What's the obsession middle aged lads have with cycling?

Silent Running · 24-07-2018 03:27PM

partyguinness wrote: »

To Motorists:

There is a reason why cyclists cycle in the middle of a road lane. For the uninitiated, cyclists are encouraged not to hug the footpath/kerb and stay out on the road.

It's called 'dominating the road'. Why? Because if you hug the footpath/kerb then you will leave more space and motorists are less likely to slow down and to take more risks when passing you. Plus by hugging the kerb you risk whacking off it out on to the road. Also you may not be seen by a motorist. Quite frankly it is dangerous to stick too close to the side of the road.

By 'dominating the road' the motorist has to notice you and slow down and take appropriate over taking measures while cursing and swearing little realizing that it's for the benefit of the motorist also.

Road safety awareness courses in the UK actually teach this stuff- I know as I was on one...:o

I hope someone is learning this for the first time and I have done my bit.

Dominating the road huh?

As I have said before, I mostly drive on twisty country roads with a solid centre line. It wouldn't be unusual for the line to be unbroken for 10kms or more. A cyclist dominating that road would quickly find a long queue of vehicles of every size pottering along in his/her wake. Now I know that most (all?) cyclists will not pull in to a gateway or passing spot to let the queue get past - like a tractor driver would do - so what do you see happening in this scenario? Everybody happily crawling along, enjoying the view and all humming the same tune in harmony?

marvin80 · 24-07-2018 03:29PM

tobdom wrote: »

'They' ("cyclists") are grouped together as if it is the main defining thing about them, rather then the fact that they're just actually other people (humans) who are cycling, maybe for commuting, maybe for sport/leisure etc.

That's a good point - all cyclists are grouped together and there's a bias against them as a group as a result of a small few cyclists and their actions (breaking red lights etc..).

magicbastarder · 24-07-2018 03:30PM

Podge_irl wrote: »

None. But once you are crossing the central line it doesn't really matter a damn where the cyclist is on the road as your ability to overtake is dependent only on it being safe to do so with no oncoming traffic.

you're making the mistake of assuming that cyclists are advised to do this to protect themselves from people who overtake safely. they're advised to do this to protect themselves from people who do not.

in general, you'll see cyclists do this on blind bends, etc.; it's in their interest that cars can pass safely where conditions allow.

partyguinness · 24-07-2018 03:30PM

Silent Running wrote: »

Dominating the road huh?

As I have said before, I mostly drive on twisty country roads with a solid centre line. It wouldn't be unusual for the line to be unbroken for 10kms or more. A cyclist dominating that road would quickly find a long queue of vehicles of every size pottering along in his/her wake. Now I know that most (all?) cyclists will not pull in to a gateway or passing spot to let the queue get past - like a tractor driver would do - so what do you see happening in this scenario? Everybody happily crawling along, enjoying the view and all humming the same tune in harmony?

Have you ever heard of the concept of 'common sense'? Judging by that post I guess not

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_sense

magicbastarder · 24-07-2018 03:32PM

marvin80 wrote: »

That's a good point - all cyclists are grouped together and there's a bias against them as a group as a result of a small few cyclists and their actions (breaking red lights etc..).

yep. you don't see threads on boards where people lump all motorists into a single pile and claim they're assholes as a group because of the few who shouldn't be let out. but cyclists get this a lot; 'i saw an asshole cyclist today, ergo cyclists are assholes'.

Silent Running · 24-07-2018 03:32PM

partyguinness wrote: »

Have you ever heard of the concept of 'common sense'?

Yup, I have. The common sense thing would be for the cyclist to pull in to let the queue away, then continue their journey until they have created another traffic jam... rinse and repeat. Y'know, like a tractor driver does.

The Bishop Basher · 24-07-2018 03:33PM

Boom_Bap wrote: »

I'd like to see at least one cyclist and one motorist learn something new from each of these threads and admit it

I said on a thread some time ago that I'd learned to give cyclists a bit more room when passing from boards and that i was now far more aware of their experience.

