A great, fast ride in this morning (living the school hols!), very nearly ruined by a grandstand view of a cyclist-meets-van collision. Thankfully contact was -just - avoided. I was riding along behind a slow-moving van which was dithering appriaching a junction. Road ahead was closed, so it was obvious to me the van would turn left at the junction, even though it wasn't indicating. Whereupon a cyclist comes flying past me, dives into the cycle lane on the left to pass the van, which promptly indicates left and starts turning. Cue cyclist emergency stop and much swearing. Yes, the van driver was at fault, but really, the cyclist didn't help himself there. I'm not sure he appreciated my suggestion he read the road better in future. (Incidentally, the van subsequently turned right at the next junction without indicating at all, so clearly not the best driver!)
Tales from today's commute....
- Thread starter martint235
- Start date
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I hadn't done any cycling bar the commute in a while. Last weekend I did 52 miles down round the coast and up into the Mourne Mountains. This weekend past I was up round the North Coast. There was torrential rain so I only went for 25 miles. I satisfied rule 9 though so I am now officially badass.
Hop3y
Padiham Commuter
- Location
- Padiham, Burnley
It was one of those "I'm going to set off in the completely opposite direction" commutes home today, it's usually 6km. The weather was too nice not to!
http://www.strava.com/activities/175343464
http://www.strava.com/activities/175343464
kevin_cambs_uk
Guru
- Location
- Near Cambridge
I wish my legs worked this good everyday and not just Mondays!
Ganymede
Veteran
- Location
- Rural Kent
That is so rough, I am so sorry.Not from today's commute but a couple of weeks ago I got knocked off my bike by another cyclist who jumped a red light. I broke my elbow. Exactly one week later a friend of mine was hit by a refuse truck whilst commuting on his bike in SW London and was killed.
Not sure whether I want to get back on the bike or not. I keep flipping between wanting to ride again and thinking it's just not worth it./
Origamist
Legendary Member
Not from today's commute but a couple of weeks ago I got knocked off my bike by another cyclist who jumped a red light. I broke my elbow. Exactly one week later a friend of mine was hit by a refuse truck whilst commuting on his bike in SW London and was killed.
Not sure whether I want to get back on the bike or not. I keep flipping between wanting to ride again and thinking it's just not worth it.
After your incident and the tragic loss of your friend in another road traffic collision, it is understandable that you would want to reassess whether to ride a bike again. It's not for me to advise you, but after the harrowing events of the last few weeks, I would be talking to friends and family and would also consider professional counselling if you are struggling to come to terms with your loss.
All the best.
Exile
Senior Member
- Location
- Manchester
First day back on the bike following a week off due to a nice chest infection. Lovely weather, but where to begin with the drivers today?
Maybe with the black cab who just pulled across to the curb and abruptly stopped in front of me? For seemingly no reason other than to be an irritating bar steward.
Perhaps the colossal twunt in a 4x4 who had one of those "Keep your distance" stickers on their bumper yet passed me with literally inches to spare and wondered why I was less than chuffed about the whole thing?
Or could it be the single brain-celled driver who was kind enough to let me in to the lane to overtake a stopped bus, then beeped at me for not moving back across when the bus set off again? I was alongside it at the time.
Just to keep things balanced, it might even be the cyclist who decided to run a red light and turn left, causing me to brake sharply or go in to the back of him. If you're going to jump a light, at least have to common decency to either wait until I'm through or simply pedal harder so I don't have to scrub my speed to match your leisurely crawl. Getting a 20kg bike with a 120kg rider and about 12kg of shopping back up to pace takes a fair bit of effort, especially on a false flat.
Then there was the usual plethora of generally crap driving which just served to wind me up a bit.
Otherwise a generally good commute, especially the bits where there was just me and very little traffic.
Maybe with the black cab who just pulled across to the curb and abruptly stopped in front of me? For seemingly no reason other than to be an irritating bar steward.
Perhaps the colossal twunt in a 4x4 who had one of those "Keep your distance" stickers on their bumper yet passed me with literally inches to spare and wondered why I was less than chuffed about the whole thing?
Or could it be the single brain-celled driver who was kind enough to let me in to the lane to overtake a stopped bus, then beeped at me for not moving back across when the bus set off again? I was alongside it at the time.
Just to keep things balanced, it might even be the cyclist who decided to run a red light and turn left, causing me to brake sharply or go in to the back of him. If you're going to jump a light, at least have to common decency to either wait until I'm through or simply pedal harder so I don't have to scrub my speed to match your leisurely crawl. Getting a 20kg bike with a 120kg rider and about 12kg of shopping back up to pace takes a fair bit of effort, especially on a false flat.
Then there was the usual plethora of generally crap driving which just served to wind me up a bit.
Otherwise a generally good commute, especially the bits where there was just me and very little traffic.
OP
OP
martint235
Dog on a bike
- Location
- Welling
With it being the school holidays, the Tank (or MTB/Commuter) is setting times that even Lelly would struggle to match on a normal day.
And I've even started responding to another cyclist's "Good Morning". She does ride very sensibly through the riverside park though. (Honestly the fact that she's very cute and has a smile to die for has nothing to do with it)
And I've even started responding to another cyclist's "Good Morning". She does ride very sensibly through the riverside park though. (Honestly the fact that she's very cute and has a smile to die for has nothing to do with it)
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
Glad I'm not commuting today, apparently a burst water main has flooded the ring road to several feet and the cycle path is just passable but sounding as though it's at least a foot deep. (Somewhere between Bromley Heath RAB and Hambrook lights).
MickeyBlueEyes
Eat, Sleep, Ride, Repeat.
- Location
- Derbyshire
Had an HGV driver show me lots of respect, he held back and then gave me loads of room as he passed, gave him a thumbs up and received a light flash in return. I started thinking that cyclists and drivers can share the road in perfect harmony, that the world is a wonderful place, that the.... BAAAARRRRRRRPPPPPPP goes a 0.7cc Corsa as he rattles past.. Yeah there are still feckin idiots about.....
Hop3y
Padiham Commuter
- Location
- Padiham, Burnley
Just a "normal" commute this morning - one of those rides where your legs are tired for no apparent reason and I only did 7k!
http://www.strava.com/activities/175635651
http://www.strava.com/activities/175635651
MisterStan
Label Required
- Location
- Out there somewhere
How many times do you cross the motorway?
MisterStan
Label Required
- Location
- Out there somewhere
No alarms this morning, oops! Luckily my daughter woke me up at 06.15. Nice and sunny ride in, bumped into @kevin_cambs_uk on the busway. Traffic well behaved too this morning.
Hop3y
Padiham Commuter
- Location
- Padiham, Burnley
Many a time
only when I've got my eyes shut! Luckily it's on the canal and I go under it!
