I originally used the sobriquet Mr Grumpy Cyclist for this site, as a reference the the Grumpy Old Men TV series and partly as an attempt at irony. However, I realized that, since I started cycling a lot I’m not really all that grumpy at all, particularly when cycling, as I really do enjoy cycling the 25 mile round trip to work and back. I can get a bit annoyed by some of the antics of a minority of drivers, though, especially when they put my life at risk just to save a few milliseconds off their journey time or to get to the next set of traffic lights half a second earlier.
I restarted cycling around Easter of 2010, when my daughter suggested we do the 60 mile Manchester to Blackpool ride to raise money for The Christie cancer hospital. They, along with a wonderful surgeon at The Royal Bolton Hospital, saved the life of my lovely wife over the previous year, and are still doing so (but that’s another long and continuing story). I had been an occasional (O.K. very occasional) cyclist for the previous 15 years or so, though I did cycle to work for a while before that.
The Manchester-Blackpool ride was in July 2010, and then I started cycling the 25 mile round trip to work about 3 times a week from September onwards. In cycling to work over the period from September to December, I cycled just over 1000 miles, lost about 4 inches from my waistline, lost nearly 2 stones in weight and saved about 20 gallons of diesel fuel.
At the end of October, I bought a cheap video camera for my helmet and started recording my commutes on video, joining the rapidly expanding ranks of the camera carrying bicycle commuters.
I have, of necessity, learned an awful lot of stuff very quickly about how to cycle in rush hour traffic, partly from experience, partly from other people’s experience and partly from reading. I would particularly recommend the book “CycleCraft” by John Franklin. I decided to put some of my own experiences here to add to the stuff that’s already out there; reading is one thing, but it’s good to see (and discuss) a variety of examples. I would also welcome any constructive feedback on my pages, particularly if it helps to improve my own riding style and habits.
I post example videos on YouTube, some of which are embedded in my pages on here. You can view my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrGrumpycyclist/.
Re;bolton 8.30am [VRN removed]
i am the driver of the hgv that overtook you that morning in bolton.the traffic islands that are in the middle of the road are designed to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.that morning i did not drive according to road safety regulations,for this i appologize.i should have slowed down and given way to you,i didnt and i put you in a dangerous position,again i apologise.my boss who you spoke to explained that this was the first time i had driven this truck,which is true,however this is no excuse.it is just bad driving on my part.it is not my intension to dive badly evertime i get behind the wheel of my truck.my company does not put any pressure on its drivers to deliver loads quickly,to be in two places at once,to bend the rules on drivers hours etc.that is why i have been with the company for more than 10 years.we are encouraged to drive within road regulations and be courtious drivers.that morning i wasnt.i hope you keep the video on You Tube so other people can see what traffic calming measures are actually designed for(and what a dick i was that morning.!.).
sorry
steve
ps my boss has not asked me to email you, he doesnt know i have,i would appriciate it if he does not find out..thanks