Your rants here.

TheKrikkitWars

Bloody pedestrians, why on a street which is no motorized traffic (bike are specifically ALLOWED) would you pay so little attention as to step out in front of me whilst doing I'm best to climb a steep slope before running out of steam, especially as this means I'm doing about 3 times walking pace and grunting madly. Then to shout rude words at me, despite my wearing myself out for their safety. Then to add insult to injury they littered the middle of the road on the spectacular downhill I have to finish my route (I specifically chose that route for the "less gradual" decent), forcing me to dismount and walk, rather than doing the 30-40 mph I'm used to.

NWLondoner

I HATE LONDON BUSES AND LONDON TAXIS. AN ABSOLUTE PAIN IN THE A*SE WHEN CYCLING!!!!

Also why is it if a car is travelling at 20-25 mph pedestrians would not think of walking in front of them but if it's me they have NO hesitation in trying it.


Lastly has anyone else almost been left hooked by peds at bus stops sticking their arm out for the bus!!!!

Massimo

Colour blind cyclists. You know, the ones who go thru' red lights and when you point it out to them they say they were on green...

NWLondoner

Massimo wrote:

Colour blind cyclists. You know, the ones who go thru' red lights and when you point it out to them they say they were on green...

ooops not another RLJ rant. (ducks for cover)

esamenoi

There not being enough spaces at college for me to stick my bike after having ridden there in the sodding rain

iain_j

Saw more cyclists than ever (by winter standards) on the way home tonight. Most of them were idiots:

One ninja, all black, no lights, riding in complete oblivion to all around him - pulling out past parked cars without checking, rolling on through red lights, etc. I was a short way behind him (too much traffic to overtake) and I was grimacing most of the way. Eventually he swerved right across 3 lanes of traffic onto the pavement and into the Asda carpark.

One pillock riding with red light on front, white light on rear, both crap (he was more visible than his lights in his grey jacket).

Another one jumping a red light across a big main road (which I was on) which had just got green - but in no hurry to get out of the way of the oncoming traffic.

Another one with no lights, oh hang on, on drawing up behind her she had a tiiiiny little white flashy thing around her neck, facing backwards, which was mostly obscured by the folds in her jacket.

esamenoi

On the topic of lights I always make sure that I have mine on if its dark.. Always,,, though I often have a black jacket on... I must fix that.

But the amount of people the i have seen the police pull over cos they have no lights and black clothes...But the fool of a police officer parked his shiny car in the middle of a turn off up a hill ( road) not untill we were sitting behind him flash our lights (was in mums car) did he think oh wait I should move....fool :P

downfader

Glass. Reported to the council several times but its still there. And bits of broken car, all littering local roads. I wonder if our council has spent its budget already. :roll:

Rich158

Bloody schoolkids :evil: :evil: :evil:

Riding in this morning slightly later than usual I must have encountered every group of school kids in Bexleyheath. Why do they think that as soon as he cars have gone past a crossing they are free to mill about the road like lost sheep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On one particular crossing I was about 20 yards behind the last car in a line of traffic, and true to form, as soon as he went past the crossing point they wandered into the road like lost sheep, from both side :twisted: :twisted: leaving me with nowhere to go. Luckilly me shouting at the top of my voice led to them parting, like Charlton Heston parting the sea

And another rant, why are the seals on Cateye lights so bloody crap, my rear light looks like it was submerged in the sink for hours on end after one wet commute :evil:

downfader

Rich158 wrote:

Bloody schoolkids :evil: :evil: :evil:

Riding in this morning slightly later than usual I must have encountered every group of school kids in Bexleyheath. Why do they think that as soon as he cars have gone past a crossing they are free to mill about the road like lost sheep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On one particular crossing I was about 20 yards behind the last car in a line of traffic, and true to form, as soon as he went past the crossing point they wandered into the road like lost sheep, from both side :twisted: :twisted: leaving me with nowhere to go. Luckilly me shouting at the top of my voice led to them parting, like Charlton Heston parting the sea

And another rant, why are the seals on Cateye lights so bloody crap, my rear light looks like it was submerged in the sink for hours on end after one wet commute :evil:

With the cateye take some silicon grease (I think B&Q do it) and rub it on the seal and click it shut.

What type of crossing? I presume you mean one whereby you have to press a button (puffin, toucan, etc) Some people do think the same rules as a zebra apply

Rich158

No, full on signal controlled crossings on a major road!!!! As soon as all the cars have gone through they just amble across the road, even though the lights are against them :evil: and a manic cylist is about to mow them down. To be fair they do look genuinely surprised to see a bike on the road

iain_j

And another bloody one!

Fella wearing full lo-viz clothing: all black, nothing reflective, no lights. Three lanes of traffic waiting at the lights: two straight on, one turning right. He's waiting in the right-turn lane.

When the lights go green he swerves across in front of the 2 lanes to his left (as the cars have started moving off), onto the traffic island on the side road of the junction, weaving through pedestrians, over the pedestrian crossing, turned right to cross the road he was originally on - straight across in front of 4 lanes of traffic, and into the right turn.

He was in the right-turn lane to start with FFS, with a green filter arrow too, to make it even safer!

blackworx

Talk about a death wish, ouch.

It's a sad fact that people like that insist on taking their poor innocent bikes with them to their doom.

Rich158

Following on forn yesterdays rant, somedays I think I'm just not meant to be on a bike. After the fun and games with pedestrians in the morning, my front light gave out on the eay home. Bloody light, it's only c ouple of weeks old, fully charged, and just decides to die on me at some traffic lights. So that's it, 8 miles from home, pitch dark, pissing down and no front light, brilliant!!!!!!!

Rather than risk my luck through the country lanes I decided to cut through Dartford, and yes I did use footpaths, untill I could pick up the cycle network which takes me through to Gravesend, and doesn't actually mean I touch the road at all. Great no chance of being splatted, as the A2 is solid and every tom, dick and harry is trying to use shortcuts. This does mean I run an altogether different risk, the dreaded underpass over the M25, two badly lit tunnels, and a footbridge. Both tunells have right angle entrances, with no lighting, so you can't see who's lurking in there, fan-bloody-tastic, the town planners responsible for this should be shot.

Anyway back on the cyclepath and heading towards bluewater thinking this isn't too bad, when I'm presented with a choice. Either follow the cycle path to Bluewater, or be spat out onto the one roundabout that handles all the traffic coming in or out of the bloody place, in order to pick up the cycle path on the other side. I would like to personally thank the council's traffic department for this particualarly crap piece of planning, because after all, shock, horror, I DIDN'T WANT TO GO SHOPPING, I JUST WANTED TO GET HOME.

Rounabout safely negotiated I'm now on a cycle path running alongside the A2, which has a couple of interesting chicanes arround the overhead gantries. This presents an altogether different challenge, great fun as they are to ride, someone should have pointed out that whilst the ladders running up the side of them need anti-fall cages, these just might be at the right height to open up the top of a cyclists head llike a soft boiled egg. I'm lucky I'm such a shortarse, I just pity anyone over 6 fooot riding down there.

Finally I get home to be greated by 'What took you, you're late tonight', yes I am love, a funny thing happened on the way home, and as I start to recount the above I see her eyes glaze over at the start of yet another cycling story she has no interest in..........

Sorry for the long drawn out rant................................I'm off to get some emergency lights

iain_j

Rich158 wrote:

Rounabout safely negotiated I'm now on a cycle path running alongside the A2, which has a couple of interesting chicanes arround the overhead gantries. This presents an altogether different challenge, great fun as they are to ride, someone should have pointed out that whilst the ladders running up the side of them need anti-fall cages, these just might be at the right height to open up the top of a cyclists head llike a soft boiled head. I'm lucky I'm such a shortarse, I just pity anyone over 6 fooot riding down there.

There's one of these appeared on my way home. One of the main routes out of town is closed (a sewer collapsed under the road, opening up a "pothole" 5 feet in diameter, discovered by a lorry driver at 4am :shock: ), so as you approach that road, there's a massive yellow roadwork sign on the pavement, which overhangs the road at roughly the height of a cyclist's head. It's a fast and busy road, at the start of a left-hand bend, so moving out to avoid it is a bit dicey. I keep meaning to stop on the way past and drag it back onto the pavement by a few feet.

blackworx

I've seen it all now.

Cycling through Dumbiedykes (60's housing scheme, but not really that bad an area) my gf had human sh*t thrown at her from a window.

I don't even know why I'm putting this here because I have no rant. Where would I begin?

Elganesh

Riding home from work on the cycle path to Queensferry, I slowed down to pass a man and his dog. He obviously didn't have control of his dog (probably too lazy to train it, rather than it being the dog's fault) and as I passed him he said, "You want to slow down mate, it's not a racetrack."

I pointed out that I'd slowed down to barely faster than walking pace because of his lack of control over his dog and naturally as I cycled off he shot a stream of vitriolic invectives at me, mostly very unoriginal. I suspect he is the one of those who doesn't clean up after his dog either.

So if anyone is cycling from Chester along the Dee and meets this guy (you can't miss him), sorry for annoying him, he's an idiot and I couldn't help it.

marchant

Not a rant as such, but walking on a shared cycle/foot path (lanes seperated by a line of white paint), I got shouted at by a cyclist for being on the bike side, even though I was on the pedestrian side (and 5 feet from the markings which say which lane is which).

blackworx

marchant wrote:

Not a rant as such, but walking on a shared cycle/foot path (lanes seperated by a line of white paint), I got shouted at by a cyclist for being on the bike side, even though I was on the pedestrian side (and 5 feet from the markings which say which lane is which).

