I Can't face it....

unclemalc

No. :shock:

I love cycling. I used to ride into work everyday, rain or shine. Its (not counting the cash I spend on bicycling bits) cheap. It keeps you fit. You feel smug compared to the prisoners of the automobile. You have a negligable carbon footprint (allowing for skid-stops...) etc etc...

But No - I can't face it any more. One too many hassles with the lemming pedastrian, the bus turning right in front of you regardless of rights -of-way, the cars cutting you up/'kerbing' you/letting each other go in spite of the fact YOU are actually on the road, the casually opened door as you pass, blah, blah...
And that's in the daylight. The clocks go back this w/e so its all in the dark from now on.

No. I am on foot until Saturdays and Sundays, boys and girls. Sorry to let you all down.

The Chingford Skinhead

I know how you feel - I had yet another near hit (no such thing as a near hit in my book) on Monday. The combination of dark and rain seems to make drivers blind to the luminous yellow jacket and lights!

But I had to go to work today on the tube. It was horrible. People trying to push past even though there is nowhere to go. People fighting to get on the tube. Leaning into you, crushing you, breathing their foul breath on you. The BO. The heat and then the cold when you go outside. I rarely feel the cold once i'm up to speed on the bike but i was cold today.

Desparate to get back on the bike tomorrow - unless it is wet in which case I'll wait until I've got some even brighter lights.

doog442

I guess it depends on your commute.......ive been out through injury for a month,havent even put my mudguards on yet so i guess it will come as a shock when the clocks do go back....poxy slipped disc

sc999cs

unclemalc wrote:

No. :shock:

I love cycling. I used to ride into work everyday, rain or shine. Its (not counting the cash I spend on bicycling bits) cheap. It keeps you fit. You feel smug compared to the prisoners of the automobile. You have a negligable carbon footprint (allowing for skid-stops...) etc etc...

But No - I can't face it any more. One too many hassles with the lemming pedastrian, the bus turning right in front of you regardless of rights -of-way, the cars cutting you up/'kerbing' you/letting each other go in spite of the fact YOU are actually on the road, the casually opened door as you pass, blah, blah...
And that's in the daylight. The clocks go back this w/e so its all in the dark from now on.

No. I am on foot until Saturdays and Sundays, boys and girls. Sorry to let you all down.

At least you have reasonable public transport in Wolverhampton if you need it.

unclemalc

sc999cs wrote:

unclemalc wrote:

No. :shock:

I

At least you have reasonable public transport in Wolverhampton if you need it.

AAAARGGGHHH! :shock: Buses.....
NO Sir - I am back on foot for the duration...

AndyManc

I was in Bicycle Doctor (LBS) when this guy comes in with his MTB and says to the staff ..... can you make use of this .

He tells them he can cycle no longer , he was knocked off a few months back, and he couldn't face getting back on the roads.

He went on to say that there were too many nutters on the road and what he once found fun has turned into a nightmare . :?


The reality of cycling in Manchester ... or even in the UK.

The Chingford Skinhead

I have to confess that my fear with starting to commute was that my association of the bike with fun through my weekend escapes which were pure fun, would soon turn into an association with a chore. So far I'm loving it but the rainy near hits are a worry and the dark nights are making me think whether I will decide to put the bike in the shed sooner rather than later..

Kieran_Burns

I cycled home tonight in the full dark for the first time this year.


I have to say i have never known drivers give me so much room, be so courteous, wait for me to move and generally the ride home tonight was one of the most enjoyable.

I'm lit up like a Christmas tree and have HUGE amounts of visibility to all and sundry (and probably the odd astronaut) and I can't help but think that this is helping. I swear though that people just seemed that much more tolerant - and they're pretty good 'round here anyway.

biondino

I got rid of my moped because ultimately I worried about myself every time I got on it (among other reasons, but this was the main one). Every time I get on my bike, I worry about getting killed. When I get in my car, I don't worry. Irrational I know, but I can't help it. Right now, I can deal with it. If I have an accident in the near future, I'm not 100% sure I'll be able to keep cycling to work.

girv73

I crashed a bike once, badly enough to need two operations, be in hospital for weeks and plaster for months. Took me a few years to get back in the saddle after that one, but now I really don't worry about the dangers on the roads. Having been through it before, I can't imagine I'd quit the bike if I got knocked off now, but of course it's impossible to say for sure until it happens.

No cycle commute this week because of an injured leg. Public transport isn't bad if I can avoid the buses filled with teenagers, but it's not nearly as much fun

woodford2barbican

On the tube today - trying to ward off a developing cold. Don't mind too much, but I feel really fat which is p*ssing me off.

Maybe because I am really fat!

Gussio

In five months time, when the sun shows its face again, the world will be a happier place.

Belv

No point in suffering just to be a bicycle commuter. I agree with Gussio, things might look a lot nicer in the spring.

Sewinman

I felt this way on Monday night - cold, rainy, mad drivers. I got off the bike and walked for a bit due to being panicy. But then this morning was absolute bliss - crisp autumn day, low traffic, stupid drivers but I anticipated their every idiocy. Arriving at work at exactly the time I thought i would - awake and feeling fit.

