Tales from today's commute....

[Stromtrooper]

First commute by bike after a week of using the motorbike while on shift. Still got the same amount of idiots trying to pull out on me though but at least no one did a dodgy overtake on me!

And I got just as wet

Hmmm, now I am trying to work out why I took the motorbike I rather than the treader, oh that was it - the head wind / torrential rain

 

[Beebo]

i've just remembered what I saw on Tuesday night. Going through Greenwich I saw an old guy, riding no hands with a dog howling as it sat in a crate strapped to the rear rack. All very odd.

 

[potsy]

I had a ninja cyclist riding the wrong way down the road this morning, I was in the on road cycle lane and so was he

 

[Arjimlad]

Emailed local HGV company today..
"We're exhorted to complain about bad driving by professionals all the time by those little labels on the back of vehicles. I'd like to offer some praise. I was cycling to work up the road from Iron Acton to Cromhall at about 8.15 yesterday morning, and no less than three of your HGVs exhibited exemplary patience & consideration in overtaking me. There was one which had to wait a little while before safely passing, and he was exceptionally patient whilst I pedalled as hard as I possibly could to minimise the delay. All 3 passed me with oodles of space too. I wish all local HGV drivers were as safe, considerate and courteous to more vulnerable road users as yours, and would like to express my sincere thanks."

 

[tadpole]

Watched an unlit cyclist on a beat up road bike, pull out in front of a Range Rover at a roundabout, then jump the red light as traffic was crossing in front of him. I stopped that the roundabout and the lights and still scalped him going uphill a couple of hundred yards later, I called a cheery ‘good morning’ as I passed him, and he looked at my WDS BSO and sneered at me. I actually laughed out loud. It was a fun ride to work.

 

[martint235]

Apologies to people on Facebook who've already seen this but last night was cycling home in the rain. Coming up to some traffic lights about 3 cars back as the light turned green. Car in front of me sped up a little so I kept pace. The car in front of him must not have been so quick so he braked suddenly. I braked but not enough, just scraped by and hit the rear left wing of his car with the outside of my hand on the bars. No damage, no scratch or anything. Window winds down:

"What the f**k do you think you're doing?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry. It was only my hand though, don't worry, no damage".
"F***ing cyclists. Touch my f***ing car again and I'll have you"
*Sound of unclipping of foot* "Look I've apologised. If you want to take things further, get out of your f***ing car and we'll talk about it"
*Sound of window gliding upwards*

I share on here cos I was still annoyed about it this morning and so some passes that maybe weren't so close as to normally bother me got a bit of a ticking off.

 

[dodd82]

Good journey home in the rain last night - quite considerate drivers even though the wind was making it hard for me.

Saw my first RLJ on my commute - he jumped three sets of red lights but I pretty much maintained distance from him, despite stopping. Made me feel like I might not be a total amateur in the pace stakes!

 

[J.Primus]

Not the best journey in this morning, watched on cyclist RLJ on a pelican crossing and just miss a lady pushing a pram. Watched another undertake a lorry with railings on the left. Then to top it all I had a ped who seems to think that if you can see a zebra crossing then where you're stood magically turns into one! He jumps in front of me with no warning about 3 metres from the crossing and starts shouting and waving his arms. I nearly pulled over to explain how zebra crossings work but thought better of it and just went to work.

 

[LCpl Boiled Egg]

Sideswiped by an idiot driver who thought they could overtake me despite there only being five car lengths between me and the two cars stopped at a red light, and me being in primary to stop such a manoeuvre. If I hadn't have been on the ball they would have taken me out easily. Mind you, that was balanced out by a couple of really good drivers who didn't do unsafe overtakes, which goes to show some people know how to drive safely in the rain.

First day this week I've been happy to get to work, so every cloud and all that

 

[Maz]

I seldom get the opportunity to speak with any cyclists on my commute. Today, however, I was at the lights chatting with a nice fella on a MTB. Made such a pleasant change.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Brrrr.
Wheeze.
Cough.
Snort.
Cough.

was pretty much it. But what matters is that I did it.

 

[Stevie Mcluskey]

Not today but yesterdays. First near miss since starting back again in May. Coming downhill on road with bend that i travel every morning so know ther are a couple of roads off to the left with giveways that are a bit dodgy. Heading towards one covering the brakes. Good lady in VW polo makes eye contact with me from about 20 yards away and then decides to pull out right in front of me . Nowhere to go , brakes on but wet road back end all over the place and sure i was going down. Was heading straight for back end of her car but lucky it was early in the morning and nothing coming the other way got round her outside but handle bars clipped the back end of the hatch back bit. Thing was she pulled out and immediately slowed down with out indicating to turn hard left again to take her kid into school. Was going to stop and ask what the hell she thought she was doing but didnt want to be having her wee one upset. On the plus side guy in car behind stopped with me at next set of put the window down an shouted over i done well to keep upright as he was sure i was hitting the car and said he couldnt believe that she had pulled out. So quite chuffed with my avoidance skills . Legs were shaking a bit for a while tho'

 

[Downward]

I got called a C word today twice - 1st time ever I have had an arguement on a driver. I told him he shouldn't be driving if he gets that angry about being slowed down. Time for my Camera to come back I think.

 

[Arjimlad]

So quite chuffed with my avoidance skills . Legs were shaking a bit for a while tho'

Owee - glad you are OK. Does her husband know she drives like that ?

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

It's a shame we are sometimes subjected to people's anger. Or idiotic actions whilst out on the road. It can really get to you and ruin your ride. But we should reflect on the majority of good rides we have. I know sometimes that's hard. But brothers if we are to make headway in society we must progress with Calm, Utmost respect, Night vision clothing, Ten sets of lights, Single file riding. And always do as you would be done by. If given helpfull instruction from the driving messiahs, then repeat unto them.....