Riding in London...

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

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!

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]

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

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

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

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

Is it better now with the congestion charge, not been back in london on a bike for a couple of years.

[rictus01]

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

Cheers Mark.