Silly commuting racing
Comments
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Relevant for anyone commuting in from the West via the park - the junction of Cheyne Walk and Lots Road is getting a combined ped/cycle crossing. It means you'll be able to legally use the crossing without dismounting.
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/ ... s-road.pdf
Is it good new? It depends on how fast the lights change after you push the button. If it's like the new one near Wandsorth Common (almost instant - push button and traffic stops) then it could be a SCR game-changer.
Complain or ask questions here:
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/ ... lots-road/0 -
Acres of nodders swarming in brand new hi-viz as I got closer to town. Put in an effort along the straight to E&C to get away from them after having dodged the segregated section by Oval with another rider, dragged a couple of blokes with me, which is unusual, but I turned off onto the avoid route, and they carried on towards E&C proper, so I missed the chance of evaluating their SCR chops over and above sitting in my massive wind shadow.
I've been taking the "even sexier panther" recently, so had only half been aware of the roadworks on the northbound Southwark bridge approach. I fancied a dig today with fresh legs, so lined up at the lights, revving my metaphorical engine, but the works mean it's neutralised for me. Tippers & minicabs racing their engines and tooting their horns at slower cyclists quite correctly taking the lane to avoid being mashed into the roadworks. All so said tipper/minicab can arrive in the queue for the lights at southwark bridge a few seconds earlier than they would have done otherwise. It's a no from me, and I'll be back on the e-s-p long cut tomorrow.0 -
Curious. I think the general principle of what they're trying to do, if used in the manner intended, makes a lot of sense...inbike wrote:Relevant for anyone commuting in from the West via the park - the junction of Cheyne Walk and Lots Road is getting a combined ped/cycle crossing. It means you'll be able to legally use the crossing without dismounting.
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/ ... s-road.pdf
Is it good new? It depends on how fast the lights change after you push the button. If it's like the new one near Wandsorth Common (almost instant - push button and traffic stops) then it could be a SCR game-changer.
Complain or ask questions here:
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/ ... lots-road/
Because I enjoy looking for loopholes:
- For London-bound bikes coming from Lots Road, are they allowed to ride across most of the crossing (when lights permit) and then turn right onto Cheyne Walk, or do they have to cross right over and then join Cheyne Walk from the pavement? (I know they will turn right into the road; the question is whether they're permitted to?) How will that work if there's a stream of pedestrian/bike traffic (typically schoolkids) coming the other way? Will a right-turning cyclist stop in the crossing waiting for a chance to turn right, thereby holding up everyone behind?
- For London-bound bikes coming along Cheyne Walk and encountering a red light, are they're allowed to ride onto the pavement (as if to cross over to Lot's Road) and then "change their minds" and rejoin the road, having effectively ridden around the end of the crossing?Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
Currently it’s a zebra crossing, used by cyclists who assume they have the same rights as pedestrians, and who assume traffic must stop if they’re on it. So they simply ride straight on to it and across. Now it’s going to be a lights-controlled crossing, which means that cyclists must stop, press a button and wait. If it gets the go-ahead it’s going to be interesting and could get pretty crowded on that pavement…inbike wrote:Relevant for anyone commuting in from the West via the park - the junction of Cheyne Walk and Lots Road is getting a combined ped/cycle crossing. It means you'll be able to legally use the crossing without dismounting.
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/ ... s-road.pdf
Is it good new? It depends on how fast the lights change after you push the button. If it's like the new one near Wandsorth Common (almost instant - push button and traffic stops) then it could be a SCR game-changer.
Complain or ask questions here:
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/ ... lots-road/Dolan Titanium ADX 2016
Ridley Noah FAST 2013
Bottecchia/Campagnolo 1990
Carrera Parva Hybrid 2016
Hoy Sa Calobra 002 2014 [off duty]
Storck Absolutist 2011 [off duty]
http://www.slidingseat.net/cycling/cycling.html0 -
TGOTB wrote:
No, it's Autumn. This evening, you'll be wishing you'd worn your Summer kit with arm and leg warmers, and thrown a pair of Summer gloves in your bag.J_MCD wrote:Wow, I've had proper 'seasonal shock' this morning. Been off the bike for two weeks and the commute clothing has gone from shorts and a ss jersey to full on tights, thermal socks, ls jersey, full finger gloves and gillet. And it was dark.
Can't be winter already can it?!
Unless you finish work really late, the days when you can comfortably ride both ways in tights and long sleeves are probably another month away...
Is there an FCN modifier for ‘warmers wrapped round the top tube with a toe strap to secure?Location: ciderspace0 -
Down to 3 degrees on the way in this morning at about 5:45FCN 9 || FCN 50
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There should be one for "arm warmers pushed down to the wrists when you've gotten too hot". The drag from that is severe.DrLex wrote:TGOTB wrote:
No, it's Autumn. This evening, you'll be wishing you'd worn your Summer kit with arm and leg warmers, and thrown a pair of Summer gloves in your bag.J_MCD wrote:Wow, I've had proper 'seasonal shock' this morning. Been off the bike for two weeks and the commute clothing has gone from shorts and a ss jersey to full on tights, thermal socks, ls jersey, full finger gloves and gillet. And it was dark.
Can't be winter already can it?!
Unless you finish work really late, the days when you can comfortably ride both ways in tights and long sleeves are probably another month away...
Is there an FCN modifier for ‘warmers wrapped round the top tube with a toe strap to secure?0 -
rower63 wrote:inbike wrote:
Currently it’s a zebra crossing, used by cyclists who assume they have the same rights as pedestrians, and who assume traffic must stop if they’re on it. So they simply ride straight on to it and across. Now it’s going to be a lights-controlled crossing, which means that cyclists must stop, press a button and wait. If it gets the go-ahead it’s going to be interesting and could get pretty crowded on that pavement…
A CX dismount and re-mount makes it a legal option
Given that cars going past that crossing are just heading for another stationary queue and can afford to wait, it would probably make sense just to give bikes turning out from Lots Road priority over the main road all the time.
Is there a bike+cycle equivalent of a zebra crossing?0 -
MTB-Idle wrote:elbowloh wrote:There should be one for "arm warmers pushed down to the wrists when you've gotten too hot". The drag from that is severe.
and that is not to mention the drag from the fashion police who will hunt anyone down for that particular faux pas...
It's shocking how its allowed, especially when there should be some sort of bonus for gracefully taking them off while riding no handed, folding them and sticking them in a jersey pocket.If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.0 -
anonymousblackfg wrote:MTB-Idle wrote:elbowloh wrote:There should be one for "arm warmers pushed down to the wrists when you've gotten too hot". The drag from that is severe.
and that is not to mention the drag from the fashion police who will hunt anyone down for that particular faux pas...
It's shocking how its allowed, especially when there should be some sort of bonus for gracefully taking them off while riding no handed, folding them and sticking them in a jersey pocket.
I did shoot a video during summer of a mate taking a raincoat off whilst riding and included it in my final edit. I was riding a suitable distance behind him.
Even though he is a mate there was a small part of me that was hoping he would crash and burn during the process to allow me to capture it on the footage #evil :twisted:FCN = 40 -
rower63 wrote:
Currently it’s a zebra crossing, used by cyclists who assume they have the same rights as pedestrians, and who assume traffic must stop if they’re on it. So they simply ride straight on to it and across. Now it’s going to be a lights-controlled crossing, which means that cyclists must stop, press a button and wait. If it gets the go-ahead it’s going to be interesting and could get pretty crowded on that pavement…inbike wrote:Relevant for anyone commuting in from the West via the park - the junction of Cheyne Walk and Lots Road is getting a combined ped/cycle crossing. It means you'll be able to legally use the crossing without dismounting.
