'Organised' cycle racing on the roads ...

[Diderot]

Buzz word said:

Diderot said:

I wanted to go and play on the swings but some other boys were there and hogged them and went too slow.

It's all quite legal. It sounds like a classic situation where everyone is out getting on with what they wanted to do and you have aimed the rant at the cyclists because they were slowest and you don't like their clothes.

A classic lack of patience for everyone else and then calling everyone else selfish which is a practice that's really started to grind my gears a bit lately. It's all a bit of give and take. Maybe if people were generally more tolerant situations where loads of different road groups are out trying to enjoy themselves the day wouldn't descend into a death race.

Another I-like-playing-the-victimised-cyclist in misunderstanding the disquisition shocker.

[Scuffers]

Alfanatic said:

Scuffers, I'm really curious. What road is it that hosts an organised cycle race every single week? Or are you just really unlucky and keep happening to drive down whatever road the race is on each weekend? Of course, if it really is that bad then perhaps a solution is that the race organisers start spreading the races around the map a bit instead of clustering them. There are plenty of places in the UK where this just isn't a problem.

Don't you all have a similar problem with marathons? Or are they just not as popular?

Welland Valley Wheelers, they have a permanent base here.

and no, nobody has run a marathon here.

I have no issue with people who want to cycle about, but when your confronted by 40+ of them occupying*all* the road, it's just not funny, to be perfectly honest, it just makes you want to drive at them (will bull bars fitted).

[thinfourth2]

Flanders. said:

Sorry but some of us have to work on Sunday's aswell. 5 or 10 minutes is a big differnce to me.

Well may i start by saying that i'm sorry but i'm not as important as you and of course we should destroy someone's passtime and hobby because you might be 10 minutes late to your work

However if we ban cyclists then surely we must also ban other things that may delay the great one on his way to his ever so important work

Motorcyclists They fall off and cause delays They don't need to be on the road BAN THEM

Horse riders They are slow and hesitant They don't need to be on the road BAN THEM

Blokes out in a classic car. They can't keep up with traffic and are slow They don't need to be on the road BAN THEM

The guy with the classic tractor wandering off to a field. They are very slow They don't need to be on the road BAN THEM


Oh and that guy with the TVR They add to the traffic and sometimes crash or break down They don't need to be on the road BAN THEM



I challenge you to give me any valid argument as to why we should ban cyclists racing and not ban anyone else who need not be on the public roads

[Alfanatic]

Scuffers said:

Alfanatic said:

Scuffers, I'm really curious. What road is it that hosts an organised cycle race every single week? Or are you just really unlucky and keep happening to drive down whatever road the race is on each weekend? Of course, if it really is that bad then perhaps a solution is that the race organisers start spreading the races around the map a bit instead of clustering them. There are plenty of places in the UK where this just isn't a problem.

Don't you all have a similar problem with marathons? Or are they just not as popular?

Welland Valley Wheelers, they have a permanent base here.

and no, nobody has run a marathon here.

I have no issue with people who want to cycle about, but when your confronted by 40+ of them occupying*all* the road, it's just not funny, to be perfectly honest, it just makes you want to drive at them (will bull bars fitted).

Wheelers? That sounds like a club name. Are you sure they're organised races and not just their regular breakfast run? If they're riding on the wrong side of the road just report them?

[skeggysteve]

dubbs said:

Anyone comparing bicycle racing with motor racing to assess public safety is being a div.

If that was aimed at me then it is you, sir, that is the div.

I pointed out that racing on the public highway is not allowed/legal.

But the cycle racers ignore this and as others have said act like......No I won't go on.

I drive my car and respect other road users on all roads including people on cycles, dog walkers and ever ramblers. IMHO hard core cyclists and especially those in lycra don't offer the same respect to other road users.

[Diderot]

Parrot of Doom said:

Diderot said:

Parrot of Doom said:

Diderot said:

If you really have to ask such a question then I'm assuming you didn't delete anything...

