[Closed] Mr nice guy commuter-no more, thinking of going 'Falling Down' style

No capitals.

More capitals needed.

^bah!

'What is wrong with this picture?'

No capitals.

Im saving them to throw at cars

Get your Bikeability training!

If a driver's squeezing through when there's not enough space then you're not riding primary enough... you're letting them think there's space when there isn't...

Best advice I got when I was complaining about constant harassment and lousy driving was to pick a different route. Sometimes it means a bit of a detour but there's certain roads which seem to be too hard for drivers to cope with. Avoid those and pick the quiet side streets instead...

Remember, though, that if you're riding then you're part of the solution - keep going 🙂

It has an air of a Blackadder rant. Possibly from Melchett.

Id go for a Bar mounted glass breaking hammer, some smoke bombs, Pepper spray and a large handful of caltrops

If you're going for the full 'Falling Down' experience then surely you are going to need a rocket launcher, tv helecoter and bemused child watching the telly on his birthday?
If you choose to go down this path then I'm fully behind you. Can you prioritise BMW drivers first please, I swear you must have to pass a dickhead exam before they allow you to buy one.

Get your Bikeability training!

Just go crazy on the stupidzombie ****ers, their dead in the head !

Just make sure you film it all

Move to London, I never have any of that.

Chillax Makes it way easier and safer. Red light jump and pavement ride if necc. (After 10pm)

let all the drama happen in front of you before you get there. Also applies to cars, vans motorbikes, pedestrianism.

f a driver's squeezing through when there's not enough space then you're not riding primary enough... you're letting them think there's space when there isn't..

Yes its your fault not theirs
REMEMBER THIS 🙄

Choosing primary on an other position in the road does not protect any cyclist from the poor judgement and inadequate driving of all other road users.

I agree with cbike. If I ride like I'm in a hurry I always seem to get more annoyed by drivers behaviour. Now I ride a sit up and beg bike (Kona MinUte) which I couldn't go to fast on even if I tried, ride to work gently on it and never seem to get in any bother any more. And if someone does something really stupid, I just carry on and perhaps laugh at them for being so annoyed about as simple a task as driving a car.

In short, change your mental approach to cycling in traffic.

I think the psychology of driving is fascinating. So many people get so wound up about stupid things and do dangerous manoeuvres all in the name of "making progress" only to stop at the next red light where I waft past them (into the ASL). The same also applies to many cyclists and walkers before anyone points this out.

Keep a water-pistol full of grapefruit juice in a holster on the handlebars.
When cut up, cut into, or barged past..... just wait until you catch them up (it wont take long in traffic) then squirt their car bonnet in a childish manner with the grapefruit juice.

This will do two things:
Make the situation a little weird, and maybe funny. It will also cause the paint on the car to blister badly in about 3-4 hours time. Long enough to make sure they forgotten what you look like, and what you were wearing/cycling.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

@lardman, all you're doing there is letting it get to you. just chill out, it's their problem not yours.

Yes its your fault not theirs
REMEMBER THIS

Total misrepresentation of what I'm saying... utterly not the point.

Primary position is one of the cornerstones of the formal training funded by government - it's not some random idea I made up...

Also promoted by British Cycling... [url= https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/skills/article/izn20130830-Effective-traffic-riding-part-1-0 ]Primary position[/url]

We all know driving standards are lousy. Primary position is a method by which you can reduce the liklihood of these low standards impacting on your safety. It's putting you back in control.

By advising the OP to ride more primary I'm suggesting he takes charge of the section of road he is riding in, NOT treating him as a victim... precisely the opposite

[cough] brake fluid in a water pistol will peel the paint fairly promptly...[/cough]

DrP

I know what it is, I know what it does and I know when to ride it.
What it wont do is magically transform all other roads users into great drivers who dont make punishment passes or bad judgements
You clearly say the cause is they are not riding primary enough when the causes are many and varied and include some drivers being very bad at driving and making poor decisions primary wont stop this happening so its not necessarily the cause

My personal experience echoes junkyards.
I work in a biggish organisation. The thing that pisses the people who seek me out to moan about us (I am known as being one of those ultra fit people who can ride a.bike more than 300 yards) is Primary position. They don't care. Just get out of the way.......

Primary position just makes people try and barge me out of the way, sometimes literally trying to push me over to the side with their car. Seems to work ok if its to make them pass nice and wide bit if its a case of blocking the whole of a narrow lane i often just seem to provoke people, especially riding slowly uphills

Use of the primary position often pisses off drivers more, increasing the chances of them acting like a dumb ass.

I use it sparingly when I know my safety will be compromised by an overtake. Traffic island narrowing road - primary, narrowish bend - primary etc... On a 3 HR ride last Sunday I had a van revving its engine behind me whilst in primary and a car overtake on a blind right handed well into the other carriage. Seriously no idea what goes through these peoples mind

....." For a stinking soda ?"

Getting a bit sick of it here too. Maybe it's a grumpiness brought on by the lack of sunshine but impatient drivers are really pissing me off to the point where I want to chase them down and have a word.

Just seems to be a lots of motorist out there at the moment who when they come up behind a bike the only thought in their head is to immediately pass it, regardless of whatever else they might be about to do or whatever else is going on. My left turn coming up, oh look a cyclist, MUST PASS NOW... oh there's my left turn I'd better jam on the brakes. There's a roundabout coming up, oh look a cyclist, MUST PASS NOW... oh I'm on a roundabout on the wrong side of the road with oncoming traffic, let me pull in and oh look there's that cyclist ranting in my rear view mirror. There's a traffic island coming up, oh look a cyclist, MUST PASS NOW... argh I'm going to hit a traffic island must brake and pull in quickly 😐

Oh and I did have a word with a couple in a convertible the other day having made a ridiculously close pass into oncoming traffic on a narrow country lane, having caught him up at a busy junction about 30 seconds later. The passenger apologies saying the driver couldn't see what was coming the other way 🙄

I agree with junkyard, riding primary works most of the time but it doesn't stop the morons from attempting something stupid.

Last night I was on a road on an estate which is a bit of a rat run. Coming upto a blind left hand bend and there is a van parked on my left, half on the grass verge, half on the road. No probs I thought take primary to give enough clearance and to stop the car behind passing on a bend.

I was doing about 15-20 mph and this plantpot in a Peugeot behind overtook me on the blind bend. It would have took him about 5 secs longer just to wait whilst I got round the bend and got back to secondary.

I agree with junkyard, riding primary works most of the time but it doesn't stop the morons from attempting something stupid.

Last night I was on a road on an estate which is a bit of a rat run. Coming upto a blind left hand bend and there is a van parked on my left, half on the grass verge, half on the road. No probs I thought take primary to give enough clearance and to stop the car behind passing on a bend.

I was doing about 15-20 mph and this plantpot in a Peugeot behind overtook me on the blind bend. It would have took him about 5 secs longer just to wait whilst I got round the bend and got back to secondary.

I accept that Primary isn't the answer to everything - the standards of driving are way too low for it to work 100% of the time e.g in Simmy's example he clearly had to be even more primary than he was. But it is the recommended position where preventing a close overtake is likely to put you at risk as a rider... and from the OPs description this is one scenario where it could have been an effective tool for him to have employed...

Simmy's right - it works most of the time, but not always. For me, most of the time is better than none of the time...

Equally it depends on just how primary you go. At pinch points I'll go midway between the kerb and the pinch - very visible, no way anyone could pass. Same with passing parked cars in a narrow street where there could be 'just enough' space if I left it - better to fill that space. It's a bit like dealing with toddlers - give them very clear and assertive guidance about how you want them to behave and you're more likely to get compliance.

If a driver gets upset about this, I'd rather they were upset and behind me than upset and alongside me, close and at speed. They can get upset if they like but their opinion doesn't take precedence over that of British Cycling and professional cycling instructors paid by local councils to provide best-practice training...

I just go in my my car some days for a break ,as I get sick of people trying to kill me , I'm a Hgv driver and the standard I see from fellow professional drivers is just appalling some days , this week following a bulk tipper , two cars in front of the tipper one stopped to turn right , I saw it from behind and slowed down ,I have no idea what he was looking at but he just drove into the back of the cars (luckily no one hurt) .
To a lot of people out there we are just an annoying nuisance, but I'm sure a lot of those ignorant drivers would be completely nice out the vehicle passing each other walking on a path , it's just something about being behind the wheel that changes their attitude.

no way anyone could pass.

Won't stop them trying!

Most people are just ****ing stupid. Ever talked to an averagely stupid person? Well half of people are even more stupid than that.

But they are still allowed to drive cars.

I accept that Primary isn't the answer to everything - the standards of driving are way too low for it to work 100% of the time e.g in Simmy's example he clearly had to be even more primary than he was.

They can get upset if they like but their opinion doesn't take precedence over that of British Cycling and professional cycling instructors paid by local councils to provide best-practice training...

Look we get your point but really sometimes it is just the drivers fault and to constantly suggest the cyclist can do something to make the driver a better driver who makes better decisions is just manifestly false
This thread, and riding on the roads, shows this but still you say no more primary will stop it. all your posts accept this with phrases like

give them very clear and assertive guidance about how you want them to behave and you're [b]more likely[/b] to get compliance

please stop saying more primary to each incident

Won't stop them trying!

Agreed but in my experience they always stop just before they hit the concrete or whatever is creating the pinch point. Which is better than them hitting you cos you gave them what looked like enough space...

Even then, if they tank straight into the concrete then they come to a sudden stop with a busted car. Which is still better than them hitting you...

I accept that Primary isn't the answer to everything - the standards of driving are way too low for it to work 100% of the time e.g in Simmy's example he clearly had to be even more primary than he was.

With respect mate, I couldn't get anymore Primary. I wasn't just in the middle of my lane, I was more towards the White line so this plantpot surprised me.

Simmy's right - it works most of the time, but not always. For me, most of the time is better than none of the time...

Agree 100 % and I'm a Bikeabilty instructor 😀

Most car drivers will just panic and run you over its an instinct to avoid the hard thing and hit the soft thing but if you want to play chicken with them I wish you the best of luck

personally I will take primary ata pinch point and if they do that I will brake and get the **** out of their way as they are clearly not concerned for my welfare or their safety

It's a bit like dealing with toddlers - give them very clear and assertive guidance about how you want them to behave and you're more likely to get compliance.

This.

I never get impatience when riding in primary or assertively out of the door zone. In my experience, drivers are happy to wait behind you as long as they know what you're doing. As I said above, most people are ****ing stupid. They feel all warm and safe inside when someone is telling them what to do.

I wave thanks to patient drivers, and accept that nothing I do or don't do will change the attitudes or behaviour of the minority of dangerous and ignorant ones.

sometimes it is just the drivers fault

I'd take this further - it's ALWAYS the drivers fault if they drive dangerously.

Where we have to agree to disagree is whether I, as a rider, can do anything to reduce the effect of a bad driver's behaviour on me. I think I can. So do BC and Bikeability - that's what they teach - how to manage traffic.

I think the toddler analogy is apt. Most drivers are unaware of how they should behave around cyclists and the difference between that and how they do behave. With appropriate signalling and communication, you can demonstrate how you want them to behave... right there in the moment.

I never get impatience when riding in primary or assertively out of the door zone. In my experience, drivers are happy to wait behind you as long as they know what you're doing

Where we have to agree to disagree is whether I, as a rider, can do anything to reduce the effect of a bad driver's behaviour on me. I think I can.

I think you can reduce the occurrences of it happening but sometimes they happen. When they do the answer is not more primary or anything the cyclist could do as some drivers are just bad drivers

BLAME THEM NOT THE RIDERS POSITION

More of a Captain Darling rant. Melchett would be the driver, in the pub afterwards pointing out how correct he was and how purile the efforts (generally) of the cyclists are.

I've got stuff to do so I need to get off this thread but Junkyard - have you taken Bikeability? I've been riding 36 years and I did levels 2 & 3 a couple of years ago and I learnt loads... really, loads.

Level 3 was 1 on 1 with an instructor following me home on my regular commute and stopping every 10 mins or so for a feedback session on what he observed - I could never have learnt this myself - incredibly effective as training.

For e.g. on a main road when passing a car wanting to turn into the main road from a side turning, I was freewheeling - being cautious in case the car pulled out. The instructor saw me doing this and said keep pedalling - if you're not pedalling the driver may assume you're slowing or turning into their road, keep pedalling and it's a sign you're continuing to move forward at the same speed... little behavioural tips like that were invaluable and showed me how my own riding style could influence the behaviour of drivers... I can't recommend it enough

Fair point.

Baaaaaaaaah!

Everyone wants to ride in this place that you ride then
you are very lucky

I don't mean to sound smug. It's just that most of my riding is trouble-free.

I commute in West Yorkshire; mixture of rural and urban. The only incident I'd count as "serious" happened to me some years ago; a guy turned right across my path and I only just missed him. I went back for a word and he was very apologetic.

