And today's commuting highlight is...
Discussion
Cambridge to NEC yesterday on greasy roads was interesting. Crash on the M6 and miles of tailbacks. AT was great for filtering ( especially with the DCT)
A mate behind had the Givi racks on his AT and discovered that they are a lot wider than the mirrors and demolished two sets of wing mirrors!
The dunflops need to go and a very scary 5th gear wheelspin on the A14 ( that was in a straight line!)
A mate behind had the Givi racks on his AT and discovered that they are a lot wider than the mirrors and demolished two sets of wing mirrors!
The dunflops need to go and a very scary 5th gear wheelspin on the A14 ( that was in a straight line!)
Weather dry & mild, so took the bike. Now absolutely covered in road gunge, as yours truly hadn't counted on the high humidity & the roads not actually drying out............ Apart from that, it never ceases to amaze me how many white vans & woman drivers somehow forget to turn their lights on at 7.30am at this time of year.
Biker 1 said:
Weather dry & mild, so took the bike. Now absolutely covered in road gunge, as yours truly hadn't counted on the high humidity & the roads not actually drying out............ Apart from that, it never ceases to amaze me how many white vans & woman drivers somehow forget to turn their lights on at 7.30am at this time of year.
It's daylight running lights that really get me, they have lights at the front so they think their lights are on when in fact they have no rear lights at all, it is a terrible design feature of modern cars / vans.
Two lowlights today.
1 a##hole cyclist came out of a side street aiming for a cycle lane on the other side of the road, oblivious to the 30mph traffic travelling along embankment. Slammed on brakes and missed him by centimetres. Nobody hurt but I was a bit shaken up.
2. About one mile further along near Buckingham palace I was still a bit shaken and paranoid and thought that the scooter following me was hiding his face and acting a bit strange and I thought I might be about to get bike jacked. Anyway cue a rather sudden stop at lights cos I'm looking backwards so much my left foot slips and down goes my bike. Within a couple of seconds my would be mugger is helping me lift the bike back up and get on my way.
No real damage done apart from to my pride and the inevitable broken but still usable clutch lever.
1 a##hole cyclist came out of a side street aiming for a cycle lane on the other side of the road, oblivious to the 30mph traffic travelling along embankment. Slammed on brakes and missed him by centimetres. Nobody hurt but I was a bit shaken up.
2. About one mile further along near Buckingham palace I was still a bit shaken and paranoid and thought that the scooter following me was hiding his face and acting a bit strange and I thought I might be about to get bike jacked. Anyway cue a rather sudden stop at lights cos I'm looking backwards so much my left foot slips and down goes my bike. Within a couple of seconds my would be mugger is helping me lift the bike back up and get on my way.
No real damage done apart from to my pride and the inevitable broken but still usable clutch lever.
Davemc37 said:
Two lowlights today.
1 a##hole cyclist came out of a side street aiming for a cycle lane on the other side of the road, oblivious to the 30mph traffic travelling along embankment. Slammed on brakes and missed him by centimetres. Nobody hurt but I was a bit shaken up.
2. About one mile further along near Buckingham palace I was still a bit shaken and paranoid and thought that the scooter following me was hiding his face and acting a bit strange and I thought I might be about to get bike jacked. Anyway cue a rather sudden stop at lights cos I'm looking backwards so much my left foot slips and down goes my bike. Within a couple of seconds my would be mugger is helping me lift the bike back up and get on my way.
No real damage done apart from to my pride and the inevitable broken but still usable clutch lever.
best check your pockets though, as you can never trust a scooter rider.....1 a##hole cyclist came out of a side street aiming for a cycle lane on the other side of the road, oblivious to the 30mph traffic travelling along embankment. Slammed on brakes and missed him by centimetres. Nobody hurt but I was a bit shaken up.
2. About one mile further along near Buckingham palace I was still a bit shaken and paranoid and thought that the scooter following me was hiding his face and acting a bit strange and I thought I might be about to get bike jacked. Anyway cue a rather sudden stop at lights cos I'm looking backwards so much my left foot slips and down goes my bike. Within a couple of seconds my would be mugger is helping me lift the bike back up and get on my way.
No real damage done apart from to my pride and the inevitable broken but still usable clutch lever.
Davemc37 said:
Two lowlights today.
