I really don't like to moan about other cyclists but....

chris_bass

the road near me is used for amateur time trial events a lot, seems like about 2 a week when the weather is ok.

I have to cycle down it on my way home from work and the cyclists in the event are a nightmare!! they whizz past with about an inch to spare, often give me no room so i have to go over cracks in the road or pot holes which they are trying to avoid! they fly round round abouts without much care for cars or other road users! and how they can stand the noise that disc wheels make is beyond me, but at least it gives me some warning when one is approaching!

i'll admit i guess i partly don't like it because the overtake me with such ease as well, but we'll skim over that point for now!

how do other people find them?

it also annoys me because i love cycling and cyclists, and dont want to discourage cycling of any kind but i find myself cursing the times i see the dreaded 'cycle event in progress' signs along the road!

snoopsmydogg

dont find it an issue personally.

If they are doing a TT on a public road then there is no reason for you to ride over pot holes to get out of their way. If you feel they are being unsafe why not report it to the organisers? You may find they are usually pretty helpful

chris_bass

i guess thats a fair point but its generally a case of hit the pot hole or hit them and i dont really fancy playing chicken with the other rider over you will move over!!

slowbike

Perhaps you need to look a bit further ahead and move out from the pothole in plenty of time.

What is your definition of "no room" ... what may seem like nothing to you is plenty of room from their viewpoint - not that it's much excuse because they should give enough room for you ...

Perhaps if you do a bit of wobbling they'll give you more room!

bails87

Just look ahead, when you spot the pothole stick an arm out and move out to go round it. I'd imagine they don't want to crash any more than you do.

logitech208

I get this to on the A361 Frome Bypass, I can deal with being overtaken its the way they take the round abouts it's bordering on dangerous at times.

Love there helmets though I want one.

chris_bass

the amount of potholes round here i'd be sticking my arm out every minute or so and spend half my cycle in the middle of the road in that case!!

MattC59

The problem that I see regularly (local 10mile TT on A4 between Reading and Newbury) is the lack of consideration from those involved for other road users, be they cars, trucks or other bikes. The riders seem so focused on what they're doing that they don't think about their surroundings. I've regularly seen riders, whilst in a tuck, dodge sideways to avoid a pothole with out looking to see what is behind or outside of them.

The worst thing is round abouts. The times I've had riders assume right of way and head straight out onto a round about in front of me, with no regard for the rules of the road.

It's a road primarily, if you want to race on it, fine, but you stil lhave to obey the rules of the road.

sub55

perception:
when you are the one doing the riding, to you there's plenty of room. To the spectator it looks insane.


believe it or not you can't hear your own disk

MattC59

sub55 wrote:

perception:
when you are the one doing the riding, to you there's plenty of room. To the spectator it looks insane.

I know what you mean, you're whizzing along, in your own world, you think you've got plenty of room, or time, then you've squeezed past, forcing a cyclist into the verge, or worse still; bang, you've hit a cyclist. I bet a lot of car drivers have said the same. Imagine if you drove a car like that, I imagine most people on here would think you're a bit of a c*nt.

The rules work both ways, they apply to everyone on the road, just 'cause you're on a bike, or racing, doesn't mean you're exempt. Unfortunately the cyclist has less protection than the driver. (oops, let's nto start the helmet thing again).

chris_bass

sub55 wrote:

perception:
believe it or not you can't hear your own disk

I think I'll choose not to believe it!! they are louder than the Flintstones' car going at full whack!!

DavidJB

MattC59 wrote:

The problem that I see regularly (local 10mile TT on A4 between Reading and Newbury) is the lack of consideration from those involved for other road users, be they cars, trucks or other bikes. The riders seem so focused on what they're doing that they don't think about their surroundings. I've regularly seen riders, whilst in a tuck, dodge sideways to avoid a pothole with out looking to see what is behind or outside of them.

The worst thing is round abouts. The times I've had riders assume right of way and head straight out onto a round about in front of me, with no regard for the rules of the road.

It's a road primarily, if you want to race on it, fine, but you stil lhave to obey the rules of the road.

That section of road is literally the worst in the world for cycling on.

diy

Huge generalisation but a lot of road cyclist racing our riding in a fast peloton don't consider other road users. I have been overtaken by groups who the turn left and force you to stop or follow them. I also don't like how little room people give you when they pass. I think it's easy to forget that you are on a highway not a track.

MattC59

DavidJB wrote:

MattC59 wrote:

The problem that I see regularly (local 10mile TT on A4 between Reading and Newbury) is the lack of consideration from those involved for other road users, be they cars, trucks or other bikes. The riders seem so focused on what they're doing that they don't think about their surroundings. I've regularly seen riders, whilst in a tuck, dodge sideways to avoid a pothole with out looking to see what is behind or outside of them.

The worst thing is round abouts. The times I've had riders assume right of way and head straight out onto a round about in front of me, with no regard for the rules of the road.

It's a road primarily, if you want to race on it, fine, but you stil lhave to obey the rules of the road.

That section of road is literally the worst in the world for cycling on.

Tell me about it !! I try to avoid it like the plague, but I guess that the TT guys like it 'cause it's flat-ish and is about 5miles between round abouts.

napoleond

Stop moaning.

chris_bass

NapoleonD wrote:

Stop moaning.

yes - I should also point out the weather has been awesome this week and my cycling has also been some of the most enjoyable in ages!! managed to squeeze in about 420 miles and do 6 days at work!! so i'm not all down in the dumps dont worry

ben@31

The law of Dawinism states that after a clash with a Volvo at a roundabout, they'll learn.

chris_bass

isnt that also called thinning the herd

Wheelie Bin

Moan away mate. Personally, I'm appalled at the conduct of a lot of other cyclists... not that I'm perfect, but there are as many arrogant, self-righteous idiots in lycra as there are on four wheels. It's a recurrent theme around here.

markos1963

I agree, make them all ride sportives as a punishment.

mattshrops

what a bunch of old ladies :roll:

got any new knitting patterns?

dw300

1. They're racing! The need to slipstream you right till the last second then pop out, so they're gona be close to you. But if they put that much effort into a good time, they're not going to ruin it by hitting you.

2. They're probably so far in the hurt locker that they want to get hit by a car so the pain will be less!

3. Do you mean potholes, or are you riding so far in that you have to move to go round drains? Cycle further out, give yourself room. If you need to avoid something then you have 2 sides to pass it on. Alternatively, do an 'Obree' and look so wobbly on the bike they don't dare get near to you.

chris_bass

1 - i'm not racing and so they shouldnt do this to me!

2 - I don't want to be hit by a car - they are more than welcome to kill themselves, i have now problem with this!!

3 - i mean pot holes! to move further out would put me way too far out in the road!

thegibdog

Ride as far out from the edge of the road so that you can avoid hazards by moving to the left rather than out into traffic if possible. If you see a hazard that you need to move out to the right for make sure you do so in good time, signalling if necessary. This applies no matter what traffic is passing you, bikes or cars.

This doesn't mean that the time triallists shouldn't be giving you more room, nor should they be slipstreaming you!