General Cycling Discussion - Be careful out there!!!

I've just come into work from my commute from Cannon Street to where I work at Angel.

I was at the traffic lights, right behind a double decker bus, when the lights turned green, and off I went behind the bus...it was about half way across the traffic lights that I almost went ar$e over tit over a newly formed ditch in the middle of the road...luckily I regained it, but got myself a snakebite puncher..made it to the other side of the road and got off my bike.

It made me realise how stupid I was to be drafting a bus, especially when I can't see what's ahead in the road in front of me.

Just a reminder to me and everyone here...take it easy out there...we only have one shot at this..don't take unecessary risks on busy roads.

Rich

Glad, you're allright. :)

I try and avoid buses and taxis, the former are too unpredictable, the latter just too fast. Van drivers can be a bit of a pain, but lorry drivers seem some of the nicest drivers on the road.

Richard

Originally posted by Rich
It made me realise how stupid I was to be drafting a bus, especially when I can't see what's ahead in the road in front of me.

Just a reminder to me and everyone here...take it easy out there...we only have one shot at this..don't take unecessary risks on busy roads.

Live and learn Rich, . . . or is it learn and live??

I had a bit of a fright this morning too. On my commute into work I have to enter a large roundabout, and take 3rd exit. 2nd exit is for the M25 so most cars are taking it, I have to cycle past. best method is to get up to their speed, and make my intentions clear by hand signals (while pedalling like billy-o) and cycle position.

It does mean that to achieve the required speed I get a bit eager to enter the roundabout before the next wave of traffic closes any gaps. This moriningI had a car on my left and a Hovis truck on my right. I knew I could out-accelerate the truck. Around the roundabout comes a big truck and big trailer going slow, there's a gap behind him, I want to get behind him and then pull hard to beat the Hovis truck, and as I pull out, slowly, standing on the pedals, balancing the bike, ready for the off, the trailer of this truck starts to drift wide - towards me, and I've got nowhere to go because the car on my left has made the same call!

Same moral as yours - there's no need to be in such a rush.

But we'll both have forgotten it by this time next week :D

Stew

Amen to that Stew and Rich,

I should also remember to pack a spare tube and pump as I've got a long walk home tonight...:(

Live and learn eh!!!!

Rich

Glad to hear you're in one piece (even if you do have a bit of a walk home!). I try to stay as clear as I can from bus drivers around here. The only local company on the Gold Coast is Surfside, and I'm almost sure they specifically train their drivers to be psychos :eek: .

In saying that, I don't like drafting for two reasons:

1. What if they stop suddenly for no readily apparent (or rational) reason?

2. Does anyone really want to breathe the really concentrated sh*t that those buses put out?

Originally posted by Rich
I should also remember to pack a spare tube and pump as I've got a long walk home tonight...:(



WHAT? No tube and pump?

Have we taught you nothing here, Grasshopper?

sigh

Bows head in shame...:(

Rich

Originally posted by Rich
Bows head in shame...:(

Rich

"Show us your hands Rich, palms down" the great bicycle teacher says while holding a wooden ruler in his right hand.......:p

Palms down...!!!!!

I haven't been that bad....!

Hehehe :D

I should also remember to pack a spare tube and pump as I've got a long walk home tonight...

You mean you didn't carefully remove the inner tube and fill the tyre with grass and bark? Not that there's much of that in Central London. :D


Richard

Good lesson. watch out for buses! (says he who nearly got pinned against a railing by one of Lothian Regional Transports finest while overtaking it on the wrong side on the bus/ cycle lane)

Yes! Glad you're all right, Rich!

:thumbup: