Near Miss

[Andrew G]

Sounds a bit alarming but glad to hear you're okay. Not sure you can ever call a fault on something like that. Why was he going to reverse in the middle of the road when he was signalling right? But then if he had to for a reason and he checked first it's possible you may have been in the blind spot at the second he happened to be checking. Probably just a "one of those commuting things" accidents, but that doesn't make it any easier to take, particularly the hit to the wallet.

If only you used Camag I could lend you a wheel for the weekend.

[jon avery]

Camag.. sounds like a new chocolate

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

I can true wheels quite successfully if you are around.

Guru

[adrian]

Sorry to hear that, Sean. Sounds as if you did pretty well to stay upright.

I think I know where you mean - on Dulwich Road alongside Brockwell Park? That right turn is well dodgy - and it's in an area that already sees a fair amount of random driving. A fair amount of random everything, come to that.

Hope you get the bike sorted soon.

PS I must say I clicked on this thread looking forward to some pictures you'd taken of a toothsome someone that lives up your street

[Grahame]

I'll be on the club run as well on Saturday, and I always (well, almost always) have a spoke key with me on the bike.

If the guru isn't there, I'll be happy to true the wheel for you.

[Tamar]

Bad luck Sean. There's a bit of it around though....I almost got taken out this morning and by a cyclist too!

Was riding along sedately, mindin' me own business when a cyclist suddenly veered into the side of me. I was overtaking her, giving her STACKS of room, when she suddenly, with no warning whatsoever, swerved into me. I think she might have been aiming for the gap in the middle of the road between the large square speed bumps…but she didn't look round or give any indication of her intentions whatsoever. There was nothing I could do. As she started to move I shouted 'Hoy!', but it was too late. She squealed and caught her handlebars on my arm. I held my line and kept pedalling; she ended up on the floor. I was very calm and didn't swear or lose my temper or anything (most proud of self). I just growled "Stupid woman" as I carried on with my journey. Honestly, I use the back routes 'cos I want a peaceful, stress-free ride to work. I really don't need to be rammed by some careless cow who has no regard for her own safety or, more pertinently, mine!

Thankfully no damage to me or my bike.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote]If the guru isn't there, I'll be happy to true the wheel for you.

[Andrew G]

Surely one of the biggest dangers is one of these silly sods ploughing in to you from behind (leave it Adrian ) because you've actually stopped at a set of traffic lights. I swear I'm sometimes the only one who does on the run through Camberwell.

[Tamar]

Oh yeah, I've had that one too. Quite amusing. Lights were amber, changing to red, plenty of time to stop. I slowed to standstill and patiently awaited green light. Muppet behind slammed brakes on, swerved, tried to stop, failed to unclip, and fell inelegantly onto me. I very sweetly pushed him back onto his feet and said I was surprised he hadn't noticed sooner that the light was red. haha.

[Andrew G]

From the sounds of it you need to start wearing downhill mountainbikers body armour for your commute.

[Tamar]

It's normally not too bad. I ride quite slowly and defensively on commute and pick quiet roads. But every once in a while (like this morning) I have cause to feel aggrieved.

Thankfully it's been a while since I've had car contact....speaking of which, I hope you get your wheel sorted ok Sean.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

I am obviously missing out on all this fun

[Sylv]

Ah the joys of commuting ...

Not speaking of your close shave Sean but I think you also have to make your own luck. After a few years you get a feel for where the danger can come from and what are the safety margins you should be surrounding yourself with. Of course there will always be the unexpected. Like Tamar I do tend to ride agressively and I think it's good in a way as it increases your awareness and self-protection instinct - but I do surprise myself at the profanities I can expell at careless drivers/riders sometimes though

I found a new little game this week ... have had a couple days when I wanted to give my legs some rest and been commuting much slower than usually. You find yourself ambling gently alongside the middle end of the commuter spectrum, then comes a hill or a traffic light still green a few tens of meters and braaaaaaap can't control yourself and open the gas for a few seconds, then ease up and carry on at a gentle pace