1 a##hole cyclist came out of a side street aiming for a cycle lane on the other side of the road, oblivious to the 30mph traffic travelling along embankment. Slammed on brakes and missed him by centimetres. Nobody hurt but I was a bit shaken up.
Had a cyclist pop out of a side street on City Road today, across the bus lane I was in, into a gap of stationary traffic in the next lane to get to the other side of the road without so much as looking sideways. I was about 8' away from him, did panic brake a bit and had a squirm but thankfully didn't drop the bike or hit the chump.1 a##hole cyclist came out of a side street aiming for a cycle lane on the other side of the road, oblivious to the 30mph traffic travelling along embankment. Slammed on brakes and missed him by centimetres. Nobody hurt but I was a bit shaken up.
And some people wonder why cyclists get killed.
BuzzBravado said:
About 4 miles of my rainy commute this morning was along a road soaking in diesel. Even the slightest lean was sketchy. Do these HGV 
s not know about vehicle roadworthyness?
As soon as you got to work you called it in to he relevant council to get it cleaned up, didn't you?s not know about vehicle roadworthyness?Been on the GS (no spotlights, Polite vest or panniers you'll be pleased to hear) since my scooter engine seized. Been alright generally in rain mode on greasy roads...TC cut in once on Putney Bridge when I had expected the rear just to hook up as it was fairly dry..
This evening was a mare though...from Kensington to Tolworth junction of A3. Traffic everywhere, no one sees you at all. In the Wandsworth one-way coming up West Hill am on the centre line as usual but mostly tucked between two cars as traffic is stopped and some tt in a newish A-class comes steaming down the outside of the opposing lane leaving millimetres to spare by the cars in front...I was actually halfway to stepping off the bike into the stationary traffic in my side as I thought he was going to take my leg off. He saw me and swerved at the last second...I sat back down and carried on my way.
That was after some tt wandered into the traffic earlier forcing everyone to stop or go around him...reek of strong spliff trailing behind him...
Given the wind tonight and likely state of the roads tomorrow and feeling like I was a bit lucky this evening I think I will take the train tomorrow...
In general I find the mornings are okay, evenings like this evening are just road war though
This evening was a mare though...from Kensington to Tolworth junction of A3. Traffic everywhere, no one sees you at all. In the Wandsworth one-way coming up West Hill am on the centre line as usual but mostly tucked between two cars as traffic is stopped and some t
t in a newish A-class comes steaming down the outside of the opposing lane leaving millimetres to spare by the cars in front...I was actually halfway to stepping off the bike into the stationary traffic in my side as I thought he was going to take my leg off. He saw me and swerved at the last second...I sat back down and carried on my way.That was after some t
t wandered into the traffic earlier forcing everyone to stop or go around him...reek of strong spliff trailing behind him...Given the wind tonight and likely state of the roads tomorrow and feeling like I was a bit lucky this evening I think I will take the train tomorrow...
In general I find the mornings are okay, evenings like this evening are just road war though
Last night's lowlight was the closure of the Blackwall Tunnel, of which more in a moment.
Commercial Road was utterly fubar heading east, until after the Rotherhithe turning. Complete logjam and not even space to get a bike through, particularly when you were under the steely gaze of an unmarked car, so illegality wasn't an option. When we finally moved (via the pavement where the cops couldn't see us), it was clear to Poplar but then the fun really started. Filtered in stationary/<10mph traffic all the way from Poplar to the Dartford Crossing. That was quite hard work. The bridge was also very heavy as a result.
Back to the Blackwall. Its the only part of my commute where I don't filter. Not just because there are solid whites (and cameras) all the way through, but also because it's extremely tight/narrow in there, and a lot of the bikers I watch filtering in there are an accident waiting to happen. Presumably that's how a bike and a lorry came together yesterday afternoon. Biker is reported to have serious leg injuries. I don't wish ill on anyone but I'd lay a hefty bet that was avoidable, not to mention the absolutely massive amount of disruption it caused to thousands of others trying to get home.
Commercial Road was utterly fubar heading east, until after the Rotherhithe turning. Complete logjam and not even space to get a bike through, particularly when you were under the steely gaze of an unmarked car, so illegality wasn't an option. When we finally moved (via the pavement where the cops couldn't see us), it was clear to Poplar but then the fun really started. Filtered in stationary/<10mph traffic all the way from Poplar to the Dartford Crossing. That was quite hard work. The bridge was also very heavy as a result.
