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I tend to ride further out, like TJ says. It doesn't stop idiots trying to overtake where there isn't really space, but it does give me a bigger gap to avoid them.
Exactly!
Taking the lane gives you 3 advantages.
1. Disuades drivers from