I got up late, as I'm going to an evening meeting today. I was intending to aim to be at my desk about 11. But I was just getting sorted when Butterfly realised that doing the laundry
and the washing up (must have a word with the boys about that) before going out was making her late. So we rode together to her work.
For the second day in a row, I experienced a completely pointless and dangerous overtake approaching the back of the queue to the RAB at Mitcham Common. I know I'm a large fellow, but, if a driver can't see past me to the car/lorry in front, then either I'm bigger than I thought (in which case they should be more cautious and give me some damn space) or else their eyesight is so awful they shouldn't be on the road. Either way, their judgment is below par for being allowed to continue breathing.
That aside, it was a good ride, and, after leaving Butterfly at work, I rode into Wandsworth, across to Battersea, then crossed the Thames at Chelsea Bridge. Pretty busy there - I suppose Albert Bridge is still closed.
I then found that the Tour de Commute had entered the crucial Etape d'Embankment. My aggregate was +7 -5
Lots of fast lads. But one should be DQ'd for RLJing
I was happy to be avoiding Vauxhall, Oval, Stockwell & E&C, though.
I trundled along, conscious that I didn't want to go under the tunnel, so I turned off for Blackfriars Bridge after a polluted cutting. I didn't take it, though, as I was aiming for Southwark Bridge (which I somehow missed the turn for
). Hey ho - I came south over London Bridge and through the back streets, taking the time for four circuits of the local square, which added 1km and put my average speed up to 20kph, after it had been adversely affected by congestion in Wandsworth and the City.
An extra hour of sleep, the long way round, and still at work for ten.