Back to the Blackwall. Its the only part of my commute where I don't filter. Not just because there are solid whites (and cameras) all the way through, but also because it's extremely tight/narrow in there, and a lot of the bikers I watch filtering in there are an accident waiting to happen. Presumably that's how a bike and a lorry came together yesterday afternoon. Biker is reported to have serious leg injuries. I don't wish ill on anyone but I'd lay a hefty bet that was avoidable, not to mention the absolutely massive amount of disruption it caused to thousands of others trying to get home.
Probably true. Sometimes it's just so bloody hard to judge. Suppose that where it pays off to have a defensive rider attitude.
Tuesdays ride home was an exciting one, had a number of incidents. Car had broken down on the M56 which led to stationary traffic from the city centre to about 2 or 3 miles onto the motorway. The M56 was closed at the M6 junction. So the M56/M6 bypass was absolutely full. of the 25 mile journey I had to filter for roughly 15-20 miles of it of which is only slowed down drastically by the dark, wet and rainy night.
I shamingly hit a guys mirror back. He nearly squashed me as there was plenty of room before I reached him. Slammed on and eventually went past only to see him watching a film (think it was flippin Happy Feet!) with the phone on is lap. Whacked his window and he told me to F off which angered me. Needless to say he was probably not a happy chappy by the time I'd left him. I'm dck I know.
Another guy suddenly moved into my lane on the motorway and I was nearly mincemeat. He quick recognised once I was behind him and put his hands up to say sorry. Can't argue with that, just one of these things.
On other news. My son attempted to pass his MOD 1 yesterday. After putting his foot down on the slalom the test was cancelled due to weather conditions. The examiner even said he couldn't walk straight when going back to the test centre. It's got to be said though, Macclesfield Test Centre for the MOD 1 os awful. Puddles, leaves, uneven ground and white slippy lines all over the place because it's a closed off car park :/
All good other than that. Glad to be on the bike regardless, a couple of nights this a nd last would have easily been over 2hrs in the car.
Tuesdays ride home was an exciting one, had a number of incidents. Car had broken down on the M56 which led to stationary traffic from the city centre to about 2 or 3 miles onto the motorway. The M56 was closed at the M6 junction. So the M56/M6 bypass was absolutely full. of the 25 mile journey I had to filter for roughly 15-20 miles of it of which is only slowed down drastically by the dark, wet and rainy night.
I shamingly hit a guys mirror back. He nearly squashed me as there was plenty of room before I reached him. Slammed on and eventually went past only to see him watching a film (think it was flippin Happy Feet!) with the phone on is lap. Whacked his window and he told me to F off which angered me. Needless to say he was probably not a happy chappy by the time I'd left him. I'm dck I know.
Another guy suddenly moved into my lane on the motorway and I was nearly mincemeat. He quick recognised once I was behind him and put his hands up to say sorry. Can't argue with that, just one of these things.
On other news. My son attempted to pass his MOD 1 yesterday. After putting his foot down on the slalom the test was cancelled due to weather conditions. The examiner even said he couldn't walk straight when going back to the test centre. It's got to be said though, Macclesfield Test Centre for the MOD 1 os awful. Puddles, leaves, uneven ground and white slippy lines all over the place because it's a closed off car park :/
All good other than that. Glad to be on the bike regardless, a couple of nights this a nd last would have easily been over 2hrs in the car.
CAPP0 said:
Last night's lowlight was the closure of the Blackwall Tunnel, of which more in a moment.
Commercial Road was utterly fubar heading east, until after the Rotherhithe turning. Complete logjam and not even space to get a bike through, particularly when you were under the steely gaze of an unmarked car, so illegality wasn't an option. When we finally moved (via the pavement where the cops couldn't see us), it was clear to Poplar but then the fun really started. Filtered in stationary/<10mph traffic all the way from Poplar to the Dartford Crossing. That was quite hard work. The bridge was also very heavy as a result.
Back to the Blackwall. Its the only part of my commute where I don't filter. Not just because there are solid whites (and cameras) all the way through, but also because it's extremely tight/narrow in there, and a lot of the bikers I watch filtering in there are an accident waiting to happen. Presumably that's how a bike and a lorry came together yesterday afternoon. Biker is reported to have serious leg injuries. I don't wish ill on anyone but I'd lay a hefty bet that was avoidable, not to mention the absolutely massive amount of disruption it caused to thousands of others trying to get home.
Sounds crappy. Happy to have missed all of that fun, I know it only takes an accident at the tunnel in the evening to mess everything up. Illegal moves sometimes literally the only way to make any progress sadly when it's proper solid gridlock - pavement really is a last resort for me. I've been told by cops to pass an incident on the pavement in the past but only by pushing my bike with the engine off.. At the time a nice lightweight Honda BlackbirdCommercial Road was utterly fubar heading east, until after the Rotherhithe turning. Complete logjam and not even space to get a bike through, particularly when you were under the steely gaze of an unmarked car, so illegality wasn't an option. When we finally moved (via the pavement where the cops couldn't see us), it was clear to Poplar but then the fun really started. Filtered in stationary/<10mph traffic all the way from Poplar to the Dartford Crossing. That was quite hard work. The bridge was also very heavy as a result.
Back to the Blackwall. Its the only part of my commute where I don't filter. Not just because there are solid whites (and cameras) all the way through, but also because it's extremely tight/narrow in there, and a lot of the bikers I watch filtering in there are an accident waiting to happen. Presumably that's how a bike and a lorry came together yesterday afternoon. Biker is reported to have serious leg injuries. I don't wish ill on anyone but I'd lay a hefty bet that was avoidable, not to mention the absolutely massive amount of disruption it caused to thousands of others trying to get home.
GM182 said:
Been on the GS (no spotlights, Polite vest or panniers you'll be pleased to hear) since my scooter engine seized. Been alright generally in rain mode on greasy roads...TC cut in once on Putney Bridge when I had expected the rear just to hook up as it was fairly dry..
This evening was a mare though...from Kensington to Tolworth junction of A3. Traffic everywhere, no one sees you at all. In the Wandsworth one-way coming up West Hill am on the centre line as usual but mostly tucked between two cars as traffic is stopped and some tt in a newish A-class comes steaming down the outside of the opposing lane leaving millimetres to spare by the cars in front...I was actually halfway to stepping off the bike into the stationary traffic in my side as I thought he was going to take my leg off. He saw me and swerved at the last second...I sat back down and carried on my way.
That was after some tt wandered into the traffic earlier forcing everyone to stop or go around him...reek of strong spliff trailing behind him...
Given the wind tonight and likely state of the roads tomorrow and feeling like I was a bit lucky this evening I think I will take the train tomorrow...
In general I find the mornings are okay, evenings like this evening are just road war though
Had a bit of a more rational think after this rant last night...reckon my stress levels would be much less if I reset my attitude. Was trying to get home to take son to football practice and was rushing...will just chill and take my time this evening. (Didn't take the train as couldn't find my bicycle lock...)This evening was a mare though...from Kensington to Tolworth junction of A3. Traffic everywhere, no one sees you at all. In the Wandsworth one-way coming up West Hill am on the centre line as usual but mostly tucked between two cars as traffic is stopped and some t
t in a newish A-class comes steaming down the outside of the opposing lane leaving millimetres to spare by the cars in front...I was actually halfway to stepping off the bike into the stationary traffic in my side as I thought he was going to take my leg off. He saw me and swerved at the last second...I sat back down and carried on my way.That was after some t
t wandered into the traffic earlier forcing everyone to stop or go around him...reek of strong spliff trailing behind him...Given the wind tonight and likely state of the roads tomorrow and feeling like I was a bit lucky this evening I think I will take the train tomorrow...
In general I find the mornings are okay, evenings like this evening are just road war though
GM182 said:
Had a bit of a more rational think after this rant last night...reckon my stress levels would be much less if I reset my attitude. Was trying to get home to take son to football practice and was rushing...will just chill and take my time this evening. (Didn't take the train as couldn't find my bicycle lock...)
It's the only way I can make commuting on the bike work. Chill! The journey takes as long as it takes and getting worked up is not going to get you there any sooner. Likewise, getting upset/irate at other road users is not going to stop them being a dick (if they made a genuine mistake they'll already know that) and will only escalate a possible confrontation.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff