where do you position yourself on the road?

[gavroche]

Because I fear punctures more than anything else, I always position myself at least 1 metre from the pavement, sometimes more depending on the road surface.
So far, no motorist has ever beeped me for taking too much space on the road.
I see many cyclists riding very close to the pavement, why?
Motorbike riders always take the space of a car ( I used to be one) and it is accepted by everyone so why should cyclist restrict themselves to the gutter?
At roundabouts, I treat them the same way than when I drive for positioning but with plenty of signalling so that there is no doubt to where I am heading. I also make eye contact with drivers to emphasize my presence.
I have been rear ended on my scooter once so it is always on my mind when I stop too.
Finally, I always carry my mobile phone in case of punctures so that my wife can come a pick me up.

 

[spence]

I always carry my mobile phone in case of punctures

Wouldn't a spare tube be more useful????

 

[gavroche]

Wouldn't a spare tube be more useful????

possibly but:
1- I haven't bought one yet.
2- I like to travel light.
I suppose I will get one when I remember.

 

[ianrauk]

Usually in the nearside tyre tracks that cars make. That way the tyres would have cleared all the crap.
Never cycle in the gutter, though God Damn I see enough people doing just that.

 

[snorri]

Finally, I always carry my mobile phone in case of punctures so that my wife can come a pick me up.

And if your wife gets a puncture on the way to pick you up????

 

[colly]

I ride about the same distance from the kerb as you 750mm to a metre out.

It's safer being there than in the gutter for all sorts of reasons..............road is more stable, less pot holes, not so many drain covers, drivers SEE you and have to make a point of getting aound you rather than just driving in a straight line past you if you are well over to the left. There is also room to manouver if need be.

I don't squeeze myself over to the left at pinch points either, that just encourages drivers to try and get past rather than wait. At a narrow spot that's the last thing you want.

I try to be considerate too. Often aknowledging a driver if they wait for me to pass rather than taking a chance. Even though they could quite easily get away with no real drama. I wave cars on when I can see the road is clear and they might want to get past.

I don't see car/van drivers as 'the enemy', just other road users. Some are of course, some are total f***wits but that's just life.


:As for stuff I take with me. As little as I can get away with. A few tools, couple of tubes, puncture outfit, mobile phone.

 

[gaz]

Depends on the situation, cycling in a city that could mean any number of places
[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRONsqlL1q8[/media]

 

[abo]

I see many cyclists riding very close to the pavement, why?

Because they don't know any better? I certainly didn't until I joined this forum.

 

[kedab]

in the wheel tracks left by the nearside wheels of the motors is where i normally reside - different positions for different situations though as Gaz says - i've picked up loads of valuable info' from this site and not wanting to sound like his bitch in any way...gaz's website is a very very handy tool for this sort of thing.

i suppose road positioning on a bike is much like having sex, sometimes you fancy something different but if the missus is suggesting you should stick with what's safe and logical, you're probably better of in the long run

 

[gaz]

i suppose road positioning on a bike is much like having sex, sometimes you fancy something different but if the missus is suggesting you should stick with what's safe and logical, you're probably better of in the long run

haha

 

[MontyVeda]

possibly but:
1- I haven't bought one yet.
2- I like to travel light.
I suppose I will get one when I remember.

I have a few instant patches taped under my seat and pump with me. It's an MTB so the tyres come off easily by hand and a puncture (very rare) is fixed in 5 mins or so... far quicker than waiting for a lift.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Will ride in secondary (about 1 meter from curb) unless the road ahead in blind in which case I will hold primary (centre of lane). I carry two spare inner tubes, pump, tyre levers and puncture repair kit (plus other tools)

 

[cloggsy]

Usually in the nearside tyre tracks that cars make.

+1

 

[gaz]

Will ride in secondary (about 1 meter from curb) unless the road ahead in blind in which case I will hold primary (centre of lane). I carry two spare inner tubes, pump, tyre levers and puncture repair kit (plus other tools)

For a second I thought there was a comma after tyre. I was like 'why carry a spare tyre everywhere?'

 

[gaz]

Double post