Cyclists on a Backroad

El Inho · 08-04-2013 12:15AM #1

I can't be the only person whose head is absolutely melted by the sheer quantity of people in clothes which are far too tight, with tortoises on their head taking up the roads of Ireland on their bikes...

I have nothing against cycling. Its a fantastic form of transport, but these people are taking up room, and are an accident waiting to happen. When cycling for fitness instead of practicality can you not please bring your bikes to a main road where there is space?

shedweller · 08-04-2013 12:16AM

You have to get to the main road first.

Jen Pigs Fly · 08-04-2013 12:17AM

Got stuck behind a groups of about 50 of them yesterday, crawled the guts of 10km in a huge traffic line going around 30kmph because the road was too narrow and windy to pass them out

:mad:

General General · 08-04-2013 12:20AM

Wind down the window & give them some cheer using a super soaker filled with [content redacted] for their delectation.

shedweller · 08-04-2013 12:20AM

Its painful enough in fairness. Lots of them go two abreast as well. That limits overtaking opportunities.

General General · 08-04-2013 12:20AM

xxxJennyxxx wrote: »

Got stuck behind a groups of about 50 of them yesterday, crawled the guts of 10km in a huge traffic line going around 30kmph because the road was too narrow and windy to pass them out

:mad:

I heard you were checkin' out all that ass.

General General · 08-04-2013 12:22AM

xxxJennyxxx wrote: »

Got stuck behind a groups of about 50 of them yesterday, crawled the guts of 10km in a huge traffic line going around 30kmph because the road was too narrow and windy to pass them out

:mad:

What direction was the wind coming from? Surely it couldn't have been so strong as to limit your speed??

Sauve · 08-04-2013 12:23AM

El Spearo wrote: »

I can't be the only person whose head is absolutely melted by the sheer quantity of people in clothes which are far too tight, with tortoises on their head taking up the roads of Ireland on their bikes...

I have nothing against cycling. Its a fantastic form of transport, but these people are taking up room, and are an accident waiting to happen. When cycling for fitness instead of practicality can you not please bring your bikes to a main road where there is space?

It takes 30-60 seconds for you to overtake a bunch of cyclists appropriately and safely.

30-60 seconds.
Chill out like.

El Inho · 08-04-2013 12:24AM

shedweller wrote: »

You have to get to the main road first.

hence the invention of the bike rack...

this is why i differentiated between sports cyclists and those who cycle for practical reasons..

the feckers who bother me are the pro-looking lads who think the tour de france is on the back roads that wouldn't fit two donkeys past each other on a good day.

The people who have cars, and could easily bring themselves to somewhere safer and more practical

Sauve · 08-04-2013 12:25AM

shedweller wrote: »

Its painful enough in fairness. Lots of them go two abreast as well. That limits overtaking opportunities.

Thats a deliberate move to ensure that car drivers overtake properly, as you would a car.

Otherwise, you get drivers trying to overtake in situations where there isnt enough space for a car and a bike.

Remmy · 08-04-2013 12:25AM

It's very annoying when they decide to form a mini-peloton and refuse to pull in or go single file.

humbert · 08-04-2013 12:26AM

Sauve wrote: »

It takes 30-60 seconds for you to overtake a bunch of cyclists appropriately and safely.

30-60 seconds.

Impatient and inattentive drivers are the cause of the majority of crashes I've heard of lately, not the cyclist.

In fairness Jenny could have been held up by ~10 minutes. Probably upset her schedule for the whole day.

El Inho · 08-04-2013 12:27AM

Sauve wrote: »

It takes 30-60 seconds for you to overtake a bunch of cyclists appropriately and safely.

30-60 seconds.

Impatient and inattentive drivers are the cause of the majority of crashes I've heard of lately, not the cyclist.

the roads were developed for motorists...and there is no such thing as a bike tax..so cyclists are free loaders in the roads in my view.

also cyclists who dont use the cycle lanes grind my gears too...

its all fun and games lads, but at the end of the day no matter what happens, you clip a stupid cyclist and no matter whose fault it is its the driver. its nonsense.

TheBza · 08-04-2013 12:28AM

Who gives a rats, you don't own the road.

