You know you've got too comfortable filtering up close to heavy traffic when...

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by sinbad

You say that a lot. I guess it makes you feel superior (or something else equally bizarre).

Not in the least, but it IS completely different to anywhere else you are likely to ride.

For example on last years AR we came to a set of lights with a bit of a queue, and you could tell the Londoners from the others, we were the ones who automatically pulled into the other lane and to the front of the queue.

It IS a different style of riding, and outside of London you often feel like plonker for doing it as you end up looking pushy etc when everyone else stops and queues.

Originally Posted by sinbad

You say that a lot. I guess it makes you feel superior (or something else equally bizarre).

I was only having a joke with the guy about what must have been a pretty scary revelation when he realised what had happened.

TBH I'd have thought that riding in London would make you less likely to have something like this happen, not more likely.

Heh thought you were both being amusingly sarcy (sp?)
Yeah it did act as a bit of a revelation and I think I'll try to temper my progress with a bit more common sense

And I don't know...London riders seem to go one of two ways from what I've seen, those that will see a gap with a few mm to spare and go for it.
And those that will see a gap a few mm too short and figure if they go fast enough it won't matter

Originally Posted by Daimo

It does make us superior, no thinking about it. Londoners can filter like no other.

Now that I dispute.

By London standards, I'm a "country bumpkin" - I live in the sticks, and commute 6 miles down an NSL every day.

However, I've ridden in London. I was guided from Victoria docks to Frith St for a SOHO meet one evening, by Paul (I forget his username now). He didn't hang about. It took us 9mins to do the journey, departing from the docks at about 17:00.

I didn't get left behind (triple figures may of been seen), I was quite happy weaving between stationary traffic, and at one point, I may of been the wrong side of roadworks cones.

Being a Londoner has very little to do with it, that was my one & only time riding in the City. Mental capacity is more appropriate. Just that riding in London regularly, you get a choice. You're either slow & might as well be in a car, you eat a lot of hospital food, or you learn to filter very quickly.

On the way out of London back home, on the M1, there were roadworks bringing things down to two lanes, I was still happy filtering at triple figure speeds. Again, London has nothing to do with it.

Originally Posted by Baph

Now that I dispute.

By London standards, I'm a "country bumpkin" - I live in the sticks, and commute 6 miles down an NSL every day.

However, I've ridden in London. I was guided from Victoria docks to Frith St for a SOHO meet one evening, by Paul (I forget his username now). He didn't hang about. It took us 9mins to do the journey, departing from the docks at about 17:00.

I didn't get left behind (triple figures may of been seen), I was quite happy weaving between stationary traffic, and at one point, I may of been the wrong side of roadworks cones.

Being a Londoner has very little to do with it, that was my one & only time riding in the City. Mental capacity is more appropriate. Just that riding in London regularly, you get a choice. You're either slow & might as well be in a car, you eat a lot of hospital food, or you learn to filter very quickly.

On the way out of London back home, on the M1, there were roadworks bringing things down to two lanes, I was still happy filtering at triple figure speeds. Again, London has nothing to do with it.

I remember that, it was fun

9 minutes though......I hope not

Originally Posted by Bender

I remember that, it was fun

9 minutes though......I hope not

According to the clock on my SV it was exactly 9mins mate.

Originally Posted by Baph

According to the clock on my SV it was exactly 9mins mate.

Got to say that with town riding, not just in London necessarily, I find that I've got to scan ahead so much more, especially at rush hour to try and avoid the pedestrians, mopeds and cyclists etc.

Filtering at high speed though between two large vehicles.........that scares me.

[mr.anderson]

Originally Posted by Paul the 6th

the cyclists in london are nobs, I know that much

And especially now that the sun it out 'cause they are all the inexperienced summer riders.

Originally Posted by Bender

Filtering at high speed though between two large vehicles.........that scares me.

Wuss.

Triple figure filtering..
:\
Wow.

[Swin]

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

Not in the least, but it IS completely different to anywhere else you are likely to ride.

For example on last years AR we came to a set of lights with a bit of a queue, and you could tell the Londoners from the others, we were the ones who automatically pulled into the other lane and to the front of the queue.

It IS a different style of riding, and outside of London you often feel like plonker for doing it as you end up looking pushy etc when everyone else stops and queues.

+1 It usually takes me a couple of sets of lights back home to realise I need to get out of "London mode"
Been commuting in and out of London since 1987, since the congestion charge I think that maybe the traffic has got lighter, but the standards are a lot lower - car drivers changing lanes without looking/indicating/caring are all too common now!

Originally Posted by Baph

Now that I dispute.

Dude, it was banter... I guess i should have added a smilie....

Having good stearing lock in london is vital for stationary traffic, and having to turn between it....