I think I'm done with road...
Discussion
I got into road cycling around 12 years ago and it was great, with all the physical and mental benefits we all know.
I got into a bit of a hole chasing average speed, spanking myself every ride and judging how good a ride was by what the average was. Obviously it is an ever increasing target and I was getting a bit bored with it.
A few years ago my friend introduced me to gravel and I didn't look back, much more engaging and challenging riding, more sociable, still physically very hard, closer to nature and most importantly away from traffic.
When I did go back on the road, the attitude to cyclists and driving standards was getting to me, it seemed like every ride you'd have a close call or punishment pass.
Enjoying the plus point of not almost being killed every ride, my journey off road continued and I got a hard tail mtb and later a full suss and so the road bike barely gets used now.
Today we had some dry weather and I had 90 minutes to spare so I thought I'd do the local fast roadie loop and give it a dig for old times sake.
Literally 2 minutes out the door, some
almost takes me out on a roundabout, I mean inches away, probably the closest call I've had.
There's just too many incapable, distracted or deliberately aggressive drivers to potentially ruin a ride now.
It's got to the point where I honestly wouldn't recommend anyone I care about to start road cycling, and if that's my view to protect others, why aren't I protecting myself...
So yeah, I think my roadie days are over, maybe group rides only?
I got into a bit of a hole chasing average speed, spanking myself every ride and judging how good a ride was by what the average was. Obviously it is an ever increasing target and I was getting a bit bored with it.
A few years ago my friend introduced me to gravel and I didn't look back, much more engaging and challenging riding, more sociable, still physically very hard, closer to nature and most importantly away from traffic.
When I did go back on the road, the attitude to cyclists and driving standards was getting to me, it seemed like every ride you'd have a close call or punishment pass.
Enjoying the plus point of not almost being killed every ride, my journey off road continued and I got a hard tail mtb and later a full suss and so the road bike barely gets used now.
Today we had some dry weather and I had 90 minutes to spare so I thought I'd do the local fast roadie loop and give it a dig for old times sake.
Literally 2 minutes out the door, some
almost takes me out on a roundabout, I mean inches away, probably the closest call I've had.There's just too many incapable, distracted or deliberately aggressive drivers to potentially ruin a ride now.
It's got to the point where I honestly wouldn't recommend anyone I care about to start road cycling, and if that's my view to protect others, why aren't I protecting myself...
So yeah, I think my roadie days are over, maybe group rides only?
I feel much the same. Got a gravel bike early last summer and have not ridden my road bike outside since. I exclusively use it on zwift now, where I race and some group rides. I also run a lot more, which I really enjoy. Out into the forest, 40/50/60 mins and I've had a great workout and enjoyed being outside without almost being killed, and that's coming from someone who used to do 6/7k per annum, and has ridden for more than 15 years now. Road is too risky really.
S100HP said:
I feel much the same. Got a gravel bike early last summer and have not ridden my road bike outside since. I exclusively use it on zwift now, where I race and some group rides. I also run a lot more, which I really enjoy. Out into the forest, 40/50/60 mins and I've had a great workout and enjoyed being outside without almost being killed, and that's coming from someone who used to do 6/7k per annum, and has ridden for more than 15 years now. Road is too risky really.
Similar here. My road bike is now my Zwift set up in my garage due to all the same thoughts as above. I've recently got a gravel bike but actually went out on the road with it this week, first time Ivw cycled outdoors this year and it was a fantastic change from Zwifting. Must admit I've not missed all the overtakes, people not paying attention etc.
I agree re the UK being a cesspit of ahole drivers but road cycling is still possible.
It largely depends upon where you live and the time you ride.
When I’m in the UK I am on the outskirts of a town near York and quickly on lanes between farms. I only ride after rush hour traffic, circa 9:30 am.
It still isn’t perfect but it’s doable.
Here in South Africa, the region I am in is predominantly mountain biking and gravel because taxis will kill you and hijacks are a risk if alone. In effect, even worse than the UK! Again though, there are areas where road cycling is safe.
