Sunday Cycling

[Crankarm]

Does anyone else find that cycling on the road on a Sunday to be far worse than any other day?

I was cycling this morning around the A10 and Tottenham Hale Gyratory, which for those that don't know it, is "challenging" enough at the best of times - three lanes of fast moving traffic with lanes branching off to other roads. I was in the inside lane, there happened to be two other cyclists in front of me, when a car doing over 30mph came so close that it must have been only an inch from my handlebars. This, when the traffic wasn't heavy, and every other car was moving into the next lane to overtake.

It is the closest have been to being knocked off at speed on my bicycle. Inevitably, I caught up with the car driver at the next lights - an elderly man, who felt his driving was exemplary and I had plenty of space. I was concerned by the way he was squinting at me that he might no be able to see as far as his bonnet, and he seemed to have such difficulty operating the electric windows, that one wondered if a tonne of moving machinery was really in safe hands with him.

Every time I go out on a Sunday, I am on the receiving end of some really appalling driving. Even in the rush hour in the dark, car drivers seem to be more considerate in the week. What is wrong with people? Before today, I hadn't felt that I had ever been close to serious injury, or worse, on a bicycle but after this incident, I am feeling pretty militant about the quality of driving of some people, the crap cycle lanes that go nowhere and the complete lack of secure bicycle parking on major roads. Where do I sign up for the revolution?!

Coffin dodger. Did you get his reg so you can report him to 1) plod and 2)DVLA?

Last year coming out the Post Office this coffin dodger drove his ancient Vauxhall Chevette onto the pavement and concourse right in front of the doors forcing people to run for it. This is not an area where cars can be parked even if drivers or occupants are disabled. The acrid smell of clutch hung in the air. To open his driver's door wide, he used a crutch then, assembled a zimmer frame adjacent to the his driver's seat. He then slowly manouevred himself out the seat and onto the frame, slamming the ill fitting door behind him and slowly shuffled into the Post Office. I looked inside his car expecting to see it specially adapted, but no modifications at all, only standard controls with 3 foot pedals and a gear stick. Frightening.

 

[Trumpettom001]

Affirmed - was out with the kite today, and on the way home, a massive SUV ( I mean massive btw) shot past me at at least 60-70 mph - and was about 3 foot away from me.... thank christ i don't normally cycle on those types of roads... wish I had the camera, as I would have reported that one, but for lack of Licence plate.etc.

 

[stowie]

I would go through Markfield Park (turn right off the High Road onto Crowland Road just before the Dutch House* and the park is at the end of the road) and pick up the Lee Valley path. It comes out on Ferry Lane just beside the Lock restaurant. You can't miss it, there's a great big lock!

The right turn off the High Road might be a bit dodgy but there's a pedestrian crossing there so you can always get off on the left side and push it over.

If your bike isn't happy on canal tracks you can use the sidestreets south of Broad Lane to get to the South end of the cyclepath then follow your usual route backwards, but it's a bit stop start-y going that way round, plus there's no rideable route from the High Road so you'll need to push your bike over the crossing at Seven Sisters. Let me know if you'd like more detail on this one.


* Yes, you really do get to pass the Dutch House on the left hand side

Today, I was cycling up Seven Sisters Road (A503), and so met the A10 further up - where you have to turn left. No sooner are you past the A503 / A10 junction than you are in the fun and games that are the Tottenham Hale Gyratory. I am beginning to think that the only way around it is to get off the bike and use the pedestrian crossing to get to the roads you mention south of Broad Lane and then use the cyclepath. I also hate that cycle path around by the retail park, as it is always full of pedestrians.

I know the Lee Valley canal tracks well, and use them in the summer - in winter I find them really quite wet and muddy, but on reflection possibly better than being buzzed by geriatric psychotic drivers.

Just shows how rubbish cycling infrastructure is. How on earth are they going to make this a "cycle super-highway"?!

BTW - enjoyed the joke, I haven't read a reference to Musical Youth in many years.

 

[Trumpettom001]

Don't get it.... awww, feel left out...

 

[boydj]

Totally agree, Stowie. Applies to Saturdays too. Lots of drivers who don't seem to get out much and many seem to be really lacking awareness of how to drive round cyclists. Some of them timid, others impatient with poor judgement shown by too many.

Weekend drivers share a lot of characteristics with the school-run mums - minds on everything but their driving. Even on week-days, the standard of driving is much lower outwith the rush hours.

One thing I've noticed when cycling in town outwith rush hour is a particular problem with older drivers who never seem to leave enough room and in some cases indulge in what appears to be 'punishment' passes. One old boy, when challenged, complained about me cycling in the 'middle of the road'. The reality was that I was at most 4 ft from the kerb on a quiet, 30 mph dual carriageway.

 

[brokenbetty]

Today, I was cycling up Seven Sisters Road (A503), and so met the A10 further up - where you have to turn left. No sooner are you past the A503 / A10 junction than you are in the fun and games that are the Tottenham Hale Gyratory. I am beginning to think that the only way around it is to get off the bike and use the pedestrian crossing to get to the roads you mention south of Broad Lane and then use the cyclepath. I also hate that cycle path around by the retail park, as it is always full of pedestrians.

