First time out on the roads :l

[Cringles]

Hello folks,
For some time now I've been keeping to quiet country roads, & sticking to cycle paths at the local parks, until I'd build enough confidence to tackle busier roads. So today I ventured out to some of the bigger and busier roads In my area. Within 10 minutes of being out, as I was cycling along this road (pictured below). I kept checking over my shoulder to make sure, cars were far enough back as I approached this bit in the road, getting closer to the little crossing in the middle here. A car was trying to over take me, but he slammed the breaks on as he wasn't going to get past me in time so he was stuck in the middle of the road as the rest of traffic went past.

Not long after, a lorry left me only a bit of room, but as he pulled back in, his trailer was forcing me to slow right down. Right after the lorry, a white van passed even closer, almost knocking me with its wing mirror.

Once again, not long after, A small bus for disabled/old people had pulled over to let an old man out, as I checked my shoulder to over take, 3 cars over took me, speeding past, forcing me just to stop and wait. The first time I've ever felt angry with other road users.. As I go to over take the van, it just pulls away, without checking its mirror, forcing me to stop and wait to fall in behind it again.

In each of these events, not 2 minutes later, had I seen traffic police drive past!
There aren't any cycle lanes at all in my town, and there aren't really enough cyclist about for cars round here to be used to sharing the road. You really have to keep your wits about you!

I was also stuck in traffic for quite some time today, during to a small road, and a lorry delivering stuff to a shop...Seeing the orange light flashing to indicate low petrol...How I wish I took the bike

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Hi Cringles. Please don't take offence, but as a newbie to cycling busy roads, have you read http://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/ ?

From your related experiences, I would suggest your riding style may need honing.

This book is the cyclists' bible and well worth the cash.

 

[DTD]

Well done – I was a bit ginger at first when out on main roads, but now (usually) enjoy riding in traffic.

I did have a training session with BikeRight – one of the most useful things I learnt was not to ride in the gutter – if you are a bit further out cars tend to give you more room when passing – perhaps counter intuitive, but it works.

 

[Cringles]

None taken Gerry, I've found the same book slightly cheaper on Amazon, I'll definitely pick it up. I have to admit, I think I am guilty of cycling a bit too close to the curb, and maybe dropping below 10 mph at times, but my average speed is around 15mph. I don't think I'm letting drivers around me know soon enough what my intentions are. I defiantly could of reacted better and sooner, when that bus pulled to the side of the road. I'll get better all in good time

 

[Gerry Attrick]

IME, NI drivers tend to be more accommodating than English types. Cyclecraft can help you to help them ... if you see what I mean.

 

[Arch]

None taken Gerry, I've found the same book slightly cheaper on Amazon, I'll definitely pick it up. I have to admit, I think I am guilty of cycling a bit too close to the curb, and maybe dropping below 10 mph at times, but my average speed is around 15mph. I don't think I'm letting drivers around me know soon enough what my intentions are. I defiantly could of reacted better and sooner, when that bus pulled to the side of the road. I'll get better all in good time

Nothing to be 'guilty' of, riding slowly. Hell, on my winter bike after a hard day at work, I'm lucky to get to 10mph. It's good to be able to 'put your foot down' when you need to, but never apologise for being slow. Others must accommodate you.

Plus one to Cyclecraft. You're already doing one great thing, which is to look behind frequently - this can often have the effect of making drivers hang back, as they think it means you're about to move out. Keep it up!

 

[Chilternrides]

Good on you Cringle.

The secret is to be bold but not arrogant or stupid; in time you'll learn to look well ahead, plus all around you and weigh up your options; this in turn will allow you to make your intentions clear to the other traffic around you.

A bit more practice and a read of the previously mentioned book, and you'll be fine.

Keep at it!

Oh, a quick one reference drop-off delivery vehicles, buses etc. - If you see it ahead, sometimes it's worth easing off so you don't get there too soon, and by the time you do, it's rolling again anyway so you don't have to make a snap decision wether or not to attempt a risky overtake or wait around too long.

I'll shut up and leave it to the experts now!

 

[joolsybools]

All good advice above. You need to 'take the lane' at pinch-points such as these; that means riding in primary position to prevent unsafe overtakes. Good luck, just keep practicing. Read Cyclecraft and think about having a cycling lesson, some local authorities subsidise them, check out their website.

 

[bigjim]

Good advice on the pinchpoints especially as they are becoming more common. I always ride right in the middle of them otherwise the lunatics think they can squeeze past. I also, always stick my arm out firmly, indicating my intention as early as possible approaching stationary vehicles. It's a confidence thing. It will come. There was some survey somewhere that found women cyclists were more at risk than men as they tended to ride less aggressively in traffic. It's the old bully attitude. If they think they can push you around they will.

 

[Scoosh]

Hello folks,
For some time now I've been keeping to quiet country roads, & sticking to cycle paths at the local parks, until I'd build enough confidence to tackle busier roads. So today I ventured out to some of the bigger and busier roads In my area.

There aren't any cycle lanes at all in my town, and there aren't really enough cyclist about for cars round here to be used to sharing the road. You really have to keep your wits about you!

I was also stuck in traffic for quite some time today, during to a small road, and a lorry delivering stuff to a shop...Seeing the orange light flashing to indicate low petrol...How I wish I took the bike

Cringles

!

Well done for summoning the courage to go on the bigger roads.

As many have said - keep looking back, indicate well in advance, keep to the middle of the lane at pinch-points (and other areas of possible danger), plan well ahead - and you will soon gain confidence.



It'll make you a better car driver too, as you will be looking further ahead, planning your moves and giving more room to those peskyfellow cyclists

!

 

[Banjo]

You need to be very positive in your signalling and the way you ride so motorists know what you are doing. Things like you described happen to all of us so dont be disheartened ,as you get more confident you will find you experience less and less bad incidents.

One thing to be wary of, when your pulling out to pass a parked car or whatever dont expect cars to take any notice of your hand signal, they will just fly past you anyway, try to get out early enough then dominate the lane so they cant squeeze past you until you pull back in after the obstruiction.

 

[bigjim]

The good thing about the hand signal IMO, especially if you keep that arm out as long as possible it forces them to give you that much more room. It's primeval in the way it makes you seem bigger/wider than you really are. Try it, it actually works.

 

[Globalti]

The secret is the body language. Drivers will see you and instantly size up what kind of a threat you represent to their road territory. If you are pootling along timidly in the gutter they will try to squeeze past. If you are well out, taking a commanding position on the road and especially when passing stopped vehicles, they will perceive you as a considerable obstacle and most will treat you with appropriate respect.

 

[2Loose]

Well done in making the plunge onto what must have been daunting roads.

As others have said, don't be sorry for going slowly at times and try and get a good read of CycleCraft as well as sticking around on here - lots of tips and experiences which can be learned from, but the biggest thing is confidence.

Sounds like you are off to a great start.

 

[billy1561]

Just to add to the excellent comments above as a fairly novice cyclist I have noticed that the more you cycle the better and easier riding in traffic becomes. It's primarily a confidence thing.
Good luck and safe riding.