Please remind me
PO Paul
Posts: 114
.........why I ride a bike.
I'm suffering from the commuter blues at the moment. I've been commuting about 15 years, but every now and then I wonder why.
On the way home last night, riding along a fairly narrow residential road, a transit type van with a generator trailer on the back, comes tearing down the road, not slowing or even pulling over slightly. I have to brake and lean against a parked car to stop from being hit virtually head on. The driver shouted out his window as he passed "Get out the way you f***ing c**t".
On the way in this morning, a car was waiting to come out of a side turning, I was in the inside (bus) lane and there was moving traffic in the outside lane. When I was within about 15 yards of the car, the traffic stopped in the outside lane and the car pulled out. I half expected this to happen, so I had the brakes covered, but I still had to swerve sharply.
About 2 minutes later (in the same bus lane) I was overtaking a group of cyclists when I started getting beeped by a motorcyclist (illegally) in the bus lane trying to get past me. When I'd safely passed the other cyclists I moved over and got a load of abuse from the motorcyclist.
I just couldn't bother retaliating to any of the above incidents, but they have left me feeling rather down. So back to my original question, why do I (we) do it?
I'm suffering from the commuter blues at the moment. I've been commuting about 15 years, but every now and then I wonder why.
On the way home last night, riding along a fairly narrow residential road, a transit type van with a generator trailer on the back, comes tearing down the road, not slowing or even pulling over slightly. I have to brake and lean against a parked car to stop from being hit virtually head on. The driver shouted out his window as he passed "Get out the way you f***ing c**t".
On the way in this morning, a car was waiting to come out of a side turning, I was in the inside (bus) lane and there was moving traffic in the outside lane. When I was within about 15 yards of the car, the traffic stopped in the outside lane and the car pulled out. I half expected this to happen, so I had the brakes covered, but I still had to swerve sharply.
About 2 minutes later (in the same bus lane) I was overtaking a group of cyclists when I started getting beeped by a motorcyclist (illegally) in the bus lane trying to get past me. When I'd safely passed the other cyclists I moved over and got a load of abuse from the motorcyclist.
I just couldn't bother retaliating to any of the above incidents, but they have left me feeling rather down. So back to my original question, why do I (we) do it?
0
Comments
-
<sarcasm> should have signaled right for the motorbiker </sarcasm>
cycling is fun, it keeps you fit, it keeps you healthy
it alters how your body is functioning and sets you up for the day
and if you're me, adreneline is cheaper than cocaine
i've found bad driving when i'm on the bike just causes my adreneline to kick in, its fun.My signature was stolen by a moose
that will be all
trying to get GT James banned since tuesday0 -
...Paul, take a rest from cycling for a while. I have been cycle commuting for over 20 years and sometimes I take a break from the bike, a few days, a week and once 6 months. I am always itching to get back on the bike after the break and feel much fresher......all the way...'til the wheels fall off and burn...0
-
Because we don't want to be, or become them. Ignore them, or smile and wave to confuse the issue.
I was on the M25 yesterday in a car and could feel the anger rising at the other morons who can't/won't drive properly. I couldn't do it every day. At least on a cycle you can burn off the adrenaline and return home far more relaxed than if you drove.0 -
I have times like your describing. Just get through them and move on.
Ignore other road users that don't have a brain and keep concentrating on what your doing. The moment you lose concentration on your job thats when accidents happen.
Keep your chin up.
FCN 100 -
Just imagine yourself sitting in a car in one of the endless queues for traffic lights, roadworks, accidents getting frustraded as you are going nowhere slowly.0
-
It's cheap.
It'll add ten years to your life.
You'll get a sexy six-pack and a butt that women want to pat (and sometimes do).
You don't have to wait for a bike.
Traffic jams are other people's problem.
It makes you one of the hard-core elite.
Man was put on this earth to suffer.
&c.This post contains traces of nuts.0 -
PO Paul wrote:.........why I ride a bike.
I'm suffering from the commuter blues at the moment. I've been commuting about 15 years, but every now and then I wonder why.
On the way home last night, riding along a fairly narrow residential road, a transit type van with a generator trailer on the back, comes tearing down the road, not slowing or even pulling over slightly. I have to brake and lean against a parked car to stop from being hit virtually head on. The driver shouted out his window as he passed "Get out the way you f***ing c**t".
On the way in this morning, a car was waiting to come out of a side turning, I was in the inside (bus) lane and there was moving traffic in the outside lane. When I was within about 15 yards of the car, the traffic stopped in the outside lane and the car pulled out. I half expected this to happen, so I had the brakes covered, but I still had to swerve sharply.
About 2 minutes later (in the same bus lane) I was overtaking a group of cyclists when I started getting beeped by a motorcyclist (illegally) in the bus lane trying to get past me. When I'd safely passed the other cyclists I moved over and got a load of abuse from the motorcyclist.
I just couldn't bother retaliating to any of the above incidents, but they have left me feeling rather down. So back to my original question, why do I (we) do it?
You'll outlive them all, pay less in fines and spend less time in jail.This post contains traces of nuts.0 -
PO Paul wrote:On the way in this morning, a car was waiting to come out of a side turning, I was in the inside (bus) lane and there was moving traffic in the outside lane. When I was within about 15 yards of the car, the traffic stopped in the outside lane and the car pulled out. I half expected this to happen, so I had the brakes covered, but I still had to swerve sharply.
It'll happen if you're in a car or on a bike. Similar happened to me in the cage last night. Bright pink Ka tried to emerge to turn right from a private drive through parked cars on a busy main road. Assumed it was clear because the wagon on the other carriageway flashed. Just lucky I use the 30 limit as the limit and not a target.0 -
I sympathise. Honestly, some days it feels like you have to suffer a hundred minor discourtecies and at least one attempt on your life - all for the crime of riding a bike into work.
But then again I always find that if you DO go back to the car (which I have done in the past after getting intimidated off the road) it really is cr@p. Sitting fuming in traffic queues for hours at an end... letting all that pent up frustration build up inside. Awful.
For what it's worth I try and get round the problem by treating the whole commute like some kind of crazy Japanese video game. Cars and bad drivers are just obstacles to be thrown in your way - which you then have to plan for and evade. I put my head down and try never to make eye contact or get riled - all the while tyring to stay as alert to the traffic environment around me as possible.
I suppose it works for me because it seems to take the personal sting out of the whole thing... more like embarking on an inanimate obstacle course than a series of bruising emotional encounters with other human beings...0 -
I used a car the other night and it really wasn't any better. I was overtaken by idiots determined to speed and blocked by an illegally-parked car.
I didn't feel that anyone was trying to kill me but I did get most annoyed.This post contains traces of nuts.0 -
It's riding on busses that drove me to start cycling. All the sniveling, cold filled, sad looking individuals looking depressed. Get on a bus for a week or two and then you'll be motivated again.
Not only that I could walk from Twickenham to Kingston in less time than it takes the 281 bus to get there! Imagine how much quicker it is on a bike (even my crappy one).
Not to mention cars - after being stranded somewhere near Thetford with a Rover with a duff ECU and no mobile phone reception - argh! 4 mile walk to somewhere where it worked, then 2 hours driving around in circles trying to find the car with the AA.
People try and take your life, by breathing on you in a bus. In a car they nearly wipe you out every 30 seconds (despite the illusion of safety the vehicle provides). It's still the lesser of 3 evils.0 -
Cold mornings are ace! The crisp air tingling your lungs and steamy breath. The views just a bit sharper. The refreshing slap of spray hitting your face - makes you feel alive!
Tuesday I took my son to clinic in hospital and so I caught the train home (first time in over 6 months) - cramped, crowded, stuffy, sitting next to slovenly overweight people and the tinny sound of personal stereos; dripping noses, sneezes and smells - and I had to pay for the privelage.
Had to drop a car off yesterday morning and couldn't take my bike so ran from the garage to work, then ran from work to home just to avoid public transport!
Then think of the cash. Commuting by bike (& running) saves me up to £700 a year. It'd take a fair bit of overtime to earn that!
Finally, do it - just because you can! And remind yourself to be grateful that you can.
Chin up! It'll soon seem better.0 -
I drove from near oxford to london yesterday, and in to oxford today - it has nearly driven me mad! Sitting in queues, mixing with ignorant, reckless pillocks - I can't wait to get back on the bike monday.0