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/ ... s-road.pdf
Is it good new? It depends on how fast the lights change after you push the button. If it's like the new one near Wandsorth Common (almost instant - push button and traffic stops) then it could be a SCR game-changer.
Complain or ask questions here:
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/ ... lots-road/
Good if they put lights there. It's currently a pain in the arse with cyclists using it as if they are pedestrians.Always in stealth mode0 -
Traffic flows pretty freely past Lots Road for most of the day, it's only during the rush hour that it queues. In any case, bikes turning out from Lots Road are outnumbered by bikes coming down Cheyne Walk, so you'd be prioritising the minority traffic flow, and encouraging rat-running (by cars) down Lots Road.inbike wrote:Given that cars going past that crossing are just heading for another stationary queue and can afford to wait, it would probably make sense just to give bikes turning out from Lots Road priority over the main road all the time.Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
I don't do it to avoid traffic controls! :-)Veronese68 wrote:
You sound like TGOTBinbike wrote:A CX dismount and re-mount makes it a legal optionPannier, 120rpm.0 -
anonymousblackfg wrote:MTB-Idle wrote:elbowloh wrote:There should be one for "arm warmers pushed down to the wrists when you've gotten too hot". The drag from that is severe.
and that is not to mention the drag from the fashion police who will hunt anyone down for that particular faux pas...
It's shocking how its allowed, especially when there should be some sort of bonus for gracefully taking them off while riding no handed, folding them and sticking them in a jersey pocket.
Emphasis on "folded" - stuffing them into a pocket is another faux pas0 -
Veronese68 wrote:
I believe zebra crossings can now be shared use to include bikes which they couldn't in the past. Don't think they can be for bikes only.inbike wrote:Is there a bike+cycle equivalent of a zebra crossing?
Correct. There's a bike + ped zebra crossing on the New Kings Road at Parson's Green here:
https://goo.gl/maps/wLy4MkzuBCk
I would see this as being the logical solution to the problem, rather than traffic lights.1938 Hobbs Tandem
1956 Carlton Flyer Path/Track
1960 Mercian Superlight Track
1974 Pete Luxton Path/Track*
1980 Harry Hall
1986 Dawes Galaxy
1988 Jack Taylor Tourer
1988 Pearson
1989 Condor
1993 Dawes Hybrid
2016 Ridley Helium SL
*Currently on this0 -
Zebra crossings are a nightmare above a certain traffic density, because they effectively give permanent priority to the traffic crossing them. If that's intermittent, no problem, but if it ever becomes a constant stream it causes havoc.Rhodrich wrote:Correct. There's a bike + ped zebra crossing on the New Kings Road at Parson's Green here:
https://goo.gl/maps/wLy4MkzuBCk
I would see this as being the logical solution to the problem, rather than traffic lights.
A very good example was the zebra crossing outside Kew Gardens. At certain times on a sunny weekend there would often be a continuous stream of pedestrian traffic coming from the tube station. A train would unload, and the big bundle of passengers would elongate into a long line as faster walkers moved ahead of slower walkers. They'd then arrive at the zebra crossing in a continuous stream with fast walkers at the front, and doddery octogenarians at the back. If you were really unlucky another train would arrive, and its fast walkers would catch up with the previous train's dawdlers. It caused total mayhem with the traffic until they replaced it with a pelican crossing, which makes much more efficient use of the area shared by both pedestrians and vehicles. Minimal inconvenience to pedestrians, and the traffic problem disappeared.Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
Hardly an issue at the Lots Road junction though. There are very few pedestrians crossing there, certainly not enough to hold up traffic for long.0
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Fun bit of competition this morning with a guy on deepish sections. Had him on the flat, but including gear the Raleigh is pushing 20kg, which was a bit too much on the longer inclines. Rear gears also keep slipping down to the smallest cog after putting a new cable on this weekend. Very annoying.0
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I used to do this, until one time in Sicily when the arm got caught in the back wheel. I didn't come off, but came close and have therefore stopped.MTB-Idle wrote:anonymousblackfg wrote:MTB-Idle wrote:elbowloh wrote:There should be one for "arm warmers pushed down to the wrists when you've gotten too hot". The drag from that is severe.
and that is not to mention the drag from the fashion police who will hunt anyone down for that particular faux pas...
