kevin_cambs_uk
Guru
- Location
- Near Cambridge
Tomorrow it says tail wind going to work ... Tail wind coming home...
What is this voodoo stuff messing with my head
What is this voodoo stuff messing with my head
Tales from today's commute....
- Thread starter martint235
- Start date
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kevin_cambs_uk
Guru
- Location
- Near Cambridge
Got to love that!
3 questions arose out of today's commutes.
1. What is the point of the car driver behind me at traffic lights beeping me the instant the lights turn red-amber? Firstly, red-amber does not mean go, and secondly, beeping me at that point is only likely to leave me flustered and confused, so when the light does turn green, I'm likely to panic, miss my gears, and generally set off FAR slower than I would otherwise have done so. It's amazing just how slowly I seem to get going when flustered. Of course, I am frightfully sorry to have inconvenienced you, Mr not-that-healthy-sounding Jaguar XJ.
2. Why exactly have several London councils introduced 20mph zones? Was it to disprove the commonly held view that cyclists are society's most evil lawbreakers? On a bit of a legstretcher this evening I passed through Islington and Camden, so most of my route was along 20mph roads. Even downhill I tried to stick to the limit. I can't say anybody else did. :-(
3. Why do all notable incidents around me happen when I don't have my camera fitted or running? I run cameras on my commuter, but today took the road bike (aka The Toy) thanks to the weather. And I promptly witnessed a car-mirror-vs-cyclist collision right in front of me. Past experience tells me that while I may think I saw the whole thing and had an accurate opinion of what had happened, the video can alter that perception. Thankfully in this particular instance the collision was at slow speeds, the cyclist in question seemed only to have picked up a few scuffs, and the driver stopped to check he was OK and exchange details.
1. What is the point of the car driver behind me at traffic lights beeping me the instant the lights turn red-amber? Firstly, red-amber does not mean go, and secondly, beeping me at that point is only likely to leave me flustered and confused, so when the light does turn green, I'm likely to panic, miss my gears, and generally set off FAR slower than I would otherwise have done so. It's amazing just how slowly I seem to get going when flustered. Of course, I am frightfully sorry to have inconvenienced you, Mr not-that-healthy-sounding Jaguar XJ.
2. Why exactly have several London councils introduced 20mph zones? Was it to disprove the commonly held view that cyclists are society's most evil lawbreakers? On a bit of a legstretcher this evening I passed through Islington and Camden, so most of my route was along 20mph roads. Even downhill I tried to stick to the limit. I can't say anybody else did. :-(
3. Why do all notable incidents around me happen when I don't have my camera fitted or running? I run cameras on my commuter, but today took the road bike (aka The Toy) thanks to the weather. And I promptly witnessed a car-mirror-vs-cyclist collision right in front of me. Past experience tells me that while I may think I saw the whole thing and had an accurate opinion of what had happened, the video can alter that perception. Thankfully in this particular instance the collision was at slow speeds, the cyclist in question seemed only to have picked up a few scuffs, and the driver stopped to check he was OK and exchange details.
kevin_cambs_uk
Guru
- Location
- Near Cambridge
The most perfect cycling day, I actually enjoyed it today, topped off by a lovely traffic jam on the Histon road, which I just sailed by.
That was a hot early morning commute in, sunshine to start with but now overcast.
Rode 60km and almost finished a whole bottle because of the heat.
There's me stopped at a red light, just behind the stop line waiting to turn right. Mister lah-de-dah red brompton cyclist passes me and the stop line(so technically a red light jump) only to park his bike right in front of me
.
Lights change to green he wobbles off, also turning right, and within 10 metres I pass him almost freewheeling.
What were you thinking if you were actually thinking?
Rode 60km and almost finished a whole bottle because of the heat.
There's me stopped at a red light, just behind the stop line waiting to turn right. Mister lah-de-dah red brompton cyclist passes me and the stop line(so technically a red light jump) only to park his bike right in front of me
.Lights change to green he wobbles off, also turning right, and within 10 metres I pass him almost freewheeling.
What were you thinking if you were actually thinking?
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
There must be something in the water. I had a guy in matching Rabobank shirt and shorts undertake me so close that our elbows touched, then he proceeded to hold up a queue of 3 cyclists by going slow.
And I carried water on my commute for the first time this year, it's going to be hot on the way home tonight, and mighty hot tomorrow.