Don't avoid the question, answer it.

Don't ignore the glaringly obvious, think about it.

So you can't/won't answer the question. I see. You'll probably answer this post with another silly retort.

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Sunday 22 March 21:16

No I don't think you do see.

Which part of 'standing up pedalling at full tilt 3 abreast through a 30 limit and nearly taking out 2 old dears on a crossing, or straightlining a roundabout at speed and not bothering to indicate which exit they were planning to take (and nearly causing a pile up), or riding on the wrong side of the road oblivious to traffic behind because they were 'racing', or riding in a huge group at c.30mph in a 70 limit on the A27 causing long delays' do you not see?

[Scuffers]

Alfanatic said:

Wheelers? That sounds like a club name. Are you sure they're organised races and not just their regular breakfast run? If they're riding on the wrong side of the road just report them?

http://www.wellandvalleycc.co.uk/

and report them to who exactly? getting PC plod out to a village these days is all but impossible.

[DocSteve]

Diderot said:

Parrot of Doom said:

Diderot said:

Parrot of Doom said:

Diderot said:

If you really have to ask such a question then I'm assuming you didn't delete anything...

Don't avoid the question, answer it.

Don't ignore the glaringly obvious, think about it.

So you can't/won't answer the question. I see. You'll probably answer this post with another silly retort.

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Sunday 22 March 21:16

No I don't think you do see.


Which part of 'standing up pedalling at full tilt 3 abreast through a 30 limit and nearly taking out 2 old dears on a crossing, or straightlining a roundabout at speed and not bothering to indicate which exit they were planning to take (and nearly causing a pile up), or riding on the wrong side of the road oblivious to traffic behind because they were 'racing', or riding in a huge group at c.30mph in a 70 limit on the A27 causing long delays' do you not see?

Responsible cyclists (whether racing or not) do not behave like that on the public road.

Do you want a pissing competition about bad habits of drivers vs cyclists, and which are more dangerous? If so, I think you'll find that racing cyclists have rarely killed an old dear at a crossing, caused major pile-ups and traffic delays but rather motorists consistently and regularly do these things, resulting in many deaths every year.

So, let's ban cars and leave the roads free for cyclists in that case.

Cycle racing on the highway is regulated by the law "Cycle Racing on the Highway 1960". Organisers are attempting to have his law updated so that more races can take places safely and without causing unnecessary obstruction on the roads. Some people here have got on their high horse about what activities involving roaduse are "essential". Surely a motoring enthusiasts' website should have more insight than to ask for the banning of something because it is dangerous and non-essential. I can almost guarantee, Diderot, that you have used the roads for non-essential activities and consequently exposed yourself and the public to a greater risk than a road cyclist racing early on Sunday morning.

Perception of risk is something humans are particularly bad at and I see in a professional capacity regularly - this is being well displayed here it seems.

[Buzz word]

Diderot said:

Buzz word said:

Diderot said:

I wanted to go and play on the swings but some other boys were there and hogged them and went too slow.

It's all quite legal. It sounds like a classic situation where everyone is out getting on with what they wanted to do and you have aimed the rant at the cyclists because they were slowest and you don't like their clothes.

A classic lack of patience for everyone else and then calling everyone else selfish which is a practice that's really started to grind my gears a bit lately. It's all a bit of give and take. Maybe if people were generally more tolerant situations where loads of different road groups are out trying to enjoy themselves the day wouldn't descend into a death race.

Another I-like-playing-the-victimised-cyclist in misunderstanding the disquisition shocker.

Not really, all I read was another moan about cyclists. Essentially the premise was that several groups were out legally enjoying the road. The result were poor maneuvers born of frustration due to the ever prevalent blinkered self absorbed only I matter attitude displayed in your qualifying statement. Your preferred solution would seem to be to remove only the cyclists. I believe if everyone was more courteous and respected the public nature of the roads things may well be a bit easier. However feel free to feel upset that you were held up and blame everyone else for your short comings.

[dubbs]

skeggysteve said:

dubbs said:

Anyone comparing bicycle racing with motor racing to assess public safety is being a div.

If that was aimed at me then it is you, sir, that is the div.

I pointed out that racing on the public highway is not allowed/legal.

But the cycle racers ignore this and as others have said act like......No I won't go on.

I drive my car and respect other road users on all roads including people on cycles, dog walkers and ever ramblers. IMHO hard core cyclists and especially those in lycra don't offer the same respect to other road users.

No, I'm speaking of those that were talking about the assessment of public safety and comparing it to motor racing on the road.

If the cyclists are racing each other then the road should be closed or a rolling road block put in force. Time trials ARE a grey area and thank the government for not supporting our sports properly for creating that... cycling is not alone in that problem.

Those racing outside of a legal and authorised event however, can have points on their license or be banned the same as you or I... just because you are on a bicycle it doesn't mean you can't be banned from driving or have your license revoked.

I accept that a minority of cyclists are a pain in the ass and give the others a bad name but it would be a shame to tar all with the same brush wouldn't it?

It's also a shame that many car drivers seem to think giving a cyclist 3 inches between him/her and their wing mirror is deemed a safe overtaking manoeuvre but that's a different story!!! I think it's easy for those in both camps to become intolerant of each other - it's the idiots choice to do so - those who are more sensible and actually use their noodles realise we all need to share and be respectful of each others right to use the PUBLIC highway.

I NEVER abuse a green laner on motorcycle, horse or in a landie (or ramblers for that matter!) for going along the same route as me on a mountainbike... indeed... I've yet to have any incident hat hasn't been more than a friendly nod and hello for all no matter what the choice of transportation.

[Oli748]

Bloody hell fella's how daft is this?

people saying cycle racing on roads should be banned...! just have a listen to your self's. I mean what ever happened to live and let live? let people enjoy there lives and there sports, you can't just start saying IT MUST BE BANNED, it's that kind of small mindedness that ruin's people's enjoyment of life. and it's just plain miserable isn't it!

chill out and enjoy life....

[tinman0]

Parrot of Doom said:

Since when were the roads the preserve of motorists?

I seem to recall that cyclists have a right in law to use the roads, and that motorists do not.

Don't let that stop your silly little rant though.

If its a race, then surely its deemed as "sport", which I would say is outside the scope of a public highway, unless given some fairly strict Police supervision.

I fail to see how a sportsman who is concentrating on winning can also be concentrating on other road users as well. A motorist does have to look out for a cyclist, but in the same way, a cyclist must also look out for other road users.

[M400 NBL]

Cyclists, racing or not, will only ever take up one lane (unless the road is closed.Motorists racing, with the purpose of of overtaking at high speed, will use more than one lane. No comparison.That's the sort of comparison Clarkson would make (and may well have). That's not a compliment btw. How about charging cyclists road tax and congestion charge? I would that there are some crappy old bikes on the road that, imho, are dangerous to the cyclist and other road users. So a quick checkover by the police once a year would help. Shouldn't be a problem for organised cycle racers with their expensive machines.

[Parrot of Doom]

DocSteve said:

Diderot said:

Parrot of Doom said:

Diderot said:

Parrot of Doom said:

Diderot said:

If you really have to ask such a question then I'm assuming you didn't delete anything...

Don't avoid the question, answer it.

Don't ignore the glaringly obvious, think about it.

So you can't/won't answer the question. I see. You'll probably answer this post with another silly retort.

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Sunday 22 March 21:16

No I don't think you do see.


Which part of 'standing up pedalling at full tilt 3 abreast through a 30 limit and nearly taking out 2 old dears on a crossing, or straightlining a roundabout at speed and not bothering to indicate which exit they were planning to take (and nearly causing a pile up), or riding on the wrong side of the road oblivious to traffic behind because they were 'racing', or riding in a huge group at c.30mph in a 70 limit on the A27 causing long delays' do you not see?

Responsible cyclists (whether racing or not) do not behave like that on the public road.

Do you want a pissing competition about bad habits of drivers vs cyclists, and which are more dangerous? If so, I think you'll find that racing cyclists have rarely killed an old dear at a crossing, caused major pile-ups and traffic delays but rather motorists consistently and regularly do these things, resulting in many deaths every year.

So, let's ban cars and leave the roads free for cyclists in that case.

Cycle racing on the highway is regulated by the law "Cycle Racing on the Highway 1960". Organisers are attempting to have his law updated so that more races can take places safely and without causing unnecessary obstruction on the roads. Some people here have got on their high horse about what activities involving roaduse are "essential". Surely a motoring enthusiasts' website should have more insight than to ask for the banning of something because it is dangerous and non-essential. I can almost guarantee, Diderot, that you have used the roads for non-essential activities and consequently exposed yourself and the public to a greater risk than a road cyclist racing early on Sunday morning.

Perception of risk is something humans are particularly bad at and I see in a professional capacity regularly - this is being well displayed here it seems.

Took the words straight from my mouth.

[gj88]

Hammer67 said:

Who the fk watches this st anyway?

15 million people watch the Tour de France at the road side. This figure does not include the many many millions of people watching via tv, internet etc.

I'd say that the many hundreds of towns in many different countries on the waiting list for a stage in the Tour de France mean that its one of the most popular events world wide.

Other than that to answer your question, not many

---

Edited for spelling

Edited by gj88 on Sunday 22 March 22:26

[flemke]

It's ironic that this thread is running the day after, for the first time in more than forty years, a Briton has won one of cycling's "Five Monuments": Mark Cavendish in Milan-San Remo.

[accident]

propper mixed feelings on this one.
in my youth i used to cycle to work.
im now a middle aged fat bd and have a car and a motorcycle.
if you want to experience real road rage then cycle through town.I got mental and it was almost every day i had a shouting match with some car driving idiot.
then i got a car and it all calmed down.
then i got a motorcycle and its still fine .
i now have only one true hatred amongst road users.
clumpers.
be it a group of pedestriens ,horses,cyclists,buses,trucks,cars,motorcycles whatever.groups are a hazzard and therefore should be banned.
try stopping because a cycle race is filling the road and then one of the lycra clad monkeys flying over your bonnet.try to get money back for the damage they caused(real hard work)
horses trotting allong no problem and then they jump all over the road because a bird in a tree looked at em funny.they are pet food kill em all.
have you ever had to use a road where a motorcycle club is riding?its shocking even on a bike.in a car its like following a funeral.if you try to pass you get nothing but abuse.
boy racers on a cruse are pittyfull they cant go fast they have windows so dark they cant see they cant go over a speed bump at anything over 2 mph and they wont go fast because they want to be seen.
its mad
clumps of road users should realise that they are the hazzard and behave acordingly.

[bennno]

They do it regularly on the A4 near where we live.It should be banned.

Loads of cyclists passing each other and going straight on to roundabouts irrespective of oncoming traffic, rather than lose momentum.Even more annoying is the nerdy marshalls who try to stop cars using the roadabouts if 'racers' are approaching.

As per post below it shouldn't be allowed to mix a cycle race with busy A road 60mph traffic, you couldn't stage car races legitimately on a open public highway.

Tempted to write to the local council / police and ask permission to run a 50 car race on the A4 one Sunday morning, will offer that we keep speeds below 60. What do you guess their answer would be?

Bennno

[black sabbath2]

Another vote here for some sort of licensing and insurance for cyclists,oh and banning the lycra,its not big and its certainly not clever

[Flanders.]

I wouldn't want it banned, just some sort of notice so I can avoid the area .