I still do give them a wide berth when passing but the level of dickishness from groups has increased significantly.

I'd never do anything to put another road user's life in danger but the good will is rapidly being eaten up..

As I said, you always know the skilled guys.. They shoot through and pose no bother to anyone. They have the nouse and road awareness not to hold up other traffic on the road.

Podge_irl · 24-07-2018 03:34PM

meeeeh wrote: »

There are plenty that are not wide enough to have central line. It would be perfectly safe to overtake when cyclist is at the side of the road and completely unsafe if they are towards middle (again assuming there is no good reason to cycle in the middle of the road).

But in the end it doesn't matter of you see the difference or not, first third of the road is where you should cycle unless safety dictates otherwise.

Ok, to be clear, I obviously agree that a cyclist should not be in the middle of the road. Though I'll be honest, I've yet to ever seen one actually do that. If they do, then sure, they shouldn't be there. I am also struggling to envision a scenario where it would be safe to overtake if they were further to the side of the road - unless they are in a position where oncoming cars can't get past them either.

I think if they are further over to the side of the road it means you can get away with overtaking them.

07Lapierre · 24-07-2018 03:34PM

Podge_irl wrote: »

None. But once you are crossing the central line it doesn't really matter a damn where the cyclist is on the road as your ability to overtake is dependent only on it being safe to do so with no oncoming traffic.

And? what's the problem with that?

partyguinness · 24-07-2018 03:36PM

Blazer wrote: »

To cyclists .. **** off and stay at the side of the road, ride one abreast and in small groups and we’ll all be good.

I don't think there is such a thing as 'one abreast'. I believe single file is the expression you are looking for.

seamus · 24-07-2018 03:39PM

Silent Running wrote: »

Y'know, like a tractor driver does.

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Podge_irl · 24-07-2018 03:39PM

07Lapierre wrote: »

And? what's the problem with that?

There is none?

I'm clearly not making my point very well. On pretty much any road I am aware of in Ireland it is not technically safe to pass a cyclist without the opposite carriage being clear. Therefore whether they are 1 abreast, 2 abreast, in the ditch or in primary position on the road it shouldn't actually affect your ability to overtake safely.

07Lapierre · 24-07-2018 03:40PM

Silent Running wrote: »

Dominating the road huh?

As I have said before, I mostly drive on twisty country roads with a solid centre line. It wouldn't be unusual for the line to be unbroken for 10kms or more. A cyclist dominating that road would quickly find a long queue of vehicles of every size pottering along in his/her wake.

Only if the first car behind the cyclist is driven by an inexperienced driver. An experienced driver would have no problem overtaking a single cyclist on such a road.

partyguinness · 24-07-2018 03:40PM

Silent Running wrote: »

Yup, I have. The common sense thing would be for the cyclist to pull in to let the queue away, then continue their journey until they have created another traffic jam... rinse and repeat. Y'know, like a tractor driver does.

I have been stuck behind many a tractor or JCB that refused to pull over and went on for miles. That reminds me of a digger driver I once worked with on a site and he got a great kick out of not pulling over on a the local winding road to the next town. Did it on purpose to piss people.

Right. So no cyclist has ever pulled over and let motorists by- I don't think so.

Make sweeping generalistions much?

magicbastarder · 24-07-2018 03:40PM

Podge_irl wrote: »

I'm clearly not making my point very well. On pretty much any road I am aware of in Ireland it is not technically safe to pass a cyclist without the opposite carriage being clear. Therefore whether they are 1 abreast, 2 abreast, in the ditch or in primary position on the road it shouldn't actually affect your ability to overtake safely.

you are correct; but the advice regarding taking the primary position is to discourage people who will overtake even when it's *not* safe.

meeeeh · 24-07-2018 03:41PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

yep. you don't see threads on boards where people lump all motorists into a single pile and claim they're assholes as a group because of the few who shouldn't be let out. but cyclists get this a lot; 'i saw an asshole cyclist today, ergo cyclists are assholes'.