Nocode
Senior Member
- Location
- Orpington, Kent
I had almost the opposite experience last night. A Dulwich Paragon rider on a BMC bike with Cosmic Carbone SLS wheels making it all look a little too easyTo the cyclist in all the BMC gear on the A21 tonight, (but not a BMC bike I may add). YOU were rubbish, let me repeat that but in capitals R-U-B-B-I-S-H!
Jumping lights and riding on pavements. So you could get ahead of me. It must have been very annoying for you being overtaken by me every time, baggies and pannier et al. Must be something to do with you not yet learnt how to clip in from a standing start. Oh that, and that you just weren't very fast. Anyway, hopefully you did take notice that I was wearing a CycleChat jersey and you may think to visit this forum, especially here in commuting.... Helloooo!!!!!
Followed shortly by a guy in an Ironman Lanzarote jersey and then me trying to keep up 
I had almost the opposite experience last night. A Dulwich Paragon rider on a BMC bike with Cosmic Carbone SLS wheels making it all look a little too easy
Oh don't get me wrong mate. There are a few on my commute that are very fast. Sticky out arms man with the hi-viz rucksack, he's one of the fastest. Chap called Lee on a Planet X. Damn he's quick. Mr Geoffrey Butler cycles. He can shift...I do like to try tag on the back of them for a nice tow.
Origamist
Legendary Member
Beautiful sunshine and a light wind. Extended the commute by 0.4 miles
Hoping the weather holds as next week the kids are off and the roads will be less busy...
Bike is going in for a service on Sat as the BB is a bit loose, front wheel is out of true, chain is stretched, rear hub is a bit rough and the cassette needs a changing.
Hoping the weather holds as next week the kids are off and the roads will be less busy...
Bike is going in for a service on Sat as the BB is a bit loose, front wheel is out of true, chain is stretched, rear hub is a bit rough and the cassette needs a changing.
robjh
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire - almost Essex
Quite foggy in Warwickshire this morning though the sun has come through now. I shouldn't be saying this on the 17th July but it almost felt like the start of autumn. The first time I've had my lights on in the morning for a few months. Other than that it was a lovely ride along the backroads, then into Cov along the Binley Road
Nocode
Senior Member
- Location
- Orpington, Kent
Yeah, I know him. I struggle to keep up with him tbh, but he's built like a whippet and I'm carrying about 20 kgs more than him! Pretty certain he got pulled over by a police car the other week, not 100% why though - perhaps they didn't like him drafting a bus and not wearing a helmet.
I do have a chat with him now and again. He's been commuting up and down the A21 for over 20 years. Not sure why the cops would have pulled him. He's not a rlj'er, junction jumper or pavement rider, though he does like to bob and weave in and out of traffic.
Not sure the police would have pulled him for that otherwise I would have got pulled loads of times for the same reason.
Nocode
Senior Member
- Location
- Orpington, Kent
Yeah, not sure. He over took me, was dodging and weaving a bit then I noticed him pulled in behind a police car not too far down past Lewisham Hospital. Oh well, if I see him again soon I might ask.
Sigh. Thought I had been spared my life flashing before my eyes with an aborted overtake as the driver behind me noticed at the last moment someone emerging from around the oncoming blind corner. Nope. He immediately had another go actually on the blind corner and I had to wobble onto the edge of the road as there was another vehicle coming the other way. Then to add insult to (almost) injury, the car behind followed him through and the rather angry passenger leaned out the window and shouted something incomprehensible with some arm waving thrown in for good measure. The road is not wide enough for bike + car + oncoming car. Managed not to react in any way, just kept on pedalling but internally despairing at the human race.
Similar thing happened a couple of days ago. Same road. I was catching another cyclist, a few cars coming the other way. A van was waiting patiently at a nice distance behind so I thought I'll overtake the other cyclist as the van can't get past until the oncoming traffic has cleared and by his road position and speed he's obviously acknowledged that. Passed the cyclist and the oncoming traffic clears and I'm treated to a slow pass from the van with the passenger leaning out the window shouting abuse.
Similar thing happened a couple of days ago. Same road. I was catching another cyclist, a few cars coming the other way. A van was waiting patiently at a nice distance behind so I thought I'll overtake the other cyclist as the van can't get past until the oncoming traffic has cleared and by his road position and speed he's obviously acknowledged that. Passed the cyclist and the oncoming traffic clears and I'm treated to a slow pass from the van with the passenger leaning out the window shouting abuse.
MisterStan
Label Required
- Location
- Out there somewhere
Let me guess; the B1050 road between Earith and Willingham?
