[bridgetown1]

32 years ago I cycled the Ring of Kerry for the first time. I have been a keen cyclist all my life (now nearing 50!!) so I am NOT a newbie weekend-bike-to-work person.

I also drive.

I recently came across a group of about 30 cyclists, cycling up to 4 abreast, between Bandon and Dunmanway. When I started my cycling way back when (late '70s) we were always told NEVER to cycle more than 2 abreast, and in traffic (or when traffic was approaching) ALWAYS cycle in single file. Also if there were 6 or more of you then split into 2 groups.

These rules seem to be non-existent now. What are the rules about cycling in groups? Are there any?

[Raam]

Beats me.

[rp]

I think 2 abreast is the law/custom; but going into single file doesn't seem sensible, as, unless the lane is something like 5m wide, a car still couldn't safely pass a single cyclist anymore than it could 2 or 4. In fact it makes it harder, cuz you are going to need a much longer clear stretch to pass them all out.

[Dermot Illogical]

Originally Posted by bridgetown1

These rules seem to be non-existent now. What are the rules about cycling in groups? Are there any?

The rules are that seeing anyone cycling more than 2 abreast entitles you to come on here to bitch about it, making sure to establish your own cycling credentials first.

The 2 abreast rule is still there, and overtakes of a 2 abreast group must be done single file. So the widest group you should see at any one time is 3 abreast.
The rest of the rules taught to you don't exist, and had no basis in law.

Single file in traffic is only asking for some muppet in a car to do a close overtake. Some clubs/groups do it anyway. Each to their own.

Sometimes a group will be 2 abreast but will not look it. Not everyone is great at following the wheel in front and it can look a bit messy at times.

[Diarmuid]

Originally Posted by bridgetown1

32 years ago I cycled the Ring of Kerry for the first time. I have been a keen cyclist all my life (now nearing 50!!) so I am NOT a newbie weekend-bike-to-work person.

I also drive.

Is it just me or has this forum turned into one big Groundhog Day?

[Raam]

Originally Posted by Diarmuid

Is it just me or has this forum turned into one big Groundhog Day?

Strange feeling that I've heard that before somewhere...

[Dermot Illogical]

Is it just me or has this forum turned into one big Groundhog Day?

[Raam]

Originally Posted by RT66

Is it just me or has this forum turned into one big Groundhog Day?

Strange feeling that I've heard that before somewhere...

[Dermot Illogical]

Originally Posted by Raam

Strange feeling that I've heard that before somewhere...

Strange feeling that I've heard that before somewhere...

[manwithaplan]

You have to cycle two abreast, even when you are on your own.

Incidentally, does anyone else look up the line on a club spin, calculate who they will be paired with for a two minute chat and who they will miss and sigh inwardly? I hate being on the wrong end of this (mostly) same sex speed dating. Great to get out, isn't it...

I like to say "tidy up lads" in a serious voice when I am at the back of the bunch because it gives me an alpha male buzz. I also like to ride up to the front and say "ease up a bit, there's people being dropped" in similarly earnest tones.

[Raam]

"STEADY!"

[Dermot Illogical]

Originally Posted by manwithaplan

Incidentally, does anyone else look up the line on a club spin, calculate who they will be paired with for a two minute chat and who they will miss and sigh inwardly? I hate being on the wrong end of this (mostly) same sex speed dating.

Easy solution. Change sex.

[Postit]

Originally Posted by bridgetown1

32 years ago I cycled the Ring of Kerry for the first time. I have been a keen cyclist all my life (now nearing 50!!) so I am NOT a newbie weekend-bike-to-work person.

So what?

Originally Posted by bridgetown1

I also drive.

So what?

Originally Posted by bridgetown1

I recently came across a group of about 30 cyclists, cycling up to 4 abreast, between Bandon and Dunmanway. When I started my cycling way back when (late '70s) we were always told NEVER to cycle more than 2 abreast, and in traffic (or when traffic was approaching) ALWAYS cycle in single file. Also if there were 6 or more of you then split into 2 groups.

These rules seem to be non-existent now. What are the rules about cycling in groups? Are there any?

The law is maximum two abreast. People break the law. Get over it!

[Eamonnator]

It's Deja Vu all over again!

[seamus]

Actually, remembering this common gripe I made a special note to observe group dynamics at the event I was at on Saturday. It was a huge group, probably pushing 100 cyclists in convoy.

From my position at the back () it looked like just a complete mess of bikes everywhere, taking up the whole road; 3, 4, 5 abreast, just mucking in anywhere.
But as I took the opportunity for closer look, moving forwards and backwards through the group, I realised that in fact there were very few people riding 3 abreast, if any. In most cases they were riding two abreast, the odd time a 3 abreast might occur when someone was falling back or overtaking.

However, the reason that they looked like 3 or 4 abreast was because the line wasn't neat. In some cases the guys were cycling right beside eachother, in other cases they were riding with 1.5 metres between them, effectively hogging the whole lane.

From behind, this looked like 3 or 4 abreast, when in basically all cases it was 2 abreast. In fact from what I could tell, people were actively avoiding riding 3 abreast - not because they thought they should, but because riding with 3 bikes in a 2.5 metre wide lane at 35km/h is quite uncomfortable with little room for error. Any time a rider turned a twosome into a threesome, someone would move forward or back to give themselves more room, and the three-abreast position was abandoned.