Silly commuting racing
Comments
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New King's Road commuters: That set of temporary traffic lights near the Putney Bridge end of NKR isn't a redundant one-way-at-a-time traffic control; it's actually a temporary pedestrian crossing. This morning I had to apologise to a mother and child who were nearly taken out by two riders who didn't think the red light applied to them.Pannier, 120rpm.0
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TGOTB wrote:New King's Road commuters: That set of temporary traffic lights near the Putney Bridge end of NKR isn't a redundant one-way-at-a-time traffic control; it's actually a temporary pedestrian crossing. This morning I had to apologise to a mother and child who were nearly taken out by two riders who didn't think the red light applied to them.
Thanks for the heads up. While I always stop for the lights I hadn't put two and two together about the ped crossing.0 -
Yes, on the side of a horse trough by the gate so it's well back from the road. Also one at Roehampton and Kingston gates, and by Pembroke Lodge. Thinking about it there may be one by Robin Hood gate as well, probably more as well.-Dash wrote:
Is there a fountain at Ladderstile?Veronese68 wrote:Had to wait at the top of dark hill for one of our number and then we took him to Ladderstile Gate to get some water.0 -
Veronese68 wrote:
Yes, on the side of a horse trough by the gate so it's well back from the road. Also one at Roehampton and Kingston gates, and by Pembroke Lodge. Thinking about it there may be one by Robin Hood gate as well, probably more as well.-Dash wrote:
Is there a fountain at Ladderstile?Veronese68 wrote:Had to wait at the top of dark hill for one of our number and then we took him to Ladderstile Gate to get some water.
There's one at Robin Hood gate, too.
The one at KG wasn't working last week, though.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
elbowloh wrote:Not liking the 2-way traffic on Tottenham Court Road now. Used to be 3 lanes of one way traffic, but now is 1 lane each way with no cycling provision (and the bus lane has gone).
You used to be able to get a good run and fairly whizz up it, now its traffic and hold-ups all the way along. I guess these changes are in preparation for when Oxford Street is pedestrianised, but that particular road had already been snarled up.
Yes, lots of choppers about, but for some reason this morning i perceived a reduction in cyclists jumping red lights.
Yes Tottenham court road is literally lethal now. Ped walked out into a bus last week.. saw the police cordon there on way to gym last week.
Im trying to find a better way to get there as its also 10 sets of lights between Trafalgar sq and Goodge st! May try up to Hyde Park and north of Oxford st next.Always in stealth mode0 -
Veronese68 wrote:
Yes, on the side of a horse trough by the gate so it's well back from the road. Also one at Roehampton and Kingston gates, and by Pembroke Lodge. Thinking about it there may be one by Robin Hood gate as well, probably more as well.-Dash wrote:
Is there a fountain at Ladderstile?Veronese68 wrote:Had to wait at the top of dark hill for one of our number and then we took him to Ladderstile Gate to get some water.
How didn't I know this? Thanks. I was only aware of the Kingston gate tap but it's often really slow and sometimes not even working.0 -
TGOTB wrote:This morning I had to apologise to a mother and child who were nearly taken out by two riders who didn't think the red light applied to them.
Why did you feel the need to do that? Those riders (presumably) have nothing to do with you.
Just perpetuates the myth of collective responsiblity which is used by some people to bash cyclists or justify poor driving.0 -
Oh no. Hadn't heard of that incident.martinc wrote:elbowloh wrote:Not liking the 2-way traffic on Tottenham Court Road now. Used to be 3 lanes of one way traffic, but now is 1 lane each way with no cycling provision (and the bus lane has gone).
You used to be able to get a good run and fairly whizz up it, now its traffic and hold-ups all the way along. I guess these changes are in preparation for when Oxford Street is pedestrianised, but that particular road had already been snarled up.
Yes, lots of choppers about, but for some reason this morning i perceived a reduction in cyclists jumping red lights.
Yes Tottenham court road is literally lethal now. Ped walked out into a bus last week.. saw the police cordon there on way to gym last week.
Im trying to find a better way to get there as its also 10 sets of lights between Trafalgar sq and Goodge st! May try up to Hyde Park and north of Oxford st next.
The pinch point just South of TCR tube station down towards Leicester Square station (assume it's still Charing Cross Road) is also pretty hairy now it's 2 way, coupled with the construction entrance.0 -
dekant wrote:TGOTB wrote:This morning I had to apologise to a mother and child who were nearly taken out by two riders who didn't think the red light applied to them.
Why did you feel the need to do that? Those riders (presumably) have nothing to do with you.
Just perpetuates the myth of collective responsiblity which is used by some people to bash cyclists or justify poor driving.
It's true - nobody expects a driver to apologise for the one in front who ran a red light.0 -
Not wanting to answer for TGOTB, but i've been in similar situation. No you're not responsible, but as the cyclist that is still there you're the one getting the evil looks and sometimes verbal abuse about it. Saying sorry sometimes calms the situation down a bit.dekant wrote:TGOTB wrote:This morning I had to apologise to a mother and child who were nearly taken out by two riders who didn't think the red light applied to them.
