I Rode London

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Adam G

Regular
Location
Nottingham
Just moved from London to Nottingham. London as a city isn't for me but I miss the cycling there. Drivers in London are aggressive and arrogant but they are not ignorant like here in Nottingham. They are very bike aware and expect cyclists to be there and give you space. In Nottingham you're less than what they wipe off their shoes.

I used to travel 20 miles a day Zone 1 & 2 in London for 18 months and I got hit by a car once and boris bike once; both very apologetic. Yesterday I was clipped but not knocked off for the first time in Nottingham and the guy drove off. I chased and once caught he said bikes aren't allowed to overtake. Guy couldn't be reasoned with. I shouldn't of chased but dude did such a dangerous move I saw red.

But I've had more close shaves here in two months than I did in 18 months of London. I won't be deterred though; trying to get involved with cycling groups here for awareness.
 
I really like riding in London, did this recently £11 return on the train to Marylebone and £15 on food/drink for the day really good/cheap day out:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/333254839
 

AnythingButVanilla

Über Member
Location
London
London is probably the best city in the world, ride over Tower Bridge at night and tell me I'm wrong. The roads may be busy and the cycle lanes crap but it's all part of it I suppose. So many good places to ride on the doorstep as well, Herne Hill Velodrome, Richmond Park, Surrey Hills, runs to the coast if only the weather was good all year round!

Yes! I'll have been in London five years in September and cycling around it three years this month and still get stupidly over excited when I go through town or ride across the bridges, especially Tower Bridge and Westminster or Lambeth Bridges. When I lived on Lavender Hill my view from the livingroom window took in Canary Wharf, Big Ben, Battersea power station and the London Eye and the view from the kitchen window had the arch at Wembly and some pretty amazing sunsets over west London.

I'm such a tourist.
 

martint235

Dog on a bike
Location
Welling
London is probably the best city in the world, ride over Tower Bridge at night and tell me I'm wrong. The roads may be busy and the cycle lanes crap but it's all part of it I suppose. So many good places to ride on the doorstep as well, Herne Hill Velodrome, Richmond Park, Surrey Hills, runs to the coast if only the weather was good all year round!
I'd suggest cycling over London Bridge at night, that way you can see Tower Bridge all lit up.
 

Maz

Guru
You can, it's only about a mile. Straight along the euston road.
It will cost you £2 for 30mins.

edit - crossed with srw!
If I park the bike up within 30 minutes, it's free, right?
Should be able to do 1 mile within 30 minutes, right?... or do I need thighs like Chris Hoy to do that on a Boris Bike?
 

Maz

Guru
This thread is making do something I never thought would happen:

Miss London :-/
cache_fav-1360.jpg
 

Beebo

Firm and Fruity
Location
Hexleybeef
If I park the bike up within 30 minutes, it's free, right?
Should be able to do 1 mile within 30 minutes, right?... or do I need thighs like Chris Hoy to do that on a Boris Bike?
£2 is the registration fee, just stick your card in the machine.
Then all journeys in the next 24 hours are free as long as they are shorter than 30mins.
But you will have to pay £2 to get the bike in the first place.

The bikes are heavy and slow, but 1 mile will take you less than 10 mins.
 

Lanzecki

Über Member
Do check the bike is OK before selecting it (I assume you can select which one). In Dublin it's normal to check tyre pressures etc before taking the bike.

I'm not sure how the Bo Bikes work.
 

Lanzecki

Über Member
And finally...Police this morning are searching for a missing Boris Bike. City of Westminster CCTV and Highways Agencies traffic cameras spotted the errant cyclist heading northbound along the hard shoulder of the M1...


A description of the cyclist from an eyewitness : "I cannot remember anything apart from he had legs like tree trunks"
 
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