Tales from today's commute....

[fossyant]

Not WFH today - just a few of us in as we have a 'planning meeting' at 12 today - I think I'll dart home after it though, and carry on from home. Empty office, only three of us here. Very quiet on the roads, and fewer cyclists, although some of that might be because I was 15 minutes early setting off. We were 'woken' early to the sound of a cat chucking up !

 

[Dadam]

First properly dark commute home last night and 3 or 4 idiotic close passes compared to the usual one, mostly at pinch points at traffic islands despite taking primary they squeeze through and force me to cede space. I've got a steady and flashing light front and back so it's not visibility.

Wondering if it's worth putting small lights on the bar ends to make me look wider.

 

[ianrauk]

Wondering if it's worth putting small lights on the bar ends to make me look wider.d

I've seen these in the wild and they do look quite effective. Though not sure they make you look any wider.
Get right in the middle of the lane through the pinch points, stop them from squeezing through.

 

[figbat]

Get right in the middle of the lane through the pinch points, stop them from squeezing through.

This. Put yourself where it is impossible for them to squeeze past. Don’t discourage them, prevent them.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I've seen these in the wild and they do look quite effective. Though not sure they make you look any wider.
Get right in the middle of the lane through the pinch points, stop them from squeezing through.

This. Put yourself where it is impossible for them to squeeze past. Don’t discourage them, prevent them.

Agreed, and I do it a fair bit myself, but it's easier said than done for less experienced cyclists.

Also, I have to admit I feel safe enough doing that here because I know the law is on my side. In the UK, I'd find it more intimidating.

 

[biking_fox]

More cars around than usual for a Friday - must have been Fossyant's team driving in! Otherwise the lack of weather continues to make cycling pleasant. There was almost a breeze yesterday, but then it died away again.

 

[ianrauk]

it's easier said than done for less experienced cyclists.

Agreed and sometimes the same for those more experienced too. It takes nerve.

 

[Arjimlad]

First properly dark commute home last night and 3 or 4 idiotic close passes compared to the usual one, mostly at pinch points at traffic islands despite taking primary they squeeze through and force me to cede space. I've got a steady and flashing light front and back so it's not visibility.

Wondering if it's worth putting small lights on the bar ends to make me look wider.

Nasty stuff, especially when you have taken primary and the idiots still squeeze past. Do you have a rear camera?

I get the impression West Yorks Police are OK at processing reports of dangerous driving.

The most effective thing I have found is a passpixi https://passpixi.com/ but not necessarily as effective after dark!

 

[Dadam]

I've seen these in the wild and they do look quite effective. Though not sure they make you look any wider.
Get right in the middle of the lane through the pinch points, stop them from squeezing through.

Pretty sure I was, certainly for a couple. Ironically the narrow ones are easier because you can more effectively block the lane. Some of them weren't quite as narrow so taking up position right in the middle still gives scope to squeeze through.

I find the bar end mirror great for early warning of the ones who are going to bully their way through regardless, and also when I can see cars holding back I make a point of waving thanks as I moving to secondary again when there's room.

Do you have a rear camera?

No, just a front one on the bars at the moment but I'm considering one.

 

[fossyant]

Hoping to try for an early dart before three. Was in early and I've not had a lunch break. Might get 'some' daylight to ride in.

 

[All uphill]

Agreed and sometimes the same for those more experienced too. It takes nerve.

I've been working on this and am still surprised that 99.9% of motorists will quietly drop back when I take the lane, at least here in Somerset and Devon.

 

[HLaB]

A very delayed report from Tuesday. On the 4 miles to the station I got held up by every set of lights, drivers not giving way to crossings, the few shared cut throughs were busy with dog walkers and the segregated bits were used by walkers too. So I pushed deep into the red probably too deep, it left me exposed to the germs on the rush hour train. Sod's law I was actually a few minutes early.

The 11 miles after the train didn't feel too bad other than being frustrating grid lock in places (Schools are back 🙄) . The lorry overtaking just before a narrow road was excruciatingly slow until I eventually got a safe place to pass.

A few hour later though I started to feel really bad and opted for the 0.75miles to the closer station instead of the 11miles at night the 4miles home thankfully was unmemorable.

I think I came down with the flu or something which elevated my ave RHR to 62bpm when its normally 48-52bpm or in low 40s bpm when Im fit.

 

[simongt]

Get right in the middle of the lane through the pinch points, stop them from squeezing through.

This is what I do at a certain crossroads in Norwich. The left lane is for motor traffic with a compulsory left turn and also for cycle traffic to go straight ahead. To prevent getting cut up by left turning cars etc., I always stay in the middle of the lane until I'm across the junction.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Wonderful to be back in the saddle today

 

[biking_fox]

Notably chillier after Sunday's heavy drizzle. Nice ot actually have some weather and possibly even sunshine.