There are loads of dual use paths here in Edinburgh where the sides get switched for no apparent reason. You're on the correct side, then you arrive at the next junction to discover it's painted the other way around. :?: :!:

downfader

West Key road southampton, going under the Asda overpass and just about to go past a parked bus when I have to take some evasive action because of some plank who has decided to barge past me and cut me up (nothing on the otherside of the road)...

....to make matters worse as I carried on a taxi came roaring up behind me and tried the same. This guy ended up hammering on his horn so I lost my rag and swore at him about my getting around the bus safely and that he was a c***. :oops: I couldnt get his reg as he sped off, caught the first two letters.

Sure enough I get around to the train station and he's parked up there doing sod all. What was the ****ing rush?! I made sure to stop and look over at him and saw that he was trying to hide his face with his hand. I shook my head and walked off.

Rich158

I hate the bloody cold, first really cold day this morning, and what happens - I get a bloody puncture half way in (about 10 miles). I guess I have cursed myself by recomending my Conti Gatorskins to all and sundry :oops: Now realise how difficult it is to change a tyre with numb fingers, and how cold it really feels when I'm not moving and a bit sweaty at the roadside.

I Finally get into the office only to find I've got no bloody breakfast, I've run out of Weetabix. A quick scrounge reveals the only breakfast on offer is CocoPops. I haven't had these since I was about 12, and now I know why.

biondino

I very nearly had a serious accident last night when a hatchback decides to throw a U-turn, from parked, on Goldhawk Road about 10pm last night. I was up to full speed, about 22mph, and suddenly, aggressively and clearly without looking this guy pulls out. I now know what I shout when I think I'm going to die - "Nooooooooooo!". Anyway, I somehow manage the best emergency stop ever, and the guy hears or sees me and stops too, which is lucky as my emergency stop takes me three feet beyond the front of his car.

What really galls is the way, as he screeches off, his passenger gives me the finger. I almost started off chasing them but they didn't look like nice young men and what could I do anyway. Pleasingly, an elderly foreign guy who saw it was like "What a c***! He could have killed you!" and a woman in a wheelchair checked I was okay. Nice people.

Still, it left me shaken up with a more pronounced feeling of mortality - do other people get that? I have a fairly pronounced sense of mortality at the best of times so that's not good. I did, though, manage to cycle in with no worries or problems today.

linsen

Still, it left me shaken up with a more pronounced feeling of mortality - do other people get that?

Yes. On the way to Italian I was going round a roundabout when a car pulled out on me. He spotted me as I was yelling my very similar pre-death cry!
I however get the best sense of my own mortality when car transporters pass me with a few mm to spare.....

Rich158

biondino wrote:

I very nearly had a serious accident last night when a hatchback decides to throw a U-turn, from parked, on Goldhawk Road about 10pm last night. I was up to full speed, about 22mph, and suddenly, aggressively and clearly without looking this guy pulls out. I now know what I shout when I think I'm going to die - "Nooooooooooo!". Anyway, I somehow manage the best emergency stop ever, and the guy hears or sees me and stops too, which is lucky as my emergency stop takes me three feet beyond the front of his car.

What really galls is the way, as he screeches off, his passenger gives me the finger. I almost started off chasing them but they didn't look like nice young men and what could I do anyway. Pleasingly, an elderly foreign guy who saw it was like "What a c***! He could have killed you!" and a woman in a wheelchair checked I was okay. Nice people.

Still, it left me shaken up with a more pronounced feeling of mortality - do other people get that? I have a fairly pronounced sense of mortality at the best of times so that's not good. I did, though, manage to cycle in with no worries or problems today.

Had a very similar incident a few months ago with a arsehole turning right. How I missed the car god only knows, it just kept coming out of a side turning and all I can remember is sliding towards it thinking this is it, it's the big one, and then I was past him in the middle of the road hurling abuse at a rapidly disapearing car.

Riding along Bexleyheath Broadway every however day brings home my mortality only too well.

Rich158

Yet another rant, it's not been a good week.

yesterday, having spent all week extolling the virtues of Conti Gatorskin tyres I had two punctures, one in the morning - no problem. The front was a little flat in the evening so pumped it up thinking that'll get me home, and another puncture about 10 miles in. No problem I thought as I had two spare tubes....

