And today's commuting highlight is...
Discussion
CAPP0 said:
Just for a bit of balance: Monday night, I hit the M20 only for the matrix signs to say long delays J2-J3. Sure enough it all started snarling up around Brands, so I decided to take J2 and use the A20.
As I came up to the roundabout at the top of the slip road, Bike Bib appeared from the Brands direction, pulled on to the roundabout in front of me, so I followed him onto Wrotham Hill, wondering how my filtering intentions would be affected. He was just riding, no blues & twos.
Top of the hill there are solid double whites, which he observed although he did cut past a couple of cars which moved over for him, but staying inside the lines. Once the double solids ended, we were off! He was happily filtering/overtaking, albeit sensibly and cautiously, so I just matched his moves. This carried on all the way down, past the Oakdene and along the A20 until he pulled into Parkfoot petrol station. Nice and steady, no dramas but certainly "making progress". No comments or actions towards me from the BiB at all. Maybe that was because we were riding matching bikes
Within reason I've only had positive experiences with proper traffic bike cops - you just learn to be a little more sensible if they're around you.As I came up to the roundabout at the top of the slip road, Bike Bib appeared from the Brands direction, pulled on to the roundabout in front of me, so I followed him onto Wrotham Hill, wondering how my filtering intentions would be affected. He was just riding, no blues & twos.
Top of the hill there are solid double whites, which he observed although he did cut past a couple of cars which moved over for him, but staying inside the lines. Once the double solids ended, we were off! He was happily filtering/overtaking, albeit sensibly and cautiously, so I just matched his moves. This carried on all the way down, past the Oakdene and along the A20 until he pulled into Parkfoot petrol station. Nice and steady, no dramas but certainly "making progress". No comments or actions towards me from the BiB at all. Maybe that was because we were riding matching bikes
When ever I'm following Bike Cops in London and pull up at the lights next to them I usually have a chat to be friendly, found each an every one to be generally really nice and friendly - I have complete respect for proper bike traffic cops they know their stuff and all know how to ride. One cop the other week when it was toasty complemented me on my bike saying they're good those after I asked him how he was doing today
They can spot those that know what they're doing with their riding and are dressed appropriately (free choice I know but I'm convinced it works) - I was shown leniency with a fixed penalty in the past for a serious double the speed limit bust which should have been a court and ban job through being friendly and polite. I was also given a chat and no further action for missing the fact a road in Southwalk had changed to a 20 after being 30 limit for the previous 10 years I'd ridden on it. Fleegle said:
This morning seemed that a lot of bike riders left their heads at home. Both big bikes and shyty scooters alike appeared to freeze the moment a filtering opportunity arose. It was painful !!
Noticed exactly the same this morning. Less summer posers but still some terrible riding this morning. I can only put it down to light rain and very wet roads and a lot of bikers really are not confident unless its dry.The award of the day goes to mr Ducati Monster red with a white stripe down the centre of the painwork - tarty light tan leather jacket and a nice matching man bag across his shoulders who couldn't filter for toffee FFS man you've got 5 other bikes stuck behind you - his saving grace he pulled forward at a set of lights to allow me along side. Despite the police roadblock for trucks on Lower Thames Street I got up to the 30 limit very quickly and stuck at it nodding to Mr traffic cop looking at me as I went by bang on the limit lol
Chaps, just putting it out there but I think we need a little more tolerance here to noob commuters, at the end of the day they're doing it, they own a bike and hold a licence. Sure crap awareness of others is annoying but we need more people riding if we're ever going to escape this gridlocked misery, we all have to start somewhere!
tjlazer said:
Chaps, just putting it out there but I think we need a little more tolerance here to noob commuters, at the end of the day they're doing it, they own a bike and hold a licence. Sure crap awareness of others is annoying but we need more people riding if we're ever going to escape this gridlocked misery, we all have to start somewhere!
Tolerance is given to everyone initially - cluelessness however isn't tolerated. The number of wobbly commuters who can't use their mirror or who check their mirrors and just don't get the queue of bikes behind them is there for a reason.Ride your own speed take your own risks but check and move out the way if you're clearly holding others up. Its pretty dam simple
just putting it out there as you say.I also use countersteering on my commute lol
sjtscott said:
tjlazer said:
Chaps, just putting it out there but I think we need a little more tolerance here to noob commuters, at the end of the day they're doing it, they own a bike and hold a licence. Sure crap awareness of others is annoying but we need more people riding if we're ever going to escape this gridlocked misery, we all have to start somewhere!
Tolerance is given to everyone initially - cluelessness however isn't tolerated. The number of wobbly commuters who can't use their mirror or who check their mirrors and just don't get the queue of bikes behind them is there for a reason.Ride your own speed take your own risks but check and move out the way if you're clearly holding others up. Its pretty dam simple
just putting it out there as you say.I also use countersteering on my commute lol
Angrybiker said:
sjtscott said:
tjlazer said:
Chaps, just putting it out there but I think we need a little more tolerance here to noob commuters, at the end of the day they're doing it, they own a bike and hold a licence. Sure crap awareness of others is annoying but we need more people riding if we're ever going to escape this gridlocked misery, we all have to start somewhere!
Tolerance is given to everyone initially - cluelessness however isn't tolerated. The number of wobbly commuters who can't use their mirror or who check their mirrors and just don't get the queue of bikes behind them is there for a reason.Ride your own speed take your own risks but check and move out the way if you're clearly holding others up. Its pretty dam simple
just putting it out there as you say.I also use countersteering on my commute lol
if
.