In Portugal and Spain I never have issues, lovely. The people there aren’t retarded like so many Brits.
hole drivers but road cycling is still possible. It largely depends upon where you live and the time you ride.
When I’m in the UK I am on the outskirts of a town near York and quickly on lanes between farms. I only ride after rush hour traffic, circa 9:30 am.
It still isn’t perfect but it’s doable.
Here in South Africa, the region I am in is predominantly mountain biking and gravel because taxis will kill you and hijacks are a risk if alone. In effect, even worse than the UK! Again though, there are areas where road cycling is safe.
In Portugal and Spain I never have issues, lovely. The people there aren’t retarded like so many Brits.
So much abuse towards drivers here. Have you never thought that we live on a small over crowded island and that people have high pressured time sensitive lives and your recreation/ hobby can cause delays to people.
People don’t see why you have to ride in groups 4 abreast on roads designed for a horse drawn carriage or at best a Morris Minor.
Yes you have the right to ride 4 abreast but your rights won’t get you far on a busy A road when 2.5 tons of SUV spreads you across the tarmac.
Try blaming the politicians who haven’t built cycle lanes.
Now as far as gravel path rides keep off routes where pedestrians are as cyclists seem to be the hooligans there. Are we seeing a bit of a pattern here that cyclists can’t seem to get on with anyone? Maybe cyclists are the problem and are the self absorbed ones?
Do
People don’t see why you have to ride in groups 4 abreast on roads designed for a horse drawn carriage or at best a Morris Minor.
Yes you have the right to ride 4 abreast but your rights won’t get you far on a busy A road when 2.5 tons of SUV spreads you across the tarmac.
Try blaming the politicians who haven’t built cycle lanes.
Now as far as gravel path rides keep off routes where pedestrians are as cyclists seem to be the hooligans there. Are we seeing a bit of a pattern here that cyclists can’t seem to get on with anyone? Maybe cyclists are the problem and are the self absorbed ones?
Do
I think the problem lies somewhere in the middle of those 2 viewpoints.
Some drivers are awful and don’t deal with cyclists very well, some cyclist also fail to acknowledge that people have places to go and 2-4 abreast in some roads just causes difficulty to everyone else.
Compound that with poor or old roads, breaking up and narrow it’s a recipe for disaster.
Since I moved to southeast I have not cycled on the road, not worth the risk for me.
Some drivers are awful and don’t deal with cyclists very well, some cyclist also fail to acknowledge that people have places to go and 2-4 abreast in some roads just causes difficulty to everyone else.
Compound that with poor or old roads, breaking up and narrow it’s a recipe for disaster.
Since I moved to southeast I have not cycled on the road, not worth the risk for me.
lrdisco said:
So much abuse towards drivers here. Have you never thought that we live on a small over crowded island and that people have high pressured time sensitive lives and your recreation/ hobby can cause delays to people.
People don’t see why you have to ride in groups 4 abreast on roads designed for a horse drawn carriage or at best a Morris Minor.
Yes you have the right to ride 4 abreast but your rights won’t get you far on a busy A road when 2.5 tons of SUV spreads you across the tarmac.
Try blaming the politicians who haven’t built cycle lanes.
Now as far as gravel path rides keep off routes where pedestrians are as cyclists seem to be the hooligans there. Are we seeing a bit of a pattern here that cyclists can’t seem to get on with anyone? Maybe cyclists are the problem and are the self absorbed ones?
Do
Yeah, no idea why people would ‘abuse’ drivers with this kind of well rounded and considerate attitude…People don’t see why you have to ride in groups 4 abreast on roads designed for a horse drawn carriage or at best a Morris Minor.
Yes you have the right to ride 4 abreast but your rights won’t get you far on a busy A road when 2.5 tons of SUV spreads you across the tarmac.
Try blaming the politicians who haven’t built cycle lanes.
Now as far as gravel path rides keep off routes where pedestrians are as cyclists seem to be the hooligans there. Are we seeing a bit of a pattern here that cyclists can’t seem to get on with anyone? Maybe cyclists are the problem and are the self absorbed ones?
Do
YorkshireStu said:
I agree re the UK being a cesspit of ahole drivers but road cycling is still possible.
It largely depends upon where you live and the time you ride.
When I’m in the UK I am on the outskirts of a town near York and quickly on lanes between farms. I only ride after rush hour traffic, circa 9:30 am.
It still isn’t perfect but it’s doable.
Here in South Africa, the region I am in is predominantly mountain biking and gravel because taxis will kill you and hijacks are a risk if alone. In effect, even worse than the UK! Again though, there are areas where road cycling is safe.
In Portugal and Spain I never have issues, lovely. The people there aren’t retarded like so many Brits.
I live north of you in the moors... It's just as bad here. Made worse by old drivers and tourists. The quiet country roads see less traffic but far less capable drivers IME. hole drivers but road cycling is still possible. It largely depends upon where you live and the time you ride.
When I’m in the UK I am on the outskirts of a town near York and quickly on lanes between farms. I only ride after rush hour traffic, circa 9:30 am.
It still isn’t perfect but it’s doable.
Here in South Africa, the region I am in is predominantly mountain biking and gravel because taxis will kill you and hijacks are a risk if alone. In effect, even worse than the UK! Again though, there are areas where road cycling is safe.
In Portugal and Spain I never have issues, lovely. The people there aren’t retarded like so many Brits.
I have about a mile between my house and off road trails. In the last three rides, I've nearly been knocked off twice. On Saturday I had a tool in a land-rover just pull across in front of me so I had to emergency stop as he was turning right to park.
It's unreal how s
t British drivers are. lrdisco said:
So much abuse towards drivers here. Have you never thought that we live on a small over crowded island and that people have high pressured time sensitive lives and your recreation/ hobby can cause delays to people.
People don’t see why you have to ride in groups 4 abreast on roads designed for a horse drawn carriage or at best a Morris Minor.
Yes you have the right to ride 4 abreast but your rights won’t get you far on a busy A road when 2.5 tons of SUV spreads you across the tarmac.
Try blaming the politicians who haven’t built cycle lanes.
Now as far as gravel path rides keep off routes where pedestrians are as cyclists seem to be the hooligans there. Are we seeing a bit of a pattern here that cyclists can’t seem to get on with anyone? Maybe cyclists are the problem and are the self absorbed ones?
Do
2 abreast. People don’t see why you have to ride in groups 4 abreast on roads designed for a horse drawn carriage or at best a Morris Minor.
Yes you have the right to ride 4 abreast but your rights won’t get you far on a busy A road when 2.5 tons of SUV spreads you across the tarmac.
Try blaming the politicians who haven’t built cycle lanes.
Now as far as gravel path rides keep off routes where pedestrians are as cyclists seem to be the hooligans there. Are we seeing a bit of a pattern here that cyclists can’t seem to get on with anyone? Maybe cyclists are the problem and are the self absorbed ones?
Do
I won’t hold back my views: many Brits are utter scum when it comes to the sharing of roads.
Drivers journeys are not more important than a cyclists or horse riders. Drivers do not have priority and just because they can travel faster it doesn’t entitle them to push other road users aside in their impatient selfish rush.
Don’t blame politicians because you think you and your metal box absolutely need to make progress in a warped belief that you own the roads. You don’t. You share the roads with other users, be they car, truck, cyclist or horse rider.
Stuff impatient a
holes and their self imposed time-sensitive rush! Motorists have highways for their exclusive use and speedy progress - they do not have exclusive use of other roads and lanes. Other European countries are every bit as congested as the UK and yet they manage to be more tolerant.
I literally despise the UK. Hateful place.
I’m not sure if I’m tempting fate or I live in a better part of the country, I just don’t see the same risks.
