Discussion
we;ll guys, the Mrs nd I are still happily trundling around Swindon covering a minimum 3 rides of 2X 10 1X 25 miles.
Still really enjoying it, and using the 45 cycle route to pack in most of thise miles - taking us around the edge of Swindon on the ole railway lines. Next plan is to hit Chiseldon and then Marlbourgh.
So far we've needed to replace a rear cassette and chain on the Mrs bike, and had my first puncture on mine. Fortunately it occurred at home !
One thing that is really cool, is that we've noticed how other cyclists are so friendly Everyone with the exception of the WigginsWannabee's will nod, say hi and if we've stopped will often chat. As for the WigginsWannabees ... we had a wonderful ! what the hell moment last night. For those that know Swindon, we were trundling along Akers way on the bike Path, two abreast. Normally when we see or hear people coming one of us goes in front of the other ... well last night we had one guy pass us along the road and then a second, decide to ride right through the middle of us. No warning, no excuse me, or ting of his bell. Is there some sort of etiquette we've missed out on ?
I appreciate that those guys maybe taking things seriously, but it seemed that we were on his 'patch' !
Still really enjoying it, and using the 45 cycle route to pack in most of thise miles - taking us around the edge of Swindon on the ole railway lines. Next plan is to hit Chiseldon and then Marlbourgh.
So far we've needed to replace a rear cassette and chain on the Mrs bike, and had my first puncture on mine. Fortunately it occurred at home !
One thing that is really cool, is that we've noticed how other cyclists are so friendly Everyone with the exception of the WigginsWannabee's will nod, say hi and if we've stopped will often chat. As for the WigginsWannabees ... we had a wonderful ! what the hell moment last night. For those that know Swindon, we were trundling along Akers way on the bike Path, two abreast. Normally when we see or hear people coming one of us goes in front of the other ... well last night we had one guy pass us along the road and then a second, decide to ride right through the middle of us. No warning, no excuse me, or ting of his bell. Is there some sort of etiquette we've missed out on ?
I appreciate that those guys maybe taking things seriously, but it seemed that we were on his 'patch' !
paul_y3k said:
we;ll guys, the Mrs nd I are still happily trundling around Swindon covering a minimum 3 rides of 2X 10 1X 25 miles.
Still really enjoying it, and using the 45 cycle route to pack in most of thise miles - taking us around the edge of Swindon on the ole railway lines. Next plan is to hit Chiseldon and then Marlbourgh.
So far we've needed to replace a rear cassette and chain on the Mrs bike, and had my first puncture on mine. Fortunately it occurred at home !
One thing that is really cool, is that we've noticed how other cyclists are so friendly Everyone with the exception of the WigginsWannabee's will nod, say hi and if we've stopped will often chat. As for the WigginsWannabees ... we had a wonderful ! what the hell moment last night. For those that know Swindon, we were trundling along Akers way on the bike Path, two abreast. Normally when we see or hear people coming one of us goes in front of the other ... well last night we had one guy pass us along the road and then a second, decide to ride right through the middle of us. No warning, no excuse me, or ting of his bell. Is there some sort of etiquette we've missed out on ?
I appreciate that those guys maybe taking things seriously, but it seemed that we were on his 'patch' !
Nice to hear you are getting on well. Glad to hear you are finding the majority of cyclists are nice people too, even though, as normal there are the nobs.Still really enjoying it, and using the 45 cycle route to pack in most of thise miles - taking us around the edge of Swindon on the ole railway lines. Next plan is to hit Chiseldon and then Marlbourgh.
So far we've needed to replace a rear cassette and chain on the Mrs bike, and had my first puncture on mine. Fortunately it occurred at home !
One thing that is really cool, is that we've noticed how other cyclists are so friendly Everyone with the exception of the WigginsWannabee's will nod, say hi and if we've stopped will often chat. As for the WigginsWannabees ... we had a wonderful ! what the hell moment last night. For those that know Swindon, we were trundling along Akers way on the bike Path, two abreast. Normally when we see or hear people coming one of us goes in front of the other ... well last night we had one guy pass us along the road and then a second, decide to ride right through the middle of us. No warning, no excuse me, or ting of his bell. Is there some sort of etiquette we've missed out on ?
