Helpful motorists!!

[JamesAC]

I was out with a couple of friends and their 5 assorted children. We went for a ride up the river Lee tow path from Stratford towards Tottenham. At one point, the tow path is closed, and you have to divert across the very busy A104 (Lea Bridge Road). How to accomplish this with a bunch of 9-11 year olds?

Simple.

We lined up at the edge of the road. One of the adults was looking for a safe gap in the traffic, so he could walk out like a crossing patrol person.

No need.

A car driver in the line of traffic, seeing our situation, slowed and stopped, providing a block on the right.

Cool, but what about the traffic coming from the left?

No problem.

An approaching driver in the line of cars, seeing what was going on, stopped, providing a block on the left.

Brilliant! We conducted the children over the whole width of the road in one quick simple move. Two big thumbs up to the drivers, and off we all went.

And when we came back the same way later .. exactly the same thing happened!!

Now, why can't it always be like that? I think the presence of the children helped a bit.

 

[skudupnorth]

It's great when that happens,i do the same when i'm driving and i see anyone needing a gap to cross....i've even managed to do it on the bike once !

 

[thomas]

On a club ride we had to cross a busy duel carriageway. Was clear to the right, but not left...got part way. Then the lorry drive on the left had moved into the 'fast' lane and flashed us across as he kept the traffic back. Lovely

 

[XmisterIS]

It is just pleasant when other road users are courteous. On my ride today I noticed that a fair proportion of drivers moved right out to the other side of the road to overtake me, which was nice and made up for the chav idiot who overtook me with 1 inch to spare, round a blind left-hand bend.

 

[thomas]

I had a toot and two waves from a car driving the other way earlier. Camera had run out of space; but I suspect they noticed it. Still a much nicer wave than I might sometimes receive

 

[david1701]

I always get loads of room if I ride with my niece

 

[Campfire]

It is very nice to hear that.

 

[sheddy]

James, do you know why the towpath is closed and for how long ?

 

[JamesAC]

James, do you know why the towpath is closed and for how long ?

According to the "waterscape" the tow path (on the river Lea between Old Ford Lock and White Post lane is closed from Feb 2011 till 10th June 2011 for "tow path upgrade works"

this is the website .. "http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/boating/stoppage" .. scroll down the page, select River Lee, Towpath closure only, fill in the dates, and there you are.

 

[sheddy]

Thanks. Also found this on that site -

The River Lee Navigation will be closed for the period 21 March 2011 to 26 June 2011 inclusive between Old Ford Lock and Bow Locks for the construction of the A11 – Bow Riverside project. The project will provide a new continuous connecting towpath beneath the A11/A12 Bow Interchange in the form of a walkway carrying the route south beneath the A11 and a bridge traversing the River Lee Navigation to the north. The project will provide safe access for pedestrians and cyclists using the River Lee Navigation towpath.

Hooray ! finally a proper towpath route at the Bow flyover junction !

 

[JamesAC]

Thanks. Also found this on that site -

The River Lee Navigation will be closed for the period 21 March 2011 to 26 June 2011 inclusive between Old Ford Lock and Bow Locks for the construction of the A11 – Bow Riverside project. The project will provide a new continuous connecting towpath beneath the A11/A12 Bow Interchange in the form of a walkway carrying the route south beneath the A11 and a bridge traversing the River Lee Navigation to the north. The project will provide safe access for pedestrians and cyclists using the River Lee Navigation towpath.

Hooray ! finally a proper towpath route at the Bow flyover junction !

Indeed. One wonders why it took so long ..

 

[sheddy]

Can anyone confirm that the Lee towpath works are complete ? I tried emailing waterscape but no reply...

 

[Mr Phoebus]

Now, why can't it always be like that?

It's not all doom 'n' gloom out there.

 

[Shaun]

I like to return the favour with a thumbs-up when I can hear drivers behind me slowing down, and not racing me towards pinch-points, or holding back from overtaking when it would be a close-call to do so, or hanging back whilst I change to the right-hand lane.

As a driver I like to return the favour and do the same for other cyclists. In particular if it's a narrow road (with cars either side) I wait my turn and give them the whole road and wait for them to get down it safely before heading down!!!

Must be a rare thing as I sometimes get really confused looks from the cyclists - "A car driver, patiently waiting for me to come all the way down here?!!!" - Yup!!

It's good when it's good!

 

[mr_cellophane]

Can anyone confirm that the Lee towpath works are complete ? I tried emailing waterscape but no reply...

No they aren't. They look nearly finished though.