Lime week is over

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Lime week is over. 
The tubes may struggle to get up and running tomorrow, but run they will, and people will head back down the stairs to their usual subterranean transport and breathe a sigh of relief that they don't have to climb on board a hired boneshaker until the next mass walkout. 
I will miss it though. 
The excitement of finding a bike on an app map, and heading there before it was snaffled by another desperate commuter. 
The joy of following a crowd of novice riders, the cars and taxis stopped in their tracks by a new metallic wave. 
On Tuesday, my first day cycling across London I discovered two things;

1. There are a lot more one-way roads than I expected, and I've been on the wrong way on most of them. I've had more arrows pointing at me than the Sheriff of Nottingham.

2. I've also discovered that cyclists of very judgmental of the casual bike-user. Today a lycra-clad buffoon swore at me for waiting in the wrong place at the lights, and told me I'm not a "proper cyclist..." no sh*t Sherlock. 

But the week went on, and solidarity between riders built. It was like a downbeat version of the 30 Seconds to Mars "kings and queens" video at times, but it was fun, and we made it. 
 
Today as my usual journey disruption took place, trespassers on the track - train cancelled, I took the time to raise a glass to the week. 

I will miss it, but will I choose them next week over the speed of a tube train? Fuck no. 

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