Brilliant commutes

[grhm]

My commutes have improved greatly since i took 2 pieces of advice from here (apologies can't remember who it was).

First was to regularly check over right shoulder, particularly when traffic is approcaching from ahead, second was to ride where the left wheel of a car would be. Both obvious really but since i started cars seem to suddenly give me much more room.

I too have been making more of an effort to look over my shoulder at traffic - I always used to when approaching hazards, pinch points, etc - but now I've started doing it more even when on a straight stretch and no real reason to.

Car do seem to give you more room - works wonders. (I too can't remember where/who on here suggested it)

 

[gaz]

I managed a full 9 miles through central london roads yesterday during rush hour without taking my foot out my cleat, one time i was resting on a rail and another on a bus, apart from that it was all green lights. Very pleased as thats rare.

 

[TimP]

Commuting is still good. The times when it is bad is due to feelign tired and crappy, maybe being caught out by the weather.

It is rare for me to have bad incidents involving other road users, and exceptionally rare to end up with an incident that gets to me.

 

[scouserinlondon]

I'm still very much a novice so try to be super-cautious, that doesn't completely stop mistakes, I nearly made myself a bus sandwich this morning.

 

[arallsopp]

Mine have been lovely of late too. Odd, as when I lived in Lewisham, both mrs arallsopp and I would find moton behaviour became noticeably worse around the full moon. I know it sounds daft, but honestly, we would make our way back from London entirely independently, her on the Old Kent Road, me via Camberwell, rack the bikes in the hall, and say "What was with the roads today?"

That night, we'd spot it. "Ah... full moon. OK."

It happened pretty much every time, to the point where she'd run in on those days just to keep on the pavement.

 

[beanzontoast]

Mine wasn't bad this morning, except getting undertaken by 2 cars who wanted my lane. And I'd just thought to myself - these things come in threes when sure enough a van did the same thing.

Still, it was a lovely morning!

 

[thomas]

A few niggles - a moron overtaking on a roundabout when signalling right, forcing me out of his way (He had a bike in the back too!)...He got stuck in a MASSIVE tailback around the next corner though and looked like he nearly rear ended the lorry he tailgated.

Glad it wasn't as boiling this morning - did enjoy the ride, even though a little tired.

 

[hackbike 666]

First was to regularly check over right shoulder, particularly when traffic is approcaching from ahead,

eh?

I would find moton behaviour became noticeably worse around the full moon.

I thought it was just me that noticed that.

 

[thomas]

I would find moton behaviour became noticeably worse around the full moon.

I thought it was just me that noticed that.

It's true...hence the word luna (loontic)!

 

[swee'pea99]

I think it's basically because we've just emerged from the crappiest time of year. Everyone feels like crap from Jan thru' Mar/Apr - short days, lots of gloom, rain, cold, just generally miserable. Then suddenly the sun has got his hat on and everybody feels a bit more cheerful, and hence more tolerant and all sorts of good etcs.

 

[hackbike 666]

What you tallking about Willis?

I feel crap all year round.

 

[upsidedown]

First was to regularly check over right shoulder, particularly when traffic is approcaching from ahead,

eh?

I noticed that most close passes happened as the car that's overtaking has to pull in to avoid the car coming from the opposite direction.So if you know there's a stream of cars approaching in the other lane then there's a fair chance of a close pass. This happens regularly on the rural B road of my route that isn't quite wide enough for a car in each direction and a bike being passed safely.

 

[thomas]

I noticed that most close passes happened as the car that's overtaking has to pull in to avoid the car coming from the opposite direction.So if you know there's a stream of cars approaching in the other lane then there's a fair chance of a close pass. This happens regularly on the rural B road of my route that isn't quite wide enough for a car in each direction and a bike being passed safely.

I had something like that this morning, on the approach to traffic lights (not enough space/time to get past in anyway) and a van coming. Thankfully the silly lady stopped (completely on the wrong side of the road), if she hadn't I'd of been over the bonnet. I put my hand out to stop her (touched the bonnet with my fingers) - not really sure why I did that, 'cos obviously I have enough strenth to stop a car

 

[hackbike 666]

I noticed that most close passes happened as the car that's overtaking has to pull in to avoid the car coming from the opposite direction.So if you know there's a stream of cars approaching in the other lane then there's a fair chance of a close pass. This happens regularly on the rural B road of my route that isn't quite wide enough for a car in each direction and a bike being passed safely.

Oh yeah I see what you mean.Yes if two cars are passing from different directions if you know what I mean then as you say this does happen.

 

[pinkkaz]

I managed a full 9 miles through central london roads yesterday during rush hour without taking my foot out my cleat, one time i was resting on a rail and another on a bus, apart from that it was all green lights. Very pleased as thats rare.

bloody 'ell that has never ever happened to me! I cycle 9 miles as well and must go through over 50 sets of lights - I think it's a technical impossibility for them all to be green!

Beautiful ride in this morning. Sun is shining, new bike is fast and I feel relatively fit. Commute, then yoga, then voting tonight!