Your rants here.

CiB

On overtaking, will those drivers who insist on following me down the A421 instead of simply overtaking me please get on with it and pass me. The road is plenty wide enough, and I'm big enough to cope with being overtaken.

Holding back and sitting on my rear wheel:

* Antagonises me a bit

* Causes a queue to build up behind

* Gives following drivers another reason to be annoyed at 'bloody cyclists' holding everyone up.

That means you especially, woman in the blue Fiesta. Either learn how big your car is, or get your husband to drive you to & from work, assuming he hasn't left you for a younger not so stupid model.

Wallace1492

Talking of overtaking - drivers, please oull out BEFORE going past me, then pull in. Don't go past me as you are pulling out, giving your optimum space 20 yards in front of me, before pulling back in. There is no "ghost" peleton in front of me requiring the room. Then again maybe you know how awesome my thighs are and expect me to accelerate as you pass me.

CiB

As bad are the ones that overtake quite reasonably, then do the big dramatic swing back over to the left as they get past. What's that all about then? Got something you want to say to me? Stop & say it then, instead of driving like a 5 year old.

sheridan

toslow wrote:

But my commuting rant is this . I don't know about your neck of the woods but in the st austell area they have been putting central islands in stretches of road namely a place called Highstreet and reducing the speed limits . sounds like a good move doesn't it . Till you get mr/mrs impatient who cant wait two seconds forcing there way through between you and island . Pedals have clipped kerb a couple of times.

Much better for your pedals to clip their paintwork than the kerb (might teach them not to knock into you next time).

CiB

georgee wrote:

Lights, get some!

I picked up my new car yesterday and had to drive home across London in torrential rain, I lost count of the numbers of f*ckwits on bikes without them. I am glad it was pissing down, served them all right!

I lost count of the number of similar *wits driving their cars in the semi-dark monsoon last night, who feel that lights are an unnecessry addition to their cars' camouflage. Some even felt that in their skilled judgement dipped headlights would be overkill, but parking lights would do just fine.

Guess what? Halfwits abound. Some are on bikes, some are in cars. The halfwits in cars have lights built-in, ready to go. Somehow, a lot choose not to use them. *wits.

BTW - I rode home in a monsoon last night. It was enormous fun, and I like to think I deserved it too - it's nice to get a buzz out of the journey to & from work. Hope you do too in your shiny new car.

TommyEss

CiB wrote:

BTW - I rode home in a monsoon last night. It was enormous fun, and I like to think I deserved it too - it's nice to get a buzz out of the journey to & from work. Hope you do too in your shiny new car.

Glad I wasn't the only nutjob to enjoy the ride in the rain yesterday - gurning feels so much better when the rains dripping off your chin...!

W1

Aidy wrote:

Personally, I found it was more annoying having a load of people in cars who obviously didn't understand how to drive in the wet causing congestion everywhere.

There's something about the wet weather that brings the absolute bottom feeders of the knuckle dragging moron brigade out - like worms I suppose. Traffic congestion always seems much worse when it's raining.

There's something quite satisfying about riding in the rain - if one of my rear brake blocks hadn't somehow detached itself!

suzyb

W1 wrote:

Aidy wrote:

Personally, I found it was more annoying having a load of people in cars who obviously didn't understand how to drive in the wet causing congestion everywhere.

There's something about the wet weather that brings the absolute bottom feeders of the knuckle dragging moron brigade out - like worms I suppose. Traffic congestion always seems much worse when it's raining.

There's something quite satisfying about riding in the rain - if one of my rear brake blocks hadn't somehow detached itself!

It is much worse in the rain. I noticed that many years ago when driving to work. Traffic was always busier when it was wet.

redvee

rjsterry wrote:

BTW, anyone done any home maintenance on these? I have another pair of the same wheels (with damaged rims) so could nick a replacement nipple from them, rather than waiting for the LBS to order them in. Don't have a truing stand though.

Put the spoke in and tighten it up till there is some tension in the spoke then do the same in 1/4 turns and keep checking the trueness of the wheel by using the brake blocks as a guide. Most of my truing is done with the brake blocks.

W1

JonGinge wrote:

suzyb wrote:

I am too slow for evening mountain biking

One of the guys had a quiet word on the road home to point out I was holding the others back so they were not managing to finish the ride before it was dark.

Looks like my Wednesday evenings just became free again

:x That's not very supportive.

I think they've been quite unkind - but equally it's not a nice feeling to think that you might be holding others up (which is why I don't ski anymore!). Better a quiet word than a public flare up I suppose!

gbsahne001

to the guy on the rather old looking road bike (making it move quite well), I don't mind you overtaking me on the BSO, whilst I'm in daydream mode but if you're going to do it please get far enough in front so that your spray doesnt get me in the face.

