since my last post i have had a "Week Off", "Olympics - Done" and "got my bike back". Well i actually got my bike back at the start of my week off, RESULT.....
so i was out over the weekend and the week ahead for at least 30-60 mins each day.. finding excuses to get on the bike... ".... We need milk!", "....need to post a letter!" etc but taking the long route to get the items.
Anyway had some great moments, and 1 bad moment. Now, everyone has said thus far, that with biking it is not you (the biker) that gets into trouble rather than other people causing it for you.
this is what happened.....
last Sunday i was out on a jaunt going down the country lanes near Laindon where i had not seen a single exhaust for ages. i pull up to a give-way, which is a T-Junction with a curving bend (should be a STOP, really), anyway. i see to my right a Van indicating left into the Junction, and i see to my left a small Silver car driven by a "Silver surfer".
so, i am in right hand side of my lane indicating to go right, i have a White bike, Hi-Viz and it is a clear sunny day with the sun high and to my left (ie behind the silver surfer) causing no blindness at all and showing me to be highly present The silver surfer reaches the junction first and decides to try to cut the turning, as obviously i was not seen.... until...... i see this happening in slow mo, but i know what the outcome may be.
she is on a direct course to hit me square on the left side, as she has totally cut the corner and is turning into the my left hand lane, oblivious of me..... i start frantically back pedalling the bike as i cannot move forward because of a following car, or right because of the van..... she notices me... (i guess it is the whites of my eyes she actually sees now....) and stops... cms from my legs...
now first i am surprised she has not keeled over with a heart attack, second i wonder what the Bloody hell she was thinking cutting a corner, and third so, so surprised i got away with it...
the van man stopped and checked all was OK, and suggested he would be a witness if needed, but as actually no harm done, i was keen to get out of there..
so, the lesson has been drummed into me... ride defensively, ride like everyone wants to get you, ride like every car and drive cannot see you, as bikers (yes, i do class myself as a semi-biker, until i get my full license) we have a rough deal, that is all other drivers, and the road itself (pot holes, drain covers, mini roundabouts......)
Round 2
Now that is done, i am back to work after a fantastic week off with the family, and back to work, and the first time into London since the Olympics started.
What i noticed straight away was that although the Olympics had finished, the lanes were still operational.....? why...? They were only meant to ferry players/VIPS around for the games. Now the games have finished, what are they for?
the Para-Olympics yeah, but that is not for a coupla weeks. so it is obvious, it is for the "Sett Blatter" types out there associated with the EOC, that need taking to the airport, bar, strip club.... without being bothered by us commuters and residents of London. Screw em......
my journey this morning was a little different though to try to avoid the biggest Olympic lane hotspots, and only took me 1 hr 10 on the road as opposed to 1 hr on the road. i think ,mainly due to the unfamiliarity of the route.
Quite liked the change of route though, so may keep it in the mix. although most of my biking over my break was on lanes and local towns, it was apparent i was a bit out of practise with regard to filtering, i am sure i'll get my nerve back.
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