Tales from today's commute....

[Andy in Germany]

On the way home yesterday the tourists were out in force, frequently on Ebikes and in full Lycra. I noticed that a couple of the Ebike crowd looked twice at my bike...

It's a steel framed 90's MTB of dubious heritage which I resprayed a few years ago: I was pleased to see it looks modern enough to warrant a second glance...

 

[spen666]

On the way home yesterday the tourists were out in force, frequently on Ebikes and in full Lycra. I noticed that a couple of the Ebike crowd looked twice at my bike...

View attachment 824740

It's a steel framed 90's MTB of dubious heritage which I resprayed a few years ago: I was pleased to see it looks modern enough to warrant a second glance...

The were looking at your bike puzzled as to where the battery was hidden

 

[fossyant]

On the way home yesterday the tourists were out in force, frequently on Ebikes and in full Lycra. I noticed that a couple of the Ebike crowd looked twice at my bike...

View attachment 824740

It's a steel framed 90's MTB of dubious heritage which I resprayed a few years ago: I was pleased to see it looks modern enough to warrant a second glance...

They make great commuting bikes. Very good at denting cars, and escaping from thieves who throw mountain bikes into your path (I have experience).

 

[HLaB]

Wet today out - but still we get red light jumpers

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Must be AI , everyone knows that all cyclists jump red lights and only cyclists do it 🙄

 

[Andy in Germany]

The were looking at your bike puzzled as to where the battery was hidden

I regularly overtake Ebikes, on flat sections with the riders stuck at 25 Km/h. I recently overtook one going uphill with a sporty 25-year-old riding on it. I said hello as I passed and he looked at me, then looked at the bottom bracket area in astonishment..

 

[Andy in Germany]

I ran into traffic on the way home:

 

[biking_fox]

Damp riding today, heavy drizzle to actual rain. Lighter traffic because it's monday and half-term ish although plenty of schools kids still around.

 

[ianrauk]

From this last week.
Southern Spain, every day temperatures in the 30's+

To this, this morning. Cold, dark and damp and sat on the 7.19am train to Bromley.
Talk about a shock to the system

 

[Arjimlad]

Jacket on today, it was raining as I had breakfast but had cleared by the time I left. The sun came out gradually too.

 

[Tom B]

Yes

I am fully confident that I will be told as follows in about 3 weeks' time, by Avon & Somerset Police..

"As a result of this report I can confirm a positive outcome in that the driver(s) identified in the submission(s) will receive either a warning letter, a fixed penalty or a prosecution.

We appreciate your time in making the submission and we review each one individually, thank you for helping to keep our roads safer.
Please note I am unable to provide any future information on the outcome of this submission."

I have no way of finding out which of the outcomes will apply here. From previous experience I would hope for more than a warning letter, but my confidence in the system is diminishing.

Might be worth an FOI to find out how many close pass reports amount to anything more than a warning letter.

Looking at the figures out there i'd say not many and educational letters seem the norm.

 

[HLaB]

Quite a stiff headwind, every light was red and there was quite a few ninjas to spot and swerve. So I got to the station 3-4mins late. I needn't have worried though, the first 2 trains were cancelled 🤦‍♂️ This one will be rammed a few stops down the line.

I debated last night shorts with knee warmers or longs. The forecasted rain swerved me towards long. I'm glad I made that choice. Everything was dry, even the extra wait. But that extra wait in shorts and knee warmers would have been a bit chilly.

 

[biking_fox]

Damp and dark again, with the boat forecast for the afternoon. Was supposed to be my work's Active Commuters Group ride, I'd offered to lead in from my part of manchester. No-one booked or turned up (not surprised with the weather), but they missed a fine tailwind.

 

[Arjimlad]

Might be worth an FOI to find out how many close pass reports amount to anything more than a warning letter.

Looking at the figures out there i'd say not many and educational letters seem the norm.

Indeed. Bristol Cycling Campaign has written to A&S Police asking about the stats, which after a FOI have shown

If a driver was reported for close-passing a cyclist & the report was a “positive outcome”, the proportion of drivers getting a NIP rather than a warning letter was
18% in 2024
9% in 2025
Only 5% in Jan-May 2026

Also, if a driver was filmed using a handheld mobile phone & the report was a “positive outcome” the proportion of drivers getting a NIP rather than a warning letter was: -
57% in 2022
21% in 2023
59% in 2024
42% in 2025
27% in Jan-May 2026

At the moment it looks like labour-intensive window-dressing. They process 8,000 reports plus each year, but we don't think it's staffed enough and they are cutting back considerably on everything above warning letters.

 

[Mazz]

Had a puncture this morning (why's it always on the back wheel?) - first one since fitting the Schwalbe Duranos maybe 18m to 2y ago.
Was about 1km from work so decided to walk it from there, rather than attempt a roadside repair in the rain.

 

[Mazz]

View attachment 825069

At last! We get to see the drive-side.