The Embankment Peloton

Greg T

Morning all - I've been lurking for a while but thought I'd pull out and have some time at the front.

Seems like there are a fair number of London commuters on here - now am I wrong or were there masses of bikes on the embankment this morning?
at 7.45 coming past Chelsea Hospital the near side lane was two deep for a hundred meters

I know the good weather brings them out in droves but this morning was very busy.

One thing I noticed was a couple riding together - him nine foot tall on a road bike and her mashing her heart out on a mountain bike with nobblies. I think he made her ride the MTB as she was fast - even on the MTB - and would drop him if she got skinnied up - shame on you.

GT

jonginge

Yep. Loads of us in the Embankmant peloton

It's amazing the difference a couple of months makes: overall riding standards seem to have gone up quite a bit.
Drivers seem to have got used to us a bit now, too. A couple of years ago awareness of the possible speed a bike can get up to and the moves they have to make was pretty low in central london. Seem much better now (or is that just me who feels that?)

Greg T

I'm a better rider than I was - mainly due to my anticipation in depth of upcoming hazards having improved.

I'd agree that when there's a body or constant stream of bikes moving along they do get given "long vehicle" rights by motor traffic rather than being picked off one by one.

Here's looking forward to a nice ride home tonight.

GT

GEPC

I am part of the Albert Embankment peleton most mornings and I have also seen the numbers go up dramatically since the weather has improved. I think its all good. It means there are a few more muppet cyclists on the road (see the thread i started "Excuse me while I overtake you for the fourth time") but even that does't really bother me that much. They are also forgiven if they are pretty girls!

I think its great that the sheer weight of cyclists on the road now means that most london drivers are extra vigilent for us and know that they have to go at our pace off the front of traffic lights etc. We are still a way off reaching that critcial mass when cyclists out number cars but its moving in the right direction. The more of us there are the bigger voice we can have have on how things happen on the streets. I for one am concerned about having motor bikes in the bus lanes. I missed out on signing the petition that went to Borris but I did write him an e-mail which recieved a reply from one his people which essentially said 'no'.

Anyway - reardless of all of that. Isn't it great not to be on the tube.

Greg T

I'm also nervous about motor bikes in bus lanes - I find that motor bikes get closer and move faster than any other type of vehicle - particulalry at the green light racing start.

There again the only bus lane I have the benefit of is the parson's green four hundred metre stretch.

I agree that the more bikes on the road the better for all of us - even the blokes I have to overtake four times.

Here's a question - when you see a guy/girl labouring a gear that is plainly too heavy - is it rude to have a quick word at the lights and suggest they change down a bit and spin a bit more easily?

spen666

GEPC wrote:

... We are still a way off reaching that critcial mass when cyclists out number cars but its moving in the right direction. ....

Is that when a critical mass is reached?


Never really thought what point we become a critical mass on the roads

spen666

Greg T wrote:

...
Here's a question - when you see a guy/girl labouring a gear that is plainly too heavy - is it rude to have a quick word at the lights and suggest they change down a bit and spin a bit more easily?

I tend to see the opposite- people in far too low gear spinning at high speed and doing 3mph.
Often wondered the opposite question - never done it though

snooks

7:45..Far too early for me!! I'm usually going along the Chelsea Embankment at 9 - 9:15 ish

More fun on the way home though, more people to try to keep up with, overtake or be overtaken by:roll:...we almost get a lane to ourselves in places!!

If you see someone on a what looks like a knackered dark green Marin mtb with slicks, a diet coke shim in the seat post and a chunky fella in black cycling like he's trying to get the last cream bun in the cake shop!....It's me..say hello. Oh and looks can be deceptive, it's quite a light frame, has bigger chain rings and goes like the clappers...lol

Just a thought....Isn't is amazing how everyone stops when there are a couple of motorcycle coppers at the end of Albert bridge??

2wheelzgood

Sounds like a hoot.. I have not had this in Leeds as there are very few cycle commuters at least at my lazy time- gonna have to find me a job that has more bikes riding in and wher I can have a longer ride in..

do people chat and is there a goof (edit, I DID mean good, not goofy) vibe, or is it just get there ASAP, outta my way punk cycling?

Greg T

2wheelzgood wrote:

do people chat and is there a goof vibe, or is it just get there ASAP, outta my way punk cycling?

It depends if you are a single speed fixed gear steely eyed dealer of death track standing at the front your eyes fixed at the road ahead or a big bubbly roadie type who talks to anyone......

There's some craic but not a lot. I'll go out of my way to chat to my fellow commuters tonight.

How about "Come on push it out fat boy" to the guy I'm drafting tonight on the wind tunnel stretch after Millbank?

snooks

Greg T wrote:

How about "Come on push it out fat boy" to the guy I'm drafting tonight on the wind tunnel stretch after Millbank?

If I hear that tonight I'll fart in yer face!!! :twisted:...In a friendly manner of course

Whenever I've said Hi ya, or Mornin' at the lights I just get a blank look bank. Maybe we should set a date to say hello to our fellow bi-wheeled human powered commuter

That would actually mean talking to a stranger in London though....Yeah, like that's going to happen :roll:
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