Your rants here.

downfader

flamite wrote:

BLOODY NANNY STATE!!

Just started cycling to work in dec after getting winter blues and has cheered me up no end,

tonight I was cycling back home along the usual embankment then go down lots road in chelsea, and for those of you who know it know, its a quiet little road with building works going on at the mo (apparently) and the road is blocked off, so i usually hop on the pavement for the 100m to save going all the way round.

And tonight, bearing in mind that this is a quiet back road, there were TWO OFFICERS stood there. what a wast of time and resources... seriouslty cant they be doing anything better except stand there all night telling off cyclists for riding on the pavement...ver petty.

I am English but spent most of my childhood teen years over on the continent, now been living in London for a few years and this country is driving me mad, dont know how much longer i can stand petty things like this, on the continent they would laugh if you suggested policing the pavement...

rant over....

For 100m just walk or jog it. You can get mad about it or consider how you feel when drivers take over the cyclelane... thats how many pedestrians feel.

steve-m

To the guy in the smart car pulling out in front of me while on your mobile - to your high pitch "what?" when challenged and told "to get off the phone you £$^t you nearly killed me[1]" , to your comedy random erratic driving which I presume was some attempt to intimidate me despite being far to far away, grrrr.

[1] Of course didn't but made me brake to avoid you

"Smart cars make you stupid"

The Chingford Skinhead

Ever seen that film Duel with Dennis Hopper, you know the one, small vehicle being merciless toyed with by a maniac in a big vehicle for no good reason except the nutter's enjoyment...That was me and a 55 Bus on Lea Bridge Road tonight at half seven. Having failed to sqash me when he decided to over take me when I was already half way around two buses that were picking up passengers he then made every effort to cut me up at every bend and set of lights going forward. Even when he'd pointlessly bombed past me to cut in at the next stop and I sat behind him he just waited and waited until I got bored and past him again and so the game began again. Plonker.

antfly

It wasn`t Dennis Hopper it was the sadly late Dennis Weaver.

The Chingford Skinhead

antfly wrote:

It wasn`t Dennis Hopper it was the sadly late Dennis Weaver.

:oops: I knew it was Dennis someone - the fumes from the bus and the adrenalin were affecting my thoughts... Thanks

antfly

I think you should make a complaint {unless you managed to get him to drive over a cliff} that bus driver sounds like a bit of a dangerous nut.

downfader

Funnily enough CS this reminds me of thursday... I took the bus in (in southampton dont worry ) as my knees were hurting bad. The bus is heading up on to the end of shirley road and the driver overtakes a dordling cyclist, pulls into a stop.

Dordling cyclist overtakes stationary bus and pootles on. Bus overtakes again and makes a stop, cyclist goes past stationary bus... infact this happened all down the road until near the end I heard the driver say "Fer F***s sake!" out loud and bombed past the lad on the bike. The road in question is about 1/2 a mile. It was no biggies but it obviously frustrated the driver, lol.

dilemna

simple_salmon wrote:

I made the 'mistake' of shouting at a blue van driver to get off his mobile phone today as he was sat at a junction waiting to pull out.

He then chased after me down the road shouting expletives out of his window. TBH I'm now pretty scared he'll spot me on my commute again and have another go

It's easy to get caught in the red mist. like everyone on here I've had thrills spills and terrifying moments. For my protection I always carry a camera and mobile that are easy to get to. It's amazing how people try and get away when you start filming. Alternatively if things really get ugly and you are genuinely at risk use a heavy D-lock. It works. Many years ago I was cruising down Camberwell New Road at about 30mph from Kennington down to Camberwell Green in the bus lane going home when this car steamed up right behind me right onto my rear wheel. The driver angrily blew the horn several times. I really thought he was going to take me out. Anyway I turned around giving him a long look keeping my left hand on the bars. He manoevred his car very closely around me trying to push me into the gutter. I shouted to him A.HOLE! He brought his car to an abrupt stop infront of me jamming me into the kerb. He leapt out charging up to me. I grabbed straight for my heavy Kryptonite D-lock. He was about 6'2" strong looking but alone and pretty nasty with it. I'm about 5'8" and like to think I don't look to bad in Lycra. He came for me but I started to swing my D-lock asking whether he wanted to make something of it. He stopped for a second swore at me more then jumped back in his car as quickly as he had got out and sped off. I would have used it on him as I had so much adrenalin pumping. I never saw him again despite riding that route everyday for the next 18 months. Some one used to get shot everyday in Camberwell Green. It was a bad area perhaps I was a bit stupid to confront him but what could I do? I was shaking all the way home to Bromley after that.

More recently last summer out here in the Fens where I now reside one glorious saturday morning on the way to work this 22 tonne aggregate lorry screamed up behind me as it tried to force me off the road into the verge as it couldn't pass me as another vehicle was approaching in the opposite direction. Of course stupid me shouted FCKG A*HLE YOU NEARLY KILLED ME! up at his cab at which point the driver actually turned into me and I jumped with my bike onto the verge. The driver stopped his truck with his huge front wheel inches from my bike now on the verge. He jumped down from his cab and came charging toward me shouting abuse and lunging for me. I dodged one wayward punch, then managed to get my bike up on one wheel between him and me. He grabbed my front wheel. It was now do or die time and I managed to reach for my Abus Granite D-lock. Some how he got around my bike and had me by the collar shouting abuse and what he was going to do to me. I had my D-lock raised high in the air in my right hand. I literally said as coldly calmly and slowly as possible "If you don't let go of me I'll bring this down on your fat fcukng head and it will be self defence". I'm not joking as it was me or him and I wasn't about to get beaten up. I have never been so frightened. We eyeballed each other. Realising that I might mean what I said he eventually let go of me. I still kept my lock ready to strike and eyeballed him as he continued to threaten me. Again quite a big bald unshaven Fen fudger. He told me he was going to run me down whether I was on the road or not. I got my camera. Pointed it to his registration plate and then up to him at which he greeted me with an extended middle digit. He sat back in his cab swearing at me and inviting me to cycle infront of him which I did not. I continued filming. I tried to check over my bike that my wheels weren't damaged that nothing had fallen out of my panniers in the panic. I got my mobile out to call the police. I hoped he would drive off and that would be it, at which point he did bugger off up the road. Unfortunatley I had to go the same way. I waited 10-15 minutes allowing him time to be long gone. Then I cycled on as I had to get to work. I passed this depot old filling station now some sort of haulage place about a mile up the road. A real hicky place. I couldn't see him or anything that looked like his lorry waiting to pounce. About half a mile passed this I heard the roar of this truck starting up. I had my camera ready and hand through the wrist strap. I hadn't put it away and set it to video recording which captures sound as well moving footage, Sony Cybershot. It was him. It surely couldn't be him I strained my eyes trying to see into the cab but by now the truck was pretty close and travelling at a fair lick straight toward me without any attempt to move out to pass me. There was no other traffic around. I got off the road onto the verge and dragged my bike and self down into one of the large drainage ditches as he thundered right up onto the verge toward me at about 50-55mph and blew the lorry horns. The truck bounced wildly as it sped toward me. The noise of it was deafening. As he went by I could see him laughing and sticking his middle finger up toward me. I was so scared I didn't even point my camera. I tell you I was shaking like a jelly in an earthquake. He had just tried to kill me this was attempted murder. The thought crossed me that this guy was nuts absolutely fcukng nuts. He was not going to let this drop. I had a problem. I climbed out of the drainage ditch hauling my bike with me and stood by the roadside looking into the flat distance trying to make out any moving vehicles or lorries. Where could he be? Silence. Probably hiding somewhere further up the road behind a farm building waiting to do the same again. So I called 999. I was told the police would on their way, but the operator kept asking if I was actually injured? "No not yet, would it help if I were? In fact in a short while I might even be dead". " I was told not to take that tone with her. The police would be with me as soon as they could. I waited and waited and after waiting 30 minutes I gave up and cycled onto work scrutinising every approaching vehicle every building every turning for any lorries or people waiting to ambush me. It was still quite early in the morning so not much traffic around. I rang the cops again when I got to work. The cops said to call into the main station in Peterborough after work. I did they weren't remotely interested. Not even in my pictures as they said I could have manipulated the images so they couldn't be used in evidence. Anyway they had no method of transferring them from my digital camera! They tried to say I must have done something to provoke the lorry driver; like what, cycling perfectly legitimately on a road that I am entitled to do so? The police really are a*hls total a*hls, especially CAMBS police they are the absoute pits. It's a bit lawless here in the Fens. You're on your own if things go wrong. For three weeks after this I drove to work suffering the jams and longer journey times but at least I was safe. I believe that had I not had a camera or D-lock I would have been hit. RIP. I have since seen the exact type of lorries KERRY PLANT HIRE white with bright green front cabs that this psycho was driving but they all now give me a very wide birth indeed passing with plenty of room moving over to the other side of the road.

Siht happens. If it happens again, I really think I will use my D-lock in self defence. It's you or them. I'm sure this idiot beats his wife or dog.

So simple-salmon you're probably fine. You'll never see this van or person again. Change your route if you are that concerned. Depsite my experience with the filth report it to them. Your police might be better. Carry a camera as well or get a mobile with camera.

Safe cycling. For the most part it is still great fun.

simple_salmon

My god, it seems I got off lightly.

FWIW I have changed my route to work and now it's five minutes longer but mostly traffic free. TBH I prefer it anyway so I'll log it as extra training and keep trying to enjoy my riding.

Please all stay safe.

antfly

These are all good reasons why it`s best to avoid conflict on your bike,even when you are totally in the right.Don`t take anything personally because it isn`t personal,to them you`re just a tw@t on a bike.Don`t shout @rsehole until they are out of earshot especially in isolated spots and if somebody is really endangering your life pull over if you can`t get away from them,then carry along your merry way.Accept that on the road incidents will happen and downplay them rather than exacerbate them,you`ll enjoy it more and live longer.If that fails I was thinking of making a pepper spray for emergencies and dogs,it`s got to be easier than clouting someone with a lock.

simple_salmon

I've always subscribed to the 'bad things happen when good people do nothing' school of thought. If poor and illegal practices whilst driving are never challenged then things will never change.

Don't think I'll bother from now on though - society gets the sh1t it deserves.

antfly

Yes Ive been known to shout at people on their mobiles and for not signalling but i`ve never been chased for that reason.It`s not the same as just shouting @rsehole.

Soul Boy

Hello there, long time reader, first time poster….

Ah rants, it feels good don’t it?

I don’t want to start my forum days controversially, but I saw an incident not so long ago….

I was living in Harlesden, cycling home one evening along one of those useful broken line, green tarmac lanes. Now theres a cut in type lay-by along the road outside a bank. Traffic lined up on the right, me and this other fellow flowing along, not rushing, when suddenly this Merc parked in the lay-by swings open this drivers door right in front of the guy in front. Nowhere to go on the outside because of the stationary traffic, so he slams on the anchors and elegantly goes over the bars and forward rolls onto the road, just managing to unclip as he goes. The guy in the Merc just gets it of the car, looks down at the cyclist and steps over him without a sorry or any concern.

The cyclist asks whether he has any f-ing mirrors on his car, to which he replies he doesn’t use them for cyclists and starts to move off towards the hole in the wall. Now I’m sure you can understand at this point red mist descended, I mean, how much is a ‘sorry, didn’t see you’, or ‘are you ok?’. :evil: The cyclist bounds up, swinging his bike round and happening to clip the guy as he walks off. He didn’t like this and turned to say ‘you try that again…’. He’s a big bloke, but he’s fat and out of shape, but still in a grappling type situation, he’s going to tear this cyclist head off.

So the cyclist composes himself as the guy again moves towards the cash point, he gives the drivers door a mighty donkey kick, swings his leg over the bike and starts to make a break for it, the driver hears this bang, oh I’ll never forget his, ‘no, no, NO..’ . He starts to chase, the cyclist is in too big a gear and so starts a comical slow speed 20m chase with the guys hand grabbing a couple of times for the cyclists bag, he got very close….. :twisted:

Now I don’t condone this, it was all very heat of the moment, but if the Merc driver had apologised or at least shown some concern, I’m sure that’d have been the end of it, just another commuting incident. As it happens, he’ll be reminded to look in his mirror every time he gets in the car, well at least until he gets that dent repaired…1-0

I do hope the post is ok, its just what I saw....

antfly

There aren`t many people who would disapprove of kicking his door,he clearly deserved it.

downfader

antfly wrote:

There aren`t many people who would disapprove of kicking his door,he clearly deserved it.

I would have laughed in those circumstances, under my breath of course. I'd like to hope I'd have intervened if I'd seen the guy go for the other cyclist, but you never know until you're there.

Soul Boy

I would have helped 'him' honest

nielsamd

Recently I've tried to consciously ignore getting antagonized and tried to give only positive reaction to any (good) driving. So I'll give a friendly wave or thumbs up (make sure its just the thumb!) to any driver who lets me past, gives way, or slows down behind me instead of cutting me up to make a left turn etc. I'm not trying to start a trend but it might be an idea. Might get us some friends on the road when we need it instead of just more enemies.

Soul Boy

You're right. I try and acknowledge drivers and motorcyclists who obey the ASL. Alas I don't acknowledge that many More credit to those who consider others, sread the love!

sarajoy

nielsamd wrote:

Recently I've tried to consciously ignore getting antagonized and tried to give only positive reaction to any (good) driving. So I'll give a friendly wave or thumbs up (make sure its just the thumb!) to any driver who lets me past, gives way, or slows down behind me instead of cutting me up to make a left turn etc. I'm not trying to start a trend but it might be an idea. Might get us some friends on the road when we need it instead of just more enemies.

Aye I'm the same, I indicate (with a fairly low arm) to get round a car, if the car behind me slowed for me, the indicating hand turns into a thumbs up Also the occasional 'cheers' wave to someone not turning right in front of me.

Also must give the smileyvest a mention, I like to think it makes me look friendly!

downfader

That vest is great!!! :shock:

I do thank drivers with waves and thumbs up. Sadly some dont acknowledge it or seem to frown at me, but thats no reason for giving it up.

nielsamd

I like the vest as well.
Speaking of wearing symbology, I've also seen a rucksack with an inverted reflective Keep Left sign i.e. inverted to `Keep Right'
i.e. this, as a rucksack , flipped:

tho I'm not sure its a totally good idea when filtering, making a right turn.

Soul Boy

Yup, great vest. Its got to make the most hardened traffic sitter smile.

The bag would be one of Howies old ones. I have the one with reflective chevrons on...

Speaking of which, they've just released an updated version. http://www.howies.co.uk/product.php/1798/92/

Though it may get you in trouble on the continent.....

Rich158

Nothing to do with commuting or bikes, sorry.

Sitting in the office waiting for the axe to fall. We all know redundancies are going to be planned today, each group even knows how many in their group will be affected. The partners sat down and worked out who yesterday afternoon, but they're not going to call anyone in untill mid afternoon, I can only assume to get as much work out of us as possible, before they let the poor fuckers who are affected go early :evil: :evil: :evil:

Makes for a lovely working atmosphere at the moment - just looking at the bright sun wishing I could piss off on my bike.

nielsamd

Essentially posting someone else's rant here and this incident may have been posted here already but reading it makes me want to rant now because I can just see it happening to myself pretty much any day I ride past a grotty illogical cycle lane.
I am beginning to hate the existance of cycle lanes because of these sorts of incidents:

http://www.camcycle.org.uk/newsletters/77/article16.html

iain_j

I'm sick of reading these reports of incidents where the drivers "had no option other than to pass too close" and the cyclist getting hit was "inevitable". FFS, if it's not safe to pass, then don't! No other option? Didn't the car have brakes?

downfader

nielsamd wrote:

Essentially posting someone else's rant here and this incident may have been posted here already but reading it makes me want to rant now because I can just see it happening to myself pretty much any day I ride past a grotty illogical cycle lane.
I am beginning to hate the existance of cycle lanes because of these sorts of incidents:

http://www.camcycle.org.uk/newsletters/77/article16.html

That just makes me feel so ANGRY reading that. :x

I'm forwarding that to the press

The Chingford Skinhead

downfader wrote:

nielsamd wrote:

Essentially posting someone else's rant here and this incident may have been posted here already but reading it makes me want to rant now because I can just see it happening to myself pretty much any day I ride past a grotty illogical cycle lane.
I am beginning to hate the existance of cycle lanes because of these sorts of incidents:

http://www.camcycle.org.uk/newsletters/77/article16.html

That just makes me feel so ANGRY reading that. :x

I'm forwarding that to the press

Unbeliveable isn't it - except we all know just how believable it all is The safety of a vulnerable road user or the inconvenience of delaying a motorist - only going to be one winner.

Besides, the cycle lane seems designed to delay the cyclist for as you get to the end of it you have to wait for passing vehicles before you rejoin the road. And aren't traffic islands supposed to slow vehicles down, not speed them up to pass other vehicles?

downfader

The Chingford Skinhead wrote:

downfader wrote:

nielsamd wrote:

Essentially posting someone else's rant here and this incident may have been posted here already but reading it makes me want to rant now because I can just see it happening to myself pretty much any day I ride past a grotty illogical cycle lane.
I am beginning to hate the existance of cycle lanes because of these sorts of incidents:

http://www.camcycle.org.uk/newsletters/77/article16.html

That just makes me feel so ANGRY reading that. :x

I'm forwarding that to the press

Unbeliveable isn't it - except we all know just how believable it all is The safety of a vulnerable road user or the inconvenience of delaying a motorist - only going to be one winner.

Besides, the cycle lane seems designed to delay the cyclist for as you get to the end of it you have to wait for passing vehicles before you rejoin the road. And aren't traffic islands supposed to slow vehicles down, not speed them up to pass other vehicles?

Its the same with speed cameras mate. Annoys the hell out of me how people speed up right after if or indeed before it around here - to compensate for their time lost. :x

Got in an argument with a woman at work who got caught on the speed camera 3 times. She tried blaming the camera and I said something like "Did you not think that big pedal under your foot might have avoided the whole situation? Press the brake and dont be so stupid!"

Road users are selfish.. and then they cry/get upset when they hit you. Oh I'm sorry, have I ruined your day, mate. :roll:

The Chingford Skinhead

downfader wrote:

The Chingford Skinhead wrote:

downfader wrote:

nielsamd wrote:

Essentially posting someone else's rant here and this incident may have been posted here already but reading it makes me want to rant now because I can just see it happening to myself pretty much any day I ride past a grotty illogical cycle lane.
I am beginning to hate the existance of cycle lanes because of these sorts of incidents:

http://www.camcycle.org.uk/newsletters/77/article16.html

That just makes me feel so ANGRY reading that. :x

I'm forwarding that to the press

Unbeliveable isn't it - except we all know just how believable it all is The safety of a vulnerable road user or the inconvenience of delaying a motorist - only going to be one winner.

Besides, the cycle lane seems designed to delay the cyclist for as you get to the end of it you have to wait for passing vehicles before you rejoin the road. And aren't traffic islands supposed to slow vehicles down, not speed them up to pass other vehicles?

Its the same with speed cameras mate. Annoys the hell out of me how people speed up right after if or indeed before it around here - to compensate for their time lost. :x

Got in an argument with a woman at work who got caught on the speed camera 3 times. She tried blaming the camera and I said something like "Did you not think that big pedal under your foot might have avoided the whole situation? Press the brake and dont be so stupid!"

Road users are selfish.. and then they cry/get upset when they hit you. Oh I'm sorry, have I ruined your day, mate. :roll:

Yes the whole speed camera thing amuses me. It's not fair, I didn't see the camera - like it's ok to break the law so long as nobody is looking. It's not fair Hofficer, I did not see der camera in the shop therefore you shouldn't be able to do me for shoplifting. Paint it yellow and black so I know how to avoid being seen by them. :roll:

Roastie

nielsamd wrote:

Essentially posting someone else's rant here and this incident may have been posted here already but reading it makes me want to rant now because I can just see it happening to myself pretty much any day I ride past a grotty illogical cycle lane.
I am beginning to hate the existance of cycle lanes because of these sorts of incidents:

http://www.camcycle.org.uk/newsletters/77/article16.html

*Blood boiling*