My September Rides (week 37)

Helmet Survey...

...see what my stats reveal

This week I have been doing a small survey of helmet wearing in South East London between 6.40 - 7.25 am and during the return journey in the evening at whatever time it occurs: nothing scientific just a count of how many in each category as I make my way to and from work.

My September Rides (week 36)

Speed limits

.......we are far from beyond reproach

Speed is a subject I shall return to time and again in these pages. It worries me a lot. Speed is a contributory factor in every single road accident bar none. Sometimes very low speeds are involved; but for a collision to occur there must be some vehicle movement.

My September Rides (week 35)

Failure to maintain a bike is a risky business.
Usually you get away with it; sometimes you won’t.


I saw a man cycling over Waterloo Bridge one day this week (he actually overtook me) he was on a Brommie I think. He was standing on the pedals but not really ‘going for it’ which looked a bit odd. Then on a second look I realised he didn’t actually have a saddle on his bike. The stem was there and indeed the saddle mounting bracket but as for a seat – none; amazing.

My September Rides (week 34)

THE AGE OF THE BIKE!!
Will you be on the ride??

It is quite a good time to write about promoting cycling and what we can do to bring ‘pedalling’ into the public eye in a positive way. Tomorrow is the London Skyride. Cynics amongst you will dismiss this as a publicity stunt by media moguls. To some extent it obviously is, but it is perhaps the best opportunity of the year for cycling, as an activity for all, to receive some positive mass exposure.

My August Rides (week 33)

....if we are to stay alive we have to dress for survival.

I read much in the forums and blogs of cyclists complaining about drivers and the way they treat us. There is general agreement that our safety or lack of it lies in their hands and the way they drive. Of course this is unarguably true.

My August Rides (week 32)

... it is finance which drives the decision.

Safety for cyclists is one of my most important concerns. If we as a community cannot prove cycling is safe then we will never be able to convince the non-cycling masses to make the switch even for the short errand to the local shop etc.

My August Rides (week 31)

So I feel I cannot support the ‘Flashrides’

I had intended to write about safe cycling again this week. Events dictate that my keyboard is rattled about other matters.

By sheer misfortune I actually cycled headlong into the middle of the Peckham riot in South London on Monday afternoon. I had not been following the news before I departed on my homeward commute, I did not realise that the events of the weekend were far from over.

My August Rides (week 30)

A stationary vehicle cannot kill.

I have been thinking about cycling safety and safely this week. I have picked up some interesting and quite alarming stories from the blogs and forums which has set my mind working. As always there seems to be extensive criticism of motorists and I am sure they are fully justified.

Now don’t get me wrong when I say that it isn’t all one way here. Some driving is little short of outrageous; the antics of the idiot I mentioned in my week 28 blog being a case in point. But this is not all one way traffic (if you’ll pardon the pun). Some of the cycling antics I see on my commuting journeys make me cringe with embarrassment.

Clearly, on both sides of the ‘divide’ (more on that word in a minute), there are some who know no better. As motorists they should not have (and perhaps have not) passed a driving test and as cyclists they have never received any formal ‘road-craft’ training.

My July Rides (week 29)

Rides this week: 0
Miles this week: 0
Weekly Average: 3.1
Public transport days: 0
Oyster costs: £0.00

As I said last week this has been a week of annual leave; hence no cycle commuting, in fact very little cycling at all.

I mentioned the lump last week and then did not expand but promised you an update. Here it is.

On about Wednesday of last week I became aware of a lump in my groin. I had been having a look and feel for a couple of days before that, but had been undecided. But by Wednesday I was pretty certain there was something going on.

I am not prone to panic for no reason but having thought about it for 36 hours I decided that I needed some medical input.

I made the appointment for Monday morning. Knowing that Mrs Tyt does not take this sort of news terribly well I decided not mention it until Sunday. Minimum time for her to get all concerned about things.

At 10.30am on Monday I entered the surgery with some apprehension. The description of my symptoms to the doctor took less than 30 seconds before he responded ‘hernia’ without even having had a look. The following examination took less than two minutes, whilst the diagnosis was confirmed.

I expressed two immediate concerns: cycling and giving blood. Yes to both for the moment.

An appointment to see a specialist will be sent to me in the post. There is likely to be an operation – day surgery. Presumably there will be time off from the bike at that point.

I have picked up a proposal for redesign work to be carried out on my commute route. Lewisham Council have asked for consultation within a fortnight:-

.................. The Client requested last week that they wanted the whole scheme wrapped up very soon hence the short liaison period.

.......the two primary reasons for the scheme are as follows: -

1) Pedestrian enhancement - to improve crossing facilities at the two junctions particularity in light of the proposed / recent development in the immediate area. As you are probably aware the Sainsbury's junction doesn't at present have suitable pedestrian facilities and the primary focus of this scheme is to readdress that aspect. In undertaking these improvements the opportunity is also being taken to readdress the balance between carriageway and pedestrian footway / facilities by reducing the overall intensity of carriageway in the area to make it less dominant.

The Worsley Bridge Road junction is also being upgraded in terms of pedestrian improvements, as a strong pedestrian desire line exists through this location. The link between the two locations is limited in what can be achieved due to the constraints imposed by the bridge however I understand there are longer terms aims to better link up the two junctions in terms of pedestrians / cyclists however these are not the subject of this project and would obviously necessitate major works in terms of the bridge should they progress.

2) Queuing / congestion along Southend Lane as a result of gaining access into Sainsbury's, particularly at the weekend was the other primary aspect to be readdressed.

As regards the exclusion of ASL's; then this was discussed when the scheme was developed and a combination of recorded low cycle usage along the route and the subsequent effects caused by the redefined stop lines on the modelling meant they were left out of the design.

Having said that, a cycle audit was undertaken and that also recommended their introduction so we will recommend looking at their inclusion again, perhaps not at this stage, but later in the design stage (as there is expected to be an additional 'tidying up' stage to fully complete the feasibility).

Barriers on the central islands are subject to assessment which is also likely to be undertaken at the tidying up stage...........

Firstly one wonders who ‘The Client’ is. I will leave you to ponder that.... The clue may well be in the text!!

I am not really affected by the Bell Green part of the proposal so I will limit my comments to the Worsley Bridge Road bit. I can confirm that this is a dreadful place for cyclists. I have also walked the route pushing my bike so I am aware of how horrid it is for those on foot. It is a junction that desperately needs improvement.




Just high enough for
a single decker.




The footway is just a metre wide.




Traffic approaching the gyratory.



As has been mentioned above the main cause of the problem is the railway bridge. It is exceedingly narrow (and low) there is only enough space for a footway on one side and that is just a metre wide. It is really not fit for purpose. I note the hint of a suggestion that there may be a longer term plan for improvements to this little bridge. I am sure that this is a LIE. Somewhere in a squalid little archive is a docket with a wish list in it. It reads something along the lines of ‘If we ever have any spare road improvement funding we would like to spend it inter alia on the Southend Lane Rail Bridge’ probably written on an Olivetti typewriter in the 1960s. It has never seen the light of day since leave alone been given any consideration. Call me cynical if you wish.



So there will be no improvement to this bridge and it is in this light that I consider the proposals above.

Traffic passing the entrance to
the Riverview Walk

Southend Lane is a very busy road it is the A2218 and is the rat run between the A21 at Peter Pans Pool and the South Circular at Sydenham cutting out the Catford bottle neck.

It is therefore an important traffic corridor. The first constriction on this rat run is the little railway bridge at Worsley Bridge Road. Traffic flows in two lanes as it descends the hill towards traffic lights at the junction. On the other side of the lights the carriageway is strangled down to one very narrow lane to pass beneath the bridge before it is immediately filtered into a multi-lane gyratory system where traffic management is very poor.



Worsley Bridge Road towards
Southend Lane



On my commute to work I join this traffic hell from the nearside Worsley Bridge Road. I am forced into a left turn towards the bridge. There is no Advanced Stop Line (ASL) at the junction but it is usual for me to get around the corner ahead of any motorised traffic – it is slightly downhill and a bike will usually beat a car in these circumstances. As soon as I join Southend Lane I have to take the primary position for two reasons.

1. The lane is too narrow and the distance to the bridge too short for a safe quick overtake by a motor-vehicle.

2. I need to turn right onto the Riverview Walk just the other side of the bridge. By accident rather than by design there is a traffic island here and the hazard lines on the approach to the island provide a refuge for me to wait to complete my manoeuvre in the event of oncoming traffic.



Viewed from Worsley Bridge Road.



Despite being the lead vehicle out of Worsley Bridge Road and taking the primary position I frequently have a motor vehicle ‘go for it’ to make the overtake before the bridge. This is very unnerving as it interrupts my driving plan to the above mentioned refuge.





The homeward journey is a different kettle of fish altogether. The journey between the end of the Riverview Walk and Worsley Bridge Road is actually too dangerous for me on a bike and I HAVE TO TAKE A DIVERSION. I have never taken this section of my route without coming into conflict with motor traffic. In rush hour traffic coming from the Bell Green gyratory is nearly constant. This forces a cyclist to go for a highly unsatisfactory filtering movement to join the flow of traffic which, having negotiated the multi lane Bell Green gyratory, is immediately being strangled into one narrow lane to pass under the railway bridge. There is constant conflict between motor vehicles struggling for primacy. The addition of a cyclist into this mix is a hazard too far for most drivers.

Having joined the traffic I am immediately forced to take the primary to prevent motor traffic from trying to overtake so that I can select the offside lane ready for the right turn into Worsley Bridge Road just beyond the bridge. It doesn’t need me to describe the reaction of the driver who I have just forced my way in front of, now finds that I have deliberately blocked his further progress by holding the centre of the carriageway.



So in the evening I actually avoid this altogether. Just before the end of the Riverview Walk there is a little footpath leading beneath the railway and onto Moremead Road. From here I cycle to the junction with Southend Lane and emerge just to the East of the junction with Worsley Bridge Road. At this point I am again faced with a constant flow of fast motor traffic which, having passed through the bridge bottle-neck, is seeking to make progress at speed. I am frequently held here for in excess of two minutes waiting to make the right turn (in two stages) to get to the junction with Worsley Bridge Road.



Finally therefore the only benefits I see for me from this proposal is that a traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing could assist me to get more safely from Moremead Road to Worsley Bridge Road. There is of course a faint possibility that if the phase on the traffic lights was long enough traffic would back up beneath the railway bridge which might make it slightly safer to join Southend Lane at the end of the Riverside Walk.

TyT

My July Rides (week 28)

Rides this week: 5
Miles this week: 117.14
Weekly Average: 3.2
Public transport days: 0
Oyster costs: £0.00

And so I have achieved a third week of back-to-back cycling commutes. In particular I am pleased with the 3.2 “Weekly Average” score. I am on leave next week so “Rides this Week” will be a zero – obviously. But hopefully my “average” will remain above 3 which will spur me on to further efforts for the rest of the summer and beyond. 3.2 is my best “Average” since 2nd February when I was on 3.9 and then was out of action after the accident. My best for the year was on 14th January when I was on 4.3.

This is the week of the lump, and I will tell you more of that later.

On Tuesday I bumped into – not literally of course – someone I know also on a bike. This is the first time since I started cycling again that I have seen someone who I know. London is an incredibly anonymous place.


The weather this week has been very variable. That said I have had a dry ride every morning and only got damp on one evening.

Friday was a bit dodgy from a traffic conditions point of view. At the end of Foxgrove Rd a hire van mounted the pavement in his efforts to get past me at the j/w Southend Road. Bizarre really. He started his antics as he roared down behind me on the approach to the junction. I was on the offside of the lane in preparation for the right turn. In fairness to him I was not indicating, but it must have been absolutely obvious what I was intending. As he passed me he cut in and braked heavily. I continued on the offside and so pulled up at the pole position on his offside. He then entered the junction in front of an oncoming vehicle from the right forcing him to come to a stop. This blocked the junction for a car waiting to turn right into Foxgrove Rd. The van then forced his way through the narrow gap between the waiting car and the vehicle behind which had also been brought to a halt. This meant that the van could not line up properly on the opposite road and so he mounted the pavement and grass verge as he passed through the junction. Dangerous – probably not as I did not see any danger caused. Without due care/reasonable consideration – almost certainly. I was too surprised to register any identifying features of the vehicle apart from it being a white sign written hire vehicle driven by a white male with a heavy five o’clock shadow. Rhymes with anchor.

Moments later I experienced the closest of close passes by another van in Southend Lane – I have a feeling this was the vehicle that was waiting behind the right turning car in the last paragraph. I then found myself being fed straight on past the end of Worsley Bridge Rd where I wanted to turn right. Three incidents in the first 1½ miles do not fill one with confidence for the remainder of the commute. I'm not sure the old ticker is up to this.

I used the iPhone camera to snap the overhanging willow tree at the the bridge over the River Pool on the Riverside Walk. Reported via Fix my Street.




Best wishes and keep them pedals turning.

TyT

My July Rides (week 27)

Rides this week: 5
Miles this week: 118.52
Weekly Average: 3.1
Public transport days: 0
Oyster costs: £0.00

This is the second consecutive full week of cycling commutes. I’m pretty chuffed if I'm honest. I have been spurred on by the TfL Cycle Challenge which lasted a month and finished on Friday.

