Your rants here.

Gallywomack

Paul E wrote:

To the stupid woman in a black mini near surrey quays yesterday who ranted at a guy in front of me that we had gone through on red when we went through green int he bus lane, wind your neck in and learn how to go a bit easier on the fake tan and learn how to drive.

I've been beeped there in the past by a car coming from the road on the right, who obviously thought I'd run a red light because all the cars were stopped at the lights. As is normal in these situations, I calmly observed that as I was a cyclist I was entitled to use the bus lane, and the bus lane has a green light when the other two lanes are red, and therefore he should actually give way to me.

OK, what actually happened is that I incoherently blurted something like 'I was in the bus lane!' in a voice several octaves higher than my normal register, before pedalling furiously away, leaving a driver none the wiser as to why he was in the wrong, but still convinced that cyclists are dangerous idiots with no regard for the highway code.

I wish I could react more coolly in these situations :oops:

sketchley

Gallywomack wrote:

Paul E wrote:

To the stupid woman in a black mini near surrey quays yesterday who ranted at a guy in front of me that we had gone through on red when we went through green int he bus lane, wind your neck in and learn how to go a bit easier on the fake tan and learn how to drive.

I've been beeped there in the past by a car coming from the road on the right, who obviously thought I'd run a red light because all the cars were stopped at the lights. As is normal in these situations, I calmly observed that as I was a cyclist I was entitled to use the bus lane, and the bus lane has a green light when the other two lanes are red, and therefore he should actually give way to me.

OK, what actually happened is that I incoherently blurted something like 'I was in the bus lane!' in a voice several octaves higher than my normal register, before pedalling furiously away, leaving a driver none the wiser as to why he was in the wrong, but still convinced that cyclists are dangerous idiots with no regard for the highway code.

I wish I could react more coolly in these situations :oops:

I bit like yesterday when I went to explain to the gentlemen who pushed past me in an old turbo vauxhall with dump valve, why he shouldn't drive like he was doing as it was dangerous and he simply ended up in the queue 50 yards down the road so achieved nothing in doing it. Instead I found the words "were you born a complete knobhead or is it a recent thing" coming from mouth, shortly followed, after being called a fat cnut :roll:, with "nice car does it compensate for your small penis". However, I think he got the road safety message loud and clear and will be a considerate driver in the future and look to trade his car in for something a little more environmentally friendly car like a g-wiz.

veronese68

Sketchley wrote:

Gallywomack wrote:

Paul E wrote:

To the stupid woman in a black mini near surrey quays yesterday who ranted at a guy in front of me that we had gone through on red when we went through green int he bus lane, wind your neck in and learn how to go a bit easier on the fake tan and learn how to drive.

I've been beeped there in the past by a car coming from the road on the right, who obviously thought I'd run a red light because all the cars were stopped at the lights. As is normal in these situations, I calmly observed that as I was a cyclist I was entitled to use the bus lane, and the bus lane has a green light when the other two lanes are red, and therefore he should actually give way to me.

OK, what actually happened is that I incoherently blurted something like 'I was in the bus lane!' in a voice several octaves higher than my normal register, before pedalling furiously away, leaving a driver none the wiser as to why he was in the wrong, but still convinced that cyclists are dangerous idiots with no regard for the highway code.

I wish I could react more coolly in these situations :oops:

I bit like yesterday when I went to explain to the gentlemen who pushed past me in an old turbo vauxhall with dump valve, why he shouldn't drive like he was doing as it was dangerous and he simply ended up in the queue 50 yards down the road so achieved nothing in doing it. Instead I found the words "were you born a complete knobhead or is it a recent thing" coming from mouth, shortly followed, after being called a fat cnut :roll:, with "nice car does it compensate for your small penis". However, I think he got the road safety message loud and clear and will be a considerate driver in the future and look to trade his car in for something a little more environmentally friendly car like a g-wiz.

Did you not tell him that cycling has made you a slimmer cnut?

