Tales from today's commute....

[donnydave]

Well suprise, suprise the Armaggedon forecasts were well OTT, it was the perfect temperature and dry when I set off, if I left earlier or took one of my shorter routes I wouldn't have got wet at all but it was only light rain not the biblical storm everyone was talking about

Checked the met office weather app and it had changed massively from last night. Seems to happen a lot when massive storms are predicted 2-3 days ahead it always gets donwgraded in the forecast the night before

 

[Frood42]

The forecast for Swindon today was rain all day but the rain stopped an hour ago and the rain radar shows nothing on it's way.

The rain and mist has hit here in East London

However it won't be stopping me getting out at the weekend!
The only thing that might stop me was if I put a hole in my rain and wind proof jacket and it decided to pour down.

I got very, very wet Saturday 24th Aug.

The weekend is looking good on the forecast, so fingers crossed as I want to use the Lee Valley Way canal paths this weekend (paths are better when it is dry), if not it will have to be CS2 (part of it), CS3 (part of it), CS8 and then onto Kew Gardens for a lunch break before the return trip (CS - cycle superhighways).

Mostly off road and traffic free (route 1):
South Woodford > Stratford > Bow > follow River Lea/River Lee along canal paths > Hackney Marsh > Tottenham Marshes > Enfield Lock > Broxbourne (pub lunch stop) > Stanstead Abbots > Ware > Hertford > Welwyn Garden City

Through London (route 2):
South Woodford > Stratford > Bow > Mile End > Westferry/Limehouse > Tower Hill > Westminister > Chelsea Embankment > Putney Bridge > Embankment > Mortlake > Kew Green

I have waffled on enough

 

[Nigeyy]

Didn't mean to sound like that (which is why I used the word "almost" -and in italics). Definitely the onus is on the car driver here to be responsible -but as a cycle commuter, there are also things you can do to reduce your chances of being in accidents or being the victim of bad driving. You can definitely ride legally -but also put yourself in bad situations. But you are right, I can see how it might have come off as victim blaming -and I agree with you, it's definitely the car driver's responsibility not the cyclists.

I suppose the only way to have been constructive would have been to have stopped and chatted afterwards, but as I said, I didn't feel comfortable doing so -he was probably still jacked up after his confrontation, and I was also in a car. Hopefully this guy works this out for himself anyway.

While I would have taken the lane, some people are uncomfortable with "taking the lane" (or riding in the centre of the road). While I am sure you did not mean it you're little blow off or rant comes across as somewhat victim blaming rather than being constructive.

However, this is a public internet forum and we all have our own view points on things.

Yes, some drivers will take advantage, but from your description there is no "almost to the point where the cyclist was at fault", and it was the driver that needed to be educated as to how to treat vunerable road users.

Rant over from me as well

 

[Frood42]

Didn't mean to sound like that (which is why I used the word "almost" -and in italics). Definitely the onus is on the car driver here to be responsible -but as a cycle commuter, there are also things you can do to reduce your chances of being in accidents or being the victim of bad driving. You can definitely ride legally -but also put yourself in bad situations. But you are right, I can see how it might have come off as victim blaming -and I agree with you, it's definitely the car driver's responsibility not the cyclists.

I suppose the only way to have been constructive would have been to have stopped and chatted afterwards, but as I said, I didn't feel comfortable doing so -he was probably still jacked up after his confrontation, and I was also in a car. Hopefully this guy works this out for himself anyway.

me again.

Yes, I agree there are things you can do to help mitigate such situtations, but why must that person go to such lengths, what if they are not confident enough to "take the lane" (some people are just scared of traffic and nothing will change their minds)?

Can I ask why you want to stop and speak to the cyclist rather than the car driver?
Remember they are (cyclist in this case) the vunerable road user and were the ones cut up by another (impatient) less vunerable road user.

I am just trying to get my head around why the cyclist is the one who you needed to speak to and not the driver (or even both).

 

[Nigeyy]

Why should cyclists go to such lengths? Easy. There are bad drivers, it's that simple. Even if you had a great education program and talked to every car driver who did an idiotic thing, there would still be bad car drivers -it's human nature (and to be fair, I could add I could insert "cyclists", "runners", etc instead of "car drivers" here).

Why did the thought not occur to me to attempt to speak with the driver? It's the pragmatic approach -you know that in a situation with bad (car) driving, talking to the driver about changing their behaviour where they are in absolutely no danger more than likely just isn't going to work (besides, I'm in the States here, and you never know what people have in their cars or how they'll react). One other thing: I was never going to catch the car driver as they were many cars in front (though admittedly that's a weak excuse as it never occurred to me to even try to stop the car driver based on my first point, just being honest here).

The cyclist? Well if it's about possibly helping him avoid a dangerous situation to himself, then yes, the thought does cross my mind (usually cyclists are considered more "green" and liberal here so they aren't packing (the guy was in a top and shorts, so I know he wasn't carrying anything), plus they haven't got an x,000lb vehicle they can ram you or run over you with). Plus I'm a cyclist myself, so I think I can offer some reasonable advice to avoid this situation in the future.

I get where you've coming from (i.e. why put the onus on the cyclist) but it's just the reality that practically we have to. Cyclists have to be more aware -it's self preservation versus that large mass fast moving object. It's much better to not be in an accident rather than have to argue who is responsible in one (or not be in a life state where you can't argue it!).

me again.

Yes, I agree there are things you can do to help mitigate such situtations, but why must that person go to such lengths, what if they are not confident enough to "take the lane" (some people are just scared of traffic and nothing will change their minds)?

Can I ask why you want to stop and speak to the cyclist rather than the car driver?
Remember they are (cyclist in this case) the vunerable road user and were the ones cut up by another (impatient) less vunerable road user.

I am just trying to get my head around why the cyclist is the one who you needed to speak to and not the driver (or even both).

 

[Frood42]

<snip>
I get where you've coming from (i.e. why put the onus on the cyclist) <snip>

Exactly, why put the onus on the cyclist, in my mind I am thinking "why was your first thought to speak to the cyclist rather than the driver?".
From your description you see the cyclist as less of a threat (maybe unconciously - spelling!) and most likely to at worst swear at you.
Plus perhaps you felt you could offer some advice to a fellow cyclist (which is good, but is not always meet with gratitude by the one you want to give it too).

I understand all your points, but from your description of the "incident" the view here for "normal" motorised vehicle users (those that don't cycle) should be that the fault is with the drivers behaviour (and the cyclist should be a secondary not primary consideration) and not the vunerable road users.

Remember there are also alot of drivers who are not aware of primary or secondary and will take offence at you "taking the lane" and will stil try to cut you up, the only solution for those inconsiderate souls is a ban and rigourous re-test before being allowed their licence back.

I very deliberately use the term "road user(s)" in my posts.

Thank you for getting back to me, difference of opinion is good (as long as you all agree with me in the end ).


I think that I am going a bit off thread now (or did a while ago), my bad (sorry all), so will bow out graciously as it is now lunchtime for me .

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Sorry to hear you had to get the train.




Oh yes, hope the stair fall hasn't done you too much damage.
Take it easy guv.

Well the varifocals that 'caused' me to miss the step got broke, but I didn't. Teach me to read stuff and talk when walking downstairs. Of course I claimed the colleague I was with pushed me. She's after my job.

Seems to have stopped raining so I'll ride home this arfo.

 

[nilling]

Overshoes!

School runs have begun again. So this morning had more close passes and zombie peds!
How I miss the Summer

 

[BSRU]

Overshoes!

School runs have begun again. So this morning had more close passes and zombie peds!
How I miss the Summer

But what a good summer it was

 

[Moda]

Bike NEEDS its first tune up.

Was coming to a large up bit so put the chain on to the biggest cog at the back. Heard a terrible sound and the back wheel locked. Luckily wasn't going fast as the chain was stuck between the spokes and the largest cog. Thank god nothing broken! Have to admit the gears have been a bit of a problem.The front deraillier is always throwing the chain off the largest cog. It's real hit and miss.

Carried on then about a mile later a bloke stepped out into the road in front of me didn't look just stepped out. Managed to lose most of my speed but hit him at may be walking pace with back wheel skidding. No injuries just wounded pride in front of his missus. He then felt it was appropriate to abuse me!

 

[HLaB]

Popped to a lbs after work, on the way back I got run off the road, fortunately at a driveway, it wasn't rocket science that she wasnt going to fit and I dropped back quickly. Typically she pulled off into the next small residential estate. That aside, it was a nicer temperature tonight and I headed out into the headwind and ended up in the village of Elton. 13.3mph ave out (which includes the bimble to the lbs) and by the time I got back it had risen to 14.9mph; quick maths, I make it 17.3mph for the last 8miles on the 13.5kg fix + D Lock and wearing work trousers (GC says I was 16.2mph for 5 miles them 17.6mph for the last 5miles; 15mph moving average overall).

 

[Kies]

^^^ did you enjoy the ride? All that obsessing over average speed, mean speed, median over certain legs!!!!

 

[HLaB]

^^^ did you enjoy the ride? All that obsessing over average speed, mean speed, median over certain legs!!!!

I love the GPS you can not bother with thinking about that stuff on your ride and enjoy; you can play with the stats later

 

[I like Skol]

Close shaved a cat in the dark on the way to work this morning! I saw it at the last minute on the verge walking out of the shadows towards the road. It saw me and froze then decided to go for it anyway, leaving me to grab big handfuls of brake to try and avoid it. I must have missed the tip of its tail by an inch if that. I'm glad I didn't hit it as it was quite a chunky looking specimen (reminds me of someone?) and I reckon it might have taken me down. Definitely used one of its nine lives up anyway.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Close shaved a cat in the dark on the way to work this morning! I saw it at the last minute on the verge walking out of the shadows towards the road. It saw me and froze then decided to go for it anyway, leaving me to grab big handfuls of brake to try and avoid it. I must have missed the tip of its tail by an inch if that. I'm glad I didn't hit it as it was quite a chunky looking specimen (reminds me of someone?) and I reckon it might have taken me down. Definitely used one of its nine lives up anyway.

Not commuting, I was out for a ride this morning and on the lane that climbs out of Monks Kirby I was impressed by the cat that ran along in front of my bike for about a 100 yards doing a good 15mph.