cyclists tales

Jakubclaret · Post by **Jakubclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 6:04 pm

aggi wrote:There's a reason for not going into single file, it's generally more dangerous to overtake in that manner. If a group of cyclists are in single file, motorists will often assume they can overtake in places which are not safe and will not leave the cyclist enough room. Motorists should give cyclists the same amount of room they would give another car when overaking which means they should be on the other side of the road and would have to wait until there are no oncoming cars. Being in two files usually forces this scenario but riding in single file can lead the motorist to think they can overtake on the same side of the road if there are oncoming cars thus not giving the cyclist the correct amount of space.

Riding two abreast also allows the motorist to overtake the group of cyclists quicker as there is less distance between the front and rear of the group (about half). This means that the motorist is past the group in less time, spending less time on the other side of the road and along side the group of cyclists and therefore safer all round.

It's one of those things that drivers seem to get unreasonably angry about, being passed within inches at 40mph might seem fine if you're the one in the car but it's much less fun when you're cycling.

It depends on the traffic & I was talking more about country lanes where space is tight I'm a patient driver I don't mind waiting for a open stretch to be honest usually before overtaking in all fairness the majority do seem to respond eventually by merging. I agree with the single file explanation that it's not the done thing there was no need for the diagram less space less speed I'm a advanced driver.

Flatline · Post by **Flatline** » Mon May 15, 2017 6:05 pm

bfccrazy wrote:Glad this has come to light as it was a family member of mine in that van who had some bad news and was en route to Blackburn Hospital.

Glad you've admitted all this as he has already approached the police with the incident.

Is your family member getting done for dangerous driving then?

bfccrazy · Post by **bfccrazy** » Mon May 15, 2017 6:27 pm

Flatline wrote:Is your family member getting done for dangerous driving then?

How would I know - ask the person who would of pressed charges......

Rammy1968 · Post by **Rammy1968** » Mon May 15, 2017 7:54 pm

I cycle quite a bit and have had problems with drivers but in general they are ok. People do seem to get annoyed with cyclist while driving all I will say is just be patient and wait for the right time to overtake that's what I do. Then again I always set off in plenty of time so I'm never in a rush

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon May 15, 2017 8:57 pm

Flatline wrote:Is your family member getting done for dangerous driving then?

As there been an offence of dangerous driving been committed? Or an admission of someone using foul and abusive language,strangling someone..while reading them the Highway Code rules...probably causing all sorts of chaos.

cloughyclaret · Post by **cloughyclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 9:12 pm

If we accept his quite frank admission of common assault (I would assume thats what it is) then I would also accept his version of why it happened. Total road rage on a bike doesn't mean the driver wasn't in the wrong. I'm not condoning it at all, by the way.

Also, this

Glad this has come to light as it was a family member of mine in that van who had some bad news and was en route to Blackburn Hospital

Does this mean the driver was distracted? It does read that way.

My husband cycles regularly, I have asked him many a time to stop. A cyclist will always lose against a car no matter who is in the wrong.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon May 15, 2017 9:19 pm

But it's not for you to accept anything. Total road rage doesn't mean the driver wasn't in the wrong. What's your verdict then.?

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 9:20 pm

What I struggle to get my head around is that every driver will give horses plenty of room, but not cyclists?

They all can't be members of the pony club can they?

Regarding the comments about ringing a bell. Its used to warn people that there are cyclists behind you. If the person doesn't move out of the way, then thats fine, but what is the difference to that and that between two people, one who walks faster than the other?

None whatsoever.

A lot less aggro and a lot more politeness and most of this stuff would never happen.

cloughyclaret · Post by **cloughyclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 9:24 pm

It is for me (I actually said we, meaning anyone who reads it) to accept what he has said in the post, you did so yourself, at least in part.

Personally, I think the driver was distracted and Happy saw red and went ballistic. I could be wrong, but I'm not the investigating officer.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Mon May 15, 2017 9:26 pm

you should all invest in an ACME rocket propelled bike, far too fast to encounter the problems you have been experiencing.

cloughyclaret · Post by **cloughyclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 9:28 pm

Wile E Coyote wrote:you should all invest in an ACME rocket propelled bike, far too fast to encounter the problems you have been experiencing.

You selling them Wile?

