And today's commuting highlight is...
Discussion
Angrybiker said:
supercommuter said:
13. You will quickly tire of boiling over every time somebody is a t
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,
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.
ts what people say on here, they deserve a roasting for it. I saw a video on facebook of two lads going around lobbing stuff in the windows of peoples cars who were on their phones and not concentrating. Tickled me.Filtering really is a bit Russian roulette.
You need to be hyper vigilant, it can become quite tiring. Always keep the front brake covered. Always be looking several cars ahead, not just for indicators but for any sign of movement.
Never go between a lorry and a car, just wait. If you haven't seen the video on youtube then do, it just won't end well.
You need to be hyper vigilant, it can become quite tiring. Always keep the front brake covered. Always be looking several cars ahead, not just for indicators but for any sign of movement.
Never go between a lorry and a car, just wait. If you haven't seen the video on youtube then do, it just won't end well.
I had to drive in to London today - 1.5 hours compared to 45 mins on the bike plus £11.50 congestion charge for the privilege. Very depressing sitting in queue after queue of traffic, thinking "I would normally filter up there" or "I would have been through that gap" etc etc etc. It was a good reminder why I chose to commute by bike even if the weather has taken a turn for the worse over the last couple of weeks
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Weather was OK once I got out of the very wet fog that slowed me down for the first 25 miles. Busy down the M11/A12 this morning with queuing traffic most of the way in (from the M25). Not too many numpties so filtering was at a reasonable rate. I'm glad to see they've finally made Old Broad St part of the official Bishopsgate closure diversion route. (And removed the access restriction to Old Broad St in the process. Saves me worrying I'll be receiving a number of fines for ignoring the access restrictions!)
Not quite a commute, but earlier I filled up with petrol & white van man pulled in to the pumps to my left. He took the turn-in too tight & contacted my number plate. I hit the side of the van as hard as I could & nearly broke my hand, together with some choice Saxon words 
Luckily no damage, but was about an inch from knocking my bike over. Do these muppets actually get any driver training? It was a sign written van FFS - surely the employers want to present a professional image?
Luckily no damage, but was about an inch from knocking my bike over. Do these muppets actually get any driver training? It was a sign written van FFS - surely the employers want to present a professional image? 
Back on the bike today after a week away, photosynthesising on a beach.
Mornings are now in complete darkness which coupled with this mornings driving rain wasn't nice!
The way back however I just managed daylight highlight being a guy on triumph in front riding with a little dog in a backpack across tower bridge!
Mornings are now in complete darkness which coupled with this mornings driving rain wasn't nice!
The way back however I just managed daylight
highlight being a guy on triumph in front riding with a little dog in a backpack across tower bridge! Rawwr said:
Every morning I've taken the Africa Twin to work, there's been a red Focus ST who has passed me at about 5,000mph in the 50mph limit who then seems quite agitated and angry when I gently filter past him a few miles up the road. It's odd.
Give him a wave as you go past. My commute today was held up a bit by a biker who was riding an ER6n with no mirrors ... as a result he couldn't see me at all. A few times I went to pass him and he cut off my front wheel which was nice of him. Completely oblivious to anything behind him ... eventually I saw I safe gap he'd left wide open and I went through it completely spooking the guy ... I wouldn't have minded but I'd been behind him for just over 2 miles of filtering ...
Daft.
Edited by Mr OCD on Tuesday 26th September 10:35
Rawwr said:
Every morning I've taken the Africa Twin to work, there's been a red Focus ST who has passed me at about 5,000mph in the 50mph limit who then seems quite agitated and angry when I gently filter past him a few miles up the road. It's odd.
Maybe he wanted one too but missed out on the John Banks deal...I must have had a target fitted to me this morning! Two very near misses!, Both within the last mile.
1. Taxi heading north on Bishopsgate decides to do a u-turn, ignoring the fact I was coming the other way. We both JUST managed to stop in time but it was literally 1 or 2 cms from a big event.
2. Coming across London Bridge with only 3 vehicles heading south as we approached the lights. 2 cars in right lane and me in middle lane. (Left is a bus lane before the pedants start!). Lights go red and first car stats slowing (gently). Second car decides that he now wants to move to the middle lane, ignoring the fact I was there. How we didn't make contact I don't know but he just changed his mind at the very last minute.
1. Taxi heading north on Bishopsgate decides to do a u-turn, ignoring the fact I was coming the other way. We both JUST managed to stop in time but it was literally 1 or 2 cms from a big event.
2. Coming across London Bridge with only 3 vehicles heading south as we approached the lights. 2 cars in right lane and me in middle lane. (Left is a bus lane before the pedants start!). Lights go red and first car stats slowing (gently). Second car decides that he now wants to move to the middle lane, ignoring the fact I was there. How we didn't make contact I don't know but he just changed his mind at the very last minute.
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