And today's commuting highlight is...
Discussion
A really crap morning for me. Power cut at home meant my alarm didn't and I woke up 20 minutes later than I should. Then had to hand crank the roller shutter door on my garage to get the bike out!
It wasn't raining as I left home so I didn't put my waterproofs on. That lasted about 4 minutes before I was stopped at the side of the road in the rain putting on the over suit. It then rained for the next hour and a half!
While the waterproofs worked I'm sat at work with wet boots and wet gloves under my desk and waterproof jacket and trousers dripping in the corner. I've only got another week or two until I give up and transfer to the train but I've learnt my lesson (again), it's textiles next time I leave home and it might rain.
It wasn't raining as I left home so I didn't put my waterproofs on. That lasted about 4 minutes before I was stopped at the side of the road in the rain putting on the over suit. It then rained for the next hour and a half!
While the waterproofs worked I'm sat at work with wet boots and wet gloves under my desk and waterproof jacket and trousers dripping in the corner. I've only got another week or two until I give up and transfer to the train but I've learnt my lesson (again), it's textiles next time I leave home and it might rain.
TomCI said:
Blackfriars was gridlocked this morning as they had closed Newbridge Street due to an RTA. Anyone know what has happened?
Not sure what was going on, but I head over the River North to South over Southwalk bridge and pass on the southside of Blackfriars bridge crossing Blackfriars bridge road - Southwalk street was fully gridlocked along with bridge traffic heading north over the bridge. Actually come to think of it Southwalk bridge was gridlocked heading north too.sjtscott said:
Not sure what was going on, but I head over the River North to South over Southwalk bridge and pass on the southside of Blackfriars bridge crossing Blackfriars bridge road - Southwalk street was fully gridlocked along with bridge traffic heading north over the bridge. Actually come to think of it Southwalk bridge was gridlocked heading north too.
The road is still closed and police are down there still. Unfortunately it looks pretty serious 
supercommuter said:
Pothole said:
Thank God for spare pants in my locker. Crotch of "waterproof" trousers clearly needs attention.
I wear those goretex army overtrousers underneath my textiles and over my jeans. Apparently i am going to get drenched tonight, so be interested to see if they work.
And today's commuting rant is....
I don't have a wide choice of petrol stations on my commute without diverting off-piste, which of course none of us want to do. I stopped using the Shell at Court Road in Mottingham when they wouldn't let you fill up unless you were stood off the bike, but that seems to have been forgotten so I started going back in there. Pulled in this afternoon and was just about to fill up when an R1 went past the petrol station, stopped very sharp, and then rode the wrong way up the pavement and back into the petrol forecourt. The guy had a full-face mask under his lid and although I couldn't see a 2-up T-Max anywhere, my spidey senses were pinging flat out, so I rode back out again.
Next option for me, is "Rontec Swanley", aka the BP garage by the Maccy D on the A20 after you leave Sidcup. I pull in, unglove, open the fuel cap, pick up the fuel filler......and wait.
Eventually the Doris behind the till gets on the tannoy and says "you gotta turn it round". What? The bike? Yep. They wouldn't enable the pump until I got off and pushed the bike round facing the other way. In other words, facing all the nobs who come flying into that forecourt flat out from the D/C.
I was really low on fuel so had no choice but to cooperate, but I went in to pay and asked what the fk that was all about. Doris said "the manager said you have to". So I ask to see this paragon of industry and commerce.
"Yes, we had an incident and we want to see your number plate" (I guess one of those moped twunts with no plate bilked them). Well, says I, put another camera up then. "Oh, we don't want to use the camera, we want to see it". So I embarked on an end-of-long-and-qute-stressy-week rant at him, pointing out that I've been riding bikes for about 40 years and never been asked to do that before, did he know what it was like to lump 280KG of RT around, did he know how slippery it was underfoot with all the feckin diesel on the floor, did he really expect me to ride away in the face of all the aforementioned twunts entering the petrol station at warp speed, etc etc.
I was proper cross. Probably over something of absolute insignificance but he caught me on the wrong day. I won't be using that petrol station again, I'll have to plan better in future. Suggest those of you heading the same way also avoid it, unless you need some new side panels and could accidentally slip on the diesel and then sue him for the damage to your bike? In fact, fk it, I'm going to start a petition to have him sacked.