Alternatively buy some mudguards; :twisted:

....... and thanks for the wake up, I'm sure you wondered what sort of madman on a BSO overtakes you and then continues to put distance between you.

Harveytile

All cyclists without guards!

Get them and use the fekking things! I get enough shite on me from the cars and busses, I don't need yours too. :roll:

Aidy

Harveytile wrote:

All cyclists without guards!

Get them and use the fekking things! I get enough shite on me from the cars and busses, I don't need yours too. :roll:

Stop wheelsucking, maybe?

TommyEss

Aidy wrote:

Harveytile wrote:

All cyclists without guards!

Get them and use the fekking things! I get enough shite on me from the cars and busses, I don't need yours too. :roll:

Stop wheelsucking, maybe?

Ouch.....

W1

Aidy wrote:

Harveytile wrote:

All cyclists without guards!

Get them and use the fekking things! I get enough shite on me from the cars and busses, I don't need yours too. :roll:

Stop wheelsucking, maybe?

What about when they push past at traffic lights? Or overtake you only to slow down? Or cut you up when they pass?

Aidy

W1 wrote:

Aidy wrote:

Harveytile wrote:

All cyclists without guards!

Get them and use the fekking things! I get enough shite on me from the cars and busses, I don't need yours too. :roll:

Stop wheelsucking, maybe?

What about when they push past at traffic lights? Or overtake you only to slow down? Or cut you up when they pass?

Go faster.

jonginge

W1 wrote:

Aidy wrote:

Harveytile wrote:

All cyclists without guards!

Get them and use the fekking things! I get enough shite on me from the cars and busses, I don't need yours too. :roll:

Stop wheelsucking, maybe?

What about when they push past at traffic lights? Or overtake you only to slow down? Or cut you up when they pass?

Also, you don't have to be that close to get covered with crap from someone's rear wheel. Or, indeed, need to be directly behind if there's a crosswind.

That said, it's a known peril of cycling so it doesn't bother me that much Good job I have a shower at work.

W1

Aidy wrote:

W1 wrote:

Aidy wrote:

Harveytile wrote:

All cyclists without guards!

Get them and use the fekking things! I get enough shite on me from the cars and busses, I don't need yours too. :roll:

Stop wheelsucking, maybe?

What about when they push past at traffic lights? Or overtake you only to slow down? Or cut you up when they pass?

Go faster.

Brilliant, thanks. Do you charge for advice?

Harveytile

Aidy: Excellent point. I suppose you're one of the "smart" ones pushing to the front then wobbling all over the road while I wait for a safe break in the traffic to pass?

Tool. :roll:

Flasheart

Was Thursday morning so I've calmed down (a bit) but I still want to vent my spleen.
Riding down East Hill in Lymington on way to work in the light rain. BT Van guy in sidestreet on mobile. The t**t looks right at me and still pulls out in front of me causing me to lock up and almost face-plough into the back of his van...right up to the yellow sticker that asks "How's my driving? 0800****" He pulled over about 30 yards down the road opposite a BT junction box that he was tring to find. I go around to the front of the van and he's still talking on the phone. He shoo'ed me away with his hand pointing out that he was on the phone. I said "I can f**king see you're on the sodding phone and were when you tried to kill me just then" He waved me away again. "Fine I yelled through the glass" I went back around the back and phoned the 0800 number and reported it. Doubt if anything ever happens..they just sit back and laugh at the calls on the answer service.

I recall the last person that cut me up in Lymington was a BT van guy coming around the bottom corner of the high st on the wrong side cos he was talking on his mobile too. Probably the same pr1ck :evil:

stuman69er

break a match off in a couple of his valves.

lets see him make commission now.

bicyclepirate

I happen to know that BT vans all have tracking chips in them (certainly where i live) and presuming he was speaking on a work line they should be able to prove pdq that he was on the phone and driving....... should walk the driver into a diciplinary at the least!

dugga

To the driver of City Link OY10 BZK - thanks for shooting out of Alma Road onto Whiteladies Road then immediately stopping in the bus / cycle lane and dropping into reverse meaning I had to take evasive action and only narrowly avoiding a face plant into the back of your van and / or being taken out by the maroon transit on my right. Thanks also for telling me to F@CK OFF when I asked you what you were doing. Maybe your manager will have slightly more luck in obtaining a reasonable response from you.

