Sometimes my lack of experience shows

[scouserinlondon]

I find that when I've not cycled for a few days as per this long weekend, that my confidence is slightly off on the next outing and I tend to be over cautious.

This morning I was super cautious and rode far too close to the kerb, and at roadworks on Kings Avenue in Clapham I sat in traffic for a couple of light-phases as there was just too much freight around to boot through in my view.

That said some people were doing some bloody stupid things on the approach to the junction. I saw at least four people just take to the pavement at high speed, and one girl on a fixie squeeze through a tiny gap between a bus and a truck.

Maybe I was just being a cowardly custard as not cycled for the best part of a week, but I'm actually glad I waited for a bit before scooting around the outside when it was quieter.

My one consolation was that I caught most of the pavement riders and the fixie lady by the time we'd got to stockwell.

 

[jonny jeez]

I find that when I've not cycled for a few days as per this long weekend, that my confidence is slightly off on the next outing and I tend to be over cautious.

This morning I was super cautious and rode far too close to the kerb, and at roadworks on Kings Avenue in Clapham I sat in traffic for a couple of light-phases as there was just too much freight around to boot through in my view.

That said some people were doing some bloody stupid things on the approach to the junction. I saw at least four people just take to the pavement at high speed, and one girl on a fixie squeeze through a tiny gap between a bus and a truck.

Maybe I was just being a cowardly custard as not cycled for the best part of a week, but I'm actually glad I waited for a bit before scooting around the outside when it was quieter.

My one consolation was that I caught most of the pavement riders and the fixie lady by the time we'd got to stockwell.

Not scardy cat in any way, just clear and sensible.

long may you continue to travel (without incedent) with this new found objective approach.

let everyone else do it their own way, just do what ever it takes to take care of you.

Jonny

 

[BentMikey]

Sounds like good sense to me also. Learn to love your fear, listen to it, and hold it tight. It's something that'll likely keep you alert and alive.

 

[John the Monkey]

I like cautious, personally.

Tends to keep the rubber side facing down, does that.

 

[HJ]

Keep out from the kerb it is far safer, but the others you saw sound plain stupid...

 

[GrasB]

If you're cautious because you're not confident that's fine, however you may end up getting put in worse situations than if you were more confidence by some more aggressive motorists. That said if you show boldness without confidence you're going to put your self in a more dangerous situation.

I rarely go take primary position on the road, though I don't feel comfortable being overtaken at close quarters I know it's going to happen & deal with it. However when I do take up primary I will do so assertively & with complete confidence, both driving small & light cars & cycling has taught me how to bully (for want of a better word) the more aggressive drivers into acting sensibly most of the time. I had a motorbike rider last month shout at me "Just how the f**k did you manage that one mate?" after staring down a speeding car 50m from a pinch point.

As for the other riders, if they want to risk their lives let em, I hate riding with young fixie riders, imo they have a death wish. Damn at 30 & I'm starting to sound old!

 

[hackbike 666]

Sounds like good sense to me also. Learn to love your fear, listen to it, and hold it tight. It's something that'll likely keep you alert and alive.

BM back at his best.

 

[BentMikey]

Hiya Hackers!! Good to see you again mate.

 

[jonny jeez]

Before leaving the office this evening I took a look out the window and saw the trees bending in the 30mph wind and really, truly didnt want to bother...this recent wind has been driving me nuts!!

Left the office and resigned myslf to just plodding along at low speed but with a steady rythm.

then, would you adam & eve it...had the best ride home EVER.

Taking it easy (yet still staying super alert) was a revelation, I didnt break a sweat for 10 miles (literally just rolled along) and watched all my regular "companoins" spin off past me into the distance.

my lesson for today, sometimes its good just to take your time, stop and smell the rose scented car fresheners and ride at a pace that suits you THAT DAY, rather than getting roped into beating all my own records.

oh and that wind...turned out to be a 5 mile long tailwind .....at one point, I was freewheeling at 22 MPH!!!!!!

 

[DJ]

+1

If I'm not feeling like it that day I just do that rolling along thing and it works!!

 

[gf1959]

I'm like the po,just a couple of days of not cycling and i get very apprehensive about the next ride but then i had a bad accident last year.
It's not a bad way to be at all,makes you more vigilant and therefore safer.

 

[jonny jeez]

+1

If I'm not feeling like it that day I just do that rolling along thing and it works!!

However...it didnt work for me tonight...was still raining (not an issue...quite pleasant really) but picked up a puncture at around 4 miles...thought I'd fixed it but the tyre kept deflating, eventually just swapped the tube. It all took about 30 mins and i would have been close to home by that time so I ended up riding into a constant headwind, dark with my lights on...dreading my last 6 mle uphill slog.

Not at work tomorrow, so hopefully Friday will bring better travels

 

[GrasB]

some times it's all good, some times it's all bad. Some times I get to the end of my commute, look at the ave speed and go WTF?! how could I be that fast/slow.