This has been a great initiative. TfL somehow needs to develop this and roll it out permanently. This is the cycling community I have been thinking about. I am sure that this is the sort of thing the Prime Minister speaks of when he refers to the ‘Big Society’ Perhaps Tfl should hand it over to the LCC and let them run it or they should operate it in conjunction with each other. Our team got chatting with each other (emails only, but who knows where it could have ended up given more time) and my suggestion that we publish some identifying markers so we could spot each other caught on – though I have to admit I didn’t spy any of my team mates.

TfL should issue a corporate identifying team badge which could be affixed to our bikes/clothing so we would have a better chance of spotting each other. It is this camaraderie of the road which cycling lacks and which could do so much to increase the popularity of our ‘sport’ and make it more inclusive.

I am going to send this to TfL when the feedback linx are published; I am convinced this is the way forward and if we lead in London the provinces will follow. One big happy family of cyclists.

I am an enthusiastic supporter of the Cycle-Hire scheme. I don’t use it that often as I use my ‘beast’ most of the time, but on my public transport days if the weather is fine I book out a Boris Bike for the London ends of my journey. This week, however, whilst checking my bank statement for something completely unrelated I spotted a Cycle-Hire charge for £1 and £4 on the same day. Knowing that I have never had a Boris Bike out of the rack for more than about 20 minutes at a time I realised this was an error; an error I would have missed but for chance. I phoned the Cycle-Hire scheme (0845 at 10p per minute) and eventually was contacted by Katrina. Katrina examined my usage record and listened patiently whilst I explained that if the bike had been used at 06:50 on the day in question then I had an Oyster record of me not arriving in London until nearly an hour later so it must be incorrect. Katrina agreed that she would authorise a refund of the £4. I'm not concerned about £4 but what does worry me is that this problem arose at all. I wonder how many other hiring’s have been miscalculated, particularly amongst casual users who would not have a usage history to support their challenge.

I end on Brockley Mews and its environs. This squalid little swamp, tucked way in the back streets on the Lewisham/Southwark borders, between the Brockley Jack Pub and Camberwell New cemetery, is a place which has always concerned me on my commute. - It has been here in the past where I have encountered (mild) hostility. It is here where I have seen strange exchanges of property in the street and have been moved to call the police. It is here that the Operation Minstead rapist lived undetected for many years. - Passing through on the way home on Thursday evening I found that a skip load of soil and spoil had been dumped completely blocking access to the Mews. Now some might suggest that this is no bad thing – in a moment of fantasy I might even allow my own mind to wander in this fanciful direction. But just how outrageous can these fly tippers get. Broad daylight, more CCTV than MI5 and still they……

Best wishes and keep them pedals turnin'.

TyT

My July Rides (week 26)

Rides this week: 5
Miles this week: 117.12
Weekly Average: 3
Public transport days: 0
Oyster costs: £0.00

TyT

My June Rides (week 25)

Rides this week: 4
Miles this week: 93.24
Weekly Average: 3
Public transport days: 1
Oyster costs: £4.60

I have been trying to keep up the mileage this week (and last) to keep up my contribution to Team London Cyclist Blog in the London Cycle Challenge Competition run by TfL. This is the second year I have taken part.

On Friday I had a day off from the bike when I went with George H to the Globe Supper at the Stationers Hall. Lovely night out. More Champers lovely dinner, good company and home before 11:00 pm. Apart from that I have turned the pedals over every day and as you can see I have been rewarded with the weekly average at last creeping up to 3. I am really chuffed with this.

All said the cycling this week has been pretty satisfactory – though tiring. On Sunday I was out with the LCC summer ride so I have certainly put some miles in this week and the old legs are reminding me of my age. Will definitely enjoy a day off the bike on Saturday. The weather has been kind, though I have to say it still not feel like summer to me.

The Tfl cycle challenge webpage allows for team members to send email broadcasts which seems to be catching on and is fun. Team Leader – Andreas - has been off the radar for the early part of the challenge so whilst that cat has been away the mice have been at play.

I suggested that Team members email their commute info into the system in the hope that we can keep an eye out for, and identify, each other. This seems to have caught on and several team members have sent their routes, times and bike details in. hopefully more will follow on.

This kind of links me back to my suggestion to the LCC about a year ago that we as a cycling community ought to be acknowledging each other on the road in much the way that MG owners club operates.

It will take time but I think this could work. Patience is a virtue; we shall see.

TyT

My June Rides (week 24)

Rides this week: 3
Miles this week: 70.20
Weekly Average: 2.9
Public transport days: 0
Oyster costs: £0.00

I took Monday off to take Mrs TyT to the hospital. She had the metal removed from her arm following her accident in 2008. She seems to have come through that experience with relatively little discomfort and I believe the medics will proclaim it all a success.

On Thursday I had a day from the bike when I took her to Wimbledon to seen the tennis. Centre Court whwere we saw the upset Lisicki beat Na Li. Also saw Federer thrash some unknown and Hewitt get beat by Soderling. Lovely day out. Picnic. Champagne.

Best regards

TyT

My June Rides (week 23)

Rides this week: 2.5

Miles this week: 58.54
Weekly Average: 2.9
Public transport days: 2.5
Oyster costs: £0.00


This week did not start terribly well. I had to train in to work on Monday morning to take my kit back to work and after my visit to Hants and IoW on Saturday. I then took the bike home on Monday evening so got back into the swing, sort of.

Sunset over the Thames

On Tuesday there was a serious fire at the Aldwych. This resulted in the roads in the area being closed by the police, who with their usual lack of helpfulness were completely useless about directing anyone to alternative routes. A case of “I don’t care where you you’re trying to get to you aint comin’ past ‘ere.” The police do themselves no favours in such circumstances. What can be the cost of a few helpful signs to direct folk to where they are trying to get; particularly for the tourists.


Anyway eventually worked my way over to Whitehall and then over Westminster Bridge and joined my usual ride at St George’s Circus; it added about .5 of a mile to my journey.


On Wednesday I accompanied Mrs TyT to hospital for her pre-med; operation on Monday to get the wire out of her arm. She dropped me off at Clapham Common and I took the tube in from there and the train home in the evening after an evening engagement.


Cycled in on Thursday but on emerging from the Kingsway Hall at 2100 hrs found that the rain was coming in down in rods. This was pure whimpery. I caught the bus and travelled home in the warm and dry. I shudder to think of my lack of moral fibre – Oh the shame!


Friday of course is a train morning still feeling very hangdog. Then on bike for the Friday evening commute. Set off in a light rainfall which became steadily worse and worse the further south I travelled. I only had a thin top on and by the time I got home I was absolutely soaked.


Not a very satifactory week at all really…

TyT

My June Rides (week 22)

Rides this week: 4.5
Miles this week: 105.28
Weekly Average: 2.9
Public transport days: .5
Oyster costs: £0.00

I have at last clicked over to an average of 2.9 rides per week for 2011. Much less than I should be really. It shows the impact of being off the road through illness/injury. As the year progresses I may yet get it up to 3.4. But not very much higher.

The beast has had to spend the weekend at the office as I had to cart home all my clobber for PGC Hants IoW on Saturday. Mrs TyT spent the day with my younger brother whilst I strutted my stuff in Portsmouth Guildhall. She seemed happy enough when I rejoined her. We all went out for a sushi dinner in the evening and then stayed up 'til quite late chattering.

My eldest daughter has moved out this week; to a flat in Blackheath. I do hope she will be happy. I have not seen her flat. My younger daughter has also said she will move on as soon as she can afford to. This is depressing mrs TyT. Personally I can't wait. It will seem like getting my life back.

My May - June Rides (Week 21)

Rides this week: 4

Miles this week: 93.33
Weekly Average: 2.8 
Public transport days: 0
Oyster costs: £0.00


As Monday was a bank holiday 4 days of cycling equals 100%, so I am feeling fairly pleased; smug even.


Generally a very good week on the road. I think it is half term so the roads have been quieter. The weather has been dry and fine though a little on the windy side. And the wind is still cold.


As I have always said my commute is quality time as far as I am concerned, but sometimes I feel that I am missing something.

My May Rides (Week 20)

Rides this week: 4

Miles this week: 93.75

Weekly Average: 2.8

Public transport days: 1

Oyster costs: £8.00

A short explanation of the above ‘weekly average’ statistic is required. It is lower than I would have wanted for the time of year because of two accidents which have kept me off the bike. In particular the first one which put me in hospital with bursitis.

I'm back

I have been most remiss in not keeping this blog up to date – note to self, "must do a bit lot better."

It all went wrong when I decided to try and upload my daily statistics which I maintain in a spreadsheet. I couldn’t find a way to do this and so I gave up the whole project. I have yet to work out if I can add my spreadsheets.

For a while I maintained a record on the cyclechat forum website. Then I had a fortnight off when I went to Cuba and when I came back I didn’t pick it up again – naughty me.

TyT