no you're right, it is constantly 'challenging' I generally find it better riding home at night (in the summer), as long as you're lit up it's a lot nicer. Had a lovely ride home from a friends at Victoria over Battersea Bridge and through Clapham last night at about 11pm, River was all lit up - gorgeous.
on that note i'm off to collect my cam from the Parcelfarce depot in Charlton and begrudgingly give them money..