View Full Version : Riding in London...
simple simon
20-04-07, 07:57 PM
I salute all of you who regularly ride/commute in London.
Just had to drive on the car through rush our central London to Harley Street (another story) and briefly met SoulKiss.
It's bad enough in a cage:pale:
If ever I needed proof that having moved from Glasgow to the Fens has turned me into a country bumkin, I found it today.
Soham High Street looks busy with 10 people and a couple of cars, London is just chaos. How many speed cameras do you really need on one road?
Be safe out there, please.
Si
Riding in london is like an adrenaline sport, and god damn it I'm hooked!
Alpinestarhero
21-04-07, 12:19 PM
I hate it, i Hate riding the north circ, I hate riding the Hangar Lane gyrotary, I hate all the filtering
But I have to do it.
So I will, and I'll sit in traffic if that makes me feel better!
Matt
Don't get me wrong, I prefer country roads, sweeping bends etc. BUT there's something about rapid filtering and hooning about in traffic that really appeals to me. Yes, I'm aware that it's immature, irresponsible and dangerous, but i can't seem to stop. I made a conscious effort to slow down for 3 days last week, and had 2 near misses. make of that what you will...
SoulKiss
21-04-07, 12:40 PM
You commented on this in your PM to me - but I will answer in public - save me typing :)
Its all I know really - my 1st time off city streets (well not quite - had done the SELKENT run to Riverhead a couple of times) lead to a broken collar bone :).
You would probably had a heart attack if you had been following me for the 20 mins immediately preceeding our meeting - but as said before, its what I am used to, and it IS a bit of a buzz once you can relax into it - tho relax probably isn't the word.
When you decide to come visit the SM, let me know, I can meet up with you and guide you in, the Soho one-way system is not the most easy set of roads to navigate first time :)
Good to have met you
David
Alpinestarhero
21-04-07, 02:45 PM
Maybe when I do the run after I've got more used to controlling the bike, and without maria to worry about, i'll enjoy the run from enfeild to kingston...
...maybe
Matt
PsychoCannon
21-04-07, 07:12 PM
Having been in and about london the last couple of weeks (down to Wolf Armouries In Camden then Soho and china town this morning) I certainly appreciate why London riders have the reputation they do and I understand why some people love it and some people hate it.
personally, apart from the suicidal pedestrians and the fact that almost none of the bikers nod back at ya I love it :)
the_runt69
21-04-07, 10:59 PM
Do the 7 and half miles up and down the Old Kent Rd most days to work and as I work shifts miss the worst of the traffic but keep trying to get my work to home times down.
Best so far 6 minutes after a saturday night shift. 7 O'clock on a Sunday Morning after a nice vindaloo, suddenly needed to be home in a hurry
As you said it is what you know but I know exactly what you mean.
I started riding when I was 16 so I didn't have to get the train into London and it was a case of learn fast!! Then rode in every day for a good few years.
Then again being a c*cky and stupid little git at 16 I did seem to spend more time sliding down the road on my backside :oops: :oops:
Is it better now with the congestion charge, not been back in london on a bike for a couple of years.
rictus01
22-04-07, 12:55 AM
Just for clarity, I know I've been away for a while, and even now am only on a scoot but as I've said before It's my traffic!, you're welcome to come play with it, but put it back when you've finished :D
Cheers Mark.
Jester666
22-04-07, 03:21 AM
Riding in london is like an adrenaline sport, and god damn it I'm hooked!
Couldn't agree more!! :D That's why I'm a courier (amongst other more sensible reasons!)
mister c
22-04-07, 07:09 AM
All my son keeps going on about after we came down to London the other week is bringing the bikes down so he can ride like a tw@ :D.
He is sorting it out so that he is off work on his birthday & we are going to head down there. I think I'll park mine up & get the bus;)
I have BIG respect for you guys in the smoke, take the brain out & go for it :cool:
I love riding in London. It's great. In all of the UK that one can ride a motorcycle, London is the one place that would be no fun without the traffic. Half the fun of the Soho meet is the getting there. :grin:
muffles
22-04-07, 07:43 AM
almost none of the bikers nod back at ya I love it :)
Lol, I find there's too many bikes, I'd be nodding my head the whole time! I used to - probably still will!! - nod at SVs.
Personally I like riding in London because there's a certain satisfaction from cruising past all these stationary/slow-moving cars stuck in traffic :D
wyrdness
22-04-07, 07:53 AM
I've been riding in London, day in, day out, for about 13 years now. It is a huge adrenaline rush. I find that if I slow down, I lose concentration and don't ride as well. You do have to be completely focused to do it.
