I think I'm done with road...
Discussion
Bryanwww said:
Got a road bike after years of mountainbiking and it's mega stressful being on the road with cars - weird obsession with overtaking cyclists regardless of what's happening on the road ahead. Really feels like people are driving looking not more than 5 meters ahead.
The cycle lanes with the posts in them don't make me feel particularly safe either as they are just more obstacles to be aware of, while still managing to spit you out into the main road at the worst spots.
The term is MGIF (must get in front) and yes they are morons.The cycle lanes with the posts in them don't make me feel particularly safe either as they are just more obstacles to be aware of, while still managing to spit you out into the main road at the worst spots.
I used to do time trial (slowly) on the A1 either early Sunday morning or Saturday afternoons.
I wouldn't do that now for safety reasons & restrict being on an A road to 100 yds or so when I can't avoid it.
There are B roads nearby where the traffic speed & volume are excessive in my view & I miss them out as well.
Local fatalities shook me up & made me stop for about a year but I'm plodding round little lanes at quiet times avoiding monster tractors for some exercise these days.
I wouldn't do that now for safety reasons & restrict being on an A road to 100 yds or so when I can't avoid it.
There are B roads nearby where the traffic speed & volume are excessive in my view & I miss them out as well.
Local fatalities shook me up & made me stop for about a year but I'm plodding round little lanes at quiet times avoiding monster tractors for some exercise these days.
WestyCarl said:
President Merkin said:
trails said:
can't beat riding in the woods; it's restorative 
Amen. Now if only the bEdited by trails on Monday 25th March 09:39
ds would dry out.
julianm said:
I used to do time trial (slowly) on the A1 either early Sunday morning or Saturday afternoons.
I wouldn't do that now for safety reasons & restrict being on an A road to 100 yds or so when I can't avoid it.
There are B roads nearby where the traffic speed & volume are excessive in my view & I miss them out as well.
Local fatalities shook me up & made me stop for about a year but I'm plodding round little lanes at quiet times avoiding monster tractors for some exercise these days.
The A1 isn't just any A road of course, there are so many factors at play in whether a road is comfortable or not.I wouldn't do that now for safety reasons & restrict being on an A road to 100 yds or so when I can't avoid it.
There are B roads nearby where the traffic speed & volume are excessive in my view & I miss them out as well.
Local fatalities shook me up & made me stop for about a year but I'm plodding round little lanes at quiet times avoiding monster tractors for some exercise these days.
The A338 is a pretty good example, I've happily used it several times on stretches between Tidworth and its end near Oxford.
Further south it's a bit more hectic, but still usable for sections to link up, or at quieter times.
Between Ringwood and its terminus in Poole, it's pretty much an "oh heck no", barring certain circumstances that make it friendlier. Like road closures.
Or a particular bridge where it's a substantial detour to avoid, and the left lane just serves a sewage treatment plant, so is kinda chill.
(3:46:50)
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
Love it, cycling is self absorbed and frivolous and all car drivers are on a critical mercy dash ? Nobody has to justify why they are there, the roads are for everyone but cars crowd everything else out and you get the impression people really do think roads are for cars and they only just tolerate any other use. Nobody is more important because they have a car, just bigger.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
When I am driving, its not cyclists that are in the way, its millions of cars, usually with one occupant sat in queues.
Also, do you not think that those people on bikes disappear if they aren't on a bike and don't need to get anywhere ? nope, they would be in another car more than likely, taking up all that road space.
I love cars, but sometimes they are the wrong tool for the job.
"Hooligans" ? I have never seen anything like that, I am at pains to be polite and courteous, even when you have a paid of derps and a hound blocking a cycle path, there are millions of interactions every day and most are amicable, of course there will be conflict but its not like there is no argy bargy between cars.
julianm said:
I used to do time trial (slowly) on the A1 either early Sunday morning or Saturday afternoons.
I wouldn't do that now for safety reasons & restrict being on an A road to 100 yds or so when I can't avoid it.
There are B roads nearby where the traffic speed & volume are excessive in my view & I miss them out as well.
Local fatalities shook me up & made me stop for about a year but I'm plodding round little lanes at quiet times avoiding monster tractors for some exercise these days.
I'm a very slow cyclist and I got lost on a route about 10 years ago and ended up on a 6 lane Expressway. Fight or flight kicked in and I actually did both - I believe I held a Strava KOM for several years on that stretch as I displayed super-human power in an effort to get off the road asap. I wouldn't do that now for safety reasons & restrict being on an A road to 100 yds or so when I can't avoid it.
There are B roads nearby where the traffic speed & volume are excessive in my view & I miss them out as well.
Local fatalities shook me up & made me stop for about a year but I'm plodding round little lanes at quiet times avoiding monster tractors for some exercise these days.
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
Looks like a village has lost its 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
Back on topic, I still love road cycling, still prefer it to gravel riding although do a lot of gravel too.
I'm lucky I live semi rurally and can do anything from 2 to 6 hours and see more tractors than cars - intelligent route planning (and intelligent, considerate riding) is the key to safe, and fun cycling IMO.
I'm lucky I live semi rurally and can do anything from 2 to 6 hours and see more tractors than cars - intelligent route planning (and intelligent, considerate riding) is the key to safe, and fun cycling IMO.
Random84 said:
Okay, I'm going to feed the Gremlin this time.
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.
Apart from the walkers are going at 5mph max whereas a MTB rider is going 30MPH down hill with limited control of their bicycle. 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.
Pumped up hooligans.
Daveyraveygravey said:
What an utter crock of st.
Apart from anything else, drivers kill or seriously injure 85 people a day. Every day. Drivers get off scot free. Most of these "accidents" are avoidable.
Clarkson and co making it legit to "cock about in cars" hasn't helped.
Who rides 4 abreast?
The politicians are NOT the ones to blame, it's the tossers "in control" of their vehicles that are to blame.
Traffic volume doubling in 30 years also is part of the problem, as are fat lazy wkers who drive everywhere when they could walk, take the bus, or yes, ride a bike.
Not all cycling is recreation/hobby.
If you have passed your driving test, please hand your licence in and take another. You don't seem to be enough of a human being to be allowed behind the wheel of a car.
You see self awareness is missing there. Your hobby not mine causes delays to me and many others. My hobbies cause no upheaval or delay to anyone. t.Apart from anything else, drivers kill or seriously injure 85 people a day. Every day. Drivers get off scot free. Most of these "accidents" are avoidable.
Clarkson and co making it legit to "cock about in cars" hasn't helped.
Who rides 4 abreast?
The politicians are NOT the ones to blame, it's the tossers "in control" of their vehicles that are to blame.
Traffic volume doubling in 30 years also is part of the problem, as are fat lazy w
kers who drive everywhere when they could walk, take the bus, or yes, ride a bike.Not all cycling is recreation/hobby.
If you have passed your driving test, please hand your licence in and take another. You don't seem to be enough of a human being to be allowed behind the wheel of a car.
You cast a wide net calling people fat lazy w
kers & tossers. Why are you so judgmental? Don’t judge others lest they judge you. This says more about you than anyone else.
You seem angry. You possibly need to talk to a professional about your anger issues.
Why can you not accept others views are as valid as yours? Your response backs up my initial point.
I still love cycling on the road, but some areas of the country sound completely miserable.
I was out for a road ride yesterday in rural Fife / Perthshire, managed about 30 miles with only a few hundred metres of A road, and miles and miles of 'walking and cycling friendly' 40 mph limit signposted back roads. I'm not sure how cycling friendly a 20% gradient hill is, but the sign says so!
Was absolutely glorious, hardly any cars, and those I did see gave me plenty of space. Stopped for a few horse riders to give them a bit of space to get past, and a couple of oncoming tractors taking up the whole road. Smiles and waves all round. Everyone you see up here says hello - even roadies to mountain bikers
I was out for a road ride yesterday in rural Fife / Perthshire, managed about 30 miles with only a few hundred metres of A road, and miles and miles of 'walking and cycling friendly' 40 mph limit signposted back roads. I'm not sure how cycling friendly a 20% gradient hill is, but the sign says so!
Was absolutely glorious, hardly any cars, and those I did see gave me plenty of space. Stopped for a few horse riders to give them a bit of space to get past, and a couple of oncoming tractors taking up the whole road. Smiles and waves all round. Everyone you see up here says hello - even roadies to mountain bikers
lrdisco said:
You see self awareness is missing there. Your hobby not mine causes delays to me and many others. My hobbies cause no upheaval or delay to anyone.
You cast a wide net calling people fat lazy wkers & tossers. Why are you so judgmental? Don’t judge others lest they judge you.
This says more about you than anyone else.
You seem angry. You possibly need to talk to a professional about your anger issues.
Why can you not accept others views are as valid as yours? Your response backs up my initial point.
I often have to overtake queues of cars on my bike while commuting.You cast a wide net calling people fat lazy w
kers & tossers. Why are you so judgmental? Don’t judge others lest they judge you. This says more about you than anyone else.
You seem angry. You possibly need to talk to a professional about your anger issues.
Why can you not accept others views are as valid as yours? Your response backs up my initial point.
Your "hobby" causes far more upheaval and delays.
lrdisco said:
Random84 said:
Okay, I'm going to feed the Gremlin this time.
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.
Apart from the walkers are going at 5mph max whereas a MTB rider is going 30MPH down hill with limited control of their bicycle. 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.
Pumped up hooligans.
If I'm walking and see a MTB approaching I step aside to let them pass, not because they're hooligans riding at 30mph with limited control, I do this out of mutual respect and that's the key thing that a lot of people are missing. I've seen walkers block a path on purpose to stop a cyclist for no reason and MTB rider race flat out on a path shouting at walkers to get out of their way, in both scenarios the walker and MTB rider were acting like idiots and believed they had a right to act the way they did.
Cars don't own the road in the same way that MTB riders don't own a public trail. If I want my own piece of road to drive everywhere flat out without any hold ups I'll book a track day, if I want to ride my MTB on a trail without walkers I'll go to a dedicated trail centre. There's a time and place for everything!
The road is shared, whether you like it or not. Cars, lorries, tractors, bicycles and everything in between. If you're held up by a cyclist is it worth potentially killing them carrying out a dodgy overtake or trying to prove a point? Would you act in the same way if you were overtaking your son/daughter?
Seasonal Hero said:
I like cars but not driving. I drive a lot for work. So what do you see as wrong in having nice cars to be comfortable in?I have a bicycle as well. What does that prove?
Set of running shoes. Not keen on running anymore. I’ve got a skateboard somewhere. What does that prove?
Your views are very odd.
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