Near misses - mod warning 22/04 - see OP/post 822

CramCycle · 10-04-2018 12:10PM

elusiveguy wrote: »

On the horse thing, she 100% should have looked but it would really help if cyclists called ahead. I've lost count of the number of times I've nearly been buried in a ditch because a cyclist "sneaked up" on us at full clip. Not an attack on cyclists but as I rider(I'm both), I'm just trying to let cyclists know what would help

But if you call ahead, people would have you believe you could spook the horse. In this scenario, the rider was 100% at fault, on her phone on a horse and walking out into traffic without looking, crazy behaviour.

When I come yup behind a horse, I just wait behind patiently until noticed and waved past myself.

elusiveguy · 10-04-2018 01:04PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

in this instance, it doesn't sound like a situation where he was approaching the horse from behind with an opportunity to call out.

No, absolutely doesn't but seemed like a good opening!

CramCycle wrote: »

But if you call ahead, people would have you believe you could spook the horse. In this scenario, the rider was 100% at fault, on her phone on a horse and walking out into traffic without looking, crazy behaviour.

When I come yup behind a horse, I just wait behind patiently until noticed and waved past myself.

The horse will have much better hearing than the rider, make some noise WAY back and repeat until rider acknowledges. That's what would be the ideal for me.

Horse will GENERALLY be most weary of the hedges and verges, if they get a spook but aren't sure of the source they can spook away from the verges into whatever is overtaking.

I only mention it as I'm sure most cyclist don't know what's best to do

magicbastarder · 10-04-2018 01:08PM

my wife is a horserider too. i've sometimes been banned from cycling up to the side of the arena when they're doing outdoor lessons in case the horse decides i'm some sort of freak and has a spook.

07Lapierre · 10-04-2018 01:12PM

elusiveguy wrote: »

On the horse thing, she 100% should have looked but it would really help if cyclists called ahead. I've lost count of the number of times I've nearly been buried in a ditch because a cyclist "sneaked up" on us at full clip. Not an attack on cyclists but as I rider(I'm both), I'm just trying to let cyclists know what would help

A few years ago i was out on my bike. I was very happy with myself because I'd only recently serviced my rear wheel and the freehub was completely silent!
I came across and horse rider who was in front of me and didn't hear me freewheeling towards the back of the horse. I slowed down and called out "eh hello!", at which point the horse nearly jumped out of its skin with fright!

Lesson learned... My bikes now have the loudest freewheels!

ED E · 10-04-2018 01:16PM

Whistle the tune from Kill Bill gently when you're a good way away so you gradually come into eashot.

Kop Idol · 10-04-2018 01:33PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

elusiveguy wrote: »

On the horse thing, she 100% should have looked but it would really help if cyclists called ahead.

in this instance, it doesn't sound like a situation where he was approaching the horse from behind with an opportunity to call out.

Yup, I was riding up the hill when the girl came out of a gate on my left and rode across my path, continuing down the hill. The horse jumped a bit as it caught sight of me but no real danger, more just commenting on the girl's lack of attention due to her gaze being glued to her phone (its not just car drivers). If I had been descending instead of climbing, it could have come out a lot worse for both of us.
Appreciate the general tips on approaching horses though, thanks :)

magicbastarder · 10-04-2018 01:37PM

elusiveguy wrote: »

Horse will GENERALLY be most weary of the hedges and verges, if they get a spook but aren't sure of the source they can spook away from the verges into whatever is overtaking.

sounds like you guys should be made wear clothing which is highly reflective when out on the roads, and pay a horse tax and insurance too. might even be an idea to tattoo a registration number on the horse's ass.

Ray Bloody Purchase · 10-04-2018 01:44PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

sounds like you guys should be made wear clothing which is highly reflective when out on the roads, and pay a horse tax and insurance too. might even be an idea to tattoo a registration number on the horse's ass.

Hi-vis assless chaps.

Kop Idol · 10-04-2018 01:45PM

Funny you should mention 8-) > UK - Petition Horse owners stables to pay road tax
Ran for 6 months and only got 8 signatures :D

amcalester · 10-04-2018 01:48PM

Kop Idol wrote: »

Funny you should mention 8-) > UK - Petition Horse owners stables to pay road tax
Ran for 6 months and only got 8 signatures :D

Even mentions cyclists.

Gallant_JJ · 10-04-2018 01:50PM

Tight call at the weekend. Was on a fast descent, one I'm reasonably familiar with. The road rises slightly for a few metres resulting in a dip in the road which is in poor conditions with potholes, gravel etc.

Pulled out fairly central on the road to negotiate same. Was doing roughly 60kph, next thing a found a slight dusting to my thigh from a wing mirror. I then brushed off the side of what was a SUV, driven by a lady, who from what I could see was completely unaware of how close she had actually got.

I was with the club, and first down the descent, so i was the last of 6 people she had passed. Quite the scare.

elusiveguy · 10-04-2018 02:10PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

sounds like you guys should be made wear clothing which is highly reflective when out on the roads, and pay a horse tax and insurance too. might even be an idea to tattoo a registration number on the horse's ass.

Generally go out something like this.... have on occasion been told we're hard to see

cjt156 · 10-04-2018 02:28PM

Out of curiosity; what should a cyclist say to let you know of our approach?

Genuine question - I'm never quite sure if there's an expected call. I mean, I could just burst in to a rendition of the theme from Rawhide - Blues Brothers style - but I'm not sure I remember all the words...

cdaly_ · 10-04-2018 02:41PM

https://shop.smartproducts.nl/en/rainlegs/rainlegs-fluorescent-yellow.html

Ray Bloody Purchase wrote: »

Hi-vis assless chaps.

elusiveguy · 10-04-2018 02:53PM

cjt156 wrote: »

Out of curiosity; what should a cyclist say to let you know of our approach?

Genuine question - I'm never quite sure if there's an expected call. I mean, I could just burst in to a rendition of the theme from Rawhide - Blues Brothers style - but I'm not sure I remember all the words...

Doesn't really matter, its more so for the horses benefit than the rider. The kill bill video might have been a joke but would be ideal

Anything at all in a tone that won't lead a flighty prey animal to believe you want to eat it :pac::pac:

magicbastarder · 10-04-2018 02:57PM

also, i believe the wider the berth you give the horse the better. don't approach directly from behind, give it a better chance of seeing what is making the noise.

CramCycle · 10-04-2018 03:03PM

On a bike, I generally slow and keep a good distance, waiting for a safe time to overtake. By which time the rider and horse will have noticed me anyway.

cdaly_ · 10-04-2018 03:08PM

CramCycle wrote: »

On a bike, I generally slow and keep a good distance, waiting for a safe time to overtake. By which time the rider and horse will have noticed me anyway.

If the road is narrow, I'll stop and stand at the verge to allow an oncoming horse to walk by. If I need to pass one in the same direction I'll get the rider's attention and wait for them to inform/guide the horse.

elusiveguy · 10-04-2018 03:14PM

Any of those are perfect lads

Ray Bloody Purchase · 10-04-2018 03:20PM

Just approach quietly and whisper in the horses ear as you go by.

Either that or give a massive lash to a gong just as you are passing.

My father is an avid cyclist. Years ago, he was just about to set off on a cycle as I returned from a hack on an old horse we had. He was spouting off about how dangerous horse riding was. He promptly fell off the bike and injured his elbow right in front of me. Silly bollocks.

eeeee · 10-04-2018 03:31PM

I am constantly bewildered on group spins by how others think it's ok to approach horses. Slow the fup down, hang back and make a noise way out. I wait until the rider makes a sign it's ok to pass before I go by.
Many a time in my youth was spent going sideways as a car/motorbike decided to fly up to/past me on a horse. Bit of understanding goes a long way.
Didn't have hi-viz back then either, it's a wonder I survived

I think it was coming in in the UK though.

eeeee · 10-04-2018 03:33PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

also, i believe the wider the berth you give the horse the better. don't approach directly from behind, give it a better chance of seeing what is making the noise.

This is right. Horses can't see directly behind them (or in front). You also don't want to be there when they get a fright at ya! :pac:

mr spuckler · 10-04-2018 03:36PM

nee wrote: »

I am constantly bewildered on group spins by how others think it's ok to approach horses. Slow the fup down, hang back and make a noise way out. I wait until the rider makes a sign it's ok to pass before I go by.
Many a time in my youth was spent going sideways as a car/motorbike decided to fly up to/past me on a horse. Bit of understanding goes a long way.
Didn't have hi-viz back then either, it's a wonder I survived I think it was coming in in the UK though.

tbh I think you've partly answered your own query there. I've never spent any time around horses and have little to no experience of encountering them on the road, hence I have no idea about their behaviour or what could / would spook them.
as a result I've found the last couple of pages very informative and it will certainly cause me to be far more cautious the next time I encounter a horse on the road.

eeeee · 10-04-2018 03:37PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

my wife is a horserider too. i've sometimes been banned from cycling up to the side of the arena when they're doing outdoor lessons in case the horse decides i'm some sort of freak and has a spook.

It's interesting, horses are afraid of things that are new or foreign to their environment, but ok with things that are usually there.
For example, if they live in a field beside a train line, or near planes they get used to it and are ok with it, where as as a human you might startle yourself.
They do however also find new things to spook at on hacks and roads they have been down a thousand times/anywhere. They're very creative that way.

eeeee · 10-04-2018 03:38PM

mr spuckler wrote: »

tbh I think you've partly answered your own query there. I've never spent any time around horses and have little to no experience of encountering them on the road, hence I have no idea about their behaviour or what could / would spook them.
as a result I've found the last couple of pages very informative and it will certainly cause me to be far more cautious the next time I encounter a horse on the road.

Makes total sense. We had a thread before from a rider giving advice to cyclists. It's good that it comes up regularly.

elusiveguy · 10-04-2018 03:40PM

Its even more interesting when you start to train them and you realise that something that's TERRIFYING to walk past can be perfectly acceptable when approached to jump.

In terms of approaching them on the road, a new piece of rubbish or a new hole in hedge can be reason enough to leap to the centre of the road

The reason I brought it up is that I thought any issues I'd had were a result of people not knowing any better

magicbastarder · 10-04-2018 03:51PM

nee wrote: »

It's interesting, horses are afraid of things that are new or foreign to their environment, but ok with things that are usually there.
For example, if they live in a field beside a train line, or near planes they get used to it and are ok with it, where as as a human you might startle yourself.
They do however also find new things to spook at on hacks and roads they have been down a thousand times/anywhere. They're very creative that way.

if you've not read 'animals in translation' by temple grandin, consider it recommended.

ED E · 10-04-2018 04:55PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

if you've not read 'animals in translation' by temple grandin, consider it recommended.

Does the film suffice?

Ray Bloody Purchase · 13-04-2018 09:14AM

Not a near miss, nor did it involve me. Walking down Lower Gardiner Street yesterday, some guy face planted himself onto the road. Smashed his face right off it. His hands were in ribbons too. I called an ambulance for him, he seemed to be sort of conscious.

The armed Gardai came on the scene and they gave him first aid.

I didn't see it, just heard it across from me and saw him sprawled out. Looks like he got flipped right out over the handlebars. No helmet on him.

magicbastarder · 13-04-2018 09:19AM

No other person or vehicle involved?

Near misses - mod warning 22/04 - see OP/post 822

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