The odd one but nowhere near enough to put me off.
Chatting with someone the other day who was saying they had fallen out of love with road riding due to pot holes, again, I’ve not seen this as an issue. The odd one yes, but easily hopped over.
The odd one but nowhere near enough to put me off.
Chatting with someone the other day who was saying they had fallen out of love with road riding due to pot holes, again, I’ve not seen this as an issue. The odd one yes, but easily hopped over.
Time of day is a huge factor.
I tend to go out at weekends around 08:30 and largely on my tod. Occasionally, I'll head out after lunch at a weekend or mid-week during the working day and always find it a rude awakening.
I try to plan routes in advance, I seek out quiet roads (no A or B roads) but wide enough for at least a car and bike. Single track roads near me are worse than A roads, covered in mud / crap and hard to get visibility too far ahead.
I think 99% of car drivers are respectful of cyclists, and 99% of cyclists are respectful to car drivers. The problem is the small minority and if one of those people are in a metal box travelling at 60mph, that's an issue. Drivers I struggle with the most though are the elderly members of the population. I went past a church at 10am yesterday, that was fun.
I tend to go out at weekends around 08:30 and largely on my tod. Occasionally, I'll head out after lunch at a weekend or mid-week during the working day and always find it a rude awakening.
I try to plan routes in advance, I seek out quiet roads (no A or B roads) but wide enough for at least a car and bike. Single track roads near me are worse than A roads, covered in mud / crap and hard to get visibility too far ahead.
I think 99% of car drivers are respectful of cyclists, and 99% of cyclists are respectful to car drivers. The problem is the small minority and if one of those people are in a metal box travelling at 60mph, that's an issue. Drivers I struggle with the most though are the elderly members of the population. I went past a church at 10am yesterday, that was fun.
Myopic old folk that can’t see over the steering wheel.
PH’ers that are more busy than what you are and show you what for.
Ronnie Pickering types ‘four abreast’ nonsense.
Clapped out Zafiras full of smoking kids with the driver looking over their shoulder.
White Range Rover and fake tan mob on their phone.
Delivery and Uber mob staring at the at nav on a tiny phone screen.
Recent migrants who see those on pedal power as disposable peasants.
Blacked out Audi full of vape smoke.
Pot holes.
Plus the general incompetence we always had.
Vs. a few more bikes than there were before 2012 and maniac illegal ‘ebike’ riders.
PH’ers that are more busy than what you are and show you what for.
Ronnie Pickering types ‘four abreast’ nonsense.
Clapped out Zafiras full of smoking kids with the driver looking over their shoulder.
White Range Rover and fake tan mob on their phone.
Delivery and Uber mob staring at the at nav on a tiny phone screen.
Recent migrants who see those on pedal power as disposable peasants.
Blacked out Audi full of vape smoke.
Pot holes.
Plus the general incompetence we always had.
Vs. a few more bikes than there were before 2012 and maniac illegal ‘ebike’ riders.
Rough101 said:
Myopic old folk that can’t see over the steering wheel.
PH’ers that are more busy than what you are and show you what for.
Ronnie Pickering types ‘four abreast’ nonsense.
Clapped out Zafiras full of smoking kids with the driver looking over their shoulder.
White Range Rover and fake tan mob on their phone.
Delivery and Uber mob staring at the at nav on a tiny phone screen.
Recent migrants who see those on pedal power as disposable peasants.
Blacked out Audi full of vape smoke.
Pot holes.
Plus the general incompetence we always had.
Vs. a few more bikes than there were before 2012 and maniac illegal ‘ebike’ riders.
Wear sunscreen PH’ers that are more busy than what you are and show you what for.
Ronnie Pickering types ‘four abreast’ nonsense.
Clapped out Zafiras full of smoking kids with the driver looking over their shoulder.
White Range Rover and fake tan mob on their phone.
Delivery and Uber mob staring at the at nav on a tiny phone screen.
