Some help please.

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Gents.
I am not a professional cyclist, more a petrol head actually, but took a bet 12 months ago that I wouldn't be prepared to cycle any distance travelled under 10 miles.
In the last 12 months I have had to drag myself and my bicycle out of the ditch 14 times due to impatient drivers.
Now I have become involved in a debate on SP&L which I feel would benefit from some input from more dedicated cyclists than myself, have fun.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Mr Will]

I've stepped out of that thread now, but can I ask why you are ending up in the ditch so often? I know impatient drivers can be a pain in the backside, but for it to happen at least once a month suggests something odd is going on (It's not your mates trying to win the bet is it? )

[itsnotarace]

Learn to cycle defensively and take up your entire lane if you expect that a following vehicle will overtake you in a dangerous spot.

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Mr Will said:

I've stepped out of that thread now, but can I ask why you are ending up in the ditch so often? I know impatient drivers can be a pain in the backside, but for it to happen at least once a month suggests something odd is going on (It's not your mates trying to win the bet is it? )

Twisty narrow country lanes coupled with the fact tha a village downstream of me has become 'trendy' with the townies, they tend to drive 4x4s to show off the fact they are now living in the country but have no idea how to safely negotiate lanes.

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itsnotarace said:

Learn to cycle defensively and take up your entire lane if you expect that a following vehicle will overtake you in a dangerous spot.

Tried that mate, it resulted in an injury as the tit overtaking had to travel further in order to get to safety.
This meant instead of being shunted off the road the bike went under their chelsea tractor and crushed my leg.
It says it all to me that not once has one of the vehicles stopped to see if I'm alive.

[itsnotarace]

Personally I will hold my right hand out behind me in an effort to make them think what they are doing at times. I will then wave them through when I can see the road is clear ahead, even if they can't see clearly from behind me. More often than not I get a wave from the driver to say thanks.