Tales from today's commute....

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wafter

I like steel bikes and I cannot lie..
Location
Oxford
Following a glorious sunrise through the kitchen window I was out puffy-eyed, tired and jaded but on time; despite struggling to drag myself out of bed.

The outside was overcast with a smattering of thankfully inconsequential rain; a shade warmer than yesterday. The bike felt buttery smooth and slick thanks to last night's freshly waxed chain and new jockey wheel :smile:

Traffic sucked again; I belligerently turned right across a bus that was creeping into the yellow box outside a junction that filters into the bus lane (which every morning is typically occupied by self-gratification artists) - only to later notice he was signalling to legitimately turn left so I was in the wrong. Slow wits and grumbing ego meant I failed to acknowledge my wrongdoing / apologise, which I regret... so in this instance I was the prick.

Once up to speed on the main road I crept past a couple of cars on the outside, which a bit later apparently made a show of accelating to overtake just so that they could hit the brakes when they reached the inevitable, obvious queueing traffic ahead. Rolling along at a reasonable pace I'd caught them again soon enough and despite one muppet in a pickup's apparent attempt to block my passage by pulling right over to the white line, I had plenty of room to sail past on the empty opposite side of the road, leaving them all for dead as they ground to a halt at the back of the static column of traffic.

While I always try to be law-abiding and respectful of everyone else on the road, this morning was one of those that very much provoked an attitude of "f*ck you and the problems your selfishness and stupidy have created that I now have to overcome" towards all the muppets parked in their tin boxes, along with the crap infrastructure provided by a council who clearly don't give a toss about making any meaningful changes to accommodate cyclists.

Had some dickhead pedestrian apparently swear at me on the tow path after I thanked him for stopping as I approached and slowed to a near-halt (with plenty of room) to let an oncoming cyclist pass on the other side - not quite sure what he'd have preferred me to have done. Maybe I'd have done everyone a favour by heartily punting him into the river as I passed at speed. Also not quite sure if I'd have been less irritated had I taken him to task over it, or just let it slide as I did.

Disappointed by this morning's three sausages which were decidedly below par.

Other than that not a lot to report - a mediocre ride at best but as usual it felt good stepping out into the fresh air, and as always was infinitely preferable to the inevitable self-defeating misery of taking the car.
 
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cyberknight

As long as I breathe, I attack.
Puncture yesterday going to work just as i was goign through a set of roadworks so i had to ride on a flat tyre to the other side as there was no footpath , checking the tyre it looks like a piece of beer bottle glass had got embedded in the tyre and worked its way through .Its a good job i set off early for work to allow for mechanicals and traffic as i also had a couple more sets of roadworks with sensors on the lights but of course they dont see bikes.
A lot warmer last night coming home and a rare occasion where i finished on time so i was in bed for 1.30 am .
 
decided to take rest of the week off from cycling. Coming home last night cycling up a tight road cars either side of me car decided it was going push through leaving me about 2 inches of clearence so of course being the south london chap I am I called him something that rhyms with runt. True to name guy folllowed me up the road reving his engine and trying to push me off the road using his car as a weapon pushing his engine in front of my bike swearing etc. So i got off the road and cycled on the pavement which seemed to annoy him more. Came to the end of the road must have thought I was going to turn left as he turned left sitting there swearing at me offering me out for a fight. I waited till traiffic built up behind him and turned right. Off to shop this weekend will be buying metal ulock fed up with these pillocks at least the ulock will give me something to fight back with.
 

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
Sorry to hear that @markharry66
Good idea with the DLock. I'm a big believer of fighting fire with fire. Dont be bullied. People will say hey, they might have a weapon, but fek em. A threatened smack around the chops with a dlock will make anyone think twice.
However, theses interactions are very rare. So dont let the bastards grind you down mate.
 
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ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
On another note.
There was another bike on the train this morning. WHAT?
I think for only the second or third time this year.
Luckily he was only going one stop. But it did throw me a bit. 😀
20251002_071957.jpg
 

wafter

I like steel bikes and I cannot lie..
Location
Oxford
decided to take rest of the week off from cycling. Coming home last night cycling up a tight road cars either side of me car decided it was going push through leaving me about 2 inches of clearence so of course being the south london chap I am I called him something that rhyms with runt. True to name guy folllowed me up the road reving his engine and trying to push me off the road using his car as a weapon pushing his engine in front of my bike swearing etc. So i got off the road and cycled on the pavement which seemed to annoy him more. Came to the end of the road must have thought I was going to turn left as he turned left sitting there swearing at me offering me out for a fight. I waited till traiffic built up behind him and turned right. Off to shop this weekend will be buying metal ulock fed up with these pillocks at least the ulock will give me something to fight back with.

