Your rants here.

lost_in_thought

sarajoy wrote:

Got cut up and forced into the kerb twice this morning. By the same guy. On the same roundabout. Git clearly wasn't looking at his blind spot, and I was too nice to kick his car.

Do it. You don't have to kick it hard, just enough to make a noise.

I did that to a truck this morning that was pulling left into the bus lane where I was - smacked his passenger-side door with the flat of my hand. He slammed the brakes on, which had the desired effect, and pulled up next to me (I was waiting behind a bus) at the next light. I was expecting an earful, but he just said 'I'm so sorry, I totally didn't see you'.

Sure, there will be some d!cks out there who shout at you, but do no visible damage and you should be OK.

downfader

Very nearly knocked off this morning by some dozy driver turning left. Luckily for her I was a) heading uphill and knackered AND not travelling as fast as I usually do, and b) taking the same turn.

I thought to myself - I know that car - white barry-boy looking thing so knew that it was heading the same way and would park up near the common. I pull up along side the drivers side when it parked and politely say "excuse me", door opens and I realise its a young woman.

With one very dry, thirsty mouth and an out of breath voice I said "you were an inch from taking out my front wheel when you turned back there. Dont you remember that its illegal to overtake near a junction like that [not sure if it is actually, but wanted to make my point about safety]?"

She gave me this gormless, phased look. Looked like she'd been on the beer all night and then I noticed there was a kiddy and all the kiddy stuff in the back. "Eh?"

What was there to Eh about???! I was a bit p***ed off by that and left saying how I've already been offed last year, dont want it to happen again, thanks. :evil: :roll:

Silly bl**dy woman.

Beardface

First rant for me..

Are cyclists basically invisible? I was riding home this afternoon, approaching a T-junction where you can see everything for about 50 metres in every direction. I was doing about 15mph, and noticed this little woman, who could barely see over the dashboard at the junction, waiting to pull out.

All the cars pass, theres about 10 metres between me and the car. So, she looks left, then looks right... blatantly sees me coming, and yep, pulls out with me about 3 metres away.. I slam my brakes on, put one hand up as if to gesture 'WTF?!?' and she just blankly stares at me and drives on..

Thank god/buddha/allah/zeus that my brakes and reactions were both working.. Grrrrrrr

/rant over. Good thread by the way.. needed somewhere to vent! :evil:

marchant

it's the hesitant ones that bug me the most; riding home yesterday someone in a Mondeo or similar pulled out in front of me, after 10 seconds or so of "I'll pull out, no I won't. Yes I will. No wait, maybe not" accompanied by creeping forward a foot or at a time. They pulled out anyway, by which time I had to brake but if they'd just pulled out theyd've been fine.

Oddjob62

Self rant of sorts. I've gotta calm down when people do dangerous maneuvers on me. Twice in the last week i've been cut up, last Friday by a 4x4 (If i had been on my flat bar hybrid I would have clipped his wingmirror, made worse by the fact that there was a queue of traffic 30yds ahead), today by a group of cyclist :x (a club run so should have known better than to push another cyclist into the gutter), got pissed off, and performing a much more dangerous re-overtake than I usually would.

Not proud of myself, but at least i know that i was wrong, i'm sure the original culprits don't.

Animal100

Getting really pi$$ed off with the drivers and chav's in my area.

Chav school kids cross the road right in front of me when Im doing about 25mph, I just shouted "get the feck out of the way" luckily they did

Just about to pass a bunch of chav's who had managed to find a wheel off a car, as I was going past the wheel holder tries throwing it at me, another holla "tw@t" fortunatley he missed

Car pulls away from the kerb no indication, leaves me nowhere to go, so I brake then go down the inside( yeah I know its wrong), he then tries to squash me against the kerb because he decide to stop, another shout "come on, what are you doing". He looked surprised he didn't even know I was there.

Another bunch of chavs, in the road playing football, the one with the ball kicks it straight at me, another one lunges for the ball and we collide, I saw it happening so was ready. One silly little chav on his @rse in the middle of the road - result

WVM coming up behind me approaching a blind right hander on a narrow country lane, I'm doing about 22mph thinking he'll wait till after the bend, but no he decides to go past. Now I think hope there aint a car coming the other way. Oh sh1t there is, women driving the car hits the brakes with tyre squeel, I hit the brakes through fear of being squashed against the hedge, WVM carries on like nothing happened

This one was painful - got hit by a bee on ther side of my face and the bugger stung me. Now I have caught wasps between my lips and they have stung my bottom lip (happened twice now), but this bee had the side of my face swell up the pain did not subside within half an hour like the wasp stings did. I had to take pain killers so I could get to sleep that night. All ok next morning though.

Dozey bint mum on a school run comes along side me but does not pass, just gets closer and closer, so I made her jump when I wrapped on her passenger door window. Not sure if she even knew I was there before that

Cycling up-hill on a narrow country lane with another dozey bint in an Audi A2 literally one foot off my back wheel, I just manage to get my front wheel into a passing place and she comes past with hardly any spare room. Another holla "gimme a chance"

Passing 3 teenages 2 boys 1 girl walking in the road as I get closer the girl tries pushing one of the boys into me, I just told her not to be stupid

Just a taster of all sorts of things that have happened over the last couple of months. Should I give up cycling? No way I still love it but would prefer un-eventful rides! If you are wondering where I live? its Maidstone!

That's made me feel better - cheers - off down the pub for a pint now!

PinkSpider

First rant. Riding through town, quite fast (it's a bus/ bike/ taxi only area so quite nice) and some guy steps out without looking, less than a meter away from me. Slam on both brakes, hit the floor with a foot and bike goes flying, in some direction. He apologised, whilst I got back on, grazed all over my arms.

People piss me off. Have been riding offroad recently to avoid stuff on the way to work, however chavs (firing airsoft stuff and dogs chasing me) is a pain also.

The Chingford Skinhead

PinkSpider wrote:

First rant. Riding through town, quite fast (it's a bus/ bike/ taxi only area so quite nice) and some guy steps out without looking, less than a meter away from me. Slam on both brakes, hit the floor with a foot and bike goes flying, in some direction. He apologised, whilst I got back on, grazed all over my arms.

People wee-wee me off. Have been riding offroad recently to avoid stuff on the way to work, however chavs (firing airsoft stuff and dogs chasing me) is a pain also.

~Qualifying statement ~ This is intended to make you feel better as you actually got off lightly, rather than a feel sorry for me post ~
Had exactly the same thing happen to me except I landed badly and separated my AC joint in my shoulder and am still on the long road to recovery. As cyclists we have to be aware of peds, just as we expect drivers to be aware of us. However, there are some times when peds just do things that you can't pre-empt and it is truly infuriating. Hope the grazes aren't too sore mate

downfader

Stupid old man today. I'm heading into bitterne precinct to check my account so riding past parked cars on the left. Queue of traffic on my right waiting for the lights to head the opposite way. So its not the widest bit of road. Still, this guy in a silver car decides to force his way past, and I mean literally an inch from my right handlebar.

Gave me a fright and a few choice words came out (in shock I promise). I then see he's done this just to join a queue of cars in a right filterlane to head into the Sainsburys carpark. So he isnt going anywhere. I thought to myself "I aint letting this one drop", cycle up behind and dismount to walk down his right side by a traffic island and say "excuse me"

I'm met with a blank expression of an old man, must be about 65. "You do realise that you're supposed to leave 4-5 foot of space when overtaking me dont you? You were an inch off my handlebar."

Blank expression, just staring back.

"Well atleast say SOMETHING??!"

Again just blankly stares back at me, no sign of fear or anger, but gave me the impression he just couldnt give a ****.

"I presume you've past a driving test and hold a valid licence?!" (Me now getting angry) Traffic clears and he pulls around the corner. I cross the road on foot and some young mother is watching me, in sympathy I think.

The temptation to grab his keys was overwhelming. :twisted: This is why no-one cycles in Southampton. :?

jopari

I need to get this off my chest, as wound me up this morning.
Cycling up merrion st in Leeds in a line of traffic. The car in front starts to indicate to go left at a notoriously dodgy side st (dodgy because cars rarely indicate or check their near-side mirror). So I brake slightly so they know I'm not going to under-cut them.

Then notice a mini that's been following starting to overtake and indicate. so I keep glancing across to check they've seen me which they have, and he keeps coming!
I give a shout of "Have you seen me" or similar, and he eventually decides not to side-swipe me, but opens his window and starts shouting abuse saying I should have braked to let him turn left! When I retort that he should have waited and gone behind my he says he's going to hit me in my face! Nice.

So, mini drivers are ALL knobbers this morning.

Couldn't get his number as he was side-on by this point. I waited to see if I could note it down, but I think the meat-head thought I was waiting for a fight! so I tootled off. Really got my day off to bad start.

Verbal

To the 3 shirtless clown shoes yesterday who pulled out of a side road in Chiswick on MY side of the road and then proceeded to ride towards me in the cycle lane (i.e. the wrong way) all the while popping, it has to be said, some mightily impressive wheelies. I take evasive action in order to avoid becoming the filling in one big freshly baked pikey pie and give them my best withering "I weep for the future" version of the Look ™ only to receive a mouthful of "what the F are you looking you C?!"

You managed to make me smile the rest of the way home thinking about your utter nobishness and how behaviour like that on the roads will shorten your life span immeasureably.

Deadeye Duck

Had an interesting incident this morning on the way in...

I pulled up at a junct and stuck to the right hand side of the lane as I was turning right (leaving room for anyone turning left to get by and do so. I'm there for about 2 seconds max before a car pulls up beside me and nudges my bars slightly with their wing mirror. This meant their front end was sticking into the road by about 2 foot. I turn to see an old lady talking to the person in the passenger seat. I say rather loudly "Could you get any closer?", to which I get no response even though the window is wide open. Oh well, turn round, wait for road to clear and go on my way. As I pull out, so does she, turning right too, funnily enough. Cue me using a lot of profanity, an old woman not looking impressed in the slightest, and me explaining in a rather loud manner, that if she ever tries it again, I'll kick her bonnet in, and hope the airbag hits her in the face for me.

Thankfully I hadn't had time to get my right leg clipped back in, so when she veared towards me, I was able to swerve stop and keep myself upright.

What the hell was she thinking!

ride_whenever

I know a someone who threw his bike onto a car because it knocked one of his mates off...

Animal100

one swift downwards whack to the door mirror!

downfader

jopari wrote:

I need to get this off my chest, as wound me up this morning.
Cycling up merrion st in Leeds in a line of traffic. The car in front starts to indicate to go left at a notoriously dodgy side st (dodgy because cars rarely indicate or check their near-side mirror). So I brake slightly so they know I'm not going to under-cut them.

Then notice a mini that's been following starting to overtake and indicate. so I keep glancing across to check they've seen me which they have, and he keeps coming!
I give a shout of "Have you seen me" or similar, and he eventually decides not to side-swipe me, but opens his window and starts shouting abuse saying I should have braked to let him turn left! When I retort that he should have waited and gone behind my he says he's going to hit me in my face! Nice.

So, mini drivers are ALL knobbers this morning.

Couldn't get his number as he was side-on by this point. I waited to see if I could note it down, but I think the meat-head thought I was waiting for a fight! so I tootled off. Really got my day off to bad start.

Ohhh I would have been in SO much trouble if someone did that to me! :twisted:

lost_in_thought

Dear motorbike riders,

If you are merrily filtering along, through really awful traffic, and reach a gap that you can't quite get through, and notice a cyclist behind you, chances are they can get through that gap.

Please leave enough room for them to do so,

Thanks.

The Chingford Skinhead

I've already ranted in my thread about this but as a bit of extra marketing for http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=15440509#15440509

1 How can the CPS decise that "Sorry Guv, I didn't see the two cyclist in front of me on a straight road in good daylight" is an acceptable reason not to prosecute the driver. One cyclist was killed, the other very seriously injured. God, it's hard enough getting the police to take wreckless drivers sersiously without the CPS saying SMIDSY is a justifiable defence for murder!

2 There was a protest at the London HQ of CPS today. Nothing on the front page of the LCC website and it only sent out an email newsletter today at 15:02 for protests that start at 16:00!!!


AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH No wonder drivers don't give a stuff about snuffing out our lives.

downfader

The Chingford Skinhead wrote:

I've already ranted in my thread about this but as a bit of extra marketing for http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=15440509#15440509

1 How can the CPS decise that "Sorry Guv, I didn't see the two cyclist in front of me on a straight road in good daylight" is an acceptable reason not to prosecute the driver. One cyclist was killed, the other very seriously injured. God, it's hard enough getting the police to take wreckless drivers sersiously without the CPS saying SMIDSY is a justifiable defence for murder!

2 There was a protest at the London HQ of CPS today. Nothing on the front page of the LCC website and it only sent out an email newsletter today at 15:02 for protests that start at 16:00!!!


AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH No wonder drivers don't give a stuff about snuffing out our lives.

The more we're ignored the more people turn to drastic measures like that geezer who slashed £2k worth of tyres. Then it proliferates the "f***ing cyclists" myth even more. :roll:

el_presidente

I stopped at a red light pedestrian crossing yesterday as two pedestrians crossed. The second lady said to me, entirely sincerely, "Thank you so much for waiting". "A pleasure" I replied but I was so embarrassed, that pedestrians in London now think they have to thank cyclists for obeying the law and showing common courtesy. How has it come to this?

downfader

el_presidente wrote:

I stopped at a red light pedestrian crossing yesterday as two pedestrians crossed. The second lady said to me, entirely sincerely, "Thank you so much for waiting". "A pleasure" I replied but I was so embarrassed, that pedestrians in London now think they have to thank cyclists for obeying the law and showing common courtesy. How has it come to this?

I know. I've also had conversations with drivers where they've said they get angry that pedestrians dont thank them for stopping. My comment has always been "what? thanks for not killing me?" in reply. :roll:

Oddjob62

downfader wrote:

I know. I've also had conversations with drivers where they've said they get angry that pedestrians dont thank them for stopping. My comment has always been "what? thanks for not killing me?" in reply. :roll:

Although with some pedestrians, they should give thanks for that reason. Was cycling round Regents Park yesterday, and got talking to the lad riding in front of me after....
1. Some bloke was standing still in the middlle of the road playing with his phone, jumped as the lad in front of me shouted "OI!!" as he rode past, then less than 50 yards up the road a lass looked right at us, then stepped out right in front of him (not a pedestrian crossing or anything), and then was startled by him shouting another warning at her. I find weekend riding so much more "eventful" than weekday commuting.

PS, if on the small off chance that guy is reading, i was the guy on the red fixed gear riding round RP at about 5ish yesterday... good chat and Hi.

lost_in_thought

downfader wrote:

el_presidente wrote:

I stopped at a red light pedestrian crossing yesterday as two pedestrians crossed. The second lady said to me, entirely sincerely, "Thank you so much for waiting". "A pleasure" I replied but I was so embarrassed, that pedestrians in London now think they have to thank cyclists for obeying the law and showing common courtesy. How has it come to this?

I know. I've also had conversations with drivers where they've said they get angry that pedestrians dont thank them for stopping. My comment has always been "what? thanks for not killing me?" in reply. :roll:

Doesn't hurt to say thank-you though, does it?

I almost always do.

Deadeye Duck

lost_in_thought wrote:

downfader wrote:

el_presidente wrote:

I stopped at a red light pedestrian crossing yesterday as two pedestrians crossed. The second lady said to me, entirely sincerely, "Thank you so much for waiting". "A pleasure" I replied but I was so embarrassed, that pedestrians in London now think they have to thank cyclists for obeying the law and showing common courtesy. How has it come to this?

I know. I've also had conversations with drivers where they've said they get angry that pedestrians dont thank them for stopping. My comment has always been "what? thanks for not killing me?" in reply. :roll:

Doesn't hurt to say thank-you though, does it?

I almost always do.

'Manners cost nothing'

benno68

Aldi's selling Bolt Cutters for £4.99 - FFS :twisted:

Skippy2309

had a very very hairy ride today

usual route, everything is good, then that hell of a rain storm came!!! was already cold and soaked to the bones - then a black cab indicating left while stopped and at a corner pulled out to the right just a couple of feet infront of me!!!!! the back wheel locked up and I went fully sideways and just missed the back of the cab as he sped off indicator still flashing.

ride home heard a pop and pulled over just in time as the tire was ripped off the rim :shock:

inspected it when I finally got home after getting lift... the wire in the tire ripped a hole through the innertube and the tires got a nice tear in it :evil:

moonio

Was nearly knocked off my bike today.
Was aproaching a juction near London Bridge, the light were green but I could see a cyclist on my right preparing to jump the lights and cross the junction in front of me . Whilst keeping a eye on the cyclist a car driver deciced to enter the junction from my left by cutting into the lane I was entering and approaching the junction from the wong side of the road.

I avoided a coollision but skidded quite a bit.

Its not safe out there kids!

downfader

Deadeye Duck wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

downfader wrote:

el_presidente wrote:

I stopped at a red light pedestrian crossing yesterday as two pedestrians crossed. The second lady said to me, entirely sincerely, "Thank you so much for waiting". "A pleasure" I replied but I was so embarrassed, that pedestrians in London now think they have to thank cyclists for obeying the law and showing common courtesy. How has it come to this?

I know. I've also had conversations with drivers where they've said they get angry that pedestrians dont thank them for stopping. My comment has always been "what? thanks for not killing me?" in reply. :roll:

Doesn't hurt to say thank-you though, does it?

I almost always do.

'Manners cost nothing'

$%£& OFF!! I'm too knackered to speak by the time I get to the crossing

Rockbuddy

What is it with ruddy motorists taking the p!ss at the moment!!!
This morning, going down my only real stretch of downhill where I can build up some decent speed, and a van driver in front thinks it's funny to pootle at 20mph (nothing in front). Having to break I shout FFS and get a blank stare through the rear-view. Get to the flat and he speeds a little and I keep up, he must have got bored ‘cos he then shot off leaving me for dead only to join a que a hundred metres down the road – where I satisfyingly filter past. 8) Then I come up to another que which is starting to move and the rear car just sits there, maybe just not in gear I back off letting her get going until she does the same thing at the next slow moving bit of traffic (again looking in the rear view). I then see red so decide to undertake her and ride in primary all the way up the next hill. Unfortunately for her there are cars coming the other way so she can’t overtake, just keep revving her engine. :twisted: I know I was a bit juvenile but it seems more and more that drivers are taking the p!ss like this. Am I taking it too personally?

benno68

@ Rockbuddy

Whereabouts did this happen?

Try not to get too worked up about it. But it is more annoying if it looks like the motorist is deliberately taking the p!ss so I can understand your rage a the van driver, a quiet word as you were passing may have worked better "doesn't that heap of sh!t go any quicker, I'm trying to get somewhere?", said with a smile on your face of course .

Don't take it personally, if they do it do you they'll do it to all cyclists

I was on Wellfield Road (Cardiff) today when an old dear pulled out from a parked position and then jammed the anchors on 10 yards further along to allow an oncoming motorist around a double parked car, I was doing around 20mph and just managed to stop in time.

On a positive note, there are loads of considerate motorists out there! We just never see them

Rockbuddy

Benno68 wrote:

@ Rockbuddy

Whereabouts did this happen?

Try not to get too worked up about it. But it is more annoying if it looks like the motorist is deliberately taking the p!ss so I can understand your rage a the van driver, a quiet word as you were passing may have worked better "doesn't that heap of sh!t go any quicker, I'm trying to get somewhere?", said with a smile on your face of course .

Don't take it personally, if they do it do you they'll do it to all cyclists

I was on Wellfield Road (Cardiff) today when an old dear pulled out from a parked position and then jammed the anchors on 10 yards further along to allow an oncoming motorist around a double parked car, I was doing around 20mph and just managed to stop in time.

On a positive note, there are loads of considerate motorists out there! We just never see them

Was going down bridge road over the taff towards Llandaff North. Not a big hill but can get up to about 28mph down there and keep the speed for 50 metres or so on the flat (till it gets to be an effort ), wind and traffic permitting. You're right I shouldn't let it get to me, just seems like some days like it is quite personal. On the positive side, I have seen considerate drivers, it's just the twonks I rant about on here