Tales from today's commute....

[Davidsw8]

What was going on in Central London this morning? The traffic was some of the worst I've seen (including the Olympic period last year). Road closed near Horse Guards; large, long trucks at Lambeth Bridge, Smith Square, Bottom of Duke Street St James and just round the corner totally blocking roads.

Maybe it's fall out from yesterday when people couldn't get around town much so they're doing it today.

Add in the very gusty wind, that was not a pleasant cycle in at all.

 

[subaqua]

ride home last night was fast. saw a guy nearly get himself left hooked by a bus. i caught him up and asked if he thought the 2 seconds saved and nearly getting squished was worth it. the response of " yeah you're right" summed it up.

not looking forward to ride in this afternoon as wind is going to right into my face.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Yeah, but you're up norf... where it's still dark and still have snow on the ground

I live in the deep south? It ain't North unless it is North of the Humber, anything else is deep south.

 

[ianrauk]

ride home last night was fast. saw a guy nearly get himself left hooked by a bus. i caught him up and asked if he thought the 2 seconds saved and nearly getting squished was worth it. the response of " yeah you're right" summed it up.

not looking forward to ride in this afternoon as wind is going to right into my face.

A couple of years back I saw a cyclist nearly get squished at a RAB by a left turning lorry. I shouted at him to stop as that's how cyclists die™BentMikey. He caught me up at the lights and said to me "Who are you? My mother?"

 

[simon the viking]

Gloating a bit at the moment as Burton on Trent is gridlocked at peak times due to one of the two road bridges over the Trent being closed.... It must be similar to commuting in London... I'm sailing past miles of stationary motorists with a big grin on my face (worth fighting the wind for)

 

[BSRU]

What was going on in Central London this morning? The traffic was some of the worst I've seen (including the Olympic period last year). Road closed near Horse Guards; large, long trucks at Lambeth Bridge, Smith Square, Bottom of Duke Street St James and just round the corner totally blocking roads.

Maybe it's fall out from yesterday when people couldn't get around town much so they're doing it today.

Add in the very gusty wind, that was not a pleasant cycle in at all.

Maybe it's preparation for the London Marathon this weekend.

 

[Davidsw8]

Maybe it's preparation for the London Marathon this weekend.

Not sure. I know the road closure by Horse Guards was because there was a military band practice just up the road (I asked the PC's at the road block). But the trucks were in very different places not near the marathon route - as I say, they might just have all been delayed doing stuff yesterday or maybe just a massive coincidence. Some of the London streets are way too narrow for some of these massive trucks though.

Here's hoping for a more peaceful cycle home.

 

[gaz]

A little bit chillier this morning 8.5degs and with a strong wind. But it was sunny so though go out with just the SS CC jersey. And it was fine. Battling against the wind soon had me warmed up.

And the fair-weather cycling commuters all seem to be out today. Usually see 2 or 3 commuters on a normal day, way loads today. You can tell they are fair-weather as they all wear the commuters uniform of hi-viz jacket and helmet, squeaky chains and not very good roadcraft....bless 'em.

hi-viz jackets in this weather is a dead give away. Seriously, no need to wear a jacket at these temps.

 

[dodd82]

hi-viz jackets in this weather is a dead give away. Seriously, no need to wear a jacket at these temps.

I'm no cycling professional, but I'm also not a fair weather cyclist.

I find wearing a jacket makes me more comfortable. Don't know why, but also don't know why that would lead to me being judged.

 

[Davidsw8]

A little bit chillier this morning 8.5degs and with a strong wind. But it was sunny so though go out with just the SS CC jersey. And it was fine. Battling against the wind soon had me warmed up.

And the fair-weather cycling commuters all seem to be out today. Usually see 2 or 3 commuters on a normal day, saw loads today. You can tell they are fair-weather as they all wear the commuters uniform of hi-viz jacket and helmet, squeaky chains and not very good roadcraft....bless 'em.

Oh dear, I'm still wearing my hi-viz (and always wear a helmet ) and I commuted every day through that hard winter.

Though, the hi-viz is mainly due to me getting knocked off my bike last year and the chap saying I wasn't visible enough, I ain't having someone ever say that to me again.

 

[gaz]

I'm no cycling professional, but I'm also not a fair weather cyclist.

I find wearing a jacket makes me more comfortable. Don't know why, but also don't know why that would lead to me being judged.

You wear a jacket above 10 degrees?

 

[ianrauk]

Oh dear, I'm still wearing my hi-viz (and always wear a helmet ) and I commuted every day through that hard winter.

Though, the hi-viz is mainly due to me getting knocked off my bike last year and the chap saying I wasn't visible enough, I ain't having someone ever say that to me again.

But do you have a squeaky chain and not very good roadcraft?

 

[dodd82]

You wear a jacket above 10 degrees?

I have been, yes.

I have been commuting since July last year, and haven't really found a comfortable alternative yet. I am a creature of habit though.

 

[Davidsw8]

But do you have a squeaky chain and not very good roadcraft?

Roadcraft isn't for me to judge I'd like to think so though.

Oiled me chain the other day, so that's ok.

 

[Markymark]

FM - thought I nearly saw something horrific this morning.
Girl squeezed up the inside of a stationary HGV (I was waiting behind). She stop just in front of the cab - not sure if she was visible or not to him. Lights changed, she started to pull off but her shoe came off and she dropped to the ground almost immediately in front of his left wheel. HGV didn't move (I guess he must have seen her) but she would have been squished without a doubt if he did move