Most adults drive so it's sorted in sub groups, yummy mummies in SUVs, boy racers, be drivers etc. It's structured so it doesn't include the author of the post. It even works the other way, most cyclists here are male professionals, their complaints in this thread are most directed at yummy mummies in SUVs or van drivers, the motorist group that usually doesn't include them. Most people complaining about cyclist don't cycle so they don't need to distinguish.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 24-07-2018 03:42PM

Rennaws wrote: »

I said on a thread some time ago that I'd learned to give cyclists a bit more room when passing from boards and that i was now far more aware of their experience.

I still do give them a wide berth when passing but the level of dickishness from groups has increased significantly.

In fairness the level of cycling full stop has increased significantly, that's more dickishness straight away because there are more people and hence more dicks cycling. An inexperienced cyclist, especially in a city, can look like they're deliberately being a dick as well when really they just haven't the hang of it or they're absolutely terrified.

There is a cyclist I hear on the radio lately...sorry, excuse me, he's not actively cycling so I best not call him a cyclist :pac: I guess he's a broadcaster, in that context? Who's a rep of some sort of cycling organisation in Dublin, he seems to have an extraordinarily bullish attitude, I wonder if it trickles down.

07Lapierre · 24-07-2018 03:43PM

meeeeh wrote: »

Most adults drive so it's sorted in sub groups, yummy mummies in SUVs, boy racers, be drivers etc. It's structured so it doesn't include the author of the post. It even works the other way, most cyclists here are male professionals, their complaints in this thread are most directed at yummy mummies in SUVs or van drivers, the motorist group that usually doesn't include them. Most people complaining about cyclist don't cycle so they don't need to distinguish.

and BMW drivers! don't forget them!

amcalester · 24-07-2018 03:43PM

Ellie Hallowed Acorn wrote: »

In fairness the level of cycling full stop has increased significantly, that's more dickishness straight away because there are more people and hence more dicks cycling. An inexperienced cyclist, especially in a city, can look like they're deliberately being a dick as well when really they just haven't the hang of it or they're absolutely terrified.

There is a cyclist I hear on the radio lately...sorry, excuse me, he's not actively cycling so I best not call him a cyclist :pac: I guess he's a broadcaster, in that context? Who's a rep of some sort of cycling organisation in Dublin, he seems to have an extraordinarily bullish attitude, I wonder if it trickles down.

Now you're learning.

The Kop · 24-07-2018 03:44PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

AndrewJRenko is his own man and can speak for himself.

i have left details with a motorist before when she was in a collision with a cyclist. the cyclist wasn't best pleased, he assumed i'd side with a fellow cyclist.

I'm not sure AndrewJRenko is actually even human nevermind his own man. I think he's a spambot.

magicbastarder · 24-07-2018 03:48PM

Ellie Hallowed Acorn wrote: »

There is a cyclist I hear on the radio lately...sorry, excuse me, he's not actively cycling so I best not call him a cyclist :pac: I guess he's a broadcaster, in that context? Who's a rep of some sort of cycling organisation in Dublin, he seems to have an extraordinarily bullish attitude, I wonder if it trickles down.

not george hook, no?

ballyharpat · 24-07-2018 03:49PM

MarkY91 wrote: »

I always cycle in a gym t-shirt and gym shorts not a bother. No need for that stupid looking lycra crap at all.

Have you ever stood up on the pedals of a bike wearing loose shorts? Have you ever caught the shorts in the tip of the saddle? have you ever sat on the saddle in a hurry and have your nuts under you?

You may cycle, but I would doubt very much you are getting the same health benefits as many cyclists like myself that cycle 100km + 3 or 4 times a week. And in doing so, I average over 30kph and over 10 hours on the bike.

Try racing in an 8 day race averaging 45kph and over 1200km in one week, see how that feels in cycling shorts.

I won't or don't judge people that don't wear cycling specific gear, but it's the ignorance of people that have different experiences to me that Pi** me off.

I don't hate on people that spend €15 on shorts in aldi, or 300 on asos shorts, I have them all, from budget to high end, each have a purpose, when I was in france cycling for 2 weeks, i would cycle 5km to the beach in regular shortsat a leisurely pace, after a 100km+ cycle at a fast pace wearing my cycling gear, then I would drive 300km+to my next airbnb location the next day, I don't know why there is so much hate against people that are 'different' -and it really does seem to thrive in Ireland more so than any place else Ive been.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 24-07-2018 03:49PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

not george hook, no?

No I think ol Georgey actually dislikes cyclists. Just from reading between the lines from one or two of his comments...

marvin80 · 24-07-2018 03:50PM

Ellie Hallowed Acorn wrote: »

In fairness the level of cycling full stop has increased significantly, that's more dickishness straight away because there are more people and hence more dicks cycling.

In fairness the level of driving full stop has increased significantly, that's more dickishness straight away because there are more people and hence more dicks driving.

Podge_irl · 24-07-2018 03:51PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

you are correct; but the advice regarding taking the primary position is to discourage people who will overtake even when it's *not* safe.

Sure, I understand that. Just trying to get the point across that anyone who complains a cyclist is holding them up due to their position in the road is probably incorrect. Unless they want to overtake in a dangerous manner and are being blocked from doing so. I am not advocating taking primary position all the time or anything. I'm also not completely oblivious to reality. I generally will cycle as close to the side of the road as I feel comfortable doing and I don't even particularly care if a car passes closer than the 1m if I'm expecting it. But if people are going to hammer on about cyclists breaking the rules then can at least acknowledge they are doing it every time they overtake a cyclist as well.

magicbastarder · 24-07-2018 03:52PM

Podge_irl wrote: »

Sure, I understand that. Just trying to get the point across that anyone who complains a cyclist is holding them up due to their position in the road is probably incorrect. Unless they want to overtake in a dangerous manner and are being blocked from doing so.

ah! understood.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 24-07-2018 03:53PM

marvin80 wrote: »

In fairness the level of driving full stop has increased significantly, that's more dickishness straight away because there are more people and hence more dicks driving.

What?

meeeeh · 24-07-2018 03:53PM

Podge_irl wrote: »

I think if they are further over to the side of the road it means you can get away with overtaking them.

No it does not. Not too narrow straight road enables safe overtaking when someone is cycling at the side of the road, it does not allow it if they are towards the middle of the road. (I cycle on one of those quite often). There is a reason why cyclists are advised to accommodate drivers where it is safe to do. It makes use of the road better for everyone.

You are questioning the official advice for safe cycling and implying I meant something I didn't mean just for the sake of argument.

Silent Running · 24-07-2018 03:55PM

partyguinness wrote: »

I have been stuck behind many a tractor or JCB that refused to pull over and went on for miles. That reminds me of a digger driver I once worked with on a site and he got a great kick out of not pulling over on a the local winding road to the next town. Did it on purpose to piss people.

Right. So no cyclist has ever pulled over and let motorists by- I don't think so.

Make sweeping generalistions much?

Again a cyclist says "look over there, a motorist is doing something wrong".

I can only speak for myself. No cyclist has EVER pulled over to let me by. I have never seen a cyclist do it for other drivers. I have a very long driving career having covered well over one and a half million kilometres at this stage.

Besides I didn't say it never happened. That fantasy is entirely in your own head. I just said it never happened to me.

marvin80 · 24-07-2018 03:55PM

Ellie Hallowed Acorn wrote: »

What?

You made a dumb sweeping statement so I countered it with one of my own

What's the obsession middle aged lads have with cycling?

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