Jump to content

Things I've learnt from commuting


zeabre

Recommended Posts

Got taken out this morning  ... by a BICYCLE.

 

Dude came speeding down the hill, didn't leave enough space for himself between the cars and me when he passed me - and then took both of us out. Very lucky that the cars reacted so quickly to miss us both. Also very lucky that this was only the third incident in 16 years of commuting - it could have been a car (or a buffalo), and something broken instead of just 3 stitches.

 

Worst part is that I'll have to deal with Sandton traffic by car for a week or so :(

Edited by cat-i
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 4.1k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Got taken out this morning  ... by a BICYCLE.

 

Dude came speeding down the hill, didn't leave enough space for himself between the cars and me when he passed me - and then took both of us out. Very lucky that the cars reacted so quickly to miss us both. Also very lucky that this was only the third incident in 16 years of commuting - it could have been a car (or a buffalo), and something broken instead of just 3 stitches.

 

Worst part is that I'll have to deal with Sandton traffic by car for a week or so :(

Did the other cyclist come from behind?

 

Nasty crash that you had to get stitches. Heal up soon!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got taken out this morning  ... by a BICYCLE.

 

Dude came speeding down the hill, didn't leave enough space for himself between the cars and me when he passed me - and then took both of us out. Very lucky that the cars reacted so quickly to miss us both. Also very lucky that this was only the third incident in 16 years of commuting - it could have been a car (or a buffalo), and something broken instead of just 3 stitches.

 

Worst part is that I'll have to deal with Sandton traffic by car for a week or so :(

Eish glad you're OK man!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did the other cyclist come from behind?

 

Nasty crash that you had to get stitches. Heal up soon!

 

From behind, yes. It's at the bottom of a short downhill. There's a road joining from the left where cars sometimes turn in there without looking out for bicycles. I usually go down there slow to be able to stop if a left-turning car cuts me off. He was coming from behind at a great speed - with not enough space to pass between me and the cars.

 

So the danger could come from other bicycles too - who are equally vulnerable - and therefore I expected them to be equally awake. Apparently not :(

 

It's just an elbow. Doc said it should be ok to start riding by Tuesday if there's no infection before then. And very lucky this didn't happen a day or 2 before joBerg2C - I would have been seriously grumpy!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

What I've learnt from commuting is to have a die-hard commuter pack, something that can expand for extra gear, has enough pockets for all your wallets / access cards / locks, and sufficient hydration.

 

The Camelbak Blowfish is perfect.

 

http://www.sportsworld.co.za/img/p/1175-2912-thickbox.jpg

 

Available here.

 

www.SPORTSWORLD.co.za

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have a serious problem with the black commuters who do not stop at red traffic lights.  I stop at them, but either they are to good or to stupid.

 

And had a person that almost took me out last night.  Just decided to close the gap leading to the sidewalk ramp.  Very apologetic after he hit me.  But just glad I saw the idiot starting to move into the path I was heading for.  You know that old toppie.  He checks you in the mirror, closes the gap and then gets a hard-on.   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have a serious problem with the black commuters who do not stop at red traffic lights.  I stop at them, but either they are to good or to stupid.

 

And had a person that almost took me out last night.  Just decided to close the gap leading to the sidewalk ramp.  Very apologetic after he hit me.  But just glad I saw the idiot starting to move into the path I was heading for.  You know that old toppie.  He checks you in the mirror, closes the gap and then gets a hard-on.   

 

Those coming out of Sandton towards William Nicol stop at red lights. Probably will get killed if they dont.

 

On the way in to Sandton, at the Republic/William nicol crossing, very few cyclists wait for the light to turn green from Republic side - all just go when the light turns green for shopping-centre-traffic. Like the taxis :(

Edited by cat-i
Link to comment
Share on other sites

whahaha of course! Those shoes would be so slippery on flat pedals - this is brilliant!

 

I prefer to shower at the office though - so won't have to do this anytime soon 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Commuted in cape town today. Got ask the right kit and got to work on time for a lekka shower. Now please help, how do you get your cycle kit dry to go home at 5? Office does not have a washing line or the like... What do you guys do?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Commuted in cape town today. Got ask the right kit and got to work on time for a lekka shower. Now please help, how do you get your cycle kit dry to go home at 5? Office does not have a washing line or the like... What do you guys do?

 

Ha :)  ... I'm in the same boat .... got caught too this morning between Newlands and Cape town CBD.

 

Clothes stacked all over the air-con in the office now. It worked before, dried it like that before I had to go home, ..... all-though today might be different, got drenched right through.

 

As a consolation, it only matters for the first km, after that the body heats up anyway   :) ... also, my commute is only 13k's ... 

 

Hope you get sorted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout