And today's commuting highlight is...
Discussion
Angrybiker said:
sjtscott said:
Angrybiker said:
Lee_sec said:
so... what would you commuting gods recommend to non riding gods to improve filtering / awareness - is it just practice / experience or are there things you see these people doing that us commuting novices here could learn from?
1. It's mostly practice and experience, but:2. Try to do journeys using the brakes only to come to a complete stop. This will both improve your forward planning and calm you down. Improving forward planning is the KEY. Once you have that you can open throttle in the right places with confidence.
3. When filtering try to keep straight as much as possible. The more you weave the more out of control you are and the more you look like a scooter rider who's trying too hard. You'll also be amazed how little you actually do need to weave. And when you don't weave you get through smaller gaps, make faster progress. If you're behind someone who's not weaving but making good progress then observe them.
4. Keep an eye on your mirrors. If it's been clear behind you for a while and all of a sudden you have a bike filling your mirror, the chap behind is probably going faster than you. There's no shame in pulling over and letting them past. In some cases they might well be going too fast for their ability but that's their problem.
5. Don't ever be pressured to filter faster. The more stressed you are the more you're likely to over-react at a sudden hazard and end up having a bad day. Your pace that day is your pace that day. You look like more of a pro when you look self aware enough to know that you're not 100% that afternoon and letting someone else past.
6. If the traffic you're filtering past is moving then it's less risk than when stationary. Stationary traffic = wilfully blind pedestrians crossing.
7. Look forward for gaps starting to appear between cars. Consistent gaps and moving cars = peachy.
8. Eagle eye for cyclists. b
ds never look before suddenly appearing in the filter lane.9. Always brake hover for all side roads. Never know who's going to do the famous last minute 'indicate as you turn' manoeuver.
I'd also add 10. understand and learn your best route - it may sound obvious but you might make easier/safer progress using a different route - this particular can work in London - try all available.
11. For the route you do take learn the specifics about where its best to filter position wise or where you'll get a collection of random 4 wheeled user movements. i.e. looks out for special awareness biker danger hot spots
12. For London spot the minicab aka **** driver sticker front and rear and be prepared for some of the most random poor driving you'll ever see in your life. If they are moving slowly and not in a queue double danger!!!
t in traffic. Keep a cool head. You can always tell a summer rider from a seasoned filterer by how much they lose their st at somebody lane drifting. I have now learned to chill out a bit as I was getting to work in a fuming mess.Angrybiker covered the top points. 9 is key. I will add to that to keep an eye out for lane drifters who are usually on their phone that close gaps up when the traffic starts moving. Also look for gaps appearing faster moving traffic when their is a stationary queue next to it. You can guarantee a lane switcher will try and cut over last second to get in the faster land of traffic,
supercommuter said:
13. You will quickly tire of boiling over every time somebody is a tt in traffic. Keep a cool head. You can always tell a summer rider from a seasoned filterer by how much they lose their st at somebody lane drifting. I have now learned to chill out a bit as I was getting to work in a fuming mess.
Angrybiker covered the top points. 9 is key. I will add to that to keep an eye out for lane drifters who are usually on their phone that close gaps up when the traffic starts moving. Also look for gaps appearing faster moving traffic when their is a stationary queue next to it. You can guarantee a lane switcher will try and cut over last second to get in the faster land of traffic,
I cover my brakes/clutch on all London riding under normal circumstances.. its saved me more times than I care to remember.t in traffic. Keep a cool head. You can always tell a summer rider from a seasoned filterer by how much they lose their st at somebody lane drifting. I have now learned to chill out a bit as I was getting to work in a fuming mess.Angrybiker covered the top points. 9 is key. I will add to that to keep an eye out for lane drifters who are usually on their phone that close gaps up when the traffic starts moving. Also look for gaps appearing faster moving traffic when their is a stationary queue next to it. You can guarantee a lane switcher will try and cut over last second to get in the faster land of traffic,
Your good example above basically is the whole of the Limehouse link tunnel on my morning commute west into central london from CW where I live! Its seems a particular thing that the car users love to use their phones in the slow moving traffic.. you get lane drifting not keeping up with traffic then the knock on random lane changing caused by the fake gaps etc etc.
CAPP0 said:
The ex-Forces goretex ones from eBay are made from a properly waterproof laminated goretex material (you will need to Techwash them now and then) but they are almost all either dark blue or camo - not ideal on the bike! I have one for dogging walking the dog.
What's wrong with navy blue. Thought it was good as doesn't get too dirty with grease stains! Not one for hiviz. I spent a while a few years back commuting M3-M25-A30 from Aldershot to Heathrow.
Bike 20 mins
Car 45-60 mins
Public transport 1hr 50
Re filtering speeds, I always thought bikers filtering a thigh speeds on the motorway were nutters, and then I started riding regularly on a crowded motorways. I'd always start off only filtering when the traffic was down to 15-20mph ish, and then look at my speedo and find I was filtering at 70+. It's amazing how quickly that starts to seem normal and reigning myself in would last for a few days and then I'd realise I was filtering at silly speeds again.
Bike 20 mins
Car 45-60 mins
Public transport 1hr 50
Re filtering speeds, I always thought bikers filtering a thigh speeds on the motorway were nutters, and then I started riding regularly on a crowded motorways. I'd always start off only filtering when the traffic was down to 15-20mph ish, and then look at my speedo and find I was filtering at 70+. It's amazing how quickly that starts to seem normal and reigning myself in would last for a few days and then I'd realise I was filtering at silly speeds again.
RizzoTheRat said:
I spent a while a few years back commuting M3-M25-A30 from Aldershot to Heathrow.
Bike 20 mins
Car 45-60 mins
Public transport 1hr 50
Re filtering speeds, I always thought bikers filtering a thigh speeds on the motorway were nutters, and then I started riding regularly on a crowded motorways. I'd always start off only filtering when the traffic was down to 15-20mph ish, and then look at my speedo and find I was filtering at 70+. It's amazing how quickly that starts to seem normal and reigning myself in would last for a few days and then I'd realise I was filtering at silly speeds again.
If your commute looks like the attack on the Death Star scene from Star Wars, you're probably filtering too quickly.Bike 20 mins
Car 45-60 mins
Public transport 1hr 50
Re filtering speeds, I always thought bikers filtering a thigh speeds on the motorway were nutters, and then I started riding regularly on a crowded motorways. I'd always start off only filtering when the traffic was down to 15-20mph ish, and then look at my speedo and find I was filtering at 70+. It's amazing how quickly that starts to seem normal and reigning myself in would last for a few days and then I'd realise I was filtering at silly speeds again.
Rawwr said:
RizzoTheRat said:
I spent a while a few years back commuting M3-M25-A30 from Aldershot to Heathrow.
Bike 20 mins
Car 45-60 mins
Public transport 1hr 50
Re filtering speeds, I always thought bikers filtering a thigh speeds on the motorway were nutters, and then I started riding regularly on a crowded motorways. I'd always start off only filtering when the traffic was down to 15-20mph ish, and then look at my speedo and find I was filtering at 70+. It's amazing how quickly that starts to seem normal and reigning myself in would last for a few days and then I'd realise I was filtering at silly speeds again.
If your commute looks like the attack on the Death Star scene from Star Wars, you're probably filtering too quickly.Bike 20 mins
Car 45-60 mins
Public transport 1hr 50
Re filtering speeds, I always thought bikers filtering a thigh speeds on the motorway were nutters, and then I started riding regularly on a crowded motorways. I'd always start off only filtering when the traffic was down to 15-20mph ish, and then look at my speedo and find I was filtering at 70+. It's amazing how quickly that starts to seem normal and reigning myself in would last for a few days and then I'd realise I was filtering at silly speeds again.
bit like mine does on MY blade
supercommuter said:
13. You will quickly tire of boiling over every time somebody is a tt in traffic. Keep a cool head. You can always tell a summer rider from a seasoned filterer by how much they lose their st at somebody lane drifting. I have now learned to chill out a bit as I was getting to work in a fuming mess.
