Another TT Death

Very sad news indeed.

IT does scare me the idea of doing a TT on a dual carriageway, just the higher average speed of cars. Guess you have to use your judgement though and knowledge of the course to consider if you feel more or less at threat than on a single carriageway road.

John.T wrote:

Danlikesbikes wrote:

Very sad news indeed.
IT does scare me the idea of doing a TT on a dual carriageway, just the higher average speed of cars. Guess you have to use your judgement though and knowledge of the course to consider if you feel more or less at threat than on a single carriageway road.

It is indeed very sad news but I have ridden this course several times and have never found the traffic intimidating at the times we are on it. I have had more scares on SC courses as there is less room, sight lines are shorter etc.

Not that I am ever in the area but its good to know that you have ridden it & felt safe. I have raced on 2 courses locally to me & one I will never do again as it just did not feel safe at all, whereas the other did and am quite happy on the course. Guess it all comes down to your own judgement & what/where you feel happy & safe riding.

Not that I am trying to hijack this thread as it is truly a saddening moment when a fellow cyclist passes away taking part in a sport they love.

First and foremost, condolences to the family of CHRIS AUKER who was killed in this accident. RIP


Secondly, in terms of racing on dual carriageways – I do it myself and it scares the crap outta me. Usually once a year in search of that über-fast time. I don't feel it is safe particularly and personally would not a raise a fuss if these events were banned.

It comes down to the drivers more than anything - even with 2 lanes available to them (and light traffic conditions), many of them still insist on staying int he left lane and weaving around each cyclist instead of keeping to the right. We're talking about a maximum of 5 miles of road in each direction in most cases!

Would be nice to have permission to cone off the one lane for the duration of the event and hold them less often. But it will probably never happen.

This particular incident was a freak occurrence from what I understand though and less to do with it being a dual carriageway. Cyclist ran into the back of a broken-down vehicle I think.

No matter what happened, sad to see another deceased cyclist.

If you're racing today, keep your head up and watch where you're going. Play (and stay) safe out there.

Pokerface wrote:

First and foremost, condolences to the family of CHRIS AUKER who was killed in this accident. RIP


Secondly, in terms of racing on dual carriageways – I do it myself and it scares the crap outta me. Usually once a year in search of that über-fast time. I don't feel it is safe particularly and personally would not a raise a fuss if these events were banned.

It comes down to the drivers more than anything - even with 2 lanes available to them (and light traffic conditions), many of them still insist on staying int he left lane and weaving around each cyclist instead of keeping to the right. We're talking about a maximum of 5 miles of road in each direction in most cases!

Would be nice to have permission to cone off the one lane for the duration of the event and hold them less often. But it will probably never happen.

This particular incident was a freak occurrence from what I understand though and less to do with it being a dual carriageway. Cyclist ran into the back of a broken-down vehicle I think.

No matter what happened, sad to see another deceased cyclist.

If you're racing today, keep your head up and watch where you're going. Play (and stay) safe out there.[/quote]


A bloody good bit of advice people. The pros have closed roads, we don't. RIP Chris, sleep well fella.

Pokerface wrote:

First and foremost, condolences to the family of CHRIS AUKER who was killed in this accident. RIP


Secondly, in terms of racing on dual carriageways – I do it myself and it scares the crap outta me. Usually once a year in search of that über-fast time. I don't feel it is safe particularly and personally would not a raise a fuss if these events were banned.

It comes down to the drivers more than anything - even with 2 lanes available to them (and light traffic conditions), many of them still insist on staying int he left lane and weaving around each cyclist instead of keeping to the right. We're talking about a maximum of 5 miles of road in each direction in most cases!

Would be nice to have permission to cone off the one lane for the duration of the event and hold them less often. But it will probably never happen.

This particular incident was a freak occurrence from what I understand though and less to do with it being a dual carriageway. Cyclist ran into the back of a broken-down vehicle I think.

No matter what happened, sad to see another deceased cyclist.

If you're racing today, keep your head up and watch where you're going. Play (and stay) safe out there.

Why is there such a need to search for "uber" fast times. The times are meaningless it is how people compare to others in the event that counts. The way it is going they will be on closed circuits. Too dangerous on DC and the bikes used these days don't help. I have seen guys out on TT bikes, Disc or deep section wheels, bars etc, on club rides practising ! and cannot handle the bike, it does not take much to divert course, cross wind, lorry close etc. Very sad another loss of life.

oldwelshman wrote:

Why is there such a need to search for "uber" fast times. The times are meaningless it is how people compare to others in the event that counts.

This ^
I can't understand a faster time being more important than my safety, and worse still I'd hate my own irresponsible choices to be the reason my wife and son got that knock at the door.

oldwelshman wrote:

I have seen guys out on TT bikes, Disc or deep section wheels, bars etc, on club rides practising ! and cannot handle the bike

I am surprised the club even allow them out, most won't let you ride a TT bike on a club run

With regards to todays horrible occurrence, it is tragic and unfortunate, I just hope his family seek comfort in the knowledge it was quick and doing something he no doubt loved

themekon wrote:

Does anyone really think that a so called uber fast time with assistance of fast moving traffic to tow them along is a reflection of their true ability?.
I've witnessed plenty of time trialists move out to catch the drag from a lorry, coach, or car towing caravan.

I've seen it a lot too. To me it's no different to drafting and as such is cheating but then they can't see that and so will carry on to do it. You're only racing yourself really so why hitch a ride, it's called the race of truth for a reason

Looks fairly quiet on the other side of the road, I would have no qualms about racing on that, obviously with the queues due to the traffic being diverted off the road it's impossible to comment on the side of the road where the incident happened. FWIW I've often ridden events on the E2(A11/A14) near Cambridge and during the race traffic has felt fairly light but the after I've finished I'll go back out on to the course to cheer on clubmates and standing at the side of the road traffic levels do seem much worse.

RIP very sad to hear, personally I will never race a duel carriageway TT and I hate the way some of the older guys in my club encourage others to do them, some of them juniors and or new to cycling, when i drive on them the last thing i expect to see is a cyclist all it takes is a pot hole or a gust of wind causing the cyclist to swerve and thats it. I agree with the view that getting a fast time is pointless and means nothing, there are people over here who have been to fast courses and done 50minute 25mile TTs but then over here I can take a minute out of them on our course but only do a 54.

John.T wrote:

when i drive on them the last thing i expect to see is a cyclist

Then it is time you learnt to be observant and take note of all roads that cyclists are entitled to use. Far too many drivers are like you. If you give cyclists the recommended 1.5 metres room there is no problem. And if you can't then it is not safe to pass.

Agree with this - got beeped by a car on a dual carriageway this morning as I had the audacity to deviate from my line by less than a foot to avoid a pothole as he was overtaking me. It was a dual carriageway FFS, why was he even in my lane when there was an overtaking lane he could use? These roads may be dangerous, but they are dangerous because of idiot drivers and we shouldn't lose sight of that. This is a general observation and not specifically related to the OP by the way.

What is needed is more cyclists on these roads not less. Then we will be more conspicuous and it will be more obvious that cyclists can and do use these roads.

As a consequence of this death Humberside Police today cancelled all amateur road races not held on closed roads, which is none of them.

Season over before it starts.

Yorkman wrote:

As a consequence of this death Humberside Police today cancelled all amateur road races not held on closed roads, which is none of them.

Season over before it starts.

Except they have not, because they do not have the authority to cancel TT's where riders start at 1 min intervals. They actually have said they will not support them, which is entirely different.

For road racing this has a bigger impact.

Markos1963 - you imagine wrongly for TT.
Police have no jurasdiction - an organiser notifying 6 weeks in advance is all that is required. you then receive a standard letter back from the Police advising that they note the event and a warning that should an accident occur it will be investigated.

Agreed, worring time for RR in the area.