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 9:28 pm

That always ends with you being dropped into a massive canyon, ending in a puff of dust though

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon May 15, 2017 9:37 pm

cloughyclaret wrote:It is for me (I actually said we, meaning anyone who reads it) to accept what he has said in the post, you did so yourself, at least in part.

Personally, I think the driver was distracted and Happy saw red and went ballistic. I could be wrong, but I'm not the investigating officer.

You personally think the driver was distracted? Well I think your correct there.. He was told to fu.. Off and throttled! Would he have done the same to a little old lady driver? A disabled driver?an elderly gent? As he was seeing red you say. No justification for violence whatsoever IMO ever.

cloughyclaret · Post by **cloughyclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 9:45 pm

Tim, he was assaulted after he was judged by Happy to have put him in danger, not before. That wasn't what distracted him initially.

As said, I don't condone what he did whether its a little old lady, a disabled driver or anyone else. He should have called the police.
This is the kind of situation where helmet and dash cams are becoming increasingly required.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon May 15, 2017 9:54 pm

cloughyclaret wrote:Tim, he was assaulted after he was judged by Happy to have put him in danger, not before. That wasn't what distracted him initially.

As said, I don't condone what he did whether its a little old lady, a disabled driver or anyone else. He should have called the police.
This is the kind of situation where helmet and dash cams are becoming increasingly required.

Post 11

cloughyclaret · Post by **cloughyclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 10:00 pm

Im not disputing he lost his rag, and (for the third time) I'm not condoning his actions. I don't think you are reading my posts properly.

You asked my opinion of what happened. I told you. We are just going round in circles as you are choosing to focus on his actions after.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon May 15, 2017 10:09 pm

cloughyclaret wrote:Im not disputing he lost his rag, and (for the third time) I'm not condoning his actions. I don't think you are reading my posts properly.

You asked my opinion of what happened. I told you. We are just going round in circles as you are choosing to focus on his actions after.

I don't recall asking you for your opinion on what happened at all...I read your posts perfectly .correct I'm focusing on what happened after an alleged act of dangerous driving.

cloughyclaret · Post by **cloughyclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 10:12 pm

Post #57

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon May 15, 2017 10:16 pm

Yes ...what's your verdict.? I know your opinion.

cloughyclaret · Post by **cloughyclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 10:19 pm

Now you are just arguing for the sake of it.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon May 15, 2017 10:24 pm

cloughyclaret wrote:Now you are just arguing for the sake of it.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Mon May 15, 2017 10:52 pm

cloughyclaret wrote:If we accept his quite frank admission of common assault (I would assume thats what it is) then I would also accept his version of why it happened. Total road rage on a bike doesn't mean the driver wasn't in the wrong. I'm not condoning it at all, by the way.

Also, this

Does this mean the driver was distracted? It does read that way.

My husband cycles regularly, I have asked him many a time to stop. A cyclist will always lose against a car no matter who is in the wrong.

Sounds to me like Happyclaret is your husband? Unless I am mistaken?

cloughyclaret · Post by **cloughyclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 11:47 pm

No, CC. He isn't my husband. I just tried to look at both sides.

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Tue May 16, 2017 11:05 am

USC wrote:Typical cyclist - always think they're above the law. I bet you jump red lights too.

no usc ...never jump red lights or ride on pavements...most cyclists dont you know...I bet if I brushed past you touching your precious body you would go into hissy fits...try and imagine big lumps of metal controlled by morons trying to kill you....very very
different thing.
minority of drivers are idiots...minority of cyclists too...it aint difficult to understand is it really?

aggi · Post by **aggi** » Tue May 16, 2017 11:14 am

cloughyclaret wrote:My husband cycles regularly, I have asked him many a time to stop. A cyclist will always lose against a car no matter who is in the wrong.

That's true, and why the emphasis on cyclist wrongdoing rather than the much more dangerous driver wrongdoing seems illogical.

However, multiple studies have shown that the health benefits of cycling far outweigh the risks. The issue is that the risks just feel more tangible as a car close passing at 40mph is much easier to see than improvements to your heart and the rest.

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Tue May 16, 2017 12:57 pm

as far as getting the police involved
I had a motorist jump a red light and I smashed into the car and broke bones...fortunately my helmet saved my bacon...whilst on the floor a motorist passed me her details as she had seen what happened....the car had boyfriend and girlfriend in the front seats...my witness swore in court that the girl was driving....the police put the lad in court...it was thrown out of court....my one and only experience with the police and they got it wrong.....I did get some compensation but no justice.
I hope to god that none of you criticising my response ever end up at a cyclists funeral caused by bad driving...I have had the experience once and not something I ever want to experience again.
let me re iterate....the gap for him to come through wasnt there without causing me to swerve into another lane and once he was alongside me he had to stop because the traffic was backed up.....a completely mindless action with no point to it whatsoever....calling it bad driving doesnt even come close...he had no injuries except perhaps his machismo....oh and by the way...I once had an old lady knock me off my bike...it was a brand new bike....she was mortified and very upset...I didnt report it due to this ...she paid the 40 quid repair bill but the gears were never the same again and I bought a new bike....that was my most worrying accident as she hit me at 30 miles an hour when I was stopped turning right at a roundabout.
it has amazed me the attitude of several posters on this thread....he never got any injuries at all but potentially he is/was an accident waiting to happen and more likely than not a hit and run.....hoping I never feel so badly wronged again on the road but I fear its only a question of time....utc...

most drivers are brilliant....cannot understand for the life in me why these dangerous drivers arent dealt with more severely...and for that matter all the dangerous cyclists...pavement hoppers etc.

Claret · Post by **Claret** » Tue May 16, 2017 1:16 pm

I was driving my van past the Princess Royal towards the roundabout when this cyclist swerved in front of me. I sounded my horn to warn him of my presence but he swore at me then jumped off his bike and leaped into my van, assaulting me, choking me and threatening to carry out further injuries. What an idiot!

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Tue May 16, 2017 4:15 pm

Claret wrote:I was driving my van past the Princess Royal towards the roundabout when this cyclist swerved in front of me. I sounded my horn to warn him of my presence but he swore at me then jumped off his bike and leaped into my van, assaulting me, choking me and threatening to carry out further injuries. What an idiot!

his head is made of bacon apparently.....

only joking mr happy.

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Tue May 16, 2017 7:36 pm

Rick Muller
just to say that caption was brilliant....I nearly wet myself...just texted it to my girlfriend and she loved it...mind you she always likes some....errr best not ....if you get any more like that, get em posted.

SirAlec · Post by **SirAlec** » Tue May 16, 2017 8:15 pm

I was happily cycling along at 30mph when a car decided to overtake me with a mere 3/4 inches of clearance at 50mph (it was a 40mph speed limit), there was no oncoming traffic not another car in sight, it was a wide road there would of been enough room for him to pass safely even if there were oncoming traffic. When I looked up I could see he waving his arms gesturing at the footpath running along side the road. He very nearly killed me, for what reason?

Luckily there was a round about a few hundred yards down the road where he had to stop for traffic and I was easily able to catch him up and give him a piece of my mind, if it wasn't for the fact that his wife was in the car I probably would of smashed his face into his steering wheel several times. This happened last September, I still find my blood boil when I think back to it. I've never used the c word so many times in one sentence.

SammyBoy · Post by **SammyBoy** » Tue May 16, 2017 8:26 pm

happyclaret17 wrote:he never got any injuries at all but potentially he is/was an accident waiting to happen and more likely than not a hit and run

Out of interest, what makes you think this?

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Tue May 16, 2017 8:39 pm

I feel your pain SirAlec...I have only been cycling 8 years and prior to that was just a motorist...it has really surprised me the way some people react towards cyclists....once again...most motorists are brilliant but this small minority make you despair...I mean you wouldnt walk down a street assaulting people at random would you? that guy could have put you in hospital or worse...you did well to restrain yourself...I think its time for a helmet cam...if anyone can recommend something which is nice and easy to use that would be great...I will post my clips on you tube....that should be fun.

scouseclaret · Post by **scouseclaret** » Tue May 16, 2017 9:10 pm

dpinsussex wrote:Horse riders on mobile phones do my nut in
Just as dangerous as using in the car.

Wouldnt mind but have to slow down for the numpties too

I often wonder while riding past horse riders who invariably have high viz jackets with "POLITE notice" written on and a chequered band around their hats - can they be done for impersonating a police officer????

