Giving up cycle commuting after a close pass, a bit dramatic

Giving up cycle commuting after a close pass, a bit dramatic

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Discussion

Tall_martin

Original Poster:

41 posts

71 months

Monday 15th October 2018
quotequote all
Hi,

After 3 quite close passes on the way too work and  malicious one within 10cm accompanied by hand gestures on the way home I'm wondering if life is too short for commuting.

I've been commuting off and on since 97 and have never been so rattled.

Options.

A) drive to work.

B) take a non direct route down less busy roads.

C) carry on as before.

The commute is 3 miles each way through a residential area. The route I take is down some busy ish main roads. I'm lit up like a Christmas tree and wear a bright yellow jacket.

Suggestions welcome

Tall_martin

Original Poster:

41 posts

71 months

Tuesday 16th October 2018
quotequote all
I'm in Nottingham.

I commuted round the ring road for 5 years, mostly fine.

I think it's a week of driving this week and option b next week and I'll see how it goes.

I've got a camera already, can't see me putting it on. Chance of catching anyone - low- chance of anything happening - I'd think the police have more pressing problems than close passing cars.

I tried a turbo trainer for fitness a few years ago. Not for me, I would rather ride in traffic in the rain than on the turbo!

Tall_martin

Original Poster:

41 posts

71 months

Thursday 18th October 2018
quotequote all
It's not the close passes from people who have got it wrong that have shook me up, it was the delibarateness of the pass that is the worrying bit.

New route next week. No camera as it's one more thing to faff about with in the morning.

Tall_martin

Original Poster:

41 posts

71 months

Monday 22nd October 2018
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies!

I rode in again today- no problems
I rode home- left in the light, no problems.

So sample says it's just one idiot as I must have been passed by ~100 cars with 0 problems.

I ride off road for fun. The road bike has always been for a-b and commuting with a few rides a year on that with mates.

The point about the clock change and dusk drawing in was well made, might have a week in the car then.

As for the pot of luck I guess it's about minimising risk. A slightly different route has helped,

The sat Nav comments and suggestions don't really work for my commute, I'd be up to 10 instead of 3 to take significantly different routes and I don't fancy the busy unlit country lanes that would entail.


Thanks for the input, happy commuting how ever you get to work :-)