I use hand signals and road positioning to tell drivers what to do, I don't wear a helmet which means (according to research) drivers give me more room, I do a little wobble every now and then to discourage close passes, I ride out of the door zone, I take primary at pinch points, filter on the right, wave thanks to patient drivers, and stop at junctions forward of the stop line.

Maybe I have been lucky so far.

Most people are just **** stupid. Ever talked to an averagely stupid person? Well half of people are even more stupid than that.

this. The thought has gone through my mind a lot recently - some people are idiots, most of those idiots drive cars. And ive experienced more this week than for a long time.

i also recently did fuel efficiency driving lessons - much more than its name suggests, it taught me to view the journey as a whole rather than a race to the next lights / junction. I wish i could teach everyone what i learned in those 20 minutes. Quicker, cheaper, safer, less stress - win all round. But people just don't see it.

To the peeps suggesting I adopt the primary position- I do, I'm assertive, I block cars when coming to traffic islands etc and ride well away from parked cars to avoid cars behind pushing past and also to give me room to avoid being 'doored'.
But it doesn't matter, Vectra man came flying up behind carrying speed to do an overtake to then realise a car coming the other way so I got squeezed. Happens all the time.
Lack of forward planning/foresight with the cyclist being the least damaging object for car drivers to use as a bail out zone.

I use back roads as much as possible and have a nice section of Sustrans 6 to use but still.......

Interesting debate. I think a big part of the problem (and this was something mentioned on another thread recently) is that some people have absolutely no idea what will and will not delay their journey. Obviously delaying someone's journey is no excuse for a dangerous pass! But people just think: cyclist>slow>must pass, even though there may be a traffic jam ahead.

Just this morning I seen a woman riding very un-primary and a white tranny squeezed her badly at speed through a traffic island only for him to slam on for several cars just after the island and a red light. The woman just sailed past him and about 5 other cars. As has been mentioned some people really are a bit thick when it comes to driving safety but there's more to it than this.. I work with a few guys who I would consider fairly intelligent but they HATE cyclists.. Total irrational hatred like we dont belong on the road at all. Some of the shite they spout is unbelievable.

OP go and watch Premium Rush... right now.

Prefect mood to watch this movie in!

[url= http://m.imdb.com/title/tt1547234/?ref_=m_nmfmd_act_12 ]Premium Rush[/url]

I commute by car mostly (it's 20 miles and I carry 15-20kilos of stuff to and from work every day) and the total absence of basic planning skills from 95% of drivers is painfully apparent and imo a big part of the problem in that people only every think about the next three car lengths not the journey as a whole or even t the next half mile .

It's not just cyclists that this driver incompetence extends to... emergency stops for zebra crossings, changing traffic lights, failing to plan for vehicles coming out of blind side roads, basic lane changing, approaching slower vehicles on the motorway slowing down abruptly then pulling out into the gap that was there before they braked, boxing cars in when there's an empty lane to their right ... just no effort too anticipate what's further ahead than the car in fronts brake lights.

Short of multiplying the roads policing budget by 500 I fail to see how we will fix this, so walk, drive and ride defensively and approach it flexibly, which could be any of many things including but not limited to - take primary position, squeeze left a bit to make some road space, pass on the right, on the left, slow down or speed up and just occasionally pull over completely and release a queue of traffic that's patiently waiting for a proper gap on a tricky road x and anything else you can think of but most of all take positivery action for your own safety as ime no one else will do it for you.

Should things be better than that - undoubtedly - but reality says they are not.

I heard the price of fuel is about to head back up, that's going to impact on some of the [i]enthusiastic[/i] progress makers no doubt...

I have said it before but I still think it's the long game you need to remember...

The cost of driving will rise and rise, the cost of driving like a bellend more so, and then autonomous cars will creep in and all the "joy of driving" clarksonite cobblers will eventually fade away...

It's going to take a while but just remember when we get there, as a society, you were well ahead of the curve...

Until then plan your route as best you can, avoid conflict where possible and so long as you get home alive it's been a successful journey...

[i] RustyNissanPrairie - Member
I'm going to[/i]

Take the car to work?

I find a good thump on the side of a too close car frightens the cr@p out of the driver.

^^^^^
i try to pretend my hands are taped to the bars works most of the time and avoids pointless arguments

be careful though:

[url] http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/former-bikie-toby-mitchell-launches-more-attacks-on-social-media-over-alleged-road-rage-assault-on-cyclist-20150915-gjmtyj.html [/url]

I have enjoyed reading this thread and empathise with the OP - there are some days when it feels like I am Yossarian and everyone is trying to kill me... BUT, although I have on occassions lost my cool in the past, I really try not to these days. I even try to make a tap on the side of the car a friendly "look out I'm here mate" type tap if I can. If comes down to a loosing your cool competion I am not the one inside the big fast metal box on wheels...

As a cyclist, i understand the frustration and fear of poor driving, but as a car driver, I'm getting really bored of the assumption by some on here that we are all impatient homicidal maniacs.

Presumably coming from people who do not drive, or when they do, are absolutely 100% perfect 100% of the time. 🙄

Turns out people don't like being tarred with a brush regardless of their affiliation or non-affiliate to a particular group.

I ride, walk, and drive. I get just as frustrated about being blamed/associated with the bad behaviour of other people who just happen to be using the same mode of transport as me at that time.

riding home - houses on both sides of a residential street, side road to my left, I've got lights on, middle of my lane.
Nobbied up Lupo coming the other way indicates right, stops, lets me get close then pulls across and stops in the middle of my lane for no reason-empty road that he's turning into. I slam on and stop, baseball cap wearing ****tard in the passenger seat calls me a looser then they drive off.

Chase after them but it leads into a scummy estate so leave em be.
I'm going to start carrying a spare 400mm seatpost in my rucksack and I will start beating the shit out of ****s like this.

****ing sick of people seeing you then thinking **** you anyway, you'll stop - its not a case of smidsy.

That post by antigee; whats a bikie enforcer ?

Edit;never mind, just found out.

For the record my North Devon commute is nice and relaxed. 8)

To the OP

too fu####ng right. Same feelings here and getting the same attitude too.
Car drivers get home 13seconds faster yet leave us thinking through the consequences of their near miss/dooring/stupid overtake ...

Yesterday, just outside Aviemore, son and I were riding back on narrow, twisty lane. A few cars waited a minute to pass us, and I waved them past when safe. As we near another corner, I can see cars coming other way, and pull back alongside son in a defensive position. The corner is tree lined and stone walls all round.
As we go round blind corner, a car overtakes, hesitates, then pulls in nearly taking my front wheel out he was so close. Oncoming car stops to avoid head on crash.
The car that overtook? Orange P7 and nice Giant road bike on roof.

Even our 'own brethren' are behaving like idiots in cars it seems.

Luckily I don't seem to have too many issues when riding in and people seem to respond well to fairly assertive riding.

Wednesday I was driving to work and approaching a roundabout in the right hand lane of a dual lane A road, chap on a bike in the left lane dripping in Rapha decides to change lanes suddenly without as much as a glance over his shoulder to see if a car is coming on the outside, he was 1ft away from contact with the front of my car. Same chap gets to the roundabout (dual lane and busy) and despite the light being red for his entire approach he just glides on through and off.

Idiots are everywhere, a greater % of them drive cars but this ****tard is the closest I have ever come to any kind of collision on the roads.

A "white tranny" quick somebody call the Equalities Hotline !

Idiots are everywhere, a greater % of them drive cars but this **** is the closest I have ever come to any kind of collision on the roads.

Well sure, but the point about idiot cyclists is that they're mostly a danger to themselves, not others.

Well sure, but the point about idiot cyclists is that they're mostly a danger to themselves, not others.

as long as you ignore the emotional and mental damage caused to nice normal people who suddenly end up killing someone through no fault of their own.

as long as you ignore the emotional and mental damage caused to nice normal people who suddenly end up killing someone through no fault of their own.

Which thankfully doesn't happen very often (AIUI drivers are at fault in most cyclist fatalities), so is a bit of a distraction from the debate.

The car that overtook? Orange P7 and nice Giant road bike on roof.

Ahh Bike the thief's

It's not gonna happen but I reckon a couple of compulsory days on a bike once a year for every driver would make things better.

I feel the OP's pain.
I only ride on the road occasionally, but there are certain (sometimes unavoidable) routes that always, always result in feeling threatened.

I once accidentally found myself on the Congleton/Macc road. Never ever again.

Unfortunately - there is something about a car, that makes otherwise right-thinking individuals make poor decisions.

I can't even say for sure that [i]I've[/i] always passed cyclists safely, despite my best intentions.

Unfortunately - there is something about a car, that makes otherwise right-thinking individuals make poor decisions.

This. Next time you find yourself not letting someone out of a junction, remember that you wouldn't think twice about holding the door open for them.

Even our 'own brethren' are behaving like idiots in cars it seems.

Brethren? I can't say I've noticed any difference between cyclists and non cyclists as far as their driving goes. I once spent several hours climbing a long pass in the Rockies with no shoulder on the road. Sight lines were good and traffic not that heavy so there was no reason for close overtakes. About half the cars going up were carrying bikes on their roofs as there was a road race going over the pass the next day. I got just as many close passes from bike cars as the non bike cars.

Fair point. Just frustrating that I would have *hoped* other riders have half an idea how frightening such a situation is.

About half the cars going up were carrying bikes on their roofs as there was a road race going over the pass the next day. I got just as many close passes from bike cars as the non bike cars.

I get attempts at close passes, but thats why i dont ride right in the gutter, gives me space to move across as they pass (i can hear/see them coming up behind). For cars cutting across in front, most are just terrible judges of speed, or at least judging speed/time for something going as 'slowly' as ~15mph.

Not sure being happy with close passing equals competent. Actually most drivers managed to use the empty other lane. But of the minority who chose to pass unnecessarily close there was as many with bikes on the roof.

I use a mirror when touring and the big advantage to me when drivers give me a wide berth is that I can see them starting to move out well back and know they have seen me. Actually in general I've found American drivers to be OK. In over 10K USA touring miles I've had a handful of dangerously close passes and only once had to ride off the road to avoid being hit.

brooess - Member
With appropriate signalling and communication, you can demonstrate how you want them to behave... right there in the moment.

I've taken primaray AND held my hand up behind in a "stop" position when I could see around a bend that the car behind couldn't. He still passed me, and apologised half a mile up the road where he'd got out of his car. His apology would've done **** all to help me if I had been run over, and equally little to help him or the occupants of the vehicle coming the other way had they collided.

Some people make stupid decisions some of the time. Riding primaryer than thou and any other steps you take really won't help some of the time, unfortunately, and I don't think many people haven't heard that advice, particularly regular commuters.

I don't think many people haven't heard that advice, particularly regular commuters.

I'd estimate that in my area, around 75% of cycling commuters ride too close to the kerb, so the message doesn't seem to be getting through.

usual shite,
Mid week.
silver fiesta at side street on my right/opposite side of the road, pulls out without indicating but starts turning right - 'I hope she's seen me and doesnt squeeze me', only she isnt turning right and cuts across in front of me into the pub car park.
I did a full emergency slam on, follow her into the pub car park. Gormless bint had seen me but didn't give a shit, no apology, lost my rag with her and her wing mirror.

This morning.
Nissan Navara overtakes, female passenger throws a hand full of orange peel at me but then turns into animal feeds place 300 yards further on, batshit mental mode is at #9 "whats the problem? it was only orange peel" Stupid fat arsed jodhpur bint got both barrels

Past two weeks
Same route every morning only now Mrknobcheese 206 driver decides to drive flat out down a single track road (with no passing points) without slowing down and with full beam on. No amount of gesticulating is working. Found where he lives by accident the other day. Im going to torch his car.

When you are done, can you pop down my way for a bit of retribution too.

30 miles on country lanes this morning, and three near death* passes. The first was a double whammy - over a blind crest with a forest car park entrance 20 yards after. Car overtakes me on the crest, pulls in and slams brakes on to turn right into the car park. Has to completely stop as there's a car coming the other way.I brake hard to stop running into the back of him. Meanwhile dick 2 is pulling the same trick, but only gets alongside me before having to slam the anchors and pull in to avoid the oncoming car. My cyclo cross experience is useful in avoiding contact.

Bit later, young girl in a Ka tries an overtake on a short straight. She would only have to had waited another 100 yards for a clear run. Same thing, car comes round the bend in front, but instead of slowing and dropping in behind me, she just swerves towards me. Cyclo cross time again!

Years of cycling have fought me to half-subconsciously keep an escape route so I'm always aware of the s ate of the verge for a quick divert. Fortunately both were by mud today and not ditches, guess lady luck was smiling on me!

*obvs for someone without my superskills

New Mercedes have flashing lights which means there something to the side of your 50 grand car, never mind just ignore it, even though it was well beyond primary going down hill fast to a mini roundabout then a humpback single lane bridge. Let's get past it.