.
one assumes the speed through traffic were somehow linked with motorcycling ability
.
.
.
I'd agree with you all.
My perception is that its only sometimes linked with ability and the rest of the time its linked with the riders attitude to risk which has nothing to do with their ability.
Depending on what day I'm having, I'm either dressed in leathers with my head down having picked my weather and traffic in which to do so/. Or I'm pootling along in flip flops and tee shirt smelling the wind like a dog with its head out of a car window. If you want to pass me then its pretty easy regardless of me blocking middle fast lane space. Down the A2/M25 each day I see both the slow middle, and milled fast used for filtering. I suggest use whichever isn't blocked by my wind sniffing
P.S counter steering doesn't exist
.
.
one assumes the speed through traffic were somehow linked with motorcycling ability
.
.
.
I'd agree with you all.
My perception is that its only sometimes linked with ability and the rest of the time its linked with the riders attitude to risk which has nothing to do with their ability.
Depending on what day I'm having, I'm either dressed in leathers with my head down having picked my weather and traffic in which to do so/. Or I'm pootling along in flip flops and tee shirt smelling the wind like a dog with its head out of a car window. If you want to pass me then its pretty easy regardless of me blocking middle fast lane space. Down the A2/M25 each day I see both the slow middle, and milled fast used for filtering. I suggest use whichever isn't blocked by my wind sniffing
P.S counter steering doesn't exist
julian64 said:
if
.
.
one assumes the speed through traffic were somehow linked with motorcycling ability
.
.
.
I'd agree with you all.
My perception is that its only sometimes linked with ability and the rest of the time its linked with the riders attitude to risk which has nothing to do with their ability.
Depending on what day I'm having, I'm either dressed in leathers with my head down having picked my weather and traffic in which to do so/. Or I'm pootling along in flip flops and tee shirt smelling the wind like a dog with its head out of a car window. If you want to pass me then its pretty easy regardless of me blocking middle fast lane space. Down the A2/M25 each day I see both the slow middle, and milled fast used for filtering. I suggest use whichever isn't blocked by my wind sniffing
P.S counter steering doesn't exist
You seem to be referring to the outside of London commuting experience which as those who start their journeys there will confirm besides myself is very very different from the proper London bit. You'll not ever be holding me up on the roads you refer to so please don't worry yourself! .
.
one assumes the speed through traffic were somehow linked with motorcycling ability
.
.
.
I'd agree with you all.
My perception is that its only sometimes linked with ability and the rest of the time its linked with the riders attitude to risk which has nothing to do with their ability.
Depending on what day I'm having, I'm either dressed in leathers with my head down having picked my weather and traffic in which to do so/. Or I'm pootling along in flip flops and tee shirt smelling the wind like a dog with its head out of a car window. If you want to pass me then its pretty easy regardless of me blocking middle fast lane space. Down the A2/M25 each day I see both the slow middle, and milled fast used for filtering. I suggest use whichever isn't blocked by my wind sniffing
P.S counter steering doesn't exist
sjtscott said:
julian64 said:
if
.
.
one assumes the speed through traffic were somehow linked with motorcycling ability
.
.
.
I'd agree with you all.
My perception is that its only sometimes linked with ability and the rest of the time its linked with the riders attitude to risk which has nothing to do with their ability.
Depending on what day I'm having, I'm either dressed in leathers with my head down having picked my weather and traffic in which to do so/. Or I'm pootling along in flip flops and tee shirt smelling the wind like a dog with its head out of a car window. If you want to pass me then its pretty easy regardless of me blocking middle fast lane space. Down the A2/M25 each day I see both the slow middle, and milled fast used for filtering. I suggest use whichever isn't blocked by my wind sniffing
P.S counter steering doesn't exist
You seem to be referring to the outside of London commuting experience which as those who start their journeys there will confirm besides myself is very very different from the proper London bit. You'll not ever be holding me up on the roads you refer to so please don't worry yourself! .
.
one assumes the speed through traffic were somehow linked with motorcycling ability
.
.
.
I'd agree with you all.
My perception is that its only sometimes linked with ability and the rest of the time its linked with the riders attitude to risk which has nothing to do with their ability.
Depending on what day I'm having, I'm either dressed in leathers with my head down having picked my weather and traffic in which to do so/. Or I'm pootling along in flip flops and tee shirt smelling the wind like a dog with its head out of a car window. If you want to pass me then its pretty easy regardless of me blocking middle fast lane space. Down the A2/M25 each day I see both the slow middle, and milled fast used for filtering. I suggest use whichever isn't blocked by my wind sniffing
P.S counter steering doesn't exist
kiethton said:
sjtscott said:
I know it well - so you are correct! I live on the north side of the Blackwall tunnel the A102/A2/M25 is my escape route lol
Your insurance costs must be horrendous! I live on the north side of the Blackwall tunnel the A102/A2/M25 is my escape route lolThe guy on the G reg blue ZZR1100 on South Lambeth Road/Vauxhall Cross this morning. Despite pretty much hitting three figures every time a couple of metres of clear, straight carriageway opened up, he was still whooped point to point by everyone - including the twist n' go rats - because he seemed to think that sitting on the rear bumper of the vehicle in front, blipping his throttle like a t
t was a substitute for actually filtering....
t was a substitute for actually filtering....
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