single file?

[Arch]

I only ever cycle single file tbh unless in really remote areas simple because I find it a bit anoying when I'm driving myself (late for work) only to find some cyclists two abreast, attempting to overtake them on a road with loads of bends is tough and dangerous.

a) get up earlier so you're not late

so when you overtake one cyclist, you don't give them the space you should do - ie, as much as if they were a small car? Because if you do this, it'll make very little difference whether there is one singly or two of them abreast.

c) see points above about easier to get past two abreast in shorter distance - especially useful on a road with short windows of opportunity.

d) if it's not safe to overtake, don't. Tough.

 

[Joe24]

a) get up earlier so you're not late

so when you overtake one cyclist, you don't give them the space you should do - ie, as much as if they were a small car? Because if you do this, it'll make very little difference whether there is one singly or two of them abreast.

c) see points above about easier to get past two abreast in shorter distance - especially useful on a road with short windows of opportunity.

d) if it's not safe to overtake, don't. Tough.

I just barge my way past when im on my bike, look for the small gaps and go through them. If the cyclist im overtaking looks like they know what they are doing(holding a line and not going from side to side) then i may pass them close, but not as close as i would pass someone like i was on a club ride.
If theres a group of cyclist then ill barge my way through, as i have done many times, did it yesterday so i could get to the church before the many people were there(these were the bible basher's that tried to get me to join in with a song they were going to do)
Ill barge my way past cars aswell, look for the gap and go, even if there is only abit of clearance either side of me.
Its the only way.

When im driving a car though, im alot more patient, and do give cyclist alot of room/wait behind. Never seem in a rush when im driving a car

 

[Arch]

When im driving a car though, im alot more patient, and do give cyclist alot of room/wait behind. Never seem in a rush when im driving a car

It's funny isn't it, how the people in the machines with an effortless capability to go twice as fast (or more) as the average cyclist seem to be in such a hurry. How long does it take to make up a lost 10 or 20 or 30 or 60 seconds waiting to pass?

 

[Joe24]

It's funny isn't it, how the people in the machines with an effortless capability to go twice as fast (or more) as the average cyclist seem to be in such a hurry. How long does it take to make up a lost 10 or 20 or 30 or 60 seconds waiting to pass?

No idea, but i get in to a car to drive and im bored, completely and utterly.
Which is strange, ive always been into cars, and couldn't wait to learn to drive, but it just bores the crap out of me. Sit there, want to go up a hill, push down abit more on the accelerator, or if its really bad, change down.
Where's the fun in that.
I do often have someone up my arse when im driving aswell. Yeh, **** off, im doing 3mph under the speed limit, wow, your going to be so late.
Peasants.
Give me my bike any day thank you.

Takes hours to make up that lost time, i mean, could get to the place i wanted to go to a whole 20 seconds before i had got there.

 

[Ian H]

These things happen occasionally. Ignoring them is the best policy, they soon get fed up and go away. It's not worth getting worked up about.

 

[darkstar]

a) get up earlier so you're not late

B) so when you overtake one cyclist, you don't give them the space you should do - ie, as much as if they were a small car? Because if you do this, it'll make very little difference whether there is one singly or two of them abreast.

c) see points above about easier to get past two abreast in shorter distance - especially useful on a road with short windows of opportunity.

d) if it's not safe to overtake, don't. Tough.

ha chill out son, all i was trying to say is the average group of riders (not a blooming peloton) the size of which i tend to ride in is much safer when in single file, the roads around me are extremely narrow and the corners are tight so it only takes one car to bee speeding to cause a tragedy, yes in a huge group or on larger roads it is totally fine! it is just my opinion, no need to answer me as if i'm the worst person to exist!
oh and i can't wake up earlier, i'm a student, it's in the genes...

 

[jamesxyz]

Happened to me this very day - fat old bint beeped me and my mate for riding two abreast. I pointed out that we were allowed and give her the Vs - she gave them back so I pelted after her and as I moved along a line of traffic at some lights to reach her car some other old duffer started giving me verbals!!

I then raced after them both intending to tap on their windows at the next set of lights but just couldn't make it before they went green!

Then later in the ride was going down a hill at 30+ when I saw a guy beckoning out a vehicle from a hidden lane. I braked hard as this 4x4 and trailer pulled out in front of me and said 'that was close' to this weirdy beardy - his response: 'you shouldn't have been going so fast'!!!!! In spite of the fact he saw me coming and still kept signalling for the driver to come on to the road!!! Bet he wouldn't have done if I had been in a car!

 

[Archie_tect]

What an intolerant, aggressive life everyone seems to lead... both cyclists and motorists. B) Use your commonsense to judge whether the road is wide enough for cars to pass when two abreast without endangering you or them.

You have no more rights then them so don't get so wound up all the time.

As for motorists they are [normally] pretty relaxed about people on horses so why the fuss about cyclists.... unless it's your body language giving off hidden signals 'attracting' road rage ... perhaps it's anger pheremones you give off which they breathe in through their air conditioning as they catch you up.

Never once had an aggressive reaction from a car driver but I suppose there aren't as many bikes or cars up here in rural Northumberland.

Chill out!

 

[2Loose]

Heading along Standhill Rd (Joe will know it) - quiet road, cars parked both sides on the kerb, me and a friend in a staggered formation so we could chat. Car heading towards us with wheels either side of the middle line, far too fast and he shouts - 'single file!'...my friend shouted back, 'so you can go even faster'? Numpty.

 

[Joe24]

No idea about why they are more patient with horses, but i know someone who went through a field in his van(was actually meant to go through, there's a road) and the horse charged at the van and put a HUGE dent in the side of the van.
I went round a blind courner on sunday, not too fast, to be faced with a horse, and a van overtaking the horse No more room. I stopped, the van driver kept coming slowly, but he got the hint when i sat looking at him
When he went past, i commented on his overtake, and he just looked at me. His window was open aswell.
Absolute twat.
Was a Waitrose van aswell.

 

[Joe24]

Heading along Standhill Rd (Joe will know it) - quiet road, cars parked both sides on the kerb, me and a friend in a staggered formation so we could chat. Car heading towards us with wheels either side of the middle line, far too fast and he shouts - 'single file!'...my friend shouted back, 'so you can go even faster'? Numpty.

Just some drag strip that is i find sometimes. Get kids on the mini cross bikes powering down it.
Main bit that is worrying is where that road joins Prospect road, get people look left, but not right, then start to come out.
Or, look right, come out but come swing onto other side of the road
I go that way back from work, its an annoying road, you move out and you get a car right on your back wheel, because they cant pass because of all the parked cars, move in and you will either run the risk of a door opening/being passed close

 

[al78]

No idea about why they are more patient with horses,

Because 500+lbs of frightened, out of control equestrian is perfectly capable of mangling a car and its occupants.

 

[p90ade]

wow seems i hit a sore point on this, im glad it wasnt just us and now i know its ok to do it when safe enought.
thanks for all the replies folks.

 

[GrasB]

Never once had an aggressive reaction from a car driver but I suppose there aren't as many bikes or cars up here in rural Northumberland.

To be fair almost all the incidents of irate motorists yelling, blaring horns, flashing lights & general gestures happens in high density traffic in urban areas. This isn't the same for accidents, but those were more people not really understanding you should give decent space for cyclists.

 

[HJ]

hi, does everyone always ride single file when out with friends or 2 wide?
obviusly this depends on what sort of road you are on but today while going through town (very quiet morning) we had a couple in car go crazy at us . the man driving was beeping his horn and slowed right down then his mrs`s lent out the window and started screaming " single file single file" at us.

there was nothing coming and it was a wide road.
were we that much in the wrong????

It is just ignorance and stupidity, best ignored...

If you do get the chance, just ask them if they drove like that for their driving test....