I ride two abreast with my son on the inside when on the road unless the road is very narrow and it would cause obstruction. There is no way I wouldnt - when I ride on my own (single file) I very regularly get brushed by wing mirrors when people try sneak past because they are too impatient. I have been knocked off twice when hit by wing mirrors A couple of weeks back I actually had someone revving up and trying to scare my son despite the fact we were on a single country lane riding single file. If my son had been scared and wobbled it could have been really nasty Where I live, and in the Dales I see so many near accidents because people are too impatient and literally brush past cyclists and narrowly avoid head ons with cars in the opposite direction Mix that with horses, motorbikes and people out for a 'Sunday drive' and there is the potential for chaos unless you are patient. If on a motorbike you cant overtake a bunch of cyclists even on the twistys then I really cant understand why not With the amount of accelleration we have its hardly difficult and relies on just a little patience If it interrupts your flow too much then I suggest you only ride on track or go out really early when there is little traffic about (which is what I usually do if I can)? I for one recognise I dont own the road and try to be as considerate as I can be to all road users - even the ones that slow me up for a little bit - we have a bad enough name already !
Really any need for the C bomb...? We are not saying all just some. Like the ones I see most mornings cycling though red lights.
Tbh the ones that ride through red lights / rest on cars / cut up other road users / ride in a massive peloton boil my p like anyone - they really can be dangerous and inconsiderate - same as MTBers on paths that scare walkers / horses - I MTB a lot and often get met with surprise because I say hello to walkers and slow down - ! I guess though that cycling in London is v v different to cycling on a country lane in the dales (or up Holme Moss) - my point is that the ones I see off for a jolly during the weekend days should be cut some slack - especially the poor sods I saw trying to do the tour stage near pateley bridge in the heat on Sunday lol Anyway, hope the Pani rider is ok sounds like a nasty crash and nothing to do with cyclists!!
Did 7 years hard graft 10 miles each way on a work commute in the vain attempt to keep fit.... 1. Went through 4 bikes in that time 2. Spent hundreds and hundreds on spares. (100 miles a week takes its toll) 3. Spares are an absolute rip off. Eg rubber brake pads (decent make) 11 quid, last about a thousand miles - sintered brembo's for my rsv4 18 quid - five thousand miles.... 4. "Special Tools" - that'll be 15 quid for the bottom bearing sir....oh any youre going to need "the special tool" for that - thatll be another 25 quid....every new bike seem to need a new set of "Special tools" 5.Lost no weight in 7 years. Stopped riding a year ago - not put on a pound since.... 6. Knocked off 3 times in that time so not all bad although it tends to hurt a lot... 7. In the winter months they have to be cleaned/steam cleaned or the gears seize up, or just eat themselves if you don't...more money.... I could keep going but I wont... Glad to see the back of push bikes....never again....I was running 2 bikes as one was always needing spares... Sorry to bring the thread down but it does need balance...
Loverobot you have hit the nail on the head in post 23. Last time I got knocked off I got 8k compo.Happy days. Comfysofa that is the opposite experience to me.I had a cheap bike for commuting to work 10 miles each way and a really nice Dolan with carbon wheels for proper workout. If you don't get fit or lose weight cycling then you aint trying hard enough to me.I used the 15 miles flat out hill circuits to get down to my fighting weight along with road running.Worked a treat everytime and could bang out 100's kicks off each leg in padwork sessions with ease like this guy.Cycling was great for my cardio,weight loss and leg stamina.
look at all the shit by the kerb and you will see why they don't ride so close to it. Puncture heaven. Plus whats wrong with riding side by side with your mates having a chat? We all know we should not commit to a bend where we cannot see that the exit is clear. You don't see kids out on bikes much either. Why? Because of all the impatience on our roads. I'm not a cyclist. But I like them. They're doing something they love, like us. Let them be.
What does the Highway Code say about cyclists ? Rule 66 You should keep both hands on the handlebars except when signalling or changing gear keep both feet on the pedals never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends not ride close behind another vehicle not carry anything which will affect your balance or may get tangled up with your wheels or chain be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians. Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted.
Mirrors would go a long way - nearly had a wibbly wobbly copper on one yesterday - I cycle , just some are overly aggressive and like with all things tar and brush
says a few things about car and bike riders too rule 23, don't overtake over double white lines and don't wheelie rule 37 don't eat a red apple whilst driving rule 54, don't buy and wear Rossi replica Fiat leathers ( you listening Pingpong 0202?) seen all of the above today, but i haven't felt moved to damn those categories of people as a result. you do have a point, in so far as there are guidelines for cyclists, but i reckon the majority of car/bike/cycle riders are reasonably behaved. It is my humble opinion, the whole damn world and this society is just getting too angry, selfish - its all me me me- and intolerant of others enjoyment. p.s. how does the above apply to riding a unicycle - no handlebars..... clearly not 'rules', merely ' guidelines'....
Well, at my fastest I could cover 10 miles in 28 mins which I don't think is too shabby.... The lack of weight loss didn't bother me, (bought a treadmill some weights and downloaded the p90x videos) that does the job. It was the cost of spares.... And the punctures...
The problem is there.... Cheap is slower.... I'm on the clock at work so the less time on the road the better...
I don't understand the lack of weight loss cycling as its a endurance sport.I used to sweat buckets and burn calories like it was going out of fashion.So much so I could eat anything I wanted and still lose weight. Punctures are a expensive pain in the arse though especially as I was running tubulars on the Dolan.
Lol. My earlobes are the same as when I started but then I have a good defense so didn't catch that many elbows on them or my jaw.I reckon I could crack a brazil nut with my butt muscles though lol and defo cracked a few peoples ribs with my shin bones and knees. I would highly recommend muay thai for anyone that wants to lose weight and get fit.Just don't be surprised if you puke your guts out at the start.Hense we have a sick bucket for beginners class that gets regular use.
