Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Inbound, I go to the right of the three big drain covers at the beginning of the slip, stick my arm out and 'occupy' the lane and shoulder check...dropping my arm and tapering inwards to the primary position as the flyover bit begins. A left-shoulder check on the descent and I'll move across, otherwise hold my line. Watch out for builders vans and lorries on the rise up the slope - plenty of distracted minds on any given day at that point. Often the easiest is to be on the outside of the right-hand lane...up and over, down to the lights - and bus lane space.
Outbound there are a number of pointers: it's possible to move quite quickly over the brow of the rise from Cricklewood BUT. There is traffic (in both directions), impatient to get into the first garage and tends to take a chance when a 'half-gap' shows itself, then the second garage where people are just finishing texting whilst rolling into the road, slowly - attempting a 'push-in' - which is why it's helpful to be on the outside of the inside lane etc. Right hand fully extended again and go for it!(You'll be riding on a 'Wing and a Yip' at this point) In 'rush hour times' that first lane is static anyway, and the only hiccup is idle motorists who cut across and push in from the outside lane - an instant road block in front of an approaching cyclist. The sweep upward to West Hendon is a breeze through two static lines of traffic - but watch for left to right lane-changing wheel movements - and mind the fag butts! If there is no traffic, the slip road Northbound from the North Circ. is only a mild hazard - I tend to plough straight on and let the traffic sort itself out...at your level of handling, you'll be fine Charlie.
Outbound there are a number of pointers: it's possible to move quite quickly over the brow of the rise from Cricklewood BUT. There is traffic (in both directions), impatient to get into the first garage and tends to take a chance when a 'half-gap' shows itself, then the second garage where people are just finishing texting whilst rolling into the road, slowly - attempting a 'push-in' - which is why it's helpful to be on the outside of the inside lane etc. Right hand fully extended again and go for it!(You'll be riding on a 'Wing and a Yip' at this point) In 'rush hour times' that first lane is static anyway, and the only hiccup is idle motorists who cut across and push in from the outside lane - an instant road block in front of an approaching cyclist. The sweep upward to West Hendon is a breeze through two static lines of traffic - but watch for left to right lane-changing wheel movements - and mind the fag butts! If there is no traffic, the slip road Northbound from the North Circ. is only a mild hazard - I tend to plough straight on and let the traffic sort itself out...at your level of handling, you'll be fine Charlie.