Recent migrants who see those on pedal power as disposable peasants.
Blacked out Audi full of vape smoke.
Pot holes.
Plus the general incompetence we always had.
Vs. a few more bikes than there were before 2012 and maniac illegal ‘ebike’ riders.
lrdisco said:
So much abuse towards drivers here. Have you never thought that we live on a small over crowded island and that people have high pressured time sensitive lives and your recreation/ hobby can cause delays to people.
People don’t see why you have to ride in groups 4 abreast on roads designed for a horse drawn carriage or at best a Morris Minor.
Yes you have the right to ride 4 abreast but your rights won’t get you far on a busy A road when 2.5 tons of SUV spreads you across the tarmac.
Try blaming the politicians who haven’t built cycle lanes.
Now as far as gravel path rides keep off routes where pedestrians are as cyclists seem to be the hooligans there. Are we seeing a bit of a pattern here that cyclists can’t seem to get on with anyone? Maybe cyclists are the problem and are the self absorbed ones?
Do
You are an idiot. People don’t see why you have to ride in groups 4 abreast on roads designed for a horse drawn carriage or at best a Morris Minor.
Yes you have the right to ride 4 abreast but your rights won’t get you far on a busy A road when 2.5 tons of SUV spreads you across the tarmac.
Try blaming the politicians who haven’t built cycle lanes.
Now as far as gravel path rides keep off routes where pedestrians are as cyclists seem to be the hooligans there. Are we seeing a bit of a pattern here that cyclists can’t seem to get on with anyone? Maybe cyclists are the problem and are the self absorbed ones?
Do
Doesn’t matter how “time sensitive” you think your drive is. Its not more important than anothers life.
lrdisco said:
So much abuse towards drivers here. Have you never thought that we live on a small over crowded island and that people have high pressured time sensitive lives and your recreation/ hobby can cause delays to people.
People don’t see why you have to ride in groups 4 abreast on roads designed for a horse drawn carriage or at best a Morris Minor.
Yes you have the right to ride 4 abreast but your rights won’t get you far on a busy A road when 2.5 tons of SUV spreads you across the tarmac.
Try blaming the politicians who haven’t built cycle lanes.
Now as far as gravel path rides keep off routes where pedestrians are as cyclists seem to be the hooligans there. Are we seeing a bit of a pattern here that cyclists can’t seem to get on with anyone? Maybe cyclists are the problem and are the self absorbed ones?
Do
Okay, I'm going to feed the Gremlin this time.People don’t see why you have to ride in groups 4 abreast on roads designed for a horse drawn carriage or at best a Morris Minor.
Yes you have the right to ride 4 abreast but your rights won’t get you far on a busy A road when 2.5 tons of SUV spreads you across the tarmac.
Try blaming the politicians who haven’t built cycle lanes.
Now as far as gravel path rides keep off routes where pedestrians are as cyclists seem to be the hooligans there. Are we seeing a bit of a pattern here that cyclists can’t seem to get on with anyone? Maybe cyclists are the problem and are the self absorbed ones?
Do
For arguments sake there are 10 cyclists on the road riding single file. The line of cyclists stretches 30 metres and as there are no gaps in the line a car would need to overtake the cyclists in one go.
The 10 cyclists then ride two abrest, the line of cyclists is now 15 meters long, can you see where this going?
As a car driver you generally need to cross the middle line to overtake a cyclist safely, it doesn't matter if a cyclist rides 2,3,4,5 abrest as long as they stay in their lane.
Cycling 2+ abrest actually helps car drivers as it's much easier and safer to overtake a line stretching 15 meters of 2 abrest cyclists than a line stretching 30 metres of single file riders.
As for your comments about gravel riders.....I live in a tourist hot spot which is popular with walkers, families and car/motorbike enthusiasts. No one has priority and everyone has the right to use the area, it's the sense of entitlement that people like you have which is the problem not "Hooligan" cyclists.
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