I went on the Duxford run yesterday and discovered that the roads in Essex have what country folk call 'bends'. We don't get them in London. They're great - you can lean your bike over to go round them. My right hand chicken-strip is now about a third of the width that it was yesterday morning.
London riding is a doddle. Except all the traffic lights! And stupid, bl**dy pedestrians.
Oh, and that London Marathon meaning that my route home today is longer & busy.
Easy-peasy lemon squeezy. ;o)
I've only once driven a car in London, and I don't want to do it again.
I've only once ridden the bike in London, and I'm itching to do it again :D Yes, it was quite stressful, and you have to quadruple normal observations. But I was following svstreetfighter from the MCN Bike show to the Soho meet (and then back out of London afterwards). I didn't have to worry about where I was going, so it was ace!
The only problems, suicidal pedestrians & cyclists, but every Londoner is aware of those!
I suppose my mindset is like Pigbunks, even around here, I love traffic. It puts a big smile on my face when I leave work on a Friday just before bank holiday weekend. "There'll be a massive queue going over to the island :D"
CoolGirl
22-04-07, 03:45 PM
I've said it before and I'll say it again - I miss having a handful of near-death experiences on the way to work. Really used to set me up nicely for the day!
I've only once driven a car in London, and I don't want to do it again.
I used to be one of those little white van men that you see whizzing* all around London. Boy did I hate that. Just wishing that I was on the bike and not in the poxy van.
* I use the term very loosely when talking about driving fast in London as during the normal working hours it's quite impossible. :lol:
SoulKiss
22-04-07, 09:13 PM
London riding is a doddle. Except all the traffic lights! And stupid, bl**dy pedestrians.
Oh I remember takign you up to The Ace in rush-hour.
Took 2 cips of tea for you to recover from the Filtering :)
See payback is a b!tch :)
David
Oh I remember takign you up to The Ace in rush-hour.
Took 2 cips of tea for you to recover from the Filtering :)
See payback is a b!tch :)
David
Funny!
Grr.....argh!
Bluesteel
23-04-07, 09:47 AM
London riding is the best. I feel like I'm a superhero fighting the evil enemy Commutertron.
I ride with my own theme music.
London riding is the best. I feel like I'm a superhero fighting the evil enemy Commutertron.
I ride with my own theme music.
I'm lost for words.
No, seriously.
But I was following svstreetfighter from the MCN Bike show to the Soho meet (and then back out of London afterwards). I didn't have to worry about where I was going, so it was ace!
I remember that.....'twas fun!!! :D
London riding is the best. I feel like I'm a superhero fighting the evil enemy Commutertron.
I ride with my own theme music.
Does Kylie write theme songs?
It hones the 6th senses quite nicely and prepares you for the Muppet in thier landies overtaking,m when you are doing suchlike on the B2110 yesterday!!!
Riding in London is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. . . . . . . . . .
First you have to pick your route, being mindful that you may have to change your course of direction at any moment.
Then as you see the gap opening up, god damn if you don't enter into it like a chased fox through a fence, and then if the move was sucsessful you'll be on the highway to eutopia.
:smt043 Riding in London is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. . . . . . . . . .
First you have to pick your route, being mindful that you may have to change your course of direction at any moment.
Then as you see the gap opening up, god damn if you don't enter into it like a chased fox through a fence, and then if the move was sucsessful you'll be on the highway to eutopia.
:smt043
Riding in London is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. . . . . . . . . .
First you have to pick your route, being mindful that you may have to change your course of direction at any moment.
Then as you see the gap opening up, god damn if you don't enter into it like a chased fox through a fence, and then if the move was sucsessful you'll be on the highway to eutopia.
Ben does it again. :lol: :smt044 :smt043 :smt042 =D>
scorpion
23-04-07, 07:29 PM
Don't get me wrong, I prefer country roads, sweeping bends etc. BUT there's something about rapid filtering and hooning about in traffic that really appeals to me. Yes, I'm aware that it's immature, irresponsible and dangerous, but i can't seem to stop. I made a conscious effort to slow down for 3 days last week, and had 2 near misses. make of that what you will...
Sounds familiar;)
scorpion
23-04-07, 07:31 PM
Riding in London is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. . . . . . . . . .
First you have to pick your route, being mindful that you may have to change your course of direction at any moment.
Then as you see the gap opening up, god damn if you don't enter into it like a chased fox through a fence, and then if the move was sucsessful you'll be on the highway to eutopia.
:winner:
Steelman
23-04-07, 07:43 PM
I used to commute from Crouch End / Muswell Hill to Barts Hospital, then the Royal Free in Hampstead every day - and I really miss it, even though just before leaving London it was on a GT750 :rolleyes:
Bikes are the only way to get around the urban sprawl :cool:
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