And today's commuting highlight is...

[sjtscott]

Pothole said:

Of course they were passing you, as would I have been. I set mine to at least 3mph above the posted limit as they have a margin of error built in which allows for it.

They were passing at 60+ True mph... That's not a margin for error you speak of. My car reads 4-5mph high on the Speedo vs GPS, even without my Tom tom i wouldn't be sitting past 55 or 56 mph on the car Speedo irrespective. That's the margin of error for myself.
Some people really are amazingly untalented and some super aggressive on top of that too around London on average when driving and just generally think rules of the road don't apply, 17 years of living here and biking here you really can't apply it to any other style of UK driving.

I guess the other explanation false plates or car not registered, taxed or insured let alone license do whatever speed you want.

[Cbull]

sjtscott said:

Some educational reading. https://www.speedcamerasuk.com/specs.htm

Thanks and now I know . Well, I think the answer is obvious They get fines or they are either gypsies and 1 f k is not given or they have James Bond styled number plates (wouldn't mind that option on mine).

kiethton said:

Just me or was the traffic almost non-existent today?

Been like that since last week for me. Very weird indeed. My only guess is Spain is pretty full right now.

[Dakkon]

Start of the school holidays this week, roads very quiet, crash on the A4 near Chiswick, causing utter chaos, so glad I am on a bike

[sjtscott]

Pseudo artificial queuing on the highway heading west into town still up to tower bridge junction lights - 100% convinced down to controlled short timings on green so traffic backs up to the Limehouse link. Certain Fridays traffic can be light enough to get an empty run in Mon-Thurs no chance. Schools are still in round my way so lets see what happens next week.
My highlight very impressed today in the limehouse link no less than 3 other scooters/bikes pulled over for me and Mr Mk1 Street Triple who simply has to stay in front of me irrespective, seen him a number of mornings now, I don't stress I'm putting in little effort to stay with him he seems to have to try hard to keep in front
That and Mr Yellow Busa who I encounter (read as catch him up) every few days is slow as crap at filtering and likes to stop making progress whenever he can.
Its nice to have your regular bikers to 'not' say hi to every day - I've tried at the lights believe with some of these guys but most of them don't really seem to be in a chatty mood. LOL

[Dakkon]

sjtscott said:

Pseudo artificial queuing on the highway heading west into town still up to tower bridge junction lights - 100% convinced down to controlled short timings on green so traffic backs up to the Limehouse link. Certain Fridays traffic can be light enough to get an empty run in Mon-Thurs no chance. Schools are still in round my way so lets see what happens next week.
My highlight very impressed today in the limehouse link no less than 3 other scooters/bikes pulled over for me and Mr Mk1 Street Triple who simply has to stay in front of me irrespective, seen him a number of mornings now, I don't stress I'm putting in little effort to stay with him he seems to have to try hard to keep in front
That and Mr Yellow Busa who I encounter (read as catch him up) every few days is slow as crap at filtering and likes to stop making progress whenever he can.
Its nice to have your regular bikers to 'not' say hi to every day - I've tried at the lights believe with some of these guys but most of them don't really seem to be in a chatty mood. LOL

They don't talk to you because you are so mean about their riding on the internet

[sjtscott]

Dakkon said:

They don't talk to you because you are so mean about their riding on the internet

LOL you are probably right 'Hi mate, yes your riding sucks wanna be friends?'

[mitzy]

No Commute today as I am WFH.

Last nights ride home was stupid , used my horn about six times, is it because it warm they are all fed up of being in the car
Who knows and left my Scarla at work charging so no tunes

Back on the bike Thursday ............on the piss tomorrow

[kiethton]

fking scooter wkers

No room in the bay but still push mine over, then proceed to fk up the fairing...s

Was parked on the line!

[kiethton]

And got to the bay this morning to find a van parked in it! - thankfully managed to park within the bay in front of it but really hope they don't just drive over it leaving!

[Cbull]

Cheeky beggers, that must be annoying

Last night I was filtering (at a slow but steady pace) on the left side of the oncoming traffic side as there was temporary lights causing havoc with the traffic mostly stationary and nothing in the other lane. Lucky I just caught a glimpse of a van coming out from a junction. He was still looking left (as you do) and come out right in front of me. I didn't have enough room or time to tuck in on the left so had to go very wide on his road. Narrow miss with the back wheel.

Luckily we didn't hit each other. I'm still not sure who's be at fault in a situation like that... probably me.

[Dakkon]

Roads are definitely getting quieter, still some queued traffic on the M4 in places, but Chiswick roundabout was unusually quiet.

[supercommuter]

kiethton said:

fking scooter wkers

No room in the bay but still push mine over, then proceed to fk up the fairing...s

Was parked on the line!

Dicks. My bike is in Soho most days, I normally get there early enough to get on the edge of the bay. Pisses me off so much when I come back and my bike has miraculously moved in further. I have found a tucked away bay which is always empty, so I try using that when possible.

When I was working down by Liverpool street it was much worse. Never get a spot without coming back and your alarm has been going off and bike moved.

[bgunn]

supercommuter said:

Dicks. My bike is in Soho most days, I normally get there early enough to get on the edge of the bay. Pisses me off so much when I come back and my bike has miraculously moved in further. I have found a tucked away bay which is always empty, so I try using that when possible.

When I was working down by Liverpool street it was much worse. Never get a spot without coming back and your alarm has been going off and bike moved.

Does make you want to drag their ste box out and push it on its side, but usually they're in such bad condition the owner wouldn't notice anymore damage!

[kiethton]

Indeed, happens far too regularly but this is the first time I've noticed any material damage

I'm on Ropemaker Street so park on Moor lane, with the building work they've closed a couple of huge bays, compressing everybody although others. Finsbury Sq and outside CASS on Bunhill Row are no better but further away.

[SteelerSE]

Much quieter today. I arrived about five minutes earlier than usual - partly lucky with traffic lights but it was a breeze today.

I did see a guy near Twickenham who was so concerned with being faster than another bike (I was 30 yards back letting him get on with it) that he pulled out on a van at the roundabout. The van had to break hard so I'm assuming that he just hadn't seen it as otherwise he was asking to be hit. Isn't it weird how the macho bullst red mist descends on some people?

[sjtscott]

SteelerSE said:

Much quieter today. I arrived about five minutes earlier than usual - partly lucky with traffic lights but it was a breeze today.

I did see a guy near Twickenham who was so concerned with being faster than another bike (I was 30 yards back letting him get on with it) that he pulled out on a van at the roundabout. The van had to break hard so I'm assuming that he just hadn't seen it as otherwise he was asking to be hit. Isn't it weird how the macho bullst red mist descends on some people?

Correct - Had that last night, guy on a 2009 R1 had to be faster than everyone but was a complete pansy launching the thing off the line at the traffic light GP That is my speciality and I'm not even trying LOL Anyway I let him go because it just a bit a fun for me when coming home I've got nothing to prove. So he thraps it away from me only for a car and van to pull out to turn right across and in front of him - funny I was around 100metres back spotted this happening so kept a constant speed to ensure they were clear when I arrived (good forward planning) - he on the other hand full red mist spotted them way too late and basically had to emergency stop his bike! Another clear insurance premium increaser for the rest of the biking community in London in the making.

[308mate]

Today's highlight is not having a commute

Yesterday's was variously wet & dry roads which lead to 3rd gear wheelspin at 100mph.

[kingb]

Hoping for a little advice from seasoned commuters

Just taken a job that will put in in London 3/4 days a week to meet customers. I sell laboratory kit to university research groups.

I will need to wear chinos and a shirt to meet customers but wont have an office to store them / change out of riding kit. Its about 30 miles from home to London bridge.

Any advice on how to sort clothing and general tips? Cheers

[TNJ]

I would go for some kevlar/armoured chinos so no need to change (with waterproof overtrousers in case of rain), then take a carefully folded shirt in a rucksack/tailpack with shoes.

Although you may need to think more creatively during the winter months as the chinos would not have much in the way of thermal qualities

[sjtscott]

kingb said:

Hoping for a little advice from seasoned commuters

Just taken a job that will put in in London 3/4 days a week to meet customers. I sell laboratory kit to university research groups.

I will need to wear chinos and a shirt to meet customers but wont have an office to store them / change out of riding kit. Its about 30 miles from home to London bridge.

Any advice on how to sort clothing and general tips? Cheers

Well you can buy Textile goretex based trousers and jacket - get a bigger size to wear over your clothes - thats what I do. If you do need to look smart enough which means wearing stuff over the top might impact that then that you have to transport your clothes separately and change into them - toilet cubicals work - been there done that.
Whilst I can wear jeans so I don't care in that regard I'm able to wear an ironed polo shirt to the office under my bike gear and it still look presentable as an example Summer or winter. A formal shirt on the other hand, no lol