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Tue May 16, 2017 9:20 pm

so many rules in our land are potty...I dont have a problem with horse riders personally but why do dog owners have to scoop up tiny mounds of pooh ( which often end up in bags abandoned willy nilly ) but a horse can empty its massive bowels wherever it likes....they should make em carry bin liners for gods sake....

Dom · Post by **Dom** » Wed May 17, 2017 4:03 pm

Definitely idiots on both sides, last night I indicated to turn right into a side road, cyclist decides to overtake me on the outside and nearly ends up on the front of my car, I had seen him veer over to the right in my mirrors just as I did my final check before turning, and that's what stopped him ending up in hospital. He then mounted the pavement and cycled on there. Complete bellend with no self awareness.

ClaretAndJew · Post by **ClaretAndJew** » Wed May 17, 2017 4:29 pm

happyclaret17 wrote:so many rules in our land are potty...I dont have a problem with horse riders personally but why do dog owners have to scoop up tiny mounds of pooh ( which often end up in bags abandoned willy nilly ) but a horse can empty its massive bowels wherever it likes....they should make em carry bin liners for gods sake....

Horses waste can be made into fertilisers and generally bio-degrade with no issues, dog crap on the other hand is harmful to us and serves no functional purpose.

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Wed May 17, 2017 6:31 pm

Dom, I detest these idiots you are talking about..I see it all the time...I just wish they werent classed as cyclists....as I very rarely see proper cyclists doing stuff like that.....my girlfriend lives in preston and right outside her house the path is shared by cyclists and pedestrians...she has had a few issues with that...I wish all cycles had to have a reg plate and insurance ....no difference between idiots on bikes or idiots behind a wheel except the idiot behind the wheel is more likely to kill someone.

Flatline · Post by **Flatline** » Wed May 17, 2017 9:48 pm

On a positive note cycling from Burnley, there a some fantastic routes.Padiham to Sabden fold from Slade lane to Newchurch,Barley then up and over to Downham,Worston and back round the Nick O' Pendle into Sabden.Up that steep bastid of a hill when you think this might be the end of life

and back home in one piece.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Wed May 17, 2017 10:22 pm

Flatline wrote:On a positive note cycling from Burnley, there a some fantastic routes.Padiham to Sabden fold from Slade lane to Newchurch,Barley then up and over to Downham,Worston and back round the Nick O' Pendle into Sabden.Up that steep bastid of a hill when you think this might be the end of life and back home in one piece.

Barlick to chatburn a days work up to downham up the big hills left to blacko down to barrowford into colne up the main drag which is bugger all to what youve just done and home. Its a tough loneley ride..... you dont think youll make it!

Carport · Post by **Carport** » Thu May 18, 2017 8:19 am

aggi wrote:There's a reason for not going into single file, it's generally more dangerous to overtake in that manner. If a group of cyclists are in single file, motorists will often assume they can overtake in places which are not safe and will not leave the cyclist enough room. Motorists should give cyclists the same amount of room they would give another car when overaking which means they should be on the other side of the road and would have to wait until there are no oncoming cars. Being in two files usually forces this scenario but riding in single file can lead the motorist to think they can overtake on the same side of the road if there are oncoming cars thus not giving the cyclist the correct amount of space.

Riding two abreast also allows the motorist to overtake the group of cyclists quicker as there is less distance between the front and rear of the group (about half). This means that the motorist is past the group in less time, spending less time on the other side of the road and along side the group of cyclists and therefore safer all round.

It's one of those things that drivers seem to get unreasonably angry about, being passed within inches at 40mph might seem fine if you're the one in the car but it's much less fun when you're cycling.

Have to say as a cyclist I disagree with the above. I used to go on cycling club runs in the 70s where up to 12 of us would cycle two abreast on country lanes but only up to the point where the rear most cyclist heard a vehicle approaching from behind and shouted "car up" at which point we would all spontaneously slot into single file as the courteous thing to do. As a driver I'd appreciate large groups of cyclists doing the same nowadays.

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Thu May 18, 2017 12:28 pm

I think if its a very winding road where its hard to overtake then the cyclists should always be single file...I saw a cyclist killed near bolton abbey 2 years ago who was in a huge group and was ploughed into by a car.....I want to be clear that I dont know the exact details and not sure who was at fault but I have seen groups on that road going 2 abreast and I think its an accident waiting to happen.....long straight stretches of road where visibility is clear for miles you can excuse but certain roads are just not for 2 abreast.