Larianne · 08-04-2013 12:28AM

I understand what you're saying OP. If there's a large group of them it's dangerous. Sometimes there's 12+ cyclists in a group so it's like you're trying to overtake 3/4 cars at the one time. If they were in smaller groups of twos and threes, it would be safer.

They have every rite to be on the road though.

Praetorian Saighdiuir · 08-04-2013 12:29AM

El Spearo wrote: »

hence the invention of the bike rack...

The people who have cars, and could easily bring themselves to somewhere safer and more practical

What about cyclists who don't have cars?

Maybe you should get the bus so you don't get angry or inconvienienced...... It's more practical.

re.mark.able · 08-04-2013 12:30AM

if you're cycling often, you want a change of scenery, not be sucking in car fumes all the time and a bit a of a challenge with the hills and turns on the back roads. They don't exactly go dead slow either - there's a limit to how quickly a car can get from A to B, it's never going to be fast as you want it to be.
And it would be WAY more dangerous and clogged if they went on the main roads; unfortunately too many cyclists don't treat themselves as the roads users they are - cycling with earphones in, not obeying traffic lights, etc. and they're called main roads for a reasons - that's where the majority of cars drive and then feed off into the back roads so it would require a lot more overtaking and cause more traffic and danger.
I could go on...

Corkfeen · 08-04-2013 12:30AM

El Spearo wrote: »

the roads were developed for motorists...and there is no such thing as a bike tax..so cyclists are free loaders in the roads in my view.

also cyclists who dont use the cycle lanes grind my gears too...

its all fun and games lads, but at the end of the day no matter what happens, you clip a stupid cyclist and no matter whose fault it is its the driver. its nonsense.

There's a severe lack of quality lanes in Ireland. Many people park their cars in cycle lanes. Bikes have no emissions, cause no damage to the roads so is there any particularly reason that they should be taxed besides your irritation. The most likely situation in which you would clip a cyclist is by overtaking when you shouldn't.

Larianne · 08-04-2013 12:31AM

Praetorian Saighdiuir wrote: »

What about cyclists who don't have cars?

Maybe you should get the bus so you don't get angry or inconvienienced...... It's more practical.

There's no buses on the back roads...

townie! :P

El Inho · 08-04-2013 12:31AM

Well I do not object to cyclists using the road. By cyclists I mean people who do no drive, and this is their form of transport to get from a to b. But there are hundreds if not thousands of enthusiasts who are taking over the roads and making them notably more dangerous.

Automobiles have far more right to the road as we are the ones who pay the taxes for the upkeep (however crap it is) of said roads. All I'm saying is, it wouldn't kill the sports cyclists to move to a ring road or road with large shoulders, while keeping on the back roads unfortunately could kill them.

WoollyRedHat · 08-04-2013 12:32AM

When can cars can fly, will it just be bicyles on the road and the like, or will there be flying bicycles too? Boy I sure hope so, I'd miss the war

Larianne · 08-04-2013 12:33AM

El Spearo wrote: »

All I'm saying is, it wouldn't kill the sports cyclists to move to a ring road or road with large shoulders, while keeping on the back roads unfortunately could kill them.

Back roads are nicer to cycle on though. Less cars, less smelly fumes to breathe in.

Praetorian Saighdiuir · 08-04-2013 12:34AM

Larianne wrote: »

There's no buses on the back roads...

townie! :P

He could walk to the bus stop..... Or get a crossbar from a pesky cyclist.

Corkfeen · 08-04-2013 12:37AM

El Spearo wrote: »

Automobiles have far more right to the road as we are the ones who pay the taxes for the upkeep (however crap it is) of said roads. All I'm saying is, it wouldn't kill the sports cyclists to move to a ring road or road with large shoulders, while keeping on the back roads unfortunately could kill them.

You know cycling is massive across the world? Try going to Holland. :pac: Do you think cyclists in other countries don't use back roads? The main reason that they could die on a back road in this country is because of many motorists assuming that they own the roads and that it's fine to overtake when it is entirely unsafe to do so... There are many stupid cyclists but percentage wise, you'll find there are a rather large proportion of stupid drivers too.

El Inho · 08-04-2013 12:38AM

Larianne wrote: »

Back roads are nicer to cycle on though. Less cars, less smelly fumes to breathe in.

Well in that case cyclists should have a lot more respect for cars. I've seen on several occasions cyclists going two or three in a row on the road not allowing people to pass.

A close friend told me of a situation such as this where they would not allow anyone to overtake. They were greeting by the blowing of horns to which they gave the middle finger.

Now I'm sure there are arguments in favour of cyclists taking over the entire lane, but its dangerous. Bikes are slower than cars and so should expected to be overtaken. Just because they want to chat doesn't mean they can block up the whole place.

The reason I'm bringing this up is simply because its gone crazy in recent months. You can't go anywhere without these lads somewhere slowing your journey.

Couple of years ago it would have been an unusualy inconvinience to see a cycling uniform thing, but now its like driving on a stage of the tour de france behind bradley wiggins every single time you go to the shop.

wil · 08-04-2013 12:39AM

El Spearo wrote: »

I have nothing against cycling. ...

did you mean " I am not a cyclist but......"

Cookie_Monster · 08-04-2013 12:39AM

I think I speak for the majority when I say:

"Just fucking deal with it."

General General · 08-04-2013 12:39AM

Tour de France style pack of Cyclists in day-glo up against pack of Hell's Angels would make a few quid even as a straight to DVD.

El Inho · 08-04-2013 12:40AM

Corkfeen wrote: »

You know cycling is massive across the world? Try going to Holland. :pac: Do you think cyclists in other countries don't use back roads? The main reason that they could die on a back road in this country is because of many motorists assuming that they own the roads and that it's fine to overtake when it is entirely unsafe to do so... There are many stupid cyclists but percentage wise, you'll find there are a rather large proportion of stupid drivers too.

Lived there for a year, and a regular visitor. Cycling there is a primary mode of transport and there are lanes everywhere.

This is not what I am talking about. Once again highlighting I'm on about the sports cyclists who can choose where they do their sport. I like soccer but I don't play on the M50...i play where it is safe and makes sense.

RacoonQueen · 08-04-2013 12:42AM

humbert wrote: »

In fairness Jenny could have been held up by ~10 minutes. Probably upset her schedule for the whole day.

If being help up by around 10 minutes upsets your whole day you need to leave earlier in the first place.

El Spearo wrote: »

the roads were developed for motorists...and there is no such thing as a bike tax..so cyclists are free loaders in the roads in my view.

If people weren't already sure you were trolling you confirmed it with that comment.

Larianne wrote: »

I understand what you're saying OP. If there's a large group of them it's dangerous. Sometimes there's 12+ cyclists in a group so it's like you're trying to overtake 3/4 cars at the one time. If they were in smaller groups of twos and threes, it would be safer.

They have every rite to be on the road though.

But bigger groups are safer, especially in windy conditions

means only the front two are really battling the wind ( unless it's a cross wind)

El Spearo wrote: »

Well I do not object to cyclists using the road. By cyclists I mean people who do no drive, and this is their form of transport to get from a to b. But there are hundreds if not thousands of enthusiasts who are taking over the roads and making them notably more dangerous.

Automobiles have far more right to the road as we are the ones who pay the taxes for the upkeep (however crap it is) of said roads. All I'm saying is, it wouldn't kill the sports cyclists to move to a ring road or road with large shoulders, while keeping on the back roads unfortunately could kill them.

You should get a bike. I find I'm much more susceptible to impatience when driving, when I commute on the bike I don't feel anywhere near as impatient.

Sadly, I still have to pay taxes that go towards maintaining roads and what not even though I cycle. I wish being a cyclist meant I didn't incur as many taxes though. That'd be cool. I could afford more bikes then and spend more time out cycling as I wouldn't have to spend as much time working.

If only.

Larianne · 08-04-2013 12:42AM

I've seen many asshole cyclists, going through red-lights, not hand signalling, swerving out in front of cars...

I've also seen asshole drivers not indicating, going through pedestrian crossings, parking on paths.

You get assholes.. in general.

Cyclists on a Backroad

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