How was your cycle commute?
- Thread starter ChrisFilter
- Start date
ChrisFilter
Like a boss.
Yeah, saw two or three people being put into ambulances. I must admit, I did start to feel weird at about 8km. I went really cold and shivery, but clearly I was boiling. I don't think I could have gone much beyond the 10k mark.
girasol
Addicted to handstands!
We were sat just after the 8km mark, by Westminter's west exit. That's where they fell. Magneze said he felt a bit weird too. And yeah, cold and shivery never a good sign, glad you made it through safely!
Winot
I wholeheartedley agree with your viewpoint
Yes - blogpost here with Crispy-style map:
http://andywaterman.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/death-on-holborn.html
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
No bike for me today as I had it in the shop over the weekend. Needed loads of new things as they were worn out and I never cleanly. Spent £120 on it. A friend pointed out that I cold have replaced all of these things myself but the labour was only a fiver!
How do you bikey people motivate yourselves to look after your bike properly? I don't think about bikes unless I'm riding them and I don't enjoy tinkering with things like some seem to. Yet I felt a bit ashamed at not understanding a word of what I was told about the bike when it was being fixed. I still don't really know what a drivetrain or a cassette is. Still can't remember whether easy gears are high or low.
How do you make yourself interested in things that you have no interest in?
How do you bikey people motivate yourselves to look after your bike properly? I don't think about bikes unless I'm riding them and I don't enjoy tinkering with things like some seem to. Yet I felt a bit ashamed at not understanding a word of what I was told about the bike when it was being fixed. I still don't really know what a drivetrain or a cassette is. Still can't remember whether easy gears are high or low.
How do you make yourself interested in things that you have no interest in?
gentlegreen
I hummus, therefore I am ...
I'm not a natural mechanic, so it's taken me decades to go from riding my bike until it was actually dangerous (the soles of my cycling shoes were full of holes due to having no brakes), to actually looking after it half-properly.
It was group rides that got me properly started - I didn't want to break down 30 miles from home.
It was my fork failing and landing me in hospital having my brain scanned that made me start getting serious.
Having only one bike and no alternative except walking is good motivation - I seem to have lost the ability to walk the 4 miles to work without significant pain- and I don't get on well with bike shops and mechanics - and the nearest one is miles away.
You really need to understand gears for your own safety.
It was group rides that got me properly started - I didn't want to break down 30 miles from home.
It was my fork failing and landing me in hospital having my brain scanned that made me start getting serious.
Having only one bike and no alternative except walking is good motivation - I seem to have lost the ability to walk the 4 miles to work without significant pain- and I don't get on well with bike shops and mechanics - and the nearest one is miles away.
You really need to understand gears for your own safety.
a_chap
When the world came apart, where were you?
The motivation for me is not to be stranded miles from anywhere at 3am if the bike breaks.
joustmaster
offcumdun
No bike for me today as I had it in the shop over the weekend. Needed loads of new things as they were worn out and I never cleanly. Spent £120 on it. A friend pointed out that I cold have replaced all of these things myself but the labour was only a fiver!
How do you bikey people motivate yourselves to look after your bike properly? I don't think about bikes unless I'm riding them and I don't enjoy tinkering with things like some seem to. Yet I felt a bit ashamed at not understanding a word of what I was told about the bike when it was being fixed. I still don't really know what a drivetrain or a cassette is. Still can't remember whether easy gears are high or low.
How do you make yourself interested in things that you have no interest in?
mostly - not having time to go to the bike shop, and not wanting to be without it for a day or two.
Although i've just paid a man £15 to replace a broken spoke.
gentlegreen
I hummus, therefore I am ...
Wheels are my limit too - and I'm not looking forward to ordering the correct fork and fitting it.
DownwardDog
Riding a Brompton with a power meter.
How do you make yourself interested in things that you have no interest in?
Long practice from being married for 10 years.
95% of bike shop mechanics are ham fisted idiots and none of it is that hard so you might as well do it yourself.
Having said that, the chances of having a mechanical failure for which you've got the appropriate tools and parts with you on a ride are very remote So if you're not into it then don't worry about it. Excluding punctures obviously.
a_chap
When the world came apart, where were you?
I beg to differ.
Apart from on my daily commute (which I can walk in an hour anyway) I carry the following:
folding tyres
inner tubes
puncture repair kit
pump
tyre boot
multi-tool (which includes allen keys, chain tool, screwdriver, knife, spanners)
spare gear cable
spare brake cable
tie wraps
cleat bolts
power link
compact head torch (for repairs at night)
M4 nut, bolt, washer
brake pads
adhesive tape
elastic bands (surprisingly handy!)
...and there's probably something else I haven't remembered.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
that would be excessive for a 10 mile commute that always has a railway station nearby
pissflaps
i've got a headache in my pants...
Another #death of a #cyclist in London today. Driver arrested but how can you prove your innocence? Buy our Witness camera! Have video proof
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
anyway, yesterday evening, a Highway Maintenance van, license plate LF60 ZZL, cut me up outside the bus station on Queen's Road Peckham and made me nearly fall off. His carelessness infuriated me as I was very hot and tired and stressed after a hard day's work. I caught up with him and remonstrated with him. Unfortunately, I swore at him as I was so annoyed at his inconsiderate behaviour. I then got behind him as the traffic moved off and he swerved into the cycle lane deliberately to try and knock me off my bike. I then chased him for a couple of miles until I caught up with him at Oval, at a red light. I got to the front of the traffic line and got ready to take a photo of him and the van, but he spotted me and swerved into my path again, causing me to nearly fall off and drop my phone. I saw sense then and stopped to calm down, but this bloke is a menace and must be taken out of action.
I know there's no point in reporting him to the filth, but is there any point in pursuing it with DVLA/employers? He needs to be taken out of action before he kills someone.
I know there's no point in reporting him to the filth, but is there any point in pursuing it with DVLA/employers? He needs to be taken out of action before he kills someone.
pissflaps
i've got a headache in my pants...
DownwardDog
Riding a Brompton with a power meter.
Why is your bike continually dropping to bits on rides?
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
How do I find that out?
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Ta! Reported
colacubes
Mr Hot Cookie
Did it have any clues to who is employers were on the van? As a start I'd call TFL as it might be one of theirs?
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
All I remember is that it had Highway Maintenance on it. Is that TFL?
not necessarily, could be any company that works on the roads. most companies that aren't 2 man and a dog operations will have company livery too though.
colacubes
Mr Hot Cookie
As it's London it would be highly likely it will be one of theirs or a sub-contractor. Worth a go. Otherwise probably no way of finding out really.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Just spoke to TFL - very impressed with their response - they are investigating
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Funny how I had a similar incident in Greenwich last week in which I was cut up, followed the white van into his yard, knocked on his window, explained calmly and without edge what he had done and he immediately apologised and smiled at me.
