Cubist
Still wavin'
- Location
- Ovver 'thill
Th'uddersfield, New Hey Road/Westbourne RdMoodyman said:
You can tell it isn't Keighley, the sun is shining.
Things to watch out for while road riding
- Thread starter MacLean
- Start date
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You can tell it isn't Keighley, the sun is shining.
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
the idiots in the cars and vans , lorries seem to be ok
SavageHoutkop
Veteran
- Location
- South Manchester-ish
Pedestrians leaping out without looking at all in your direction
Bus drivers forgetting they're in a bus and so cutting into the cycle lane/ your path when halfway past
Car drivers with 'must get past' mentality (especially when coming up to a pinchpoint of if there's oncoming traffic)
Car drivers left hooking you because either they didn't look, didn't care, or misjudged your speed
large sunken drains leaping out at you. for that matter, take extra care driving in the rain, I would never, ever, ride 'in the gutter' in the rain as you can't see the potholes (being filled with water!) - especially if you don't know the road well. On my normal commute I dodge potholes by instinct as I know where they all are.
I give trucks a very, very wide berth and would rather hang back and let them get out the way. Not worth a chance.
Also be exceptionally careful about filtering up the side of stationary or slow moving traffic; it makes the pedestrians hopping out problem bigger as they can see the cars aren't moving; and also sometimes people being dropped off open a door without looking. I also never filter if I know there is a barrier up ahead for pedestrians that I could get squished against.
Oh, and busses who don't indicate when they're about to pull out of a bus stop and you're already halfway through overtaking the bus.
Although, all said, that list makes it sound worse than it is. Just expect everyone else to do something idiotic and enjoy the ride!
One point about the arm signalling thing - there's one point on my cycle home where the road is actually two lanes wide but there is a solid row of cars parked on the left. This means that cars are used to overtaking, and they tend to do so with me (at speed, often). I need to turn right out of this road, and if I just stuck my hand out to indicate I'm sure someone would ride into it. As it's not too busy, what I do instead is let them do what they want, listen to the noises behind me (and check behind me with my eyes as well!) and pick a gap.
Bus drivers forgetting they're in a bus and so cutting into the cycle lane/ your path when halfway past
Car drivers with 'must get past' mentality (especially when coming up to a pinchpoint of if there's oncoming traffic)
Car drivers left hooking you because either they didn't look, didn't care, or misjudged your speed
large sunken drains leaping out at you. for that matter, take extra care driving in the rain, I would never, ever, ride 'in the gutter' in the rain as you can't see the potholes (being filled with water!) - especially if you don't know the road well. On my normal commute I dodge potholes by instinct as I know where they all are.
I give trucks a very, very wide berth and would rather hang back and let them get out the way. Not worth a chance.
Also be exceptionally careful about filtering up the side of stationary or slow moving traffic; it makes the pedestrians hopping out problem bigger as they can see the cars aren't moving; and also sometimes people being dropped off open a door without looking. I also never filter if I know there is a barrier up ahead for pedestrians that I could get squished against.
Oh, and busses who don't indicate when they're about to pull out of a bus stop and you're already halfway through overtaking the bus.
Although, all said, that list makes it sound worse than it is. Just expect everyone else to do something idiotic and enjoy the ride!
One point about the arm signalling thing - there's one point on my cycle home where the road is actually two lanes wide but there is a solid row of cars parked on the left. This means that cars are used to overtaking, and they tend to do so with me (at speed, often). I need to turn right out of this road, and if I just stuck my hand out to indicate I'm sure someone would ride into it. As it's not too busy, what I do instead is let them do what they want, listen to the noises behind me (and check behind me with my eyes as well!) and pick a gap.
GrasB
Veteran
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
1) assume no one has seen you
2) think of the most stupid thing someone could do & try to plan for it happening
3) assume no one has seen you
4) make lots of observations & try to keep a mental picture of the road space around you
5) assume no one has seen you
6) when the road is to narrow for an overtake take primary but be on the lookout for a place to pull in if there's traffic building up behind
7) assume no one has seen you
8) (the really important one!) assume no one has seen you
2) think of the most stupid thing someone could do & try to plan for it happening
3) assume no one has seen you
4) make lots of observations & try to keep a mental picture of the road space around you
5) assume no one has seen you
6) when the road is to narrow for an overtake take primary but be on the lookout for a place to pull in if there's traffic building up behind
7) assume no one has seen you
8) (the really important one!) assume no one has seen you
road_runner12
New Member
Only been riding a matter of days but already I've noticed a few tips.
1. On country roads try and anticipate what 'could' happen. You can see what's coming ahead of you so listen for what's behind you.
I was out the other day, just cleared a blind bend and was heading towards a narrowing section of road. Noticed there was oncoming traffic so was alert to anything that would approach from behind. Lucky I did. I heard a car in the distance and without lifting off the gas threw his car around the bend to find me and oncoming traffic. Next sound I hear is him slamming on the brakes with a skid. I opted to play it safe and leaned into the hedge. Narrow miss, and not even an apology from the t****r who put me in that position.
So the tip I'd give based on my early experiences is to think ahead at all times and try and anticipate what 'could' happen.
2. Another is to try and help those drivers waiting behind. If you know it's safe and clear for them to pass, wave them through. I've always had a 'thank you' when I've done this. Work together I'd say.
3. Buses are the biggest nuisance I find. More than happy to cut in front of you for their stop, and won't think twice about pulling out in front of you.
1. On country roads try and anticipate what 'could' happen. You can see what's coming ahead of you so listen for what's behind you.
I was out the other day, just cleared a blind bend and was heading towards a narrowing section of road. Noticed there was oncoming traffic so was alert to anything that would approach from behind. Lucky I did. I heard a car in the distance and without lifting off the gas threw his car around the bend to find me and oncoming traffic. Next sound I hear is him slamming on the brakes with a skid. I opted to play it safe and leaned into the hedge. Narrow miss, and not even an apology from the t****r who put me in that position.
So the tip I'd give based on my early experiences is to think ahead at all times and try and anticipate what 'could' happen.
2. Another is to try and help those drivers waiting behind. If you know it's safe and clear for them to pass, wave them through. I've always had a 'thank you' when I've done this. Work together I'd say.
3. Buses are the biggest nuisance I find. More than happy to cut in front of you for their stop, and won't think twice about pulling out in front of you.
