Wednesday 18th November

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so, to my ONE follower, apologies for my quiet period. Illness has taken me off the road - plus the general rubbish weather.

However, I'm now back with a vengeance and my regular rants will continue....

So, to the woman in the red volvo this morning who tried to overtake me on a dangerous roundabout... what were you thinking?! Am I invisible? or were you still fast asleep? Here's a tip; get on a bike and try it out for yourself. Just because you're in a tin can, it doesn't give you the right to shun me into a flower bed.... OK, enough of that. Onto the next one....

And this is to the whole of the Number 85 bus route..... how thin do you think cyclists are? Judging by your driving on Kingston Vale, approximately 3mm wide would be my assesment. Also, in case you didn't know, IT'S A 30 SPEED LIMIT UP THAT HILL - NOT 50. When you go past us at that speed, and without pulling over, the slipstream pushes me into the kerb. Don't worry, I will be having words with the garage.

Think that's it for now. I'll be back though undoubtedly....

Friday 23rd October

It has been a quiet week, but cycling in at 6.30am every day has its advantages! A weary week meant a late start today, and of course, the inevitable NDE (near death experience).... Today, twas a classic.... bus in front, cycling happily along at 20pmh (contemplating why Monday's are always choc-a-bloc, but where have all the people gone by Friday?), and an IDIOT came flying out of a right hand road forcing me into the back of the bus. Unfortunately, my breaks didn't work properly and I was virtually a whisker away from hitting my head on the back-of-the-bus ad.... I can't remember his number plate which is a pain 'cos I'd love to name and shame him....Fairly clapped-out non-descript car.... Anyway, suffice to say that I shall be looking out for him on Monday, Tuesday....... and the rest of the week!

Friday 9th October

Probably the most aggressive day on the roads for a long while... but the most notable event was a black cab, LS55 EZT, pulling across 3 lanes of traffic right into me. If I hadn't caught him in the corner of my eye and pulled left, I would have been toast. Trying to decide whether to report him or not... any thoughts?

Quite glad it's the end of the week so that my nerves can recover. Although training ride tomorrow in Surrey Hills and Brighton run on Sunday.

Monday 5th October

Back on the bike after a week off - asthma attack and cold... so good to be back, but straight into the rain wasn't so great.

I'd forgotten that brakes don't work in the wet, and nearly took out 2 pedestrians on a crossing.... this time it was MY FAULT! Hands up when it's my issue!!

Having locked up my bike in a row of probably 30 other bikes, mine looks slightly ridiculous sitting there in its raincoat - the only one.... does no-one else care about their precious steeds??!

Dreading tonight as the rain is set for the evening... plus it's going to be dark. Hopefully no serious 'NDEs' in tomorrow's post....

Wednesday - Friday 2nd October

Asthama attack has prevented any cycling this week.... I have itchy feet to get back on the bike but need to go to France this weekend.

Back Monday! Watch out for further stories from the road

Friday 25 September

No cycling today as out with friends later, but just to let you know that I had a long conversation with Clive Bull on LBC last night live on air. I basically called for Londoners to take a chill pill and stop being so aggressive. I especially singled out:

Van drivers
Dizzy dolly mums in 4 wheel drives
Taxi drivers who don't use their mirros

Do we think that will ever happen?! Perhaps I'll start a petition...

Thursday 24th September

Nothing more beautiful than, at 7am in the morning, driving through a mist-soaked Richmond Park with the glow of the sun framing the setting, and deer gently padding out of the mist to greet the day.... nothing more beautiful until an ancient old codger doesn't see you and virtually wipes you off the road into oblivion!

All I can say is I-D-I-O-T!!! You shouldn't be driving that clapped old Rover (surprise surprise)... If I see you again, I'm phoning the DVLA AND the police. You are dangerous to society.

Apart from that, quite a good journey there and back today! Wizzed around the back routes after the experience with Chelsea crowd last night

Wednesday 23rd September

Thank you to the Nila van driver today for thinking that it's appropriate to over-take me on a corner and drive me into the kerb. If I'm going 30 mph, it's as fast as you are!!!! Today was a TRUE near death experience... shame I was too in shock to remember your reg number.....

Friday 18th September 2009

It has been quite a quiet week, although the resurfacing of Richmond Park has been an interesting one... gravel everywhere and a nightmare going to work. Apparently 2 broken collar bones already. Hey here's a thought Park Bosses!! Why not tell cyclists that you're using gravel and not tarmac? You might be cutting corners, but you're also risking lives! I hope someone sues you for being such dumb asses!

I know I promised a daily dose of NDEs (near death experiences), however, it has actually been really QUIET for a change! Apart from some hairy scruffy ugly bloke in a green VW golf - reg number Y915 or something similar....it has been quite uneventful. Oi! Scruffy oik in Golf! My messsage to you is "use your mirrors you stupid t**t!!"

Back to school has also added its problems. Dippy women are back on the roads! I'm a woman too, but this group is super special.... WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE?! Especially to the dizzy tart in an estate car who actually drove into me because she wasn't looking.

Anyway, long ride tomorrow, so who knows what could happen?!

Monday 14th September

Hey! Would you believe it?! No NDEs (near death experiences) today...

Not that I'm tempting fate... although the schools were back yesterday and the roads are CHOCCA BLOC!

Not cycling today or tomorrow, so back on Thursday x

What's this all about?

This blog is a mouthpiece for all us poor cyclists who are forced to take their life into their own hands every day. I'm fed-up with aggressive van drivers trying to run me off the road; dippy women in 4-wheel drives who don't use their mirrors, or cab drivers who believe they have the right to use the cycle lane - and that's only the start!

In fact, in the last couple of months, I've had a white van man try to run me off the road, a guy attempt to reverse over me, and a lorry hit me as it was turning the wrong way down a one way street.

If you do feel motivated to complain to the police about a particularly bad incident, it's a nightmare of paperwork and having to attend the local police station. In addition, they don't seem particularly bothered as it obviously happens too frequently. The councils are even worse! A dustcart who missed hitting me by an inch was reported via email, phone and letter... and I didn't hear a thing.....

So, after that little rant, this blog is designed primarily for me to reduce my stress levels, but also to demonstrate how we go through a near death experience on a daily basis! It's also a plea for the UK drivers to have some respect for the UK cyclists... although that will probably take years and years! Why can't we be like the French and Italians and have some regard for us cycling folks?
(In case you're thinking I don't make myself seen, I have a high vis jacket, lights, and a back pack luminous cover. I'm also respectful of the roads/crossings etc.... although I'm beginning to give up for my own safety...)

Therefore, from Monday onwards, I'm going to be sharing with you my scrapes, situations and incidents from the road. 45 minutes in the morning, and 45 minutes in the evening. The route is Kingston to London, and I'm riding a Scott CR1 team road bike. Watch this space for updates!! And if you see me, please give me a bit of space when you drive past....