Why did you feel the need to do that? Those riders (presumably) have nothing to do with you.
Just perpetuates the myth of collective responsiblity which is used by some people to bash cyclists or justify poor driving.0 -
elbowloh wrote:
Not wanting to answer for TGOTB, but i've been in similar situation. No you're not responsible, but as the cyclist that is still there you're the one getting the evil looks and sometimes verbal abuse about it. Saying sorry sometimes calms the situation down a bit.dekant wrote:TGOTB wrote:This morning I had to apologise to a mother and child who were nearly taken out by two riders who didn't think the red light applied to them.
Why did you feel the need to do that? Those riders (presumably) have nothing to do with you.
Just perpetuates the myth of collective responsiblity which is used by some people to bash cyclists or justify poor driving.
its what makes us cyclists special. we all ride bikes thus we all have the potential to jump red lights or act the idiot.0 -
elbowloh wrote:
Not wanting to answer for TGOTB, but i've been in similar situation. No you're not responsible, but as the cyclist that is still there you're the one getting the evil looks and sometimes verbal abuse about it. Saying sorry sometimes calms the situation down a bit.dekant wrote:TGOTB wrote:This morning I had to apologise to a mother and child who were nearly taken out by two riders who didn't think the red light applied to them.
Why did you feel the need to do that? Those riders (presumably) have nothing to do with you.
Just perpetuates the myth of collective responsiblity which is used by some people to bash cyclists or justify poor driving.
I find that in these situations, a loud mutter of 'bloody cyclists!' usually helps to calm the situation.....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 -
Exactly. This situation didn't really need calming down, but I reckon a polite word reinforces the principle that we're not all twunts. Makes it fractionally harder for someone to say "you bl**dy cyclists are all the same" if one of them is apologising politely for the inconsiderate action of another.elbowloh wrote:
Not wanting to answer for TGOTB, but i've been in similar situation. No you're not responsible, but as the cyclist that is still there you're the one getting the evil looks and sometimes verbal abuse about it. Saying sorry sometimes calms the situation down a bit.dekant wrote:TGOTB wrote:This morning I had to apologise to a mother and child who were nearly taken out by two riders who didn't think the red light applied to them.
Why did you feel the need to do that? Those riders (presumably) have nothing to do with you.
Just perpetuates the myth of collective responsiblity which is used by some people to bash cyclists or justify poor driving.
On the other side of the coin, I was once blocked by angry woman stood in the middle of a zebra crossing because she was p*ssed off at the cyclists who'd cut in front of her as she crossed. When I tried to point out that I'd done nothing wrong she replied, "but you're a cyclist too..."
Edit: Although the word coming out of my mouth is "sorry", what I'm really saying is, "Those twunts are nothing to do with me", so no assumption whatsoever of collective responsibility...Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
DrHaggis wrote:elbowloh wrote:Not liking the 2-way traffic on Tottenham Court Road now. Used to be 3 lanes of one way traffic, but now is 1 lane each way with no cycling provision (and the bus lane has gone).
When did the change take place? Has it solved anything around Euston Rd.?
Not sure exactly when it happened, some time whilst i was paternity leave though!
What were your issues around Euston Road? I always go straight on towards Camden and never really had issues.0 -
TGOTB wrote:
Edit: Although the word coming out of my mouth is "sorry", what I'm really saying is, "Those twunts are nothing to do with me", so no assumption whatsoever of collective responsibility...
My usual response in this scenario is a loud "Oooooh, stop you tw@t ". or similar, followed by an eye roll and shake head -I find that as I'm telling them off too makes us joined against them breaking the red without having to say sorry.
It's taken me about 3 years to tune that response...Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...0 -
^ in my head, that’s being read by Frankie Howerd.Location: ciderspace0
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DrLex wrote:^ in my head, that’s being read by Frankie Howerd.
Frank Spencer for me.0 -
:-)
Another one for our younger readers.
David Brent, mebbe?Location: ciderspace0 -
TGOTB wrote:
Exactly. This situation didn't really need calming down, but I reckon a polite word reinforces the principle that we're not all twunts. Makes it fractionally harder for someone to say "you bl**dy cyclists are all the same" if one of them is apologising politely for the inconsiderate action of another.elbowloh wrote:
Not wanting to answer for TGOTB, but i've been in similar situation. No you're not responsible, but as the cyclist that is still there you're the one getting the evil looks and sometimes verbal abuse about it. Saying sorry sometimes calms the situation down a bit.dekant wrote:TGOTB wrote:This morning I had to apologise to a mother and child who were nearly taken out by two riders who didn't think the red light applied to them.
Why did you feel the need to do that? Those riders (presumably) have nothing to do with you.
