Cycle Killer.Qu'est que c'est?

I love riding my bike,it affords me a certain amount of freedom from the vagaries of public transport plus it  helps me to get fitter and lose some weight.Or more accurately,not get any less fit and not gain anymore weight...

I'm not hardcore,don't have all the gear---trust me when i say you would'nt want to see me in anything remotely figure hugging like Lycra---No i'm more of a leisurely cyclist at heart,which may sound bizarre as the streets i ride are the busy London ones where the word "Leisurely" is probably the last on anyone's lips...

...And that's the main crux of the matter where this post is concerned.

My main bugbear on the roads of London is not Bus drivers,taxi drivers,van drivers or just normal car drivers but other cyclists,or should i say some of them.

There's a certain type who seem to believe that the rules of the road don't apply to them,that they have a right to do as they please and bugger everyone else.Should you pull them up on this usually you'll get a stream of self righteous abuse off these self obsessed cycle "Warriors".

This is how they see themselves. As "Warriors" Not sharing the road with all the other users,where everyone just wants to get to their destination with the minimum of fuss and hopefully in one piece but in a constant battle with all,not just on the road but also on the pavement which is regarded as their domain too.

I was one crossing the road--as a pedestrian---while the traffic lights were in my favour and halfway across a cyclist came rushing through at about 30mph just missing me.As he went past he gave me the finger and continued to stare back at me whilst riding at the same speed.At that point i was really hoping he'd be taken out by a car,not killed but maybe suffer a broken leg,or two,and maybe an arm too.Or both...

I have seen cyclist mount the pavement at speed in the centre of London shouting at people to get out of the way, as if they have the right of way to be there and the pedestrians don't.

I choose not to wear a helmet--i know the dangers but feel uncomfortable in one---But again i see so many who do but then ride in such a fashion,with total disregard of everyone else on the road,that i get the feeling they believe with a helmet they're safe no matter how badly they ride.

There's a fella in my block who i speak to occasionally going to work on his bike.Never used to wear a helmet but has started wearing one.When i asked him about it he said he'd had a crash with a car and decided to wear one,advising me to do the same.The other day i was stopped at a red light and he went sailing through while the lights were still red.He may be wearing a helmet now but he's still putting himself,and others,in danger...

I also don't have much time for those that choose to have a camera mounted on their helmets to record any violation by motor drivers either.You know,you just know, that they're just willing something to happen so that they can have their day in Court.Like some latter day Joe Pesci in My Cousin Vinny,only in Lycra with a heavily sponsored Tour De France jersey...Humourless pricks...

I'm not perfect obviously,done some stupid things on the road and been stopped by Police on occasions,but my mistakes are just that,mistakes.They're not done out of malice and a seemingly malicious hatred of everyone else on the road and a belief that i'm right and everyone else is wrong.

But by the same token i obey the Highway code,I stop at Red lights and Zebra crossings,indicate when turning,don't weave through traffic.Basically i try my best to be responsible when on the road.

I have never had any problems with vehicle drivers and even get a wave of recognition when allowing them through in a narrow street.But i'm aware of the bad press cyclists get and it's mainly due to these self appointed "Warriors" of the roads.Arseholes...

Rant over...

Me and my shadow...

Cycling cuts...and totally my fault too...

Nothing beats cycling by the river in the summer...