I appreciate that those guys maybe taking things seriously, but it seemed that we were on his 'patch' !
On a seperate note I was just looking at the map of Swindon and for some reason couldn't get my bearings. Then I realise that the whole north section of the town has appeared out of nowhere, must have been built in the last 15 years since I moved away. I think they had just started building the houses behind the old Motorola building on the A419, now there's a huge Asda, a new ring road and loads and loads of houses. I wonder how much the place has changed in 20 years? Lots more cycle paths and cyclists by the sound of things!
Hahah Im in Wroughton and go through Swindon most days, Im always in lycra and a proper wiggins wannabe, well I'd say a Saganwannabe with Froome hair and I find the other extreme I say hi to everyone with a smile and normally the casual cyclists ignore me but lycra louts say hi back!
If you see anyone with a bright red and white Wilier going mad out the saddle its probably me . I also ride with Swindon Wheelers , so if you see any Wheelers about, we are known as the friendliest cycle club in the area!
Yeah Swindon has shot up in the last 20 years, I remember when they put in the North development was odd, takes ages to drive from one side to another, much quicker to cycle during peak time!
As you said one benefit of new estates is the cycle infrastructure is much better and usable, the rest of the town is OK to ride @ speed on the road, but when i have my daughter in the babyseat on the bike you are really limited as to where there are paths, which are often narrow shared use ones which you share with the elderly and dog walkers .
You just met an impatient t
t on your ride, there are a few about, I wouldn't worry about it
If you see anyone with a bright red and white Wilier going mad out the saddle its probably me . I also ride with Swindon Wheelers , so if you see any Wheelers about, we are known as the friendliest cycle club in the area!
Yeah Swindon has shot up in the last 20 years, I remember when they put in the North development was odd, takes ages to drive from one side to another, much quicker to cycle during peak time!
As you said one benefit of new estates is the cycle infrastructure is much better and usable, the rest of the town is OK to ride @ speed on the road, but when i have my daughter in the babyseat on the bike you are really limited as to where there are paths, which are often narrow shared use ones which you share with the elderly and dog walkers .
You just met an impatient t
t on your ride, there are a few about, I wouldn't worry about itI'm a bi-bicycler (I like both road and mountain biking) and wear lycra on either and always say hello to everyone.
The guy that rode between you is stupid, how did he know neither of you were going to swerve or stick an arm out randomly?
Our local bike-path-converted-from-railway line is the Downslink, which is great for beginners but I find it really boring now. I hate being stuck in old cuttings where all you can see is straight ahead. You'll get even more out of your riding in wide open spaces, believe me!
The guy that rode between you is stupid, how did he know neither of you were going to swerve or stick an arm out randomly?
Our local bike-path-converted-from-railway line is the Downslink, which is great for beginners but I find it really boring now. I hate being stuck in old cuttings where all you can see is straight ahead. You'll get even more out of your riding in wide open spaces, believe me!
I assume you would call me, just a normal family man who takes his preferred sport seriously, a "Wiggins Wannabe". I am a wannabe to be fair. I wannabe a better triathlete, a better bike racer, a better financial adviser, a better driver, a better brother, a better son... a better person in general really. We strive to improve, us humans. One thing I know I don't want to be is someone I'm not, and I'm certainly under no illusions that I'm good enough to ever make money from cycling!
I use a cycle path over a 2 mile stretch virtually every working day. When I approach single cyclists I let them know I'm there and wait for them to acknowledge before passing carefully. When I approach other cyclists riding two abreast I either slow down and wait for the path widen (it does in a few places) before passing or, if it's safe to do so, hop onto the road.
Can I ask why you felt that someone passing you on the road was noteworthy/remarkable? Do you see something wrong with it? If so, please could you explain?
The person who flew past you the other night could indeed have been an inconsiderate knob, or may have simply made a bad judgement call at the time. The etiquette in tight spaces is to make you presence known and ideally wait for it to be acknowledged before passing, and obviously this wasn't followed. Likewise, if I'm riding two abreast, be it on or off road, I tend to be considerate to passing traffic and shoulder check regularly.
Depending on the type of riding I'm doing, I normally nod/wave/say hi to other riders. However, you need to bear in mind that sometimes "Wiggins Wannabes" like me might be training and not just out for a leisurely ride. If I'm in the middle of a hard interval for example, then the chances are I'm in so much pain and so out of breath that acknowledging another rider is at the bottom of my list of priorities. Sometimes even a nod of the head feels like a lot of effort, let alone saying hi! It's nothing personal.
It's really great that you're loving time out on your bike. Unfortunately there are plenty of idiots out there and you will come across them in cars, on bikes, on foot and sat at the desk across from you at work. Just avoid tarring everyone with the same brush and try to be a bit more open minded.
I use a cycle path over a 2 mile stretch virtually every working day. When I approach single cyclists I let them know I'm there and wait for them to acknowledge before passing carefully. When I approach other cyclists riding two abreast I either slow down and wait for the path widen (it does in a few places) before passing or, if it's safe to do so, hop onto the road.
Can I ask why you felt that someone passing you on the road was noteworthy/remarkable? Do you see something wrong with it? If so, please could you explain?
The person who flew past you the other night could indeed have been an inconsiderate knob, or may have simply made a bad judgement call at the time. The etiquette in tight spaces is to make you presence known and ideally wait for it to be acknowledged before passing, and obviously this wasn't followed. Likewise, if I'm riding two abreast, be it on or off road, I tend to be considerate to passing traffic and shoulder check regularly.
Depending on the type of riding I'm doing, I normally nod/wave/say hi to other riders. However, you need to bear in mind that sometimes "Wiggins Wannabes" like me might be training and not just out for a leisurely ride. If I'm in the middle of a hard interval for example, then the chances are I'm in so much pain and so out of breath that acknowledging another rider is at the bottom of my list of priorities. Sometimes even a nod of the head feels like a lot of effort, let alone saying hi! It's nothing personal.
It's really great that you're loving time out on your bike. Unfortunately there are plenty of idiots out there and you will come across them in cars, on bikes, on foot and sat at the desk across from you at work. Just avoid tarring everyone with the same brush and try to be a bit more open minded.
Edited by NatAsp on Wednesday 20th July 13:25
ok so the wigginswannabe was said with a little tongue in cheek, I have no problems with people aspiring to better themselves.
I didn't say I had a problem with the guy on the road, they may not even have been together. I just stated that he passed us on the road. What I couldn't get my head around is the guy that came through the middle of us with no warning.
I didn't say I had a problem with the guy on the road, they may not even have been together. I just stated that he passed us on the road. What I couldn't get my head around is the guy that came through the middle of us with no warning.
NatAsp said:
Marcellus said:
The overtaking rider went between a pair, not round the pair!
Nope, it states that one went past on the road and another through the middle.I don't know how much room you were taking up, or why the rider felt like that was his best option, but as mentioned above, some people are just dicks.
Write it off as a (hopefully) isolated incident and try to stay friendly to everyone you meet.
paul_y3k said:
ok so the wigginswannabe was said with a little tongue in cheek, I have no problems with people aspiring to better themselves.
I didn't say I had a problem with the guy on the road, they may not even have been together. I just stated that he passed us on the road. What I couldn't get my head around is the guy that came through the middle of us with no warning.
I know you didn't say you had a problem with it, just wondered why it was remarked on is all. Obviously nothing more to it which is fair enough, but I wanted to ask the question. As I say the other guy was either a knob or made a bad decision, not worth worrying about unless you come across him regularly and you think he's a danger to you. I didn't say I had a problem with the guy on the road, they may not even have been together. I just stated that he passed us on the road. What I couldn't get my head around is the guy that came through the middle of us with no warning.
I've only ever felt the need to "have a word" with someone once - kept seeing this same guy jump reds, then one day he pulled out at a junction in front of car, which happened to have my pregnant partner behind the wheel. Otherwise I just shrug single incidents like yours off. Very much a case of same s#@t, different day which you're a commuter!!
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