Just perpetuates the myth of collective responsiblity which is used by some people to bash cyclists or justify poor driving.
On the other side of the coin, I was once blocked by angry woman stood in the middle of a zebra crossing because she was p*ssed off at the cyclists who'd cut in front of her as she crossed. When I tried to point out that I'd done nothing wrong she replied, "but you're a cyclist too..."
Edit: Although the word coming out of my mouth is "sorry", what I'm really saying is, "Those twunts are nothing to do with me", so no assumption whatsoever of collective responsibility...
I take the same approach: it's a kind of "Sorry about that to$$er; we're not all like them, fortunately".
As for the pedestrian, OT, but had an amusing (but equally despairing) incident last night by Hampton Court when I was riding with the eldest. We were crossing the bridge on the shared bike path/pavement, approaching a woman, who points at us and says, "YOU SHOULD BE ON THE ROAD!"
We get shouted at when we're on the road and not the bike path, and get shouted at when we're on the bike path and not the road.
A sweeping generalisation, but, sometimes, we're damned if we do, and damned if we don't.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
elbowloh wrote:DrHaggis wrote:elbowloh wrote:Not liking the 2-way traffic on Tottenham Court Road now. Used to be 3 lanes of one way traffic, but now is 1 lane each way with no cycling provision (and the bus lane has gone).
When did the change take place? Has it solved anything around Euston Rd.?
Not sure exactly when it happened, some time whilst i was paternity leave though!
What were your issues around Euston Road? I always go straight on towards Camden and never really had issues.
None, really. I used to work nearby, and Euston Road always seemed a bit of a nightmare to me as a mere Ped.0 -
Low power mode for me this morning to enjoy the sunshine. Only briefly interrupted by a weapons grade chopper with an Ironman Austria backpack undertaking me at speed through the end of the Oval pit lane. Gave him a piece of my mind, loudly!, to which he gave me a move over hand gesture. I gave him a different hand signal in return.0
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In my experience, anyone with anything identifying them with an Ironman event (rucksack, clothing, tattoos is the worst) tends to be an absolute twunt on a bike0
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Reminds me of the old joke:Kingstonian wrote:In my experience, anyone with anything identifying them with an Ironman event (rucksack, clothing, tattoos is the worst) tends to be an absolute twunt on a bike
How can you tell someone's done an Ironman triathlon?
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They'll tell you.Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
Slightly worse for wear this morning, after doing the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge last night (along with 15,000 other people). Got back to my company tent afterwords, and was chatting to some of my colleagues. Turns out that one of them won the race with a 16:55 time for the 5.6k distance. That's SERIOUSLY fast.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 -
Rhodrich wrote:Slightly worse for wear this morning, after doing the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge last night (along with 15,000 other people). Got back to my company tent afterwords, and was chatting to some of my colleagues. Turns out that one of them won the race with a 16:55 time for the 5.6k distance. That's SERIOUSLY fast.
That's doing that strange and fairly inefficient means of travel called running, isn't it? That fella should use a bike, he'd do it way quicker.0 -
Got passed at the lights at Northumberland Ave / Embankment by an Aston Martin with the numberplate '7 GC' - assumed it was Armstrong so threw a bidon at it....0
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Kingstonian wrote:Rhodrich wrote:Slightly worse for wear this morning, after doing the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge last night (along with 15,000 other people). Got back to my company tent afterwords, and was chatting to some of my colleagues. Turns out that one of them won the race with a 16:55 time for the 5.6k distance. That's SERIOUSLY fast.
That's doing that strange and fairly inefficient means of travel called running, isn't it? That fella should use a bike, he'd do it way quicker.
You've got a good point there! 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 -
I was just thinking: 'that's bloody slow for a 3 and a bit mile TT...'Kingstonian wrote:Rhodrich wrote:Slightly worse for wear this morning, after doing the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge last night (along with 15,000 other people). Got back to my company tent afterwords, and was chatting to some of my colleagues. Turns out that one of them won the race with a 16:55 time for the 5.6k distance. That's SERIOUSLY fast.
That's doing that strange and fairly inefficient means of travel called running, isn't it? That fella should use a bike, he'd do it way quicker.
Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.0 -
First collision in a long while this evening. Turn left downhill at set of lights following a big expensive Audi saloon. Audi stops unexpectedly, I grab brakes and hit his bumper and go over bars and onto road (possibly via the boot). Turns out that a biker was skipping the queue for the lights from the other direction and there wasn't room for Audi to pass. Biker leaves straight away.
No damage to bike and just a few grazes, and car looks undamaged. Anticipate angry driver, but he asks if I am ok, looks at his back end, shrugs and says 'no damage there, sure you're ok?'. I say yes and he's on his way.
At least 3 other drivers take the trouble to ask me if I'm ok, one offering to drive me home.
Restores my faith in humankind. And although not needed here, reminds me why it's worth having 3rd party insurance.0
