A day in the life.... (moan)
Discussion
I’ve been commuting for years to different parts of London and have always looked forward to jumping on the bike. I’ve never seen it as a chore, in fact more times than not it allowed me to plan my day ahead on the way, and gave me time to come down on the way home
Unfortunately I think I’m going to have to consider whether me and the commute are compatable. I’m certainly not enjoying it like I used to. The reason for this is the influx of riders taking to the road that have no idea of how to actually ride on the busy roads of London
So far this week, I have had 3 rows with w
kers at traffic lights over their consideration to other bikes.Monday – bloke on a Honda CB500F –terribly posh- couldn’t understand why I was so irate about him sat alongside a car when there was clear and safe filtering opportunities. 2 other riders also suggested that he should queue behind the other cars. If he had looked in his mirrors he would have seen 7 or 8 bikers all get frustrated
Tuesday – 2 lanes at the traffic lights. I am at the front in between 2 cars. A roundabout I know well and never ‘normally’ have issues with. Until that is, matey on his Ninja 300 pulls up at the front on the outside of the offside lane. The lights change and I pull away to go straight on only to see a green flash coming across me. The prick was turning first left across 2 lanes of traffic that was just about to pull away. Fortunately for him I shut off and missed his back wheel by no more than a foot. I was in two minds to hunt the stupid arse down. This was shortly followed by a cyclist filtering down the white line preventing another long queue of bikes from progressing. No amount of blipping from the bike in front had this lycra locust looking over his shoulder to see what a tailback he was causing. The inside was clear by the way!
Today – Yep, it had to happen…..the scooterist. Same place as Monday, same issue, same discussion. He got a wee bit angry though. Larger bikes don’t own the road I was told. I won’t repeat what I suggested he did, but it had nothing to do with additional training
I still have 2 more days to go, Christ knows what my blood pressure will be like by Friday, but I seem to be getting wound up more and more by people with so little understanding of how traffic ‘can’ easily flow if you are considerate of other road users and your own ability.
I’m making no suggestion that cars, lorries and cyclists should move aside like Moses parting the waves…..we don’t own the road, but these recurring issues weren’t as prevalent a decade ago. It used to be easy being able to progress without too much trouble – in fact the enemy 10 years ago was the taxi doing u-turns. This issue isn't adding that much time to my journey, but it becoming an everyday occurrence is starting to grate my tits
Maybe the dog has had it’s day….
Andy XRV said:
I echo what you're getting at but what are the options? Taking a car in is 1000 times worse and when you get in there's nowhere to park. I suppose from your part of London you could get the tube but personally I'd rather eat my own vomit? Personally I think the bike makes the best of a bad job.
I fitted a Scala Rider to my helmet so now I have the radio on which helps me chill. But for fks sake don't go near the new cycle lanes otherwise your next post will be like War & Peace 
Options - train and tube are actually really easy from where I live, but I wouldn't enjoy the journey as much as I used to on the bike (except for summer when the women start feeling the heat)I fitted a Scala Rider to my helmet so now I have the radio on which helps me chill. But for f
ks sake don't go near the new cycle lanes otherwise your next post will be like War & Peace The most frustrating part of all this is that it's other bikers that are becoming the main problem
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 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? 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 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.
Oh, and I drink more
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)
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.
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
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.Oh, and I drink more
The thing that could really add up if I take the train is the cost of the beer
Mr OCD said:
It just sounds like you are having a bad week. Is work being difficult / stressful at all? I find that can have an effect on how I think about others on the road when I'm under stress or pressure at work.
My assistant is on a first aid course until tomorrow. I would normally take it out on that thick 
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