Aidy

Harveytile wrote:

Aidy: Excellent point. I suppose you're one of the "smart" ones pushing to the front then wobbling all over the road while I wait for a safe break in the traffic to pass?

Tool. :roll:

Wow, slow people really can't take a joke.

nich

To myself for filtering between traffic stopped at red lights.

Had a minor wobble as I mis-timed the lights and they turned amber whilst I was filtering. Clipped the side of the car as it pulled away slowly and felt like a tw*t.

I don't think they noticed, but I mouthed 'sorry' to them anyway.

Lesson learnt. Hang back and avoid filtering unless I'm 100% sure on the lights.

redvee

The Citreon Berlingo van driver must remember that priority to the right on roundabouts even applies to bikes, yes you did see me as we made eye contact as you pulled out in front of me. Luckily for you the camera was beside the keyboard and not beside the stem today otherwise you'd be a star of Youtube now.
To even things up, a rant at myself for making a cup of tea and forgetting the teabag :oops:

WesternWay

nich wrote:

Clipped the side of the car as it pulled away slowly and felt like a tw*t.

I had it the opposite way round and got clipped by a wing mirror on Holloway Road. On remonstrating the passenger said "I know, I'm a cyclist too". That's fine then... Feel free to mow me down.

Zachariah

A rant at Wiggle for changing the price of the bib shorts I was going to buy at the last minute. They weren't a sale item either, but still just spontaneously got bumped up by nearly £10. I refuse to be gouged, Wiggle! Might get that C2 saddle from Planet X instead.

essexian

Can someone please explain what I did wrong? I consider myself quite an intelligent chap who is reasonably experience riding a bike having done over 4 000 miles in the last 18 months (not up there with the mega fit young men on this board but not bad for a 48 year old fat lad). I also have had a clean driving licence since 1985.

Really, why I got the reaction I did is simply beyond me. I’ll explain….

Being a bit lazy, I skipped my planned ride last night so dragged myself out of bed early this morning so I could get a quick 20 miles in before work. Off I went at 6.40am thinking that whilst it was a little cold, it was a lovely sunny morning and lord above, there was no wind!!!!

The ride went well with no traffic and legs which seemed to work for a change: I even did my least favourite hill at over 13mph the whole way. I know, impressive (). I was even thinking of writing an anti rant as it was fun to stop and watch 2 200 goats cross the road in front of me…. No, I didn’t count them but got talking to the farm hand…they seem to eat everything…I moved my bike out of their view (try explaining that to the insurance company!!!). A little later I was coming down the path by the MOD base at Stafford when 50 or so solders formed into a single file to let me by. Very impressive.

Anyway, the 2 miles along the main road when without incident, as did the final “climb” back into Stafford…. Nothing could go wrong….. D’oh.

I knew that I should not count my chickens until I got home (goats first, then chickens!!!) as the following happened on my last but one left turn. Coming down the road I noted a queue of traffic mostly wanting to turn right. I slowed to a stop and unclipped just to the right of the traffic queue (still in my lane but in a position that when the traffic started moving, I had a clear view. Well it did start moving so I clipped back in and pulled forward noting that the Polo in front had stopped. Well I thought, she must be letting me go in front: that’s nice of her as I can get into a gap in a few more yards and turn left (most of the traffic wanted to go right. I could not just go around the traffic as there was an island in the way.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie= ... 7,,0,15.54

So I pull in front of the Polo and look behind to ensure that she has seen me. She has seen me okay as she is shouting at me to “p*ss off….” I look a bit confused so look forward in case the traffic has moved forward and I have missed the movement…the road is too narrow to get around a car either way. Well while I am doing this she decides to pull forward into the gap I am in closing it to less than a bike length! I had to unclip quickly and hop onto the pavement to get out of her way!

The women is show screaming at me that she has her child in her car and that I am trying to kill her. (How, please explain someone). She also stated she would phone the police (why what had I done wrong) and again that I should “p*ss off.” I stood there reasonably calmly and stated that she was showing a really bad attitude to her child and that I was going to take a photo of her number plate. She moved her car follow so it was now so close to the car in front that this proved impossible.

The traffic finally started moving, so she moved forward opening the window shouting again that I was trying to kill her child and that she would phone the police. I again explained that she had a bad attitude and she was more than welcome to do so. She of course drove off. I have a photo her number plate and am considering phoning the police but the wife says its just not worth it.

Sigh, what a way to ruin what was turning out to be a lovely ride. Still not sure what I did wrong.

rjsterry

The kind who would pick a fight with a PE teacher who ruled against her little darling in an under-10s school football match. Aside from spoiling an otherwise idyllic ride, she sounds almost comically ridiculous.