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For the last couple of months I have been experimenting with using Santander bikes to make journeys through central London (not having ridden a bike for over 30 years). They are pretty convenient for certain journeys (as long as there is a bike docking station where you are going), and often quicker than public transport. The Santander bikes are a lot cheaper than Lime bikes.
One thing that is really good is that are certain roads that are fairly quiet, convenient for cyclists, but haven't been cordoned off as separate cycle paths. One is cycle route C27 (see link below) which goes through central London north of Oxford street (e.g. Weymouth Street). Most of the main roads like Edgware Road and Oxford Street have dedicated cycling crossing points, away from the main junctions e.g there is one on Edgware Road at Harrowby Street next to Rymans, which takes you into Tyburnia. Another part of the C27 takes you from Royal Oak to Shepherd's Bush (via Talbot Road and Blenheim Crescent). There isn't that much traffic on Talbot Road (one part is blocked off except for bikes, so it can't be a rat run). Talbot Road crosses over Portobello Road by the Rough Trade shop. You get a different view of London travelling this way.
One problem with Santander bikes is not being able to drop them off if the cycle docks are full. I cycled from near Paddington to Shepherd's Bush in April for the Preston game and planned to drop the bike off at Westfield Library Corner, but that was full. Fortunately there was a single space left at Westfield Ariel Way, otherwise I would have had to backtrack towards central London to find a space. Wood Lane is as far west as the scheme runs, so maybe more prone to getting full as people have to end their journey west there. The Santander app does tell you if there are no spaces left.
The other problem I have had is when it's windy: there seems to be a lot of grit in the air which can get in your eyes. I mentioned this to a mate who cycles a lot and he thought it might be pollen.
My perception of cyclists is that they are primarily a danger to themselves. Not that many have fluorescent jackets or patches, many don't have lights, so if it gets dark or overcast it's pretty hard to see them. Also, I saw a kid of about 10 or 11 on a Lime bike who completely misjudged the lights and went across a junction as the lights were changing. Fortunately the motorists waiting at the junction were keeping a wary eye on him and he didn't get run over.
If I may make an attempt to answer the question of Colback's high win percentage...
I think he is quite skilful and has a bit of nous. I noticed this early on in the season when we had a corner, and the ball came out to him, and he just pinged it out to the wing first time without having to take the ball down first. It was simple, but a lot of players can't do this. He also scored a couple of goals just by keeping his head over the ball and striking the ball cleanly. When Dozzell scored that goal against Middlesbrough it was Colback who instantaneously laid off the ball to Dozzell to set him up for the shot.
I was a bit more worried by all his yellow cards earlier in the season. Now I suspect he needs one every game to get himself going.
Come all you young fellers so brave and so fine And seek not your fortune way down in the mine It will form as a habit and seep in your soul Til the stream of your blood runs as black as the coal
Merle Travis, Dark as a Dungeon (1946)
The 1962 Journeymen version (featuring Scott McKenzie, later of Are you going to San Francisco fame):
I wonder if, rather than being a pampered aristocrat of football, he is trying to fulfil his father's dream?
Anyway, these were my thoughts in response to Northernr's analysis of Dozzell in his Millwall preview:
'It seems that the ACL injury Dozzell got at Ipswich completely derailed his career (when Dozzell arrived Phil Ham told you that Ipswich fans had originally expected him to move to a Premier League club). The problem with Dozzell at QPR was there right from the beginning: Warburton had to take him off after 30 minutes when we were getting steamrollered at home by Valerian Ismaël's Barnsley. I agree that it was easy to forget he was on the pitch as he could totally disappear from a game.'
Agree with QPROslo that his goal this season was a moment of brilliance.
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