(
)
I don't have a wide choice of petrol stations on my commute without diverting off-piste, which of course none of us want to do. I stopped using the Shell at Court Road in Mottingham when they wouldn't let you fill up unless you were stood off the bike, but that seems to have been forgotten so I started going back in there. Pulled in this afternoon and was just about to fill up when an R1 went past the petrol station, stopped very sharp, and then rode the wrong way up the pavement and back into the petrol forecourt. The guy had a full-face mask under his lid and although I couldn't see a 2-up T-Max anywhere, my spidey senses were pinging flat out, so I rode back out again.
Next option for me, is "Rontec Swanley", aka the BP garage by the Maccy D on the A20 after you leave Sidcup. I pull in, unglove, open the fuel cap, pick up the fuel filler......and wait.
Eventually the Doris behind the till gets on the tannoy and says "you gotta turn it round". What? The bike? Yep. They wouldn't enable the pump until I got off and pushed the bike round facing the other way. In other words, facing all the nobs who come flying into that forecourt flat out from the D/C.
I was really low on fuel so had no choice but to cooperate, but I went in to pay and asked what the fk that was all about. Doris said "the manager said you have to". So I ask to see this paragon of industry and commerce.
"Yes, we had an incident and we want to see your number plate" (I guess one of those moped twunts with no plate bilked them). Well, says I, put another camera up then. "Oh, we don't want to use the camera, we want to see it". So I embarked on an end-of-long-and-qute-stressy-week rant at him, pointing out that I've been riding bikes for about 40 years and never been asked to do that before, did he know what it was like to lump 280KG of RT around, did he know how slippery it was underfoot with all the feckin diesel on the floor, did he really expect me to ride away in the face of all the aforementioned twunts entering the petrol station at warp speed, etc etc.
I was proper cross. Probably over something of absolute insignificance but he caught me on the wrong day. I won't be using that petrol station again, I'll have to plan better in future. Suggest those of you heading the same way also avoid it, unless you need some new side panels and could accidentally slip on the diesel and then sue him for the damage to your bike? In fact, fk it, I'm going to start a petition to have him sacked.
(
)CAPP0 said:
And today's commuting rant is....
I don't have a wide choice of petrol stations on my commute without diverting off-piste, which of course none of us want to do. I stopped using the Shell at Court Road in Mottingham when they wouldn't let you fill up unless you were stood off the bike, but that seems to have been forgotten so I started going back in there. Pulled in this afternoon and was just about to fill up when an R1 went past the petrol station, stopped very sharp, and then rode the wrong way up the pavement and back into the petrol forecourt. The guy had a full-face mask under his lid and although I couldn't see a 2-up T-Max anywhere, my spidey senses were pinging flat out, so I rode back out again.
Next option for me, is "Rontec Swanley", aka the BP garage by the Maccy D on the A20 after you leave Sidcup. I pull in, unglove, open the fuel cap, pick up the fuel filler......and wait.
Eventually the Doris behind the till gets on the tannoy and says "you gotta turn it round". What? The bike? Yep. They wouldn't enable the pump until I got off and pushed the bike round facing the other way. In other words, facing all the nobs who come flying into that forecourt flat out from the D/C.
I was really low on fuel so had no choice but to cooperate, but I went in to pay and asked what the fk that was all about. Doris said "the manager said you have to". So I ask to see this paragon of industry and commerce.
"Yes, we had an incident and we want to see your number plate" (I guess one of those moped twunts with no plate bilked them). Well, says I, put another camera up then. "Oh, we don't want to use the camera, we want to see it". So I embarked on an end-of-long-and-qute-stressy-week rant at him, pointing out that I've been riding bikes for about 40 years and never been asked to do that before, did he know what it was like to lump 280KG of RT around, did he know how slippery it was underfoot with all the feckin diesel on the floor, did he really expect me to ride away in the face of all the aforementioned twunts entering the petrol station at warp speed, etc etc.
I was proper cross. Probably over something of absolute insignificance but he caught me on the wrong day. I won't be using that petrol station again, I'll have to plan better in future. Suggest those of you heading the same way also avoid it, unless you need some new side panels and could accidentally slip on the diesel and then sue him for the damage to your bike? In fact, fk it, I'm going to start a petition to have him sacked.