Angrybiker covered the top points. 9 is key. I will add to that to keep an eye out for lane drifters who are usually on their phone that close gaps up when the traffic starts moving. Also look for gaps appearing faster moving traffic when their is a stationary queue next to it. You can guarantee a lane switcher will try and cut over last second to get in the faster land of traffic,
14. Scaffolding lorries are all driven by nutters - always just give them a wide berth and let them get on with itt in traffic. Keep a cool head. You can always tell a summer rider from a seasoned filterer by how much they lose their st at somebody lane drifting. I have now learned to chill out a bit as I was getting to work in a fuming mess.Angrybiker covered the top points. 9 is key. I will add to that to keep an eye out for lane drifters who are usually on their phone that close gaps up when the traffic starts moving. Also look for gaps appearing faster moving traffic when their is a stationary queue next to it. You can guarantee a lane switcher will try and cut over last second to get in the faster land of traffic,
Definitely the tip about going at your own pace is the one that will likely let you avoid the most trouble - in 12 years London commuting my most terrifying near misses have generally been through my own stupid excessive speed for the conditions/traffic/sight lines/allowance for dumb moves by pedestrian or cyclist
Long time lurker here, frustrating and rainy commute home tonight, complete with a bump from a retard coach driver. Had filtered between two lanes of stationary traffic, and stopped behind car waiting at roundabout. Coach behind took umbridge and rolled forward into my top box grrrrrr
Got insurance but driver wouldn't give name and address! No great damage done, but so pissed off.
Got insurance but driver wouldn't give name and address! No great damage done, but so pissed off.
sjtscott said:
Angrybiker said:
308mate said:
sjtscott said:
I'm guessing it was a little late and being sept only the more hardcore bikers will still be out at that time of night as its getting a little chilly for the posers LOL
When I head home on the highway east to Limehouse link/CW area its peak bikers around 5-6pm.
Personally you got the 3 wheelers summed up nicely - most are on their pretend bikes where the rules allow them ridden on car licenses and ride them like a narrow cars i.e. like a**holes
Your bike-ness, you really are the bikiest biker I know of, with and extra serving of "real biker" for good measure. I know this because every contribution of yours to this thread starts by pointing out someone else's sWhen I head home on the highway east to Limehouse link/CW area its peak bikers around 5-6pm.
Personally you got the 3 wheelers summed up nicely - most are on their pretend bikes where the rules allow them ridden on car licenses and ride them like a narrow cars i.e. like a**holes
t attempts to bike, often a pretend biker, not a real one like you and ends with a story of how you have in some way triumphed over their pitiful efforts to be as bikey as you or in fact, bikey at all.Teach me the ways...
wax on.... wax off....
308mate I provide 1x1 coaching for a reasonable fee, payment accepted in bitcoin or beer.I only give the true highlights of my journey where someone 'special' stands out. Everyone is given a reasonable chance/allowance first.
Seriously though what would I know 17years all year all weather year round commuting?? LOL 7 of those year East to Southwest London through the bandit country which is South London - If you think East London is bad (and it is) then South London round Kennigton/Oval/Stockwell/Brixton/Clapham is something else in lack of road standards.
I can tell within less then 2mins just how competent a rider is.. I have no issues with people not being of the same standard - I do have issues with clueless idiots who fail to realise there are any other bikers also sharing the road space.
I do the A3, from Esher, Wandsworth then York road, past Waterloo, over Southwark, lower Thames to Tower bridge and tower bridge to Canary Wharf and back, every day, year round also. I'll wheelie as I go by and give you something to post about
Edited by 308mate on Wednesday 20th September 22:32
Dave2t said:
Long time lurker here, frustrating and rainy commute home tonight, complete with a bump from a retard coach driver. Had filtered between two lanes of stationary traffic, and stopped behind car waiting at roundabout. Coach behind took umbridge and rolled forward into my top box grrrrrr
Got insurance but driver wouldn't give name and address! No great damage done, but so pissed off.
Got insurance but driver wouldn't give name and address! No great damage done, but so pissed off.
I don't stand for that s
t. GS screen snapped and broke at the mounting points on Tuesday night whilst cruising on the motorway. Big of a pain and annoyed at GIVI but hey ho.
Was on the electric bike yesterday but needed the GS today - my god the GS is AWFUL on the motorway with no screen. I hope replacement parts arrive today as I cant bear that amount of wind noise again.
Was on the electric bike yesterday but needed the GS today - my god the GS is AWFUL on the motorway with no screen. I hope replacement parts arrive today as I cant bear that amount of wind noise again.
Set off half and hour later this morning due to Fleegle having the car against the garage.
My god it was buffoon central people pulling out , slow drivers and recreational drugs smell at an all time high.
And too top it off I cant get in the hairdressers to get me hair cut !!!!
Roll on hometime
My god it was buffoon central people pulling out , slow drivers and recreational drugs smell at an all time high.
And too top it off I cant get in the hairdressers to get me hair cut !!!!
Roll on hometime
2wheelsjimmy said:
CAPP0 said:
The ex-Forces goretex ones from eBay are made from a properly waterproof laminated goretex material (you will need to Techwash them now and then) but they are almost all either dark blue or camo - not ideal on the bike! I have one for dogging walking the dog.
What's wrong with navy blue. Thought it was good as doesn't get too dirty with grease stains! Not one for hiviz. 
Fantastic filtering tips there. Number 3 stands out for me as I switch lanes often. Mostly to angle the bike to through the tighter spots and to also stay off the very centre of the road where the cracks, pump and road marking are.
No highlights today other seeing plenty of driers running reds and I may have got caught doing just under 100mph on the a new smooth, empty, long straight road. I'm positive he may have been facing the other way though...fingers crossed.
Cbull said:
2wheelsjimmy said:
CAPP0 said:
The ex-Forces goretex ones from eBay are made from a properly waterproof laminated goretex material (you will need to Techwash them now and then) but they are almost all either dark blue or camo - not ideal on the bike! I have one for dogging walking the dog.
What's wrong with navy blue. Thought it was good as doesn't get too dirty with grease stains! Not one for hiviz. Where was he riding? In the woods?
supercommuter said:
Cbull said:
2wheelsjimmy said:
CAPP0 said:
The ex-Forces goretex ones from eBay are made from a properly waterproof laminated goretex material (you will need to Techwash them now and then) but they are almost all either dark blue or camo - not ideal on the bike! I have one for dogging walking the dog.
What's wrong with navy blue. Thought it was good as doesn't get too dirty with grease stains! Not one for hiviz. Where was he riding? In the woods?
Dave2t said:
Long time lurker here, frustrating and rainy commute home tonight, complete with a bump from a retard coach driver. Had filtered between two lanes of stationary traffic, and stopped behind car waiting at roundabout. Coach behind took umbridge and rolled forward into my top box grrrrrr
Got insurance but driver wouldn't give name and address! No great damage done, but so pissed off.
Umbrage. Like linkage, signage, etc.Got insurance but driver wouldn't give name and address! No great damage done, but so pissed off.
supercommuter said:
13. You will quickly tire of boiling over every time somebody is a tt in traffic. Keep a cool head. You can always tell a summer rider from a seasoned filterer by how much they lose their st at somebody lane drifting. I have now learned to chill out a bit as I was getting to work in a fuming mess.
Angrybiker covered the top points. 9 is key. I will add to that to keep an eye out for lane drifters who are usually on their phone that close gaps up when the traffic starts moving. Also look for gaps appearing faster moving traffic when their is a stationary queue next to it. You can guarantee a lane switcher will try and cut over last second to get in the faster land of traffic,
OR, you can do what I do and shout at them angrily, stupid motherft in traffic. Keep a cool head. You can always tell a summer rider from a seasoned filterer by how much they lose their st at somebody lane drifting. I have now learned to chill out a bit as I was getting to work in a fuming mess.Angrybiker covered the top points. 9 is key. I will add to that to keep an eye out for lane drifters who are usually on their phone that close gaps up when the traffic starts moving. Also look for gaps appearing faster moving traffic when their is a stationary queue next to it. You can guarantee a lane switcher will try and cut over last second to get in the faster land of traffic,
king faced bds.Let it flow, and let it go. It's all very Zen, really.
Pothole said:
Dave2t said:
Long time lurker here, frustrating and rainy commute home tonight, complete with a bump from a retard coach driver. Had filtered between two lanes of stationary traffic, and stopped behind car waiting at roundabout. Coach behind took umbridge and rolled forward into my top box grrrrrr
Got insurance but driver wouldn't give name and address! No great damage done, but so pissed off.
Umbrage. Like linkage, signage, etc.Got insurance but driver wouldn't give name and address! No great damage done, but so pissed off.
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