Cycling to work

[stingman123]

I Used to cycle 20 miles every day to and from work, had some close scrapes as well! It was the fittest I have ever been in my life, also I could eat and drink as much as I liked and my metabolism just burnt it off.

I'd probably still cycle as much now except for the accident I had with a non-indicating, non-mirror-liking BMW driver, who ploughed into me and broke my arm and leg.

If cycling tough me anything, it was to be at least more observant, and to remember there other people on the roads besides other cars.

Pet Hate? Drivers opening their doors without a care in the world.

[realityhack]

Drivers opening their doors without a care in the world.

Ouch.

Or people walking into the road between cars, not looking.

[BrianSnail]

Pet Hate? Drivers opening their doors without a care in the world.

A friends gf was in a coma for 6 weeks from that...

[chef]

Don't forget your 20p per mile allowance for using the bike!

Edit: although you sayI'm guessing manchestoh I'm thinking your not in the UK any more.

im in mancehstoh just at weekends right now, for work and cycling im in sunny Munich working as freelance so no 20p benefit. But I do currently spend 16€ on a weekly travel card, so in 3 weeks the savings have paid for the bike

I've no intention in buying a decent bike, the contract isnt likely to go beyond 6 months. It's mainly just to see more of the city and get a better understanding while enjoying the sunny summer.

cheers RH, a few weeks before i dont feel like dying is definitely acceptable, another good reason to cut out the cigs (again) and eat more healthily..

[dang65]

If cycling taught me anything, it was to be at least more observant, and to remember there are other people on the roads besides other cars.

It's true. Most cycling situations (like the door opening thing, or the complete lack of indicator usage, or pedestrians stepping out in front of you) can be predicted and avoided after a while. You just get to know what people are likely to do.

One manoeuvre I used to have a nightmare with though, and never really found a way to avoid completely, was cars overtaking me on the right when I was in the process of making a right turn into a side road. i.e. I'd check behind me, stick my arm out, check again, move to the middle of the road, arm still out to show right turn... car comes up from behind and overtakes me on the right hand side.

That used to happen about once a week, no kidding. The only defensive option was to continuously look back and be absolutely certain before making the turn, preferably making eye contact with the driver behind. Really quite bizarre how people drive like that. I'm sure they'd be horrified if they saw themselves on film.

[TimberWolf]

Most of my hairiest experiences have so far been at road junctions. That is, cars wanting to turn left into a road that I am travelling on and who don't look or couldn't be arsed to stop for cyclists as they would for cars. I had a woman who was (IMO) so keen to pull out in front of me that she didn't look to see whether the road was clear, and as it turned out it wasn't. There was a car parked on the left side of the road she was turning into and a car coming in the opposite direction, forcing her to slam on her brakes almost on the road junction, which left me burning rubber trying to avoid a collision. She thought I was going too fast!

[Lockhouse]

I cycle a total of 20 miles a day in Central London to/from work at a not very fast pace - it takes around 45 mins each way (I'm well into my 40's). I find the gym incredibly boring and cycling keeps me fit and my blood pressure down. I do find that I have to cycle defensively but it's become easier to spot potential problems with practice. Some of the things I see other cyclists and road users do still leave me open-mouthed.

I jump the occasional red light if it's a very quiet junction, but never if there's the possibility of traffic coming from the left. The number of cyclists who I've seen do this and nearly get knocked off their bikes, and then have the audacity to turn round and swear at the poor motorist amazes me.

The amount of cyclists that still cycle without lights when it's dark. Sheesh.

I am amazed by the amount of cyclists who will force their way down the left side of a bus or lorry when stuck at the lights - totally ignoring the fact that the vehicle is turning left and they are about to get knocked off.

I hate people who dawdle on crossings, or those who very obviously have forced me to come to a grinding halt and don't even say "thank you" as they walk past my smoking tyres.

I hate bendy buses - they baulk me on the kerbs and expose me to too much traffic when I overtake.

I also hate people who drive cars in traffic not leaving me enough space to get through kerbside - they've just overtaken me so they know I'm there - give me some room!

[Halo Jones]

Just don't succumb to wearing lycra. It's not a good look for a bloke.

Thats a matter of taste, rubber is better but a bit hot in the sun

[Mich the Tester]

as it's now summer I went out yesterday and bought a cheap 55€ bike and decided to cycle to work

I'm now having second thoughts on my plan to merrily cycle to work each day as I can't think of anything more unattractive than a wheezing young gent such as myself coughing up phlem on the cycle path at 8am in the morning.. it's 4.5km for gods sake !!

how long does this torture go on for before it gets easier?

?

[moorfield]

I hate people who dawdle on crossings, or those who very obviously have forced me to come to a grinding halt and don't even say "thank you" as they walk past my smoking tyres.

As a grumpy London pedestrian I'd sometimes try it on with cyclists at the red lights and crossings, some would stop, some wouldn't, some we'd have a good swear at each other. All part of the fun of the daily city grind of pedestrians vs. cyclists!