Torvid

Veronese68 wrote:

Sketchley wrote:

I bit like yesterday when I went to explain to the gentlemen who pushed past me in an old turbo vauxhall with dump valve, why he shouldn't drive like he was doing as it was dangerous and he simply ended up in the queue 50 yards down the road so achieved nothing in doing it. Instead I found the words "were you born a complete knobhead or is it a recent thing" coming from mouth, shortly followed, after being called a fat cnut :roll:, with "nice car does it compensate for your small penis". However, I think he got the road safety message loud and clear and will be a considerate driver in the future and look to trade his car in for something a little more environmentally friendly car like a g-wiz.

Did you not tell him that cycling has made you a slimmer cnut?

It's the last bit that struck me all I can see in my head is you hulking out, rolling the car onto the roof and screaming "who's a fat cnut now!!!!"

bails87

Torvid wrote:

It's the last bit that struck me all I can see in my head is you hulking out, rolling the car onto the roof and screaming "who's a fat cnut now!!!!"

:twisted:

nich

davis wrote:

nich wrote:

Another bike nicked from the public racks I use outside work.

That makes me the only remaining person at our company who hasn't had a bike stolen from them...I fear I'm next

The last one had a half decent Kryptonite D-Lock as well. Meh.

What locks do you use? Chain and a D-Lock?

I use this combo:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kryptonite-kryp ... able-Black

suzyb

Last year I bought a replacement strap for my watch after the original broke. I had the original for at least 5 years, since I bought the watch. The new one however, the proper replacement made by the manufacturer has broke 5 times since I fitted it to the watch.

They don't make things like they used to :evil:

mudcow007

suzyb wrote:

Last year I bought a replacement strap for my watch after the original broke. I had the original for at least 5 years, since I bought the watch. The new one however, the proper replacement made by the manufacturer has broke 5 times since I fitted it to the watch.

They don't make things like they used to :evil:

animal watch straps are indestructible, unless you got one of them shiny watches....then you probably wouldn't want a velcro strap for that

http://shop.animal.co.uk/womens-watches ... tchstraps/

CdrJake

my rants today are many and varied, all work related and how stupid the Navy are to move an engineer into a logistics role!

SimonAH

The BBC weather NOW still says it's sunny until dusk when there will be grey cloud.

Which is of course why I took the fixie to work this morning dressed in shorts, daps and a linen shirt, instead of the.fully winterised CX

I must have hallucinated the fecking thunderstorm I just rode home in. :shock:

Gallywomack

Ever get the feeling that doing the right thing doesn't pay at all? Hardly hit a green on the way home tonight, and the RLJers were out in force to really rub it in my face. Stopped at one pedestrian crossing with nobody in sight, pedestrian or car, RLJers streaming past me, feeling a bit of a fool for not just going through. Then later I came up behind a bus at a red light, and rather than trying to filter past him to the ASL, I thought I'd do the sensible thing and just take a primary position behind him. Red turns to green, the cars in the right hand lane speed off, and the bus just sits there. After about 20 seconds I give up waiting and filter past him - I gave a grumpy 'wake up' as I went past, not sure what the issue was but the driver seemed to be having a discussion with a passenger. Typical though, if I'd squeezed past him I'd have been away, it was like the cycling gods were punishing me for taking a sensible approach

Drysuitdiver

CdrJake wrote:

my rants today are many and varied, all work related and how stupid the Navy are to move an engineer into a logistics role!

maybe they hope an engineer can sort out the mess that is logistics ( more commonly known as the we lost it department)

suzyb

mudcow007 wrote:

suzyb wrote:

Last year I bought a replacement strap for my watch after the original broke. I had the original for at least 5 years, since I bought the watch. The new one however, the proper replacement made by the manufacturer has broke 5 times since I fitted it to the watch.

They don't make things like they used to :evil:

animal watch straps are indestructible, unless you got one of them shiny watches....then you probably wouldn't want a velcro strap for that

http://shop.animal.co.uk/womens-watches ... tchstraps/

Not sure any other strap will fit but I'll have a look.

asprilla

Joggers. I run so I know what it's like to achieve that zen like state when your are focussed on your technique and breathing and the world is at peace. However, just because you are at one with the world it doesn't mean that you should abdicate any responsibility for your own personal safety and rely on the kindness of others.

Coming from Pen Ponds to Ham Gate last night, coming up the little rise with the trees around and I'm overtaking another cyclist when a voice shouts 'Oi, Move over!' I'm dimly aware of a pair of shins a little way in front of my bike.

Seriously, Hotblack Desiato would have been proud; head to slightly below the knee in black whilst running in the darkest part of the darkest place in London on a dark night. If you keep that up then you too could be spending the year dead. Maybe more than the year.

sketchley

Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy, Puncture Fairy.

sketchley

Asprilla wrote:

Joggers. I run so I know what it's like to achieve that zen like state when your are focussed on your technique and breathing and the world is at peace. However, just because you are at one with the world it doesn't mean that you should abdicate any responsibility for your own personal safety and rely on the kindness of others.

Coming from Pen Ponds to Ham Gate last night, coming up the little rise with the trees around and I'm overtaking another cyclist when a voice shouts 'Oi, Move over!' I'm dimly aware of a pair of shins a little way in front of my bike.

Seriously, Hotblack Desiato would have been proud; head to slightly below the knee in black whilst running in the darkest part of the darkest place in London on a dark night. If you keep that up then you too could be spending the year dead. Maybe more than the year.

Seriously is it worth dropping a note to Royal Park asking them to put notices up asking runners and skiers to wear lights / hiviz if on the roads.

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/about/contact.cfm has contact details include Chief Exec.

jds_1981

Stupid cyclist last night overtaking cars - he was on my side of the road doing a wheely, no lights, dressed in black. Took me some time to spot.

Topaxci

It has been nearly six weeks since my last rant. Though I normally just rant to myself, thought I might try to vent today.

I have been so good and not made any contact with cars for nearly six weeks and last night made two.
My route is fairly pedestrian free and very few other cyclists (unless you count the odd POB)

1) Overtaken on the approach to a mini-roundabout, whilst riding up to the white middle lane and arm stuck out to indicate a right turn. Caught him queuing for the next roundabout and gave a polite knock and some wild arm gesticulations.
The balanced arguement point out the error of his ways was lost in translation somewhere :?

2) Half overtaken by a lovely gentleman in a Saab who then slowing for the traffic ahead decided he needed to be as close to the kerb as possible. Got a fist in the rear passenger door panel for his effort. After then rolling down the window to shout abuse at me he also had the pleasure of me taking centre lane infront of him up to the next roundabout. Even though I was keeping up with traffic, this seemed to annoy him immensely. :twisted:

Rant over - roll on another six weeks of contact free cycling.

Applespider

I'm astonished I still have a right arm and leg.

Coming up to the lights at Dulwich Common on the South Circular about to turn onto Lordship Lane. It's two-lane and I'm on the right-side of the left lane. I'm approaching, they're amber and while I might have made it, I figured I'd be sensible and stop as did the car in the right lane.

We both pull to a stop as another car accelerates through the gap between me and the car in the right lane, pulls across and turns right. If the ASL had been a foot shorter or if I'd moved an inch to my left as I'd stopped, I'd have been toast. The other driver and I actually both looked at each other, at the gap and back at each other in shock. I'm still slightly disbelieving that the guy actually made it through the gap without hitting either of us. Twat.

jonny_trousers

B*stard, b*stard Easton EA50s!!! Two pinch punctures in two tubes trying to fit a f*cking 25mm tyre. Your days are numbered sunshines! :x

MonkeyMonster

drafters - especially in this weather... I really do not want to death check and see your wheel overlapping mine on the outside when it's obvious I am likely to overtake a slower cyclist on my inside. get the fuck back.

dancook

I'm in the car..

A stretch of the A31 dual-carriageway goes from Farnham to Guildford, half term means traffic into Guildford has been lighter than normal - bonus!

As the A31 approaches guildford, the left lane heads for the A3 and the right lane goes into Guildford. More often than not there is a long queue for the A3..but that's ok I'm going to Guildford!

A driver pulls out from the queue on the left, and drives in front of me at 30mph.. I can see the cars ahead of her get further away until they are out of sight. The driver sits there in the right lane at 30mph, so I flash my lights.. nothing. Another 30 seconds later, she's trying to find a gap to get back in the queue... can't even manage that because there's no room, so she's stuck diagonally across two lanes.

What a selfish .. person. ARgh

veronese68

I had a very close pass this morning, a flash of green right in front of my face. Pesky woodpecker, made me jump.

bails87

dancook
Jesus...... :roll:

I had two particularly stupid drivers on the motorway on the way home last night (also in the car, obviously)

First one, in a Honda S2000, went past me on the giant spiral roundabout at the motorway junction. He had clearly just picked the lane with the shortest queue (far right) when he needed to be in the same lane as me (one from the left), 4 lanes away...... At each section of the RAB there are traffic lights, so at the final set of lights before the Mway sliproad he floors it, and cuts across four lanes of traffic without indicating, beating me to the lights (fine, I'm not going to drag race the 50 yards to the next red light).

Then we go off down the slip road, join the Mway and he's off, straight into the fast lane in one big sweep, again without indicating, and he flies off at 90mph+. Traffic is fairly clear so I just sit in the slow lane at 70 with the cruise control on.

After a while traffic builds up and I catch up with him, still in the fast lane, now doing ~60, stuck behind a car that shouldn't be in the fast lane. I'm in the slow lane (with an empty middle lane between us) doing 70 still. There's a lorry up ahead so I move into the middle lane. Then the lorry moves out into the middle lane, so I know I'm going to catch up with it, I'm currently next to a gap between the Honda and and Audi in front of it. I'm now behind a car doing the same speed as the cars in the fast lane.

I indicate right. 99% of drivers would back off and let me move into the gap. This guy just sits there, so I move towards the edge of my lane to make it clear what I'd like to do. I think he's seen and backed off so I start to move into the lane, only for him to floor it into the space I'm moving into, I move back into thte middle, look over and he's there with his middle finger up at me :?

So I think 'fine, be zen'. Ease off the power and move into the fast lane behind him. Not too close (I don't think) and he slams the brakes on, not even dabs the brake lights, a proper emergency stop, so we're now doing 30mph in the fast lane and I get the finger through the back window again.

I think 'this guy's a fruitcake, let's leave him to it' and just move over into the slow lane to get away from him. A few minutes later and yet again, the fastlane is going slower than the lanes to it's left, so I end up just ahead of the Audi from before.

Same again, I indicate right from the middle lane, then sit there for 20-30 seconds with my indicator on and the driver deliberately not letting move into the gap. Again it starts to open up so I start to move, again he puts his foot down and blocks me. This guy wasn't as agressive (no finger, just 'subtle' glances at me, while trying to make it look like he didn't know I was there) but still, being 'fishtailed' by an Audi A8 at 70mph can't be too much fun.

I just got back in the slow lane and ended up ahead of them anyway. What a pair of fecking morons, compensating for d*cks the size of match-heads or something :roll: In what way was deliberately closing a gap or slamming the brakes on in the fast lane a justifiable/non-suicidal thing to do?

Can't wait to be back on the bike tomorrow!

sketchley

To the cute girl in see through tights and a black thong on the CS7 this morning, please go a little faster you made me late for work. :oops:

bails87

Sketchley wrote:

To the cute girl in see through tights and a black thong on the CS7 this morning, please go a little faster you made me late for work. :oops:

I really should get a haircut, this ponytail keeps confusing people......

sketchley

Stupid bus driver. It is your responsibility to check the lane is clear when pulling out, not mine. The fact a car flashed you to let you out means f@ck all. Then stopping your bus, opening the door and loosing you rag with me, made you look very professional didn't it. Knob head.

mudcow007

i have just nearly been an ex-mudcow. Lights changed on a junction i was at, I ride through an start to come around the corner behind me is a white Transit tipper who decides he will go around me on the corner suffice to say i ended up having to bounce onto the kerb or risk being a stain along the side of the Transit

eventually caught up to the tipper after about a mile an told the driver i wasn't best pleased with his level of driving :evil:

maybe it was my fault for not taking primary enough.....

suzyb

My iPod Shuffle died yesterday, just stopped working mid song and now I get nothing at all from it.

I think it knows I've ordered a new one (upgrade) and has lost the will to live

monkeydan

To the gentleman in a lorry who overtook me and then proceeded to pull back in, stop without indicating and start reversing into me, please don't do that again, it's dangerous and wasn't a particularly nice experience.

To the gentleman in the white van who turned without indicating and hit me, making my chain come off, sorry - that was partly my fault as I shouldn't have been filtering on the outside. However if you had been indicating I wouldn't have done so. We'll call it a draw.