The daily "I cycled to work" thread
Discussion
Cycled to work for the first time on Friday! (Got a 90 mile charity ride coming up so decided to try and condition my ass!)
Left for work after rush hour, had a lovely ride in, all the traffic passed me nice and safely and a Castelli clad chap said "Good morning" as he passed me like I was standing still.
The ride home was a little more 'eventful'. A huge tractor pulling a trailer was waiting in the oncoming direction to turn right at a junction (so he had to cross my path). Obviously I was prepared for him to just ignore the fact that I would have to slow down if he didn't respect my right of way. He made the turn and I had to slow down, shaking my head to show my disgust. He was then hanging out of the cab after he had made the turn, looking back in a confrontational manner, so I just waved a hand at him (no rude gesture). I always tell people not to do this sort of thing, LOL!
Anyway, I carried on my route, knowing that if he wanted to, he could do another right turn and come out ahead of me on my route. As I approached the junction where he could rejoin, who did I see barreling up to it just too late to get out in front of me? Yes, he apparently wanted to be a dick.
Well, I can be a dick too, so now that I was in front, it was time to own my lane. Luckily it was downhill and quite twisty, so I managed to keep him behind for over a mile, LOL. Eventually he had the visibility to make a pass, so as he was coming by, I made sure to be ready in case he passed close by or slammed on the brakes once he got in front of me.
Strangely, he didn't want to take it any further, he just turned right at the next junction (I assume so he could return to his previous route) while again hanging out of the cab eyeballing me!
I don't know how people can commute every day in rush hour!
Left for work after rush hour, had a lovely ride in, all the traffic passed me nice and safely and a Castelli clad chap said "Good morning" as he passed me like I was standing still.
The ride home was a little more 'eventful'. A huge tractor pulling a trailer was waiting in the oncoming direction to turn right at a junction (so he had to cross my path). Obviously I was prepared for him to just ignore the fact that I would have to slow down if he didn't respect my right of way. He made the turn and I had to slow down, shaking my head to show my disgust. He was then hanging out of the cab after he had made the turn, looking back in a confrontational manner, so I just waved a hand at him (no rude gesture). I always tell people not to do this sort of thing, LOL!
Anyway, I carried on my route, knowing that if he wanted to, he could do another right turn and come out ahead of me on my route. As I approached the junction where he could rejoin, who did I see barreling up to it just too late to get out in front of me? Yes, he apparently wanted to be a dick.
Well, I can be a dick too, so now that I was in front, it was time to own my lane. Luckily it was downhill and quite twisty, so I managed to keep him behind for over a mile, LOL. Eventually he had the visibility to make a pass, so as he was coming by, I made sure to be ready in case he passed close by or slammed on the brakes once he got in front of me.
Strangely, he didn't want to take it any further, he just turned right at the next junction (I assume so he could return to his previous route) while again hanging out of the cab eyeballing me!
I don't know how people can commute every day in rush hour!
I got knocked off my bike on my way into work this morning.
I'm fine, just soreness cuts and bruises, but the bike is dead I think.
I was cycling past a BMW X5 which turned right into my path. The driver stopped long enough to tell me she didn't think it was her fault. She was blocking the road so I suggested she pull over, but she drove off never to return. Other drivers were astonished wagging their fingers at her, I didn't get her number infuriatingly.
The police came, but said the cctv camera was pointing the wrong way at the time. I have British Cycling insurance, which I thought might cover my bike, but on looking at it more closely, it's legal and 3rd party cover so unless I can identify the driver and prove liability it's not going to do it I don't think.
I'm fine, just soreness cuts and bruises, but the bike is dead I think.
I was cycling past a BMW X5 which turned right into my path. The driver stopped long enough to tell me she didn't think it was her fault. She was blocking the road so I suggested she pull over, but she drove off never to return. Other drivers were astonished wagging their fingers at her, I didn't get her number infuriatingly.
The police came, but said the cctv camera was pointing the wrong way at the time. I have British Cycling insurance, which I thought might cover my bike, but on looking at it more closely, it's legal and 3rd party cover so unless I can identify the driver and prove liability it's not going to do it I don't think.
That is just s
t, especially such a lovely bike.
I'm pretty sure the Police will be interested in the driver as they left the scene.
You might also want to try claiming via the MIB, although I assume you will at least need the registration.
http://www.mib.org.uk/Submit+a+Claim/en/Default.ht...
t, especially such a lovely bike.I'm pretty sure the Police will be interested in the driver as they left the scene.
You might also want to try claiming via the MIB, although I assume you will at least need the registration.
http://www.mib.org.uk/Submit+a+Claim/en/Default.ht...
loudlashadjuster said:
That is just st, especially such a lovely bike.
I'm pretty sure the Police will be interested in the driver as they left the scene.
You might also want to try claiming via the MIB, although I assume you will at least need the registration.
http://www.mib.org.uk/Submit+a+Claim/en/Default.ht...
Am I the only one who thought of this when I read that....t, especially such a lovely bike.I'm pretty sure the Police will be interested in the driver as they left the scene.
You might also want to try claiming via the MIB, although I assume you will at least need the registration.
http://www.mib.org.uk/Submit+a+Claim/en/Default.ht...
idiotgap said:
I got knocked off my bike on my way into work this morning.
I'm fine, just soreness cuts and bruises, but the bike is dead I think.
I was cycling past a BMW X5 which turned right into my path. The driver stopped long enough to tell me she didn't think it was her fault. She was blocking the road so I suggested she pull over, but she drove off never to return. Other drivers were astonished wagging their fingers at her, I didn't get her number infuriatingly.
The police came, but said the cctv camera was pointing the wrong way at the time. I have British Cycling insurance, which I thought might cover my bike, but on looking at it more closely, it's legal and 3rd party cover so unless I can identify the driver and prove liability it's not going to do it I don't think.
MIB should cover it. Uninsured and fail to stop drivers. You shouldn't have to make a claim from your own policy. I'm fine, just soreness cuts and bruises, but the bike is dead I think.
I was cycling past a BMW X5 which turned right into my path. The driver stopped long enough to tell me she didn't think it was her fault. She was blocking the road so I suggested she pull over, but she drove off never to return. Other drivers were astonished wagging their fingers at her, I didn't get her number infuriatingly.
The police came, but said the cctv camera was pointing the wrong way at the time. I have British Cycling insurance, which I thought might cover my bike, but on looking at it more closely, it's legal and 3rd party cover so unless I can identify the driver and prove liability it's not going to do it I don't think.
Liquid Knight said:
MIB should cover it. Uninsured and fail to stop drivers. You shouldn't have to make a claim from your own policy.
Just had a callback from BritishCycling's solicitor. MiB it seems are only interested in aliens and personal injury, I can't claim for damage to property through them apparently. There was an awkward moment whilst the solicitor came to terms with her dissapointment that my injuries were slight. idiotgap said:
I got knocked off my bike on my way into work this morning.
I'm fine, just soreness cuts and bruises, but the bike is dead I think.
I was cycling past a BMW X5 which turned right into my path. The driver stopped long enough to tell me she didn't think it was her fault. She was blocking the road so I suggested she pull over, but she drove off never to return. Other drivers were astonished wagging their fingers at her, I didn't get her number infuriatingly.
The police came, but said the cctv camera was pointing the wrong way at the time. I have British Cycling insurance, which I thought might cover my bike, but on looking at it more closely, it's legal and 3rd party cover so unless I can identify the driver and prove liability it's not going to do it I don't think.
So sorry to hear about your accident this morning.I'm fine, just soreness cuts and bruises, but the bike is dead I think.
I was cycling past a BMW X5 which turned right into my path. The driver stopped long enough to tell me she didn't think it was her fault. She was blocking the road so I suggested she pull over, but she drove off never to return. Other drivers were astonished wagging their fingers at her, I didn't get her number infuriatingly.
The police came, but said the cctv camera was pointing the wrong way at the time. I have British Cycling insurance, which I thought might cover my bike, but on looking at it more closely, it's legal and 3rd party cover so unless I can identify the driver and prove liability it's not going to do it I don't think.
What a crock of s
t the police are spouting about CCTV pointing in the wrong direction. i bet they'd trace it if it was one of their own.They could find her if they wanted to.
idiotgap said:
What I thought was strange was that they didn't ask for the time of the incident. If I was looking at scanning back through cctv footage it is something I would probably ask. Anyway, it is what is... It was an ebay bargain in the first place... I'll look for something else.
They just don't want to get involved really.Sad but true
idiotgap said:
What I thought was strange was that they didn't ask for the time of the incident. If I was looking at scanning back through cctv footage it is something I would probably ask. Anyway, it is what is... It was an ebay bargain in the first place... I'll look for something else.
Can you take the same route and look for the offending vehicle - it could be their regular drive, given the time of the morning etc. Having the reg would surely make the police act?Maxf said:
Can you take the same route and look for the offending vehicle - it could be their regular drive, given the time of the morning etc. Having the reg would surely make the police act?
I was thinking this too,Gotta get yourself a camera of some kind for you're daily commute, far too many buffoons on the roads these days.
I'm speechless at the damage to your bike!
I hope you can get some sort of closure but the main thing is you're ok.
I work from home so can't commute but I use my 'lunch hour' to get some miles in.
Been concentrating on hills for the past wee while to get me over the Horseshoe Pass a few weeks ago but am now looking at increasing, (or trying to!), my average speed.
Managed 18.8 mph over 20 miles today and I'm quite pleased with that. (Didn't really have time to go further.)
I'm wondering if 20 is doable but I'm as aerodynamic and heavy as something really flat and made of very dense material so I'm not sure.
I'll just need to keep chipping away at it.
I hope you can get some sort of closure but the main thing is you're ok.
I work from home so can't commute but I use my 'lunch hour' to get some miles in.
Been concentrating on hills for the past wee while to get me over the Horseshoe Pass a few weeks ago but am now looking at increasing, (or trying to!), my average speed.
Managed 18.8 mph over 20 miles today and I'm quite pleased with that. (Didn't really have time to go further.)
I'm wondering if 20 is doable but I'm as aerodynamic and heavy as something really flat and made of very dense material so I'm not sure.
I'll just need to keep chipping away at it.
I'll definitely be on techmoan looking for a camera sometime soon.
I had thought of retracing my steps tomorrow, lying in wait and trying to get a photo of the car/plate. It's going to be a tedious task, I'll decide overnight if I want to pursue it. It's a very busy junction and her timings may vary, maybe it was a total one off...
I had thought of retracing my steps tomorrow, lying in wait and trying to get a photo of the car/plate. It's going to be a tedious task, I'll decide overnight if I want to pursue it. It's a very busy junction and her timings may vary, maybe it was a total one off...
WRT the chap having trouble with the coppers not helping, just remember they're all human. You might have chanced on someone who is having a bad day, under a mountain of paperwork, or who kind of dislikes cyclists. It shouldn't be the case, but it probably is. If it was me, I'd try to get the reg by cycling the same way for a bit, and then if you're relatively rural, or you have them, contact your local PCSO. Ours has been very helpful with a local chap not giving me enough room when he passes me.
---
This morning I took a scenic route, which turned hilly. My 20mph average was soon destroyed as I started my hill repeat loops, which I masochistically enjoyed.
Porridge with protein, a protein shake, and a bucket of tea.
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This morning I took a scenic route, which turned hilly. My 20mph average was soon destroyed as I started my hill repeat loops, which I masochistically enjoyed.
Porridge with protein, a protein shake, and a bucket of tea.
There was a development this morning.
I retraced my steps because the car I collided with was clearly on the school run. Sure enough the car came past and I got the reg. The lady stopped and beckoned me over so we were able to exchange details and chat. She explained leaving the scene and it is plausible, yesterday we'd discussed liability and I'd said that since we weren't going to agree there wasn't a lot to talk about (or something like that). English clearly isn't her first language and she'd interpreted it to mean we were done talking altogether.
She's asked me to tell her how much she needs to pay to cover the damage to the bike so she can consider that before going down the insurance route.
I've decided to try her out on this, not too sure how much to ask for but going to try and put an estimate together.
I've informed the police that I don't want to pursue her for the time being.
I don't want to clutter up this nice commuting thread with this chat about my knock... I'll maybe put an update in when it's all resolved.
I retraced my steps because the car I collided with was clearly on the school run. Sure enough the car came past and I got the reg. The lady stopped and beckoned me over so we were able to exchange details and chat. She explained leaving the scene and it is plausible, yesterday we'd discussed liability and I'd said that since we weren't going to agree there wasn't a lot to talk about (or something like that). English clearly isn't her first language and she'd interpreted it to mean we were done talking altogether.
She's asked me to tell her how much she needs to pay to cover the damage to the bike so she can consider that before going down the insurance route.
I've decided to try her out on this, not too sure how much to ask for but going to try and put an estimate together.
I've informed the police that I don't want to pursue her for the time being.
I don't want to clutter up this nice commuting thread with this chat about my knock... I'll maybe put an update in when it's all resolved.
My only advice would be to get it sorted quickly. Tell her how much you want and give her a timeframe to pay - 1 week. Provide her with evidence validating why you want that amount and be reasonable. I know a few people, car drivers and cyclists, who've been in the same boat and the guilty 3rd party just drags it out and then eventually fails to pay. They'll either pay or they won't.
Good luck and hope you get it all sorted.
I'm just glad I didn't cycle into Manchester yesterday - it was like Armageddon on the way home, multiple road closures and total chaos on the roads due to the horrific rain..
Good luck and hope you get it all sorted.
I'm just glad I didn't cycle into Manchester yesterday - it was like Armageddon on the way home, multiple road closures and total chaos on the roads due to the horrific rain..
Well my ride in yesterday was disappointing but I caned it on the way home. So a decent 20 miles.
Then jumped on my pub bike and hammered it down to the football and back. Another 10.
Today I did a good 90 mins in the gym (I'm at the beginning of week 2 of a 6 week mission with a personal trainer).
Commuting on the bike again Friday.
Gym again Saturday.
Commuting Monday.
After 12 years of parenthood it's great to get back in the gym. It feeds the cycling and vice versa.
Then jumped on my pub bike and hammered it down to the football and back. Another 10.
Today I did a good 90 mins in the gym (I'm at the beginning of week 2 of a 6 week mission with a personal trainer).
Commuting on the bike again Friday.
Gym again Saturday.
Commuting Monday.
After 12 years of parenthood it's great to get back in the gym. It feeds the cycling and vice versa.
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