my commute was all town work, I'd use my scooter and turn up the tunes on the Scala, to make it as easy and stress free as possible. It's not like it matters what you ride dynamically when filtering and doing 20mph, so go for ease. Twist n go.

Me odd? You may have a point. As for it being dark, grim with slidy roads, I find my D209 Qualifiers cope with everything with ease (apart from snow and ice) so have no fear of the surface - off roading has taught me confidence with rear end twitches if nothing else.

A few have mentioned having tunes wired into their crash hat. This is an alien concept to me....I need to hear the engine and what is going on around me. Having music on would put me on edge even more. Anyway, there's only so much Carpenters and Abba you can listen to


Also....hell will need to freeze over before I subject myself to the ridicule and emasculating one would feel when riding a scooter

[creampuff]

I dislike filtering when it is dark. It is easy to miss other bikes behind you because their headlight gets lost in a sea of headlights and it is easy for car drivers to see me for the same reason.

[Fleegle]

sc0tt said:

Fleegle said:

No, more expensive on the train and also governed by timetables. I don't particularly like the inflexibility.


Oh, and I drink more

Fair enough. I'm lucky I can get by on £45 a week, a single train that runs every 10 minutes and a pint after work.

Fuel costs £15pw, maintenance costs little due to being a Yamaha, tyres cost next to FA as they are the same size as minitwins...so I buy 1 meeting old scrubs

The thing that could really add up if I take the train is the cost of the beer

[creampuff]

Fleegle said:

The thing that could really add up if I take the train is the cost of the beer

Methylated spirits from B&Q can help bring that cost down.

[Fleegle]

Gecko1978 said:

...is filtering at 30mph really acceptable ?

That really depends on the situation.

I filter at speeds I'm comfortable with providing I deem it safe to do so. My aim is to make good progress safely, but that could be 10mph if the traffic is stationary

[Wyvern971]