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Having just been the recipient of a number of VERY close passes (one from a motorbike) and a bit of verbal abuse i've concluded that riding two abreast even on a very wide, straight, country lane simply isn't worth it.
Never any problems when out with the road club, but as soon as there is only two of you then adopting this position seems to enrage certain motorists.
Go single file when a car approaches to protect yourself and reduce conflict. Principles are no good if you've been smashed into a hedge by a gratuitously proportioned SUV or undercut by a sports saloon.
When you’re lying in a hospital bed, ‘being right’ will be little consolation.
My dads advice.
^^ yep, this is pretty much my conclusion.
Saddens me though, how much indignation and abuse it attracts from people who "think" they know the law.
I'll ride two abreast then if one of us hears a car coming we'll go single file then check and move back to two abreast.
I do wonder what people actually understand by "more than"? Next time just ask why they are riding two abreast with their passenger - should totally confuse them 😊
Just like any riding or driving on the road...there is the proper way and the normal way...no good trying to 'educate' other road users. 1. they won't get it and 2. if they do they'll take offence at you being patronising to them so you can't win. You just have to accept that you're not as big and tough as a car and yield to them. The alternative is just not worth it. Personally I now go out of my way to avoid busy roads not the road bike...just take ourself out of the situation as much as you can. Far more enjoyable that way.
I’ll ride two abreast then if one of us hears a car coming we’ll go single file then check and move back to two abreast.
I do wonder what people actually understand by “more than”? Next time just ask why they are riding two abreast with their passenger – should totally confuse them
This is what I do...though its hard to hear cars these days. I did explain to my wife the theory behind riding two abreast and it was a bit of a lightbulb moment for her, but trying to educate every other road user is impossible.
Counter view - I do get it in a group where making a group 3 or 4 long instead of 6 or 8 shortens the overtake. And I do get the point that being 2 abreast does at times force drivers to wait instead of 'squeezing past' plus where appropriate it's more sociable. But for some reason 2 people riding abreast does seem to upset drivers more than a larger group. I think it's because 2 in line really doesn't impact on the shortening the overtake argument, it just looks like people getting in the way.
And sociability aside, I reckon 2 in line and taking turns on the front, or letting the weaker rider draft longer turns is the efficient way to buzz along faster.
Everything cyclists and people who ride bikes do seems to annoy someone!
I think the problem occurs when the car driver does not want to wait and drives through a gap that is too small/ does not exist.
No point being 'dead' right. Single out and regroup once they pass.
I dont get understand the idiots on 'mostly' big bikes who buzz roadies. I think its a macho thing. Look at me in my padded power ranger suit with Kevlar knee slider and armour on the vital bits , and you are wearing lycra , thus are vulnerable and I will close pass to prove my machismo status .
But motorcyclists are just as vulnerable and will be just as dead when they run wide on a corner and hit a bus
I actualy had to explain primary position to biker in the garage who was moaning to the cshier about road bikes 'riding down the middle of the road' and ' pretending to kick them into the brambles' he was a thick old man tho
Shame as road bikes do not hold up motorbikes in anyway as they can nip past despite oncoming cars as they are narrow and quick
Always give in to motorists! Dying is highly overrated! 😆
Counter view – I do get it in a group where making a group 3 or 4 long instead of 6 or 8 shortens the overtake. And I do get the point that being 2 abreast does at times force drivers to wait instead of ‘squeezing past’ plus where appropriate it’s more sociable. But for some reason 2 people riding abreast does seem to upset drivers more than a larger group. I think it’s because 2 in line really doesn’t impact on the shortening the overtake argument, it just looks like people getting in the way.
Agreed