I live just off Seven Sisters Road - know that junction very well. We often head over to the retail park and we always do the crossing + back streets.

Thinking about it there is a route that avoids the pedestrians - go up the High Road past Tescos but turn right before Monument way down a "local traffic only" road at Tottenham Green. (I don't think it's no entry that way, but I've only walked it). From there you go along Tynemouth Road and Antill Road which joins on to Broad Lane just after the Ferry Lane turning. You'll have to wheel your bike from there over the crossings to join Ferry Lane though.

 

[stowie]

Coffin dodger. Did you get his reg so you can report him to 1) plod and 2)DVLA?

Last year coming out the Post Office this coffin dodger drove his ancient Vauxhall Chevette onto the pavement and concourse right in front of the doors forcing people to run for it. This is not an area where cars can be parked even if drivers or occupants are disabled. The acrid smell of clutch hung in the air. To open his driver's door wide, he used a crutch then, assembled a zimmer frame adjacent to the his driver's seat. He then slowly manouevred himself out the seat and onto the frame, slamming the ill fitting door behind him and slowly shuffled into the Post Office. I looked inside his car expecting to see it specially adapted, but no modifications at all, only standard controls with 3 foot pedals and a gear stick. Frightening.

Unfortunately I was in such a temper that someone had nearly killed me, that I lost all reason, and didn't get the plate. I very rarely challenge drivers, but when I caught I with him, the adrenaline was really going, I was ready to get a bit punchy. God knows what I would have done if he hadn't been an elderly person (this took the anger out of me completely). I am a complete wimp, whose only asset in a fight is I am a bit overweight so could possibly hurt someone by sitting on them.

As I understand, anyone with a driving license over 70 just has to sign a form to say they are fit to drive. This appears to be quite a subjective test...

 

[stowie]

I live just off Seven Sisters Road - know that junction very well. We often head over to the retail park and we always do the crossing + back streets.

Thinking about it there is a route that avoids the pedestrians - go up the High Road past Tescos but turn right before Monument way down a "local traffic only" road at Tottenham Green. (I don't think it's no entry that way, but I've only walked it). From there you go along Tynemouth Road and Antill Road which joins on to Broad Lane just after the Ferry Lane turning. You'll have to wheel your bike from there over the crossings to join Ferry Lane though.

I think the crossing and back streets is a good idea. I have tried Tynemouth road before because (I think) it is in the TfL map as a cycle friendly route or something. Presumably TfL didn't notice that the entrance is accessed across 3 lanes of traffic and a contraflow bus lane, and the exit is onto 3 lanes of traffic going the wrong way, so in both cases you need to wheel the bike, as you say. I really don't know why I moan about cycle provision with facilities like these

 

[thomas]

One thing I've noticed when cycling in town outwith rush hour is a particular problem with older drivers who never seem to leave enough room and in some cases indulge in what appears to be 'punishment' passes. One old boy, when challenged, complained about me cycling in the 'middle of the road'. The reality was that I was at most 4 ft from the kerb on a quiet, 30 mph dual carriageway.

This isn't a reason to pass someone closely, but I believe that people in their 70s+ would have been taught that the gutter is the safest place to ride. Certainly judging from someone old cycle safety films.

As I understand, anyone with a driving license over 70 just has to sign a form to say they are fit to drive. This appears to be quite a subjective test...

I think their doctor has to sign it too....though tbh, there are plenty of drivers under 70 who shouldn't be on the road too.

 

[Domeo]

The Tottenham Hale gyratory is mental in a car, let alone a bike. It's one of the few places where London driving lives up to its bad reputation, IMO.

.

I use the Tottenham 1way every day. There are plenty of knobs driving, but I think it is all down to positioning.

I have been pushed into the station once by inconsiderate driving and attempted on another occasion. The time I was pushed into the station was on a Sunday.

 

[BentMikey]

I've used that a few times going up to Tatem Park. It's not a problem, IMO. Positioning as Domeo says.

 

[palinurus]

Sunday is definitely the worst day for encountering hat-wearing old buggers who deliberately pass close.

 

[stowie]

I use the Tottenham 1way every day. There are plenty of knobs driving, but I think it is all down to positioning.

I have been pushed into the station once by inconsiderate driving and attempted on another occasion. The time I was pushed into the station was on a Sunday.

To be fair to most of the drivers yesterday, most were really pretty good. One even slowed to let me go in front where the A10 goes into Monument way. It is a shame the really bad ones stick in the mind. As I said, every driver with the only exception of the one I mentioned in my OP moved completely into the middle lane to overtake.

The problem I find with this road is that the traffic will grid-lock very quickly, and then start moving again really quickly as well. So you have to be very on your guard if you start filtering otherwise you end up stuck in no-mans land with cars whizzing either side. That and the fact that drivers get confused about lanes and will tend to change lanes quickly without looking.