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

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

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 .

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?

WHAT? No tube and pump?

Have we taught you nothing here, Grasshopper?

sigh

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.......

Palms down...!!!!!

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

Hehehe

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.


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: