Single-track roads/vehicle passing etiquette

[DaveReading]

Sorry about the clumsy title, couldn't think of a better way to put it.

Out at the weekend in the Chilterns, where there are lots of single-track roads, I had a few vehicle encounters that set me thinking about the etiquette of passing (or being passed by) vehicles on single-track roads.

The first was on the level, where a car came up behind me and seemed reluctant to pass despite there being (IMHO) adequate room for him to get by. No criticism intended, I'm all for erring on the prudent side, but I did end up holding him up for a couple of minutes before I reached a slightly wider bit of road where I waved him past (and of course gave him a thumbs up for his patience).

The second was climbing a hill where I was cyclng at barely more than walking pace and again a car came up behind me. There was just room for him to pass and he did so, very carefully, and likewise a car descending a minute or so later. No thumbs up as I didn't dare take my hands off the bars.

Finally, on a long, straight and very narrow descent I could hear what sounded like a 4x4 coming up behind me. There was no way he could get past, and no way I was going to either slow down or speed up (T-junction at the bottom). I don't think 25-30mph was unreasonable under the circumstances.

Any comments or advice on what I did, or should/shouldn't have done, or on single-track road etiquette in general?

 

[Herbie]

Sorry about the clumsy title, couldn't think of a better way to put it.

Out at the weekend in the Chilterns, where there are lots of single-track roads, I had a few vehicle encounters that set me thinking about the etiquette of passing (or being passed by) vehicles on single-track roads.

The first was on the level, where a car came up behind me and seemed reluctant to pass despite there being (IMHO) adequate room for him to get by. No criticism intended, I'm all for erring on the prudent side, but I did end up holding him up for a couple of minutes before I reached a slightly wider bit of road where I waved him past (and of course gave him a thumbs up for his patience).

The second was climbing a hill where I was cyclng at barely more than walking pace and again a car came up behind me. There was just room for him to pass and he did so, very carefully, and likewise a car descending a minute or so later. No thumbs up as I didn't dare take my hands off the bars.

Finally, on a long, straight and very narrow descent I could hear what sounded like a 4x4 coming up behind me. There was no way he could get past, and no way I was going to either slow down or speed up (T-junction at the bottom). I don't think 25-30mph was unreasonable under the circumstances.

Any comments or advice on what I did, or should/shouldn't have done, or on single-track road etiquette in general?

You did everything right

 

[MikeW-71]

Nothing wrong with any of those.

 

[inkd]

The thumbs up for the drivers patience is always a bonus in my books, it acts the same as the "thanks" hand from other drivers.

 

[Dave 123]

Sounds right to me.
I've had situations where I have been going up fairly steep single track roads with a car behind. I think the onus is on me to look like I'm trying!

 

[sidevalve]

Both you and the drivers did everything right. The problem with some [and I repeat some] cyclists is they seem to expect everbody to be happy to follow them untill there is at least ten yards of clear space to pass in [and even then they often give the driver some abuse]. They develope the mindset of the BMW driver with the "this is my road and you can clear off" attitude. Of course there are some crap drivers out there but sadly there are also some pretty pig headed riders too.
Just off the point a bit, one prob I've come across when driving is making sure a rider knows I'm there and about to pass. When "going for it" not everybody is as observant as they might be. A quick toot on the horn - I mean " hi mate I'm coming past" he hears "get out of the way you ba---rd"!!! I'm not talking about screaming past with inches to spare just a simple overtake with plenty of room. I just want to make sure he knows I'm coming - I don't like surprises when riding and I don't like doing it to others. Bit tricky really.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Sounds fine here as well and I cycle single track lanes every time I go out on my bike. I live at the very end of a single track lane and my regular ride/commute over to my parents' home uses many of them.

What I have found is that with time, the regular drivers will recognise you and learn what you will do. If you are polite and help them, I have found they are patient and wait for you, but there will always be the awkward bu*****.

I routinely meet a milk collection lorry on one of the lanes I ride and there are 2 sections where it is a granny ring plod for what feels like an eternity when there is a lorry either behind you or waiting patiently at a slightly wider point. He knows if he is behind me, I will stop at the wider point and let him through (its a pig of an uphill start but that's my only option - the road then narrows too much for a car to pass for the next 1/4-1/2 mile), when he is coming towards me he stops and waits for me (the farm he collects from at the 'top' of the incline must be the last on that road so he comes back the same way)...

If you are polite and try to help car drivers, most of the time there are no issues - though I have to confess I have yet to suss out what I do on my lane when I catch a car up! It has happened and I ended up sitting behind him until he realised he had been caught by a cyclist and sped up!