Mind the gap!

[jonny jeez]

I've been riding a different bike of recent and twice come unstuck in the same place when my thinner wheels are "routed" into expansion gaps on the road (on small bridges in particular).

I've never encountered these before (fat wheels and all that) so its a new skill to learn…but it does beg the question, why should I (or any cyclist) have to.The gaps in question are in a very busy spot and I am mostly distracted with rear and forward obs to move through this area...so they came as a shock the first time and very nearly had me off.

The gaps are here

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=new...=WHqkqUa2gIcbLDzaxQk0Xw&cbp=12,257.97,,0,17.8

This view is looking back at the gaps, I approach them from same direction as the silver Astra and nearly always need to move across the two lanes at this point to avoid the busses crawling in the left lane (as you can see all of the cars in the image are doing the same).

I'm starting to set myself up for this move at the lights (way back in the image) and find that I have to really plan it well. So what if I was new to this road and was thrown off into two lanes of heavy traffic...as I nearly was last week
they're bloody dangerous.

Come to think of it I saw a cyclist on the ground in front of a bus about a year ago in this very spot. It was reported on here).

So, is this a fill that hole issue or is there someplace else i need to direct my concerns?

 

[ianrauk]

Yes Jon, I have been caught out by that very same gap on my way to a FNRttC so it was dark. Near sh!t the life out of me as I was going some.
They need to at least fill them in with that tar/rubber solution that you see in some of the repaired gaps.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

If I remember rightly the railway bridge needed reinforcing a few years back and that's when the ''tramline'' appeared. There's another one on the other side of the road but it's not as noticeable. As they have remained, and they must have resurfaced that stretch after or since the structural work was done, it might be that the bridge is simply no longer fit for purpose. As it is, the carriageway isn't wide enough for two lanes of traffic - as there's almost always a bus trundling up there, there is only enough room for two-wheeled vehicles alongside.

That said, I've not had a problem with it on skinny tyres. The biggest challenge there is knowing where all the traffic is (and isn't) going. It is one of those stretches of road where traffic is oppressive because there are few alternative routes. As I don't have to head home up the A21, I tend to favour the lower road.

 

[jonny jeez]

Yes Jon, I have been caught out by that very same gap on my way to a FNRttC so it was dark. Near sh!t the life out of me as I was going some.
They need to at least fill them in with that tar/rubber solution that you see in some of the repaired gaps.

True, I wonder if the gaps have expanded over the summer as I didnt notice them at all for years. I've put this down to the nubike but I 'm starting to wonder now.

If I remember rightly the railway bridge needed reinforcing a few years back and that's when the ''tramline'' appeared. There's another one on the other side of the road but it's not as noticeable. As they have remained, and they must have resurfaced that stretch after or since the structural work was done, it might be that the bridge is simply no longer fit for purpose. As it is, the carriageway isn't wide enough for two lanes of traffic - as there's almost always a bus trundling up there, there is only enough room for two-wheeled vehicles alongside.

That said, I've not had a problem with it on skinny tyres. The biggest challenge there is knowing where all the traffic is (and isn't) going. It is one of those stretches of road where traffic is oppressive because there are few alternative routes. As I don't have to head home up the A21, I tend to favour the lower road.

That's right, its properly congested around here so not much time for looking at the ground, plus the traffic is so thick you often get too close to the vehicle in front...so it all jumps out pretty sharpish what with rear obs and such.

I've reported on fill that hole but I wonder if there is a specific place to contact.

 

[BentMikey]

Must say I can't recall noticing these at all, and that's on my commute. To me the damage to the nearside lane and manhole covers by the bus stop is far worse and more dangerous.

Ah, just looked back on some video. OK, I have seen them, but I take the lane there so as they're on the lane divider they've not been a problem so far. I tend to take the lane before the previous lights, so rarely am changing lanes at that point.

 

[jonny jeez]

I tend to take the lane before the previous lights, so rarely am changing lanes at that point.

Yep, that's been my move of late too. Nasty if you get caught out though and cant get across early though

 

[BentMikey]

Yep, that's been my move of late too. Nasty if you get caught out though and cant get across early though

Ah, there's still two lanes at that point, I'm usually in the nearside lane and merge after the bus stop - the small downhill gives some extra speed that makes merging like a car easier. If I'm in the offside lane, I've been there since the previous two traffic lights. Sometimes it's easier to stay out there after filtering past the queues along the bus lane.

 

[jonny jeez]

Ah, there's still two lanes at that point, I'm usually in the nearside lane and merge after the bus stop - the small downhill gives some extra speed that makes merging like a car easier. If I'm in the offside lane, I've been there since the previous two traffic lights. Sometimes it's easier to stay out there after filtering past the queues along the bus lane.

it must just be my luck then because every time i get past the lights there is a bus or three in the nearside so I need to move out, right at this point. So now I tend to get our regardless and just ride the line untill I get past the gap.

I might just hang back and take the nearside like you suggest...I'll see tomorrow night (and may even capture this...along with the poo lake in lewisham, on the new go pro!)