It's shocking how its allowed, especially when there should be some sort of bonus for gracefully taking them off while riding no handed, folding them and sticking them in a jersey pocket.
I did shoot a video during summer of a mate taking a raincoat off whilst riding and included it in my final edit. I was riding a suitable distance behind him.
Even though he is a mate there was a small part of me that was hoping he would crash and burn during the process to allow me to capture it on the footage #evil :twisted:0 -
Pretty much in pootle mode this morning. The traffic seemed to be heavy everywhere and bad.
I kept thinking to myself this morning that there are many, many cyclists out there that are willing to take risks that I am not. Many situations this morning where I stayed behind a bus or a truck rather than squeeze through a 2 foot gap between the that vehicle and another. There was one point in particular on Tottenham Court Road where it basically went from 3 lanes down to one due to road works and a road sweeper. Loads of cyclists where squeezing through and round the merging traffic whereas I held back.
Maybe i'm just risk averse? Who knows, I just don't think it's worth it for a few seconds gain. It also makes drivers anxious when bikes "swarm" round you when you're trying to merge lanes (well it certainly does when i'm driving).0 -
Quick female in black shorts and a red jacket on the CS8 this morning showing a few blokes how it's done - always amusing to watch blokes, who were previously dawdling, speed up just because they got chicked Must get irritating for her though! 0
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Have just pushed the button on new Autumn gloves from Galibier, some cracking value kit on that website though pennies must be saved for a new saddle given I don't think i can warranty the Fizik...
Else, a lovely ride, chat with the big guy with the full face helmet who's finally got a new bike. Some skilled filtering saw me break free of the hoard of nodders, bliss.If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.0 -
Fairies gonna be fairies.
Looked behind me on the approach to Victoria Bridge last night to find four of the little buggers sheltering from the minimal headwind.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
I had a guy lock his back wheel and slither alongside me last night, amidst much muttering of oaths, when I stopped at a zebra crossing on NKR. To his credit, he did have the good grace to offer an unprompted apology...cjcp wrote:Fairies gonna be fairies.
Looked behind me on the approach to Victoria Bridge last night to find four of the little buggers sheltering from the minimal headwind.Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
anonymousblackfg wrote:Have just pushed the button on new Autumn gloves from Galibier, some cracking value kit on that website though pennies must be saved for a new saddle given I don't think i can warranty the Fizik...
Else, a lovely ride, chat with the big guy with the full face helmet who's finally got a new bike. Some skilled filtering saw me break free of the hoard of nodders, bliss.
Think I saw that guy with the full face helmet last night. Big unit.
Saw a smashed up Golf with police in attendance outside Lidl in Stockwell last night. Anyone see what happened?
Anyone else noticing the above average amount of glass in the road at the moment? God knows how I've not had a puncture recently. Literally rode through a mound of car window glass on Walpole road last night.0 -
Yeah, but car window glass is designed to shatter without sharp shards. Wing mirrors however...Errorist wrote:anonymousblackfg wrote:Have just pushed the button on new Autumn gloves from Galibier, some cracking value kit on that website though pennies must be saved for a new saddle given I don't think i can warranty the Fizik...
Else, a lovely ride, chat with the big guy with the full face helmet who's finally got a new bike. Some skilled filtering saw me break free of the hoard of nodders, bliss.
Think I saw that guy with the full face helmet last night. Big unit.
Saw a smashed up Golf with police in attendance outside Lidl in Stockwell last night. Anyone see what happened?
Anyone else noticing the above average amount of glass in the road at the moment? God knows how I've not had a puncture recently. Literally rode through a mound of car window glass on Walpole road last night.0 -
Lots of glass about, and especially in the bike lanes. Grrrr.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0
