Tales from today's commute....

[spen666]

Its getting slightly darker each morning now, and slightly colder. Its at that time of year when its a debate between wearing summer kit or winter kit.

Still lots of strike dodgers out on the roads today.
Also lots of extra traffic now the schools have gone back. Can I selfishly call for schools to have 52 weeks a year holidays, or all teaching to be done by Teams [I am being tongue in cheek - probably]

 

[fossyant]

Having been on hols, I've noticed the mornings being much darker. Wasn't overly apparent whilst on holiday as we were camping, so the light floods in from early o'clock.

Noticed the cars were covered in a heavy due this morning as I did an airport run.

 

[ianrauk]

I was so very lucky for yesterdays commute home. After the days torrential downpours I was expecting a very wet ride. However the rain had stopped by the time I had left for the station. Got to the station nice and dry apart from wet roads just before another huge downpour hit.
22 minute train journey and it had stopped again for the short ride to home.

This mornings commute nice and dry with pleasant temperatures to boot. Due to the ongoing train strikes the roads are pretty much buggered up with backed up traffic.

 

[markharry66]

out on flat bar road bike as some twat forgot to charge the road bike lights last night ( that twat would be me). Got half way through and sun decided to emerge from clouds. Daily run in with deekheads complete moron pulled out from behind rubbish van stopped in front of me. Wound window,"what do you expect me to do". Simple answer edited for the forum "give way to on coming traffic that has a right of way". Still if you have four wheels pay your "Road Tax" these rules do not apply you can be an arrogant prick as you paid your tax and that gives you the right act with a superioty complex above beyond the rights of other road users. Glad its weekend i need some days off lol.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Can I selfishly call for schools to have 52 weeks a year holidays, or all teaching to be done by Teams [I am being tongue in cheek - probably]

I wouldn't have complained if my school had operated that way. I remember envying kids in Australia who got to attend school by radio; teachers would try and convince me they "missed out on a lot". but never managed to give convincing examples.

 

[ianrauk]

A tad nippy this morning so out with the wind cheater. Lovely blue sky morning here though. The ride in was only soured by a food delivery moped rider who as I was turning into a side road he was coming out of, decided he was more important then I and proceeded to turn right as I was turning in, turning into me. My quick reactions stopped a coming together. Dickhead.

Hopefully the weather stays just as nice for this afternoons commute all the way home of 27 miles.

 

[spen666]

Definitely colder now until sun is up higher in sky.
Still a nice little commute - avoiding train / tube stations in area, so traffic not so bad.


My question of the day -Why, certainly in this area, do so many drivers stop their vehicles at junctions or traffic light stop lines, 2-3 vehicle lengths behind the stop line when they are the front vehicle?

Its becoming a very common happening around here and seems to apply to both genders and all races. Even learners in cars with driving instructors are doing it

 

[C R]

Definitely colder now until sun is up higher in sky.
Still a nice little commute - avoiding train / tube stations in area, so traffic not so bad.


My question of the day -Why, certainly in this area, do so many drivers stop their vehicles at junctions or traffic light stop lines, 2-3 vehicle lengths behind the stop line when they are the front vehicle?

Its becoming a very common happening around here and seems to apply to both genders and all races. Even learners in cars with driving instructors are doing it

To avoid being wiped out by corner cutters?

 

[spen666]

To avoid being wiped out by corner cutters?

I did wonder that, but they do it even at traffic lights at pedestrian crossings.
I think you are right regarding corner cutters as I've noticed so many now making no attempt to turn properly and using both sides of the road at a junction. Mind you, I've also noticed that if I am at a T Junction on minor road waiting to turn right, more cars coming from my left ( on main road) stop and waive me out ...so they can then cut the corner as I am positioned so they can't cut corner

 

[C R]

I did wonder that, but they do it even at traffic lights at pedestrian crossings.
I think you are right regarding corner cutters as I've noticed so many now making no attempt to turn properly and using both sides of the road at a junction. Mind you, I've also noticed that if I am at a T Junction on minor road waiting to turn right, more cars coming from my left ( on main road) stop and waive me out ...so they can then cut the corner as I am positioned so they can't cut corner

Yes, I now pointedly ignore the drivers letting me out, so that they have to take the corner properly.

 

[spen666]

Yes, I now pointedly ignore the drivers letting me out, so that they have to take the corner properly.

You and me both - for the same reason, and also I do not trust drivers waving me on. The number of times someone stops in street, double parking etc, they wave you past, then as you move, they start doing another manoeuvre.

 

[katiewlx]

I've also noticed that if I am at a T Junction on minor road waiting to turn right, more cars coming from my left ( on main road) stop and waive me out ...so they can then cut the corner as I am positioned so they can't cut corner

I get that alot now, and it annoys me because Im not going to just cycle out into the middle of a road on the assumption a driver is letting me because if Im wrong, or they change their mind, its going to hurt, and whats the first question the police will ask, why did you cycle into the road out of the junction when the road wasnt clear, well the driver signalled me, driver suddenly has memory lapse about doing so, police confirm such signals arent legitimate anyway, insurers decide 100% cyclists fault.

and its not like I even position myself by the centre line (which I used to untill a few corner cutters got a bit too close) Im usually sat still mid lane with the junction triangle mostly to my right hand side, so theres plenty of room for them to turn if they bothered to do it properly.

though theres one bus route I cross where the drivers just turn through the left lane completely, regardless, and if you happen to be approaching said junction when they do it, you might miss the front of the bus as they get back on their side of the road, but the back still comes uncomfortably close

 

[simongt]

Got out on my bike for the first time since the middle of June due to my aneurysm operation, wahey - !
A gentler potter about on my Brommy for an hour or so, but sooo well worth it and the start of more regular forays to build up my distance.
Next stage, mornings / afternoons, then days out - !

 

[ianrauk]

Well, that was a windy one. Blustery side winds made for a bit mad progress and the winds are only going to get stronger during the day. It's going to be very hard work for the return ride later.
On the plus side, temperatures were at 12° at 7am this morning and now showing 16. So a fair old mild day. 2 days also without any rain. That's predicted for Wednesday.

 

[rivers]

It didn't feel too bad wind wise this morning, but holy hell did the heavens open. Bottom half absolutely soaked through, top half very slightly damp, but I think that was more condensation.