There are definite ups and downs, but keep the bike ready for lovely days like today.

boybiker

Noooo don't give up ,you've prolly just got The Blahs You know you love it really and will be deeply unhappy if you give it up..

unclemalc

boybiker wrote:

Noooo don't give up ,you've prolly just got The Blahs You know you love it really and will be deeply unhappy if you give it up..

Fear not - I 'm not giving up riding, its only the commuting bit - the stress simply got to me once too often, and usually over such stupidity. As Bill Bailey relates "the numbing inevitablity..."

No, I get home and polish a wheel or something, waiting for the w/e riding. Sad but true.

ride_whenever

commute earlier. This morning I got up at 5.45, left the house at 6 and headed out to coach.

Roads were empty, the air was fresh, i blasted over to the boathouse without seeing a soul. Then spent the morning driving up and down as the sun came up.

AndyManc

I must admit the nutters don't really put me off .... I just shout a lot at them, it releases stress

I work 3 shift patterns 6am-2pm , 7am-3pm , 2pm-10pm ..... the worst shift is the 6am start, it's not too bad when it's light but during winter the early drivers RLJ, will be *issed and they also speed, basically they do what they want because not many people are around to see how they drive :?

W1

Broke a wheel last week so had to take the train for two days. I'd forgotten how awful it was, let alone how long it takes and how expensive. Would rather have the freedom of the road, even with the idiots - at least they add some "interest" to the journey!

il_principe

woodford2barbican wrote:

On the tube today - trying to ward off a developing cold. Don't mind too much, but I feel really fat which is p*ssing me off.

Maybe because I am really fat!

So you're trying to ward off a cold by getting on the tube sounds like a recipe for disaster fella!

To the OP - don't give up, it can't be that bad. A few days off the bike will change your mind. I'm surprised by the number of people posting about being scared. I commute in London and I very rarely feel scared, I'm not sure it really is that dangerous - more an issue of perception. I've had one commuting crash in 6/7 years of doing this, and quite frankly it would probably take a week of consecutive collisions to get me on the tube/bus, especially in winter when they represent mobile petri dishes...



MFTU people.

squired

The main reason I cycle to work is for enjoyment. That's why I don't cycle the full 5 day week. I did that before and it became a chore. I ended up hating it. Mixing it up with the train (my train journey is actually really good and quicker than the bike) keeps it fresh. I definitely think it is important to do whatever it takes to make it something you enjoy as otherwise what's the point.

slowlane

Hi Folks – been enjoying this forum for a while but thought I have to add my 2p worth.
To OP – I started commuting about 4 months back. Was scared shitless from the start. I have grown up in London and seen the nutters in cans flying round the streets and been one of them. Was expecting to be knocked off on a regular basis.
BUT I have been pleasantly surprised, some of that is I think due to my commute / planning and approach.
I do 7 miles each way, Twickenham to Hammersmith thats an nice mix of city and suburb. I plan my route to be the safest route possible. Mostly cycle paths on the pavement, some back roads and some parks. This has its own dangers but mostly none fatal ones. And lastly enjoy it. Its not a race all the time, yes sometime but only when if feels ok. Hence you don’t put yourself at risk.
Try finding a route you are comfortable with and take it at a pace you feel safe. ENJOY!

Biscuiteer

jashburnham wrote:

to get me on the tube/bus, especially in winter when they represent mobile petri dishes...

Normally only takes a day of being sandwiched between assorted loons and plague victims on the bus to get me back on the bike - regardless of my own health or how bad the weather might be!

fossyant

Do not give up..hone your avoidance skills.... and keep it up. We've all been knocked off at some point...expect one every 3-4 years, but you'll be loads fitter than couching it..... I won't give up now, having gone to the extent of getting a job neared home, for loads less money, but better hours/cycling provisions and a good commute distance.

I've also learn't lots of different routes into Manchester City Centre.... I was wiped out big time on the A6 12 years ago - enough for the missus to stop me cycling in..... I currently commute in the South, but often need to go into the centre...I know some good low traffic routes that are fast, if 4 miles longer than the death route......

I even fell of tonight - own fault, wet leaves and a covered pot hole..... bike went one way, me the other !

Keep at it...and get some eye bleeding lights.......... the drivers don't know what's coming..... check out the MTB forum about LED torches for a quick and cheap eye burner.....

unclemalc

[quote I'm surprised by the number of people posting about being scared. I commute in London and I very rarely feel scared, I'm not sure it really is that dangerous - more an issue of perception. I've had one commuting crash in 6/7 years of doing this, and quite frankly it would probably take a week of consecutive collisions to get me on the tube/bus, especially in winter when they represent mobile petri dishes...
MFTU people. [/quote]

Its not fear thats made me walk, its THE INEVITABILITY of some encounter with a fool NOT on a bike. Walking is good weight-bearing exercise for 3/4 of an hour, each way, so its useful in itself.
You're probably right tho' - come next week and I'll be back shouting at the lemmings crossing the road in front of me.... :twisted: