Road Cyclists - Rant!

[scz4]

Before I go on I am a keen cyclist, but this is something which has always worried me, but this morning it almost caused a head on accident which wouldn't of been pretty.

I was on my way mountain biking (in the car), coming round a serious of bends to find another car on the other side in front of me, I had to slam the brakes on to avoid a collision, he had been overtaking a group of 6 cyclists, in three rows of course!

I appreciate it was bad driving, partly anyway, but he was probably stuck behind them for the last 3 or 4 minutes doing 15mph, I am not surprised it caused frustration and he attempted a reckless overtake. I was stuck behind a group of 20 cyclists last year for 5 minutes, a long time at 15-20mph, I just couldn't safely pass (and that's in an M3) as it was a twisty road, if they'd been single file I could of passed no problem.

Why do road cyclists think an A-Class road is the place for a Sunday morning social catch up? Why are you riding side by side? I know that's what the Highway code says, but let’s be honest the Highway code is well out of date. Try using your common sense. If you've worried about your visibility were a florescent jacket. You're putting yourself and others lives at risk!

I know Mountain Biking is classed as an "extreme" motorsport, but I think road cyclists are putting themselves in a much more vulnerable situation.

Edited by scz4 on Sunday 22 March 15:49

[scz4]

cheadle hulme said:

A car driver commits a dangerous overtake and you blame the people being overtaken?

Sundays are generally quieter, hence the larger number of cyclists. They ride two abreast to "big" up on A roads and make their presence felt. It also halfs the length of the bunch and means any decent motorist can overtake easier.

And mountain biking isn't cycling - get on the road you jessie.

No, the problem was the driver, of course it was. However, I can understand why he risked it and had they were riding in single file it wouldn't have been a problem.

As I said, if you're worried about yor road presence, then wear bright clothes, put a rear light on, not matching grey lycra "race" shirts. Perhaps Sunday's are quieter, but they quality of driving with older people on the road is truly shocking, came across 5 or 6 cars doing 35mph, surely their reaction times, awareness, vision etc must concern you more than the volume itself?

Ha ha, didn't want to get into a debate about road cycling vs MTB, but here you go. Road cycling is great if you don't actually have any bike skills I guess. Road cycling has to be the least technical sports out there. Just keep those legs spinning, in fact just go to spin classes, same thing! My girlfriend can even do it, at least she looks good in lycra, who's the jessie now?

Edited by scz4 on Sunday 22 March 14:56

[scz4]

DocSteve said:

A whole car width is advisable when overtaking cyclists as they are much more vulnerable to cross-winds, having to avoid defects in the road surface and the effect of vehicles passing too closely.

I appreciate the person in the wrong was the driver! But, what I am asking\argueing is it's safer in my opinion for cyclists to ride in single form, not taking up the entire road and very low speeds, putting themselves and others at risk.

Thanks for helping make my point. How do you give the guy on the outside, basically 3/4 across from the side to the centre of the road, a whole car width of clearance? You can't! Single file is no problem.

Edited by scz4 on Sunday 22 March 15:14

[scz4]

19890 said:

What makes my ps boil is when I see two or more cyclists riding next to each other and not moving to single file when they are fully aware that there is a........

I agree on the odd occasion when we're joining up off-road routes with a little stretch on the road, the guy at the back is always looking over his shoulder, shouts "car" if something is approaching and we pull back into single file. At this point the car approaching has already seen us as a group. Road cyclists should try this, simple common sense you know.

By the way, I am very curtious to road cyclists, always leave plenty of room, don't try dodgy overtakes etc.

G

[scz4]

ewenm said:

Replace "cyclists" with "tractor and trailer" and how does the scenario change? It's interesting that cyclists come in for a lot of stick on here but had it been a car making a foolish overtake of a tractor and trailer (about the same road space as a group of cyclists) all the vitriol would have been directed at the overtaker, not the farmer.

I hear what you're saying. But when did a group of cyclists last pull over to let cars past, never! Tractors round this way are pretty good if i am honest, or they'll wave you past. My point is cyclists can ride single file and should when a car approaches. It reduces the time a car on the other side of the road is vulnerable.

[scz4]

heebeegeetee said:

That's where you're going wrong, you shouldn't be able to understand why he risked it and yes the bloke would still have done what he did regardless of however many cyclists were there.

I don't condone what the other car driver did, not at all, he put my life at risk. I know it's wrong and I'd never do that myself. However, frustration causes risks, it's a fact. Never seen the electronic signs warning you of just that on the motorway?