Sorry to hear that - sounds like the usual pathetic, irrationally-angry smallman routine.

Have you considered getting a camera? I'm immensely triggered by interactions like this and was considering that the knowledge I could send the footage to the Police and potentially earn some repercussions for the driver might attenuate my reaction in the heat of the moment..
 

spen666

Legendary Member
decided to take rest of the week off from cycling. Coming home last night cycling up a tight road cars either side of me car decided it was going push through leaving me about 2 inches of clearence so of course being the south london chap I am I called him something that rhyms with runt. True to name guy folllowed me up the road reving his engine and trying to push me off the road using his car as a weapon pushing his engine in front of my bike swearing etc. So i got off the road and cycled on the pavement which seemed to annoy him more. Came to the end of the road must have thought I was going to turn left as he turned left sitting there swearing at me offering me out for a fight. I waited till traiffic built up behind him and turned right. Off to shop this weekend will be buying metal ulock fed up with these pillocks at least the ulock will give me something to fight back withS
Some people allegedly used to have a water bottle filled with paint stripper or similar and spray offending car with "water" before cycling off. Obviously they were long gone before motorist realised what had happened
 

spen666

Legendary Member
Sorry to hear that - sounds like the usual pathetic, irrationally-angry smallman routine.

Have you considered getting a camera? I'm immensely triggered by interactions like this and was considering that the knowledge I could send the footage to the Police and potentially earn some repercussions for the driver might attenuate my reaction in the heat of the moment..
Good shout. I have both a front and rear camera to use as evidence if needed. Most days I never even bother to look at footage and as it loop records, no need to do anything. It did prove its worth when I was involved in an accident as it proved exactly what happened and motorist's insurers admitted liability immediately
 

biking_fox

Legendary Member
Location
Manchester
Surprisingly (nice) large number of cyclists about this week, don't know what's brought them all out. Don't even look like students for the start of term. However much as I generally support cycling I did meet two of the largest idiots I've seen (possibly ever). Well after ark, no lights riding in the middle of the lane counterflow on the wrong side of the road - hardly a quiet road either, just happened to be a gap in the traffic.
 

spen666

Legendary Member
After the unpleasant incident mark had to deal with last night, I am pleased to say I had a lovely commute to my workplace ( home) this morning, sun just up, air fresh, temperature perfect for riding etc
In fact I had quickly checked my work laptop before setting off and saw a couple of emails I could easily respond to. So my boss thinks I was working before 0600 this morning - win win
 

wafter

I like steel bikes and I cannot lie..
Location
Oxford
Good shout. I have both a front and rear camera to use as evidence if needed. Most days I never even bother to look at footage and as it loop records, no need to do anything. It did prove its worth when I was involved in an accident as it proved exactly what happened and motorist's insurers admitted liability immediately

Cheers - what sort of cameras do you use? How's the battery life?

I was idling browsing Gopro Hero 5's but the battery life seems a bit short at 2ish hrs on 1080..
 

spen666

Legendary Member
Cheers - what sort of cameras do you use? How's the battery life?

I was idling browsing Gopro Hero 5's but the battery life seems a bit short at 2ish hrs on 1080..

on front I have cycliq 12 with battery life of 8 hours without light on and 4-6 hours with light on as well


On rear I use Garmin Varia 715 which is light / radar / camera and not sure of battery life, but its easily well over 4 hours

I have used Cycliq Fly 6 as well and as a camera / light it was excellent
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Surprisingly (nice) large number of cyclists about this week, don't know what's brought them all out. Don't even look like students for the start of term. However much as I generally support cycling I did meet two of the largest idiots I've seen (possibly ever). Well after ark, no lights riding in the middle of the lane counterflow on the wrong side of the road - hardly a quiet road either, just happened to be a gap in the traffic.

Nice weather and students are the answer. Loads this morning.
 
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