Tales from today's commute....

[fossyant]

Well. That was just about the worst commute home. Traffic terrible and almost became a bonnet ornament from an impatient driver. I'm on main road, driver from right hand junction decides to floor it to cross, except I'm in front of him. Stamped on the pedals and swerved left, expecting them to drive through my rear wheel. Heard a screech of tyres as they saw me at the last minute. Then two drivers cutting into the cycle lane. All this in first 15 minutes. Traffic backed up everywhere.

 

[YMFB]

Morning commute I met Mrs Angry who berated me for using my right of way. I can only guess she was late dropping the munchkins off at the nearby by primary school.

The traffic was heavy on the ride home so I diverted to his Lordships drive.

 

[Arjimlad]

Extreme tailgating from a young woman in a Fiat 500 this evening. Rear footage is scary!

She kept this close for a short while before close passing me. I turned round and gestured for her to back off, just got the eye-rolling whatever look from her. Reported for re-education of some sort, in hope.

 

[markharry66]

On Flat bar road bike today fancied a nice easy ride in felt more like September this morning had all the lights on as still darkish when I elft, little bit of a side wind on way in. Thought it would a slower ride in how wrong was i lol shot into work this morning. Powered through not sure if had three shredded wheat this morning or early night last night paid off. Got to lights saw bus behind me so took centre of the road to stop overt take on blind bend they all seem to like to do on this section of the road. Total nob of a bus driver pulled and over took, there was no way this bellend could see any on coming traffic then pulled in front and squeezed me into the curb only to stop less than 10 yards in front for the bus stop. Probably some of the worst driving I have seen in a long time. Really cant see the point of endangering my life and the lives of any drivers who are coming round the corner for the sake of getting to the bus stop before me. I wish I had a cam as I would be reporting this bellend as he should not be on the road.

 

[C R]

On Flat bar road bike today fancied a nice easy ride in felt more like September this morning had all the lights on as still darkish when I elft, little bit of a side wind on way in. Thought it would a slower ride in how wrong was i lol shot into work this morning. Powered through not sure if had three shredded wheat this morning or early night last night paid off. Got to lights saw bus behind me so took centre of the road to stop overt take on blind bend they all seem to like to do on this section of the road. Total nob of a bus driver pulled and over took, there was no way this bellend could see any on coming traffic then pulled in front and squeezed me into the curb only to stop less than 10 yards in front for the bus stop. Probably some of the worst driving I have seen in a long time. Really cant see the point of endangering my life and the lives of any drivers who are coming round the corner for the sake of getting to the bus stop before me. I wish I had a cam as I would be reporting this bellend as he should not be on the road.

Buses have cctv, so worth reporting to the operator.

 

[markharry66]

Buses have cctv, so worth reporting to the operator.

thanks I have reported thsi now

 

[ianrauk]

thanks I have reported thsi now

As I'm all walks of life there's complete bellends out there. Though the majority of bus drivers I come across are usually very good. There's the odd couple who seem to like to harass and bully cyclists. 7 miles of my ride into work is bus lane so I have to interact with them on a daily basis.
Wel worth reporting. 👍

 

[fossyant]

Stiff headwind on the way in, just a few minutes slower than usual. Rain tried to fall but didn't.

Facilities have acknowledged my email about the 'old' bikes taking up parking and the issue with 'bike lockers' that have people's old d-locks on them, so we can't use them.

Colleague asked if I'd got home OK - said not really, nearly knocked off a few times - apparently most of my colleagues struggled to get home, some taking over an hour and a half for a thirty minute drive. TBH, by the time I was home, got a shower, made food, I only saw the last 20 minutes of the football, and that was the only bit worth watching.

 

[biking_fox]

I left early and to get home in time, and the roads were busy! but no worse driving than usual.

 

[Arjimlad]

This vehicle's usually way better driven than it was today. An overtake which should never have been attempted.

 

[wafter]

This vehicle's usually way better driven than it was today. An overtake which should never have been attempted.

View attachment 813407

Bellend - I hope that got reported!

I've probably asked before, but what camera are you using please? I'd really love one but always get hammered with decision paralysis if I actually start trying to research one..



Yesterday's ride in was pretty decent; a special mention due to the guy in a Luton van who clocked me sitting on his rear quarter as we rolled in traffic and subsequently pulled across to let me past as we approached a crossing island - for which he was heartily and sincerely thanks through his open window as I passed

The journey home was far less pleasant - head firmly up arse upon leaving work it only got worse. Things fell off a cliff thanks to an utter imbecile of a taxi driver on the ring road choosing to use the pavement / dedicated cycle path to turn around right in front of me and another cyclist coming the other way; completely blocking our path and causing us both to stop.

The comparable intellect of this dickhead to that of a potato was further highlighted by his decision to effectively box himself in with a massive sign - ending up with about a foot either end of his vehicle between said sign and the hedge; completely broadside across the pavement and cycle path.

Evidently realising what a dick he'd made of himself he put his hand up to me as I waited right next to his door; however I just stared at him as he desperately shunted about, having to take additional care to creep through the tiny gap between the sign and my bike. Tbh in the mood I was in I left berating myself for not having given him a harder time - wishing that I'd blocked him in completely and forced a verbal apology out of him for his entirely selfish, pointless and utterly unnecessary behaviour. Tosser.

While the entire ride was far from pleasant I did have a nice experience further in; encountering a load of black-clad alt-youth spread out across the whole road as I wanted to pass. I rang the bell and they parted; one of them (probably off his tits on youthful exuberance and red bull) giving a sort of jeering cheer as I passed... Head still up arse the only response I could muster as I coasted past was to remain stoney-faced and raise Dio's devil horns with my right hand; eliciting a huge cheer from the lot of them... which couldn't help but make me smile

Got home at about 8 and was very happy to write the rest of the day off - as usual I'd probably have been in a far worse state had the day not included near-on 30 bike miles even if most were objectively miserable.


EDIT: Forgot to mention that I scored the first blackberry of the season yesterday - perhaps conspicuously ripe and certainly delicious

 

[EltonFrog]

@wafter I must’ve missed the memo. Are you still on the Brompton?

 

[Arjimlad]

Bellend - I hope that got reported!

I've probably asked before, but what camera are you using please? I'd really love one but always get hammered with decision paralysis if I actually start trying to research one..



Yesterday's ride in was pretty decent; a special mention due to the guy in a Luton van who clocked me sitting on his rear quarter as we rolled in traffic and subsequently pulled across to let me past as we approached a crossing island - for which he was heartily and sincerely thanks through his open window as I passed

The journey home was far less pleasant - head firmly up arse upon leaving work it only got worse. Things fell off a cliff thanks to an utter imbecile of a taxi driver on the ring road choosing to use the pavement / dedicated cycle path to turn around right in front of me and another cyclist coming the other way; completely blocking our path and causing us both to stop.

The comparable intellect of this dickhead to that of a potato was further highlighted by his decision to effectively box himself in with a massive sign - ending up with about a foot either end of his vehicle between said sign and the hedge; completely broadside across the pavement and cycle path.

Evidently realising what a dick he'd made of himself he put his hand up to me as I waited right next to his door; however I just stared at him as he desperately shunted about, having to take additional care to creep through the tiny gap between the sign and my bike. Tbh in the mood I was in I left berating myself for not having given him a harder time - wishing that I'd blocked him in completely and forced a verbal apology out of him for his entirely selfish, pointless and utterly unnecessary behavior. Tosser.

While the entire ride was far from pleasant I did have a nice experience further in; encountering a load of black-clad alt-youth spread out across the whole road as I wanted to pass. I rang the bell and they parted; one of them (probably off his tits on youthful exuberance and red bull) giving a sort of jeering cheer as I passed... Head still up arse the only response I could muster as I coasted past was to remain stoney-faced and raise Dio's devil horns with my right hand; eliciting a huge cheer from the lot of them... which couldn't help but make me smile

Got home at about 8 and was very happy to write the rest of the day off - as usual I'd probably have been in a far worse state had the day not included near-on 30 bike miles even if most were objectively miserable.

Hi Wafter. I use a Drift Ghost XL usually helmet-mounted. I have a Magicshine Seemee DV light/camera combo on the seatpost. I have indeed reported this chump, and the mad young tailgater from last night. Avon & Somerset Police are being very flaky about phone drivers at the moment, imposing all sorts of weird rules on witnesses, but their work on close passes is generally very good.

 

[Arjimlad]

My firm's allowing the fans to leave early if they make up the time... I'll stay until 5.30 and hopefully enjoy a quiet ride home!

as if!!

 

[wafter]

@wafter I must’ve missed the memo. Are you still on the Brompton?

Good to see you round these parts again!

Having moved a little over a year ago I've had no use for the Brompton so it's been mothballed pretty much since. It needs a clean and the inevitable results of some of its ridiculous shortcomings sorting (the seatpost assy is still bodged with a bit of red bull can) but I plan to keep it in case I ever go on holiday ever again and want it for getting about.

I'm now riding the Fuji full time until I can replace it with something more city-centric; although I'll be hanging onto that given how much work I've put into it and faithful service it's given me

How's your Brompton doing now - has it seen much use recently? I hope all's well in your part of the world

Hi Wafter. I use a Drift Ghost XL usually helmet-mounted. I have a Magicshine Seemee DV light/camera combo on the seatpost. I have indeed reported this chump, and the mad young tailgater from last night. Avon & Somerset Police are being very flaky about phone drivers at the moment, imposing all sorts of weird rules on witnesses, but their work on close passes is generally very good.

Thanks - I'll give them both a look!

Glad you reported the other two; it's a pain about the phone drivers but of the two the close-passes are immediately more dangerous and arguably more serious, so it's good they're still taking those on board.

I'd have loved a camera just now - having gotten home and had to wait to turn into my flats while some stupid little gobshites passed in the opposite direction, doing I reckon close to 60 in a 30 limit...