Ode to the Bus.

[dhd.evans]

I hate you. Your inconsiderate passengers, your all too frequent starts and stops, the fizzing of tinny headphones pulsing a thousand different beats. The too-much-perfume pensioners, the heavy breathing heavy set men in their heavy faded suits . The all-too-cheery, far-too-happy-to-be-alive conductors and the blackened, sullen, sunken, sulky teenagers.

Oh, I am amongst you for now, but soon i will be free!

I peer through foggy windows dripping with condensation at the cyclists pedalling contentedly.

Slim, fast, lycra clad slips flitting through traffic, the sun reflecting off their shiny shells. Slow, steady commuters with satchels and suits casually sloping along the road. The hipster girls, bikes from the 19th century with their wicker baskets and thick, bulky fashion glasses, billowing summer dresses and flowing blonde hair. The nightwatchman returning home on his rusted old machine, his reflective jacket flapping carelessly behind him in the breeze.

For now, this beautiful sunny day is yours. For now, the heat beating down from the kind sun is your lifeforce, not mine.

And I, slowly drowning, turn my head. The man beside me coughs, then sneezes. He wipes his hand on his trousers leaving a sticky residue.

Dear bus, I hate you.

 

[MisterStan]

Sounds like every bus i've been on!

 

[Leodis]

Was the story of my commute until I free'd myself with a bike. I also hate Germobiles

 

[dhd.evans]

Following my accident in mid-January i've not had a bike (front-end mangled, stuff to sort out with insurance, ordering new model etc.) to ride into work. Frustrating, to say the least. My new shiny bike will be here next week but i've had nearly 2 months of using the bus 5 days a week. I absolutely detest it and thought i'd share my pent up rage!

 

[caimg]

Ah buses aren't all that bad. They help a ton of people out, me included, and quite simply for the majority of people (in London for sure), there is no need to own a car or it's tough to afford one with running costs (I can't and don't, although arguably I need one more than others).

Anyway, for us cyclists, having to wait behind a slow moving bus gives us a nice little breather

 

[caimg]

Although a pulling-out bus shook up my OH to the verge of tears yesterday! She is a beginner so it was a bit of an overreaction

 

[DougieAB]

You must be counting down the days now. Next bus journey just close your eyes and picture yourself on your shiny new steed overtaking the bus and leaving it far behind. Good luck with the new bike.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

That's why they're known as pubic transport in my house.