( )
BP Garage near clapham common on the A3 more than 10 years ago (so on my old commute to Wandsworth/Putney from CW) refused to serve me one evening until I prepaid/left my card with them, but only because I was on a bike - none of the other car drivers were being asked to do so. My plate was clearly visible on their CCTV too. Again having angrily asked why I was being singled out it was because a load of moped twunts had been bilking off them over the previous few week. Main point I raised - I was on a 1000cc Aprilia twin which is clearly not a youth moped and asked him quite how that had anything to do with me was beyond me. Reluctantly complied filled up and have never ever nor will I ever use that station again.I don't have a wide choice of petrol stations on my commute without diverting off-piste, which of course none of us want to do. I stopped using the Shell at Court Road in Mottingham when they wouldn't let you fill up unless you were stood off the bike, but that seems to have been forgotten so I started going back in there. Pulled in this afternoon and was just about to fill up when an R1 went past the petrol station, stopped very sharp, and then rode the wrong way up the pavement and back into the petrol forecourt. The guy had a full-face mask under his lid and although I couldn't see a 2-up T-Max anywhere, my spidey senses were pinging flat out, so I rode back out again.
Next option for me, is "Rontec Swanley", aka the BP garage by the Maccy D on the A20 after you leave Sidcup. I pull in, unglove, open the fuel cap, pick up the fuel filler......and wait.
Eventually the Doris behind the till gets on the tannoy and says "you gotta turn it round". What? The bike? Yep. They wouldn't enable the pump until I got off and pushed the bike round facing the other way. In other words, facing all the nobs who come flying into that forecourt flat out from the D/C.
I was really low on fuel so had no choice but to cooperate, but I went in to pay and asked what the fk that was all about. Doris said "the manager said you have to". So I ask to see this paragon of industry and commerce.
"Yes, we had an incident and we want to see your number plate" (I guess one of those moped twunts with no plate bilked them). Well, says I, put another camera up then. "Oh, we don't want to use the camera, we want to see it". So I embarked on an end-of-long-and-qute-stressy-week rant at him, pointing out that I've been riding bikes for about 40 years and never been asked to do that before, did he know what it was like to lump 280KG of RT around, did he know how slippery it was underfoot with all the feckin diesel on the floor, did he really expect me to ride away in the face of all the aforementioned twunts entering the petrol station at warp speed, etc etc.
I was proper cross. Probably over something of absolute insignificance but he caught me on the wrong day. I won't be using that petrol station again, I'll have to plan better in future. Suggest those of you heading the same way also avoid it, unless you need some new side panels and could accidentally slip on the diesel and then sue him for the damage to your bike? In fact, fk it, I'm going to start a petition to have him sacked.
(
)
TomCI said:
Blackfriars was gridlocked this morning as they had closed Newbridge Street due to an RTA. Anyone know what has happened?
Pedestrian killed/ran over by a waste collection van (transit style van with mesh back) - area still shut off.Was told it was a cyclist this morning, confirmed it was a pedestrian.
Edited by Sea Demon on Friday 20th October 16:26
Cbull said:
It's a constant struggle justifying it to the Wife.
You need to convince her that bikes are nasty dangerous things.MrsC is pretty tolerant of most things I buy, bikey or not. However, she particularly DISlkes bikes and biking and me commuting on one, but OTOH that means that since she is always concerned for my safety, I can buy ANY kit I want as often as I like, and she always says this is a good thing as it is going to offer me better protection when on the bike
Pothole said:
I honestly don't mind. I'm never in that much of a hurry.
I hate itI have a long journey ahead and ca normally dispatch a fuel stop in a few minutes without removing my helmet.
If it's wet and I have to put my ear plugs back in with soggy hands, adjust my fog guard, it takes me ages. I have several station son the way home so if they want me to take my helmet off, I just won't go back there
Thankfully the Sainsbury's on my route has pay at the pump so it's never been a problem. Going the other way there's a nice bloke behind the counter who knows his regulars. I have had to do the helmet off thing once and never went back.
And I avoid BP like mad - all the ones near me are ridiculously expensive for fuel.
And I avoid BP like mad - all the ones near me are ridiculously expensive for fuel.
Cbull said:
Apologise for the minor rant, especially on a Friday.
Yesterdays commute home was horrid. Raining so heavy I couldn't see the speedo at one point. You know when you see people get splashed by cars, well that happened to me on the bike yesterday but I ran alongside it so it lasted a good 10 seconds, the water was muddy too so I couldn't see a thing. Scary to say the least. Got in soaked and the jacket was still drying this morning.
This morning. The app says cloudy all the way to work. I step out and there’s a slight drizzle. Get cracking and it turns to normal rain. My jacket isn’t waterproof at all, desperate for a waterproof one but sh!t keeps happening to the bike so can't get one. The soaked jacket sleeve tucked into leather gloves make them worse so my hands are soaked for most of the way. Biker jeans on (I can get away with wearing them on a Friday...if dry) so my balls are drenched for the whole day now because the bike seat seems to be perfect for holding puddles. So called waterproof Frank Thomas boots which just can't be because my socks are soaked, not put my trainers on yet to let the socks dry up a bit. Lastly my new helmet is a bag of crap, HJC IS-17, drips and dribbles right in front of my eye and due to being a retard the pin-lock doesn't even work properly so whilst I gotta put up with the rest of the rubbish I can't even see at times, especially towards the edges. It’s got to be shipped back to Ireland of which I've got to pay for to be replaced/fixed.
Been riding for about a year now and although I kind of knew it already I now fully realise you've got to have some serious money to keep it up. It's a constant struggle justifying it to the Wife. Feel like I have to get a £2k loan to get myself kitted out for a full year of different weather conditions and even then that’s getting 1 lot of best budget gear to suit.
I absolutely love riding whether it be for commuting, a long ride out with the lads for the day or just a short trip to the shops....just not so much in the cold and wet.
/rant
I have a fabulous piece of kit that infallibly keeps me dry on the commute when it's wet. It is called 'a Mercedes E-Class'Yesterdays commute home was horrid. Raining so heavy I couldn't see the speedo at one point. You know when you see people get splashed by cars, well that happened to me on the bike yesterday but I ran alongside it so it lasted a good 10 seconds, the water was muddy too so I couldn't see a thing. Scary to say the least. Got in soaked and the jacket was still drying this morning.
This morning. The app says cloudy all the way to work. I step out and there’s a slight drizzle. Get cracking and it turns to normal rain. My jacket isn’t waterproof at all, desperate for a waterproof one but sh!t keeps happening to the bike so can't get one. The soaked jacket sleeve tucked into leather gloves make them worse so my hands are soaked for most of the way. Biker jeans on (I can get away with wearing them on a Friday...if dry) so my balls are drenched for the whole day now because the bike seat seems to be perfect for holding puddles. So called waterproof Frank Thomas boots which just can't be because my socks are soaked, not put my trainers on yet to let the socks dry up a bit. Lastly my new helmet is a bag of crap, HJC IS-17, drips and dribbles right in front of my eye and due to being a retard the pin-lock doesn't even work properly so whilst I gotta put up with the rest of the rubbish I can't even see at times, especially towards the edges. It’s got to be shipped back to Ireland of which I've got to pay for to be replaced/fixed.
Been riding for about a year now and although I kind of knew it already I now fully realise you've got to have some serious money to keep it up. It's a constant struggle justifying it to the Wife. Feel like I have to get a £2k loan to get myself kitted out for a full year of different weather conditions and even then that’s getting 1 lot of best budget gear to suit.
I absolutely love riding whether it be for commuting, a long ride out with the lads for the day or just a short trip to the shops....just not so much in the cold and wet.
/rant
I’m going to stay nice and dry on the b
d Tube for my work commute for a few weeks until insurance is sorted.
The scooter twunts nicked my Vespa GTS 250 while I was abroad on three weeks holiday. Came back to find the chain still attached to the bike parking bay railing but no bike. To be honest I’m amazed it hasn’t happened sooner, 250cc scooters are hot property in London.
I think I’ll replace it with an old snotter that nobody wants. Fazer, SV650 or similar. You can’t have nice things in London.
d Tube for my work commute for a few weeks until insurance is sorted. The scooter twunts nicked my Vespa GTS 250 while I was abroad on three weeks holiday. Came back to find the chain still attached to the bike parking bay railing but no bike. To be honest I’m amazed it hasn’t happened sooner, 250cc scooters are hot property in London.
I think I’ll replace it with an old snotter that nobody wants. Fazer, SV650 or similar. You can’t have nice things in London.
paralla said:
I’m going to stay nice and dry on the bd Tube for my work commute for a few weeks until insurance is sorted.
The scooter twunts nicked my Vespa GTS 250 while I was abroad on three weeks holiday. Came back to find the chain still attached to the bike parking bay railing but no bike. To be honest I’m amazed it hasn’t happened sooner, 250cc scooters are hot property in London.
I think I’ll replace it with an old snotter that nobody wants. Fazer, SV650 or similar. You can’t have nice things in London.
Sorry to hear thatd Tube for my work commute for a few weeks until insurance is sorted. The scooter twunts nicked my Vespa GTS 250 while I was abroad on three weeks holiday. Came back to find the chain still attached to the bike parking bay railing but no bike. To be honest I’m amazed it hasn’t happened sooner, 250cc scooters are hot property in London.
I think I’ll replace it with an old snotter that nobody wants. Fazer, SV650 or similar. You can’t have nice things in London.
Where in London was it?
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff