Today's Ride

[morrisman]

As a counterpoint to all the doom and gloom postings on the various cycling websites I visit here is my report on today's ride:

I did 20 miles around the Aylesbury Vale on both fastish A roads and little back lanes. The weather was fine if overcast but pleasantly warm. There was a fair amount of traffic on the A roads all of which gave me plenty of space when overtaking and took notice of my signalling and allowed me to pull right when turning right. The stand out moment was when I signalled right approaching a roundabout and a chavved up Saxo which was about to overtake me judging by his engine noise pulled back to allow me to turn. Went into Costa for a coffee and a muffin and went home.

ps All this safe riding and jollity what achieved without either a helmet nor hi-viz but I still survived.

Moral of the Story:

99.9% (no-scientific basis) of our riding is risk/danger free and we should not concentrate on these good things which always happen rather than always scratching away at the bad things which very rarely happen.

 

[HLaB]

Check Out the you ride today thread in the Cycle Cafe, full of such positive rides, I'm glad you had a good one too :-)

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Moral of the Story:

99.9% (no-scientific basis) of our riding is risk/danger free and we should not concentrate on these good things which always happen rather than always scratching away at the bad things which very rarely happen.

Glad you had a good ride, most of mine are, but seriously nearly got toasted twice last Thur, but I try not to let it bother me, I did nearly 9,000 miles last year mainly trouble free, you just need to be observant and as you say most other road users are considerate.

 

[double_dd]

You know I think iTs about the cyclist too. If you're aware of your surroundings and notice cars coming up before you need to pull out etc it's much easier to make a manoeuvre etc

My ride on Saturday had approx. 5 drivers thank me because I helped them get past me. Country roads and blind corners and a car behind me isn't what I want. So I stick my hand out telling them not to go if there's a car coming, if there is no car coming the other way then I wave them on.

We both appreciate the help in not having head on collisions!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I got beeped by a woman gesticulating towards the left side of the road, but, yes, I share your sentiment

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Just want to update what I said, I nearly got left hooked today, the only thing that saved me was the fact the woman was indicating left, and being away I could brake anticipating what she was going to do, its not often I lock the rear wheel up in braking, but thats the force I had to use to even remotely take off enough speed. The air was a little blue lets say.
Later like @double_dd I waved a truck on and pulled in slightly to an approaching junction to make it easier for him (tricky bit of road) and has he passed he thanked me.