Wrong :evil: :evil: :evil: My last tube was a Halfrauds special and showed all the ability of an old sock to hold air :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: . I'm now 10 miles from home with no idea of where the nearest train station is. I finally locate Crayford station, only to find the next train is in 30 mins, nice. If anyopne ever feels the need to go to Crayford - don't

Once on the train I bump into an old mate I haven't seen in 6 months who finds my dress extremely amusing, especially as he's three sheets to the wind, and proceeds to tell me over and over that I look like a demented Smurf. Thanks mate, I know how ridiculous I look, after all I did manage to dress myself.

My basic kit has now expanded to include some co2 gas canisters, and some tyre sealant. Those puncture gremlins has better not come near me again.......no-siree I'm prepared for you now bring it on

downfader

Rich158 wrote:

Once on the train I bump into an old mate I haven't seen in 6 months who finds my dress extremely amusing, especially as he's three sheets to the wind, and proceeds to tell me over and over that I look like a demented Smurf. Thanks mate, I know how ridiculous I look, after all I did manage to dress myself.

Just do as I have done and tell him you'll dance by his grave when he dies of heart disease and you out live him by a factor of some 10 years. :oops:

jweston

My favourite driver behaviours:
1. Idiots who over take meters before a junction.
2. Idiots who over take in the face of on coming traffic and misjudge your speed either cutting you or the other motorist up.
3. Idiots who pull in to the kerb to prevent you passing up the inside.
4. Same idiots who pull out to the centre of the road to prevent you passing on the outside.
5. Idiots who overtake too close (I had a coach pass me just 4 inches from my handlebar at 40!) When I caught up with the driver he said he didn't see me! I asked what more I have to do showing him my three rear lights, reflectives and neon gillet! He said he was sorry! Sorry won't bring me back from the dead!
6. Idiots who don't slow down to pass you on a singletrack road.

Having said all that, most drivers aren't idiots, some are thoughtless, but a select few need to loose their licenses.

Am I supposed to feel better now? I just feel a bit sad

downfader

jweston wrote:

My favourite driver behaviours:
1. Idiots who over take meters before a junction.
2. Idiots who over take in the face of on coming traffic and misjudge your speed either cutting you or the other motorist up.
3. Idiots who pull in to the kerb to prevent you passing up the inside.
4. Same idiots who pull out to the centre of the road to prevent you passing on the outside.
5. Idiots who overtake too close (I had a coach pass me just 4 inches from my handlebar at 40!) When I caught up with the driver he said he didn't see me! I asked what more I have to do showing him my three rear lights, reflectives and neon gillet! He said he was sorry! Sorry won't bring me back from the dead!
6. Idiots who don't slow down to pass you on a singletrack road.

Having said all that, most drivers aren't idiots, some are thoughtless, but a select few need to loose their licenses.

Am I supposed to feel better now? I just feel a bit sad

Welcome to the forum jweston!

Impatience and distraction are the two biggest problems on the road - they cause far more accidents and issues than alcohol and drugs. I saw a guy today drive right across me (at the exact spot I was knocked off in september this year) as I navigated a roundabout. The scary thing is the guy wasnt even watching the road, he was bent down trying to reach or fiddle with something on the passenger side of his car. :shock:

iain_j

Rant 1: drivers who blindly follow the car in front when turning right across a junction, regardless of whether it's still safe to do so - usually happens with several cars in a row. It's OK for the first one to do it, the road's clear, but by the time the 5th follows the 4th who was following the 3rd who... (you get my drift) - hello, give way to oncoming traffic, no?

In particular the w*nker who nearly knocked me off, then stuck 2 fingers up at me for having the cheek to call him w*nker - I doubt he heard me anyway cos I was out of breath and it didn't come out very loud :P

Rant 2: my brakes. I only changed the pads, front and rear, around October, and they're nearly worn away already. I reckon I've done about 700 miles on them. WTF?

I hate changing brake pads. Wouldn't be so bad if I cleaned my bike every now and then, but I hate cleaning my bike too.

bluecow

downfader wrote:

Rich158 wrote:

Once on the train I bump into an old mate I haven't seen in 6 months who finds my dress extremely amusing, especially as he's three sheets to the wind, and proceeds to tell me over and over that I look like a demented Smurf. Thanks mate, I know how ridiculous I look, after all I did manage to dress myself.

Just do as I have done and tell him you'll dance by his grave when he dies of heart disease and you out live him by a factor of some 10 years. :oops:

Havent you read any of this thread?! We'll all be spread over the tarmac long before he keels over with a heart attack!
This morning a bloke pulled out on me at a mini roundabout, despite my two front lights and having a car behind me. I managed to glare at him (from close quarters) into his side window and simultaneously shout "C*CK!" through a foamy froth eminating from my snarling lips. So now two more unfortunate pedestrians in Manchester think im a psychopath. Great!
Hmm i dont feel catharticised (i just made that word up) now, i just feel more annoyed! This thread is rubbish!