lord_seagrave Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Don't get me wrong, I'm a keen commuter cyclist, and I have got nothing against "leisure" cyclists. BUT, two things:- 1) It doesn't matter what time of day or night it is, or what time of year it is. Please, please, please wear a bright fluorescent top or bandolier so that you can be easily seen by motorists. I know you like wearing your favourite cycling team strip, but dark colours and lots of logos is an excellent DPM, especially with a backdrop of autumn hedgerows. 2) If you are aware that there is a car behind you then just concentrate on cycling as steadily and as safely as you can. DON'T try and be clever by waving cars past because you think it's safe for them to overtake. The only person who can determine whether it is sufficiently safe for overtaking IS THE CAR DRIVER. I know you think you're helping, but you're really not. All that happens is:- A) You get frustrated because the car won't overtake you, and your waving gets ever more exaggerated, and your cycling get ever more erratic; and B) The driver gets frustrated because you're waving your arm, and wobbling around, and look like you're going to cause an accident. It's a vicious circle, and everyone gets a bit emotional. So, I'd like to apologise for hooting at the group of three cyclists on the road to Hanslope on Sunday morning. It's a narrow and winding road, and I did not appreciate all the arm-waving (especially as one of you looked very unsteady indeed when doing so). Neither did I appreciate the childish way you very pointedly pulled off onto a farm track - AT THE VERY MOMENT THE ROAD STRAIGHTENED OUT AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SAFE FOR ME TO OVERTAKE YOU ANYWAY. I beeped my horn in frustration, which was just as pathetic. Sorry . LS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 If you think that`s bad, we get a guy on the commuter train from Bridge of Allan to Glasgow QS who sits there in full lycra and his helmet on but nowhere to be seen is any bike the MAMIL is a strange creature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 they are an odd type, I'd like to thank in particular the 12 riding 2 abreast I followed at about an average of 18mph along 6 miles of lanes yesterday. Not only was I hoping by the end of it that someone would come fast round the corner and take the whole lot out but I was seriously considering running half of them down ignorant ********. Then you can add the new ones with HID lights that blind oncoming traffic, I now resort to full beam in these situations rather than showing consideration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 I used to get really annoyed with them riding ; abreast on the lanes where I used to live...they regularly would refuse to move and cycle at me expecting me to give way to them. Hmmm, 4x4 versus cyclist, I know who will come of worse. The funniest one is when they were idiots and did this, my terrier had a pop at them out of the open window and scared one so much he wobbled off into the hedge. Serves him right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 What about the ***** who have no reflectors, fluorescent jackets or lights and ride at night usually when nissed as a pewt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikaveli Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Around my way, t'younger generation have taken to removing both their brakes! Apparently this makes their BMX's better for stunt riding and jumps.... ... saw one nearly hit the back of a land rover when it stopped at a junction - and another lad hit a family walking their dog because his trainer's weren't enough to stop him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miroku_Dave Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Ahhh, the old hating cyclist thread! As a road cyclist I feel qualified to comment here. Drivers: Stop being *********, you dont own the road! There you go :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 thought I could resist but I cant ...... Personally I think the only times bikes should be on the roads is for commuting. We teach children not to play in and around roads as they are dangerous places and well always tell tham to wear a helmet on a bike. Then most weekends on a busy and dangerous road (A442 - Teleford to hodnet) that people drive way to fast on they hold a cycle race..... Many cyclsts with no helmet on and 2 and 3 abreast as if they own the dam road. So why is it okay for them to play bikes on the road with no helmet ! Also why do they think everyone on the road is subservient to them (even emergency vehicles) personally other than for commuting I dont think they should be allowed to cycle on roads esp dangerous ones known for fatalities such as the above mentioned. Am all for them having a hobby and keeping fit and enjoying themselfs but not at the expense of the saftey of themselfs and others. Also as mentioned by others, they need there blooming lights sticking up there @r$es ! I was under the impression that there should be 1 solid whit light at the front (not dazzeling oncoming traffic) and one solid red to the rear ! So why do they have bright flashing lights of different colours blinding oncoming traffic ! Thank god they havent got horns to ! Ban them all and crush there bikes please ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Ahhh, the old hating cyclist thread! As a road cyclist I feel qualified to comment here. Drivers: Stop being *********, you dont own the road! There you go :-) But we do pay road tax where cyclists don't! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Ahhh, the old hating cyclist thread! As a road cyclist I feel qualified to comment here. Drivers: Stop being *********, you dont own the road! There you go :-) and the really big thing is neither do cyclists, they just feel they are morally obliged to hold up traffic when 2 abreast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miroku_Dave Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Fellas you should all buy bikes and shed a few of those pounds! Firstly, You almost never see a road cyclist without a helmet, especially during a race they are mandatory! Helmets are a bit of a fashion item now hence there popularity, they are cheaper than ever and cyclists are a lot more aware of safety than ever. I would pay a tenner to H4H if you showed me a picture of a modern race where cyclists dont wear helmets on the road! You dont like cyclists because we slow your journey by 30 seconds which you feel is justification to overtake too close and act like a ****! Finally I am 16 stone, 6 foot and I wear a dayglo "Marmite" sweater, I have reflectors and I use a solid front and rear light. In the last 12 months I have been knocked off my bike 3 times and had countless near misses so you can understand why cyclist might want brighter lights! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lumpy Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Ahhh, the old hating cyclist thread! As a road cyclist I feel qualified to comment here. Drivers: Stop being *********, you dont own the road! There you go :-) Until you all start paying Tax and Insurance I think you'll find WE DO !!! Failing that Best of luck with my bull bar's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miroku_Dave Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 But we do pay road tax where cyclists don't! Really? Thats your best argument? Until you all start paying Tax and Insurance I think you'll find WE DO !!! Failing that Best of luck with my bull bar's What a ridiculous argument! and a pretty ridiculous threat! I love meeting idiots like you on the road! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salopian Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Miroku Dave, Firstly with a gun like that I thought you would be sensible. Obviously not! Motorists do not own the roads, but we do pay Road Tax and to be hindered by a a bunch of selfish morons every Sunday morning, meandoring along country lanes shouting out foul mouthed abuse whilst riding three and four abreast is just not on. If you want to cycle with your club on a Sunday at the expense of other road users please pay for the privalige. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Until you all start paying Tax and Insurance I think you'll find WE DO !!! Failing that Best of luck with my bull bar's If this was facebook i would "like"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 The funny thing is most car drivers have no issue with cyclists yesterdays 6 miles of lanes sitting behind them I thought was extracting the urine and showing why they upset motorists. Racing is just another issue round here sundays on the lanes the idiots are out in force and all too important to let anyone pass, the roads they choose are unsuitable for it as they are impossible to overtake 40 lycra clad idiots. I ride a bike pretty regularly mostly off road but wouldn't think I had the obligation to make everyone in cars sit behind at my pace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miroku_Dave Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Gents, Grow up! You are generalising here! This is similar to every non shooting type thinking your all upper class twits who think you are better than everyone else? That wouldnt do would it? Not all cyclists are as bad as you say, I am very careful not to hold up traffic and cause a nuisance as is every other cyclist I ride with. You should give it a go, you never know you might enjoy it ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miroku_Dave Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Miroku Dave, Firstly with a gun like that I thought you would be sensible. Obviously not! Motorists do not own the roads, but we do pay Road Tax and to be hindered by a a bunch of selfish morons every Sunday morning, meandoring along country lanes shouting out foul mouthed abuse whilst riding three and four abreast is just not on. If you want to cycle with your club on a Sunday at the expense of other road users please pay for the privalige. Believe it or not I do pay road tax for three vehicles! So i feel i am allowed to use it for what I want! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikaveli Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 (edited) Firstly, You almost never see a road cyclist without a helmet, especially during a race they are mandatory! Is it sensible to have a 'race' on a public road? Any road user's first priority should be safety - not how quickly you can get from A-B. Like others have said, cyclists involved in a race are much less likely to show consideration for other road users. Don't get me wrong, some car drivers are terrible - but that's why they (should) have licences that can be taken away, checks on the road-worthiness of their vehicles and mandatory insurance should anything go wrong. Car drivers are trained to hate anyone on the road without a licence, tax or insurance (and bald tyres), you know. Cyclists fit that criteria perfectly. Edited October 8, 2012 by Mikaveli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miroku_Dave Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Is it sensible to have a 'race' on a public road? Any road user's first priority should be safety - not how quickly you can get from A-B. Like others have said, cyclists involved in a race are much less likely to show consideration for other road users. Don't get me wrong, some car drivers are terrible - but that's why they (should) have licences that can be taken away, checks on the road-worthiness of their vehicles and mandatory insurance should anything go wrong. Car drivers are trained to hate anyone on the road without a licence, tax or insurance (and bald tyres), you know. Cyclists fit that criteria perfectly. Good Points!The racing thing I can agree with, I see them on the A1 and that would terrify me!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 I drive and I ride, there are 2 sides to most of these arguments. I don't wear high viz gear as I shouldn't have to (fair weather cyclist) and I don't ride 2 a breast as it is just selfish Oh and you haven't paid 'road tax' since 1937 - sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Guys, from my understanding from a guy at work a devoute cyclist, no one actually pays road tax any more, While we do pay a road tax fee it all goes into on big pot now adays and not like it used to be where road tax went in a pot soley for roads etc so both cyclests and motor vehicles are entitled to ride on the roads ! My Gripes MD is: * Cyclest choices of roads to hold races on ( normally fast and dagerous ones)! * Competitors in cycle races without helmets (yes they do exist and I will now do what I can to photograph you one as i see plenty of them on the A442 by me like this)Assuming racing season hasnt finished for this year ! * cyclsts lights being to bright and dazzeling or no existant along with no HI-Zis ! * the attitude that others should have to cater for there inabilitys on the road ! * there is no cycle test to be able to ride on the road, yet all other road users have to have a test and a Licence. * the cylest marshalls who think they are police or some sort of law enforcer who like to step into the road with flags at inappropriet times and wear all the cycling outfit only to man a deck chair or tootle around on there bike as a non competitor again with no helmet on ! Also while I hold my view I dont enjoy cycling as you do, I have tried it ! I also am losing a few pounds, am in the gym 4 days a week and have near doubled my strenght and lost a stone in weight and dropped a trouser size in the process so your not the only one staying fit and healthy. Just because we arnt all cyclests doesnt mean we are shy of exercise or need to lose weight ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Gents, Grow up! You are generalising here!.... On PW, perish the thought....and I thought it was only me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 I don't see what all the fuss is about. Sure, I pay road tax, I pay insurance to keep my car on the raods and have to get my car MOTd every year where cyclists don't have to. That doesn't mean that cyclists should not be allowed to use the same roads as me, I would just much prefer it if it wasn't at the same time as me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikaveli Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Oh and you haven't paid 'road tax' since 1937 - sorry. There's always one... Yeah, it's vehicle tax / excise duty technically. But, it's a tax you have to pay to use that vehicle on the road (you don't have to tax a vehicle used exclusively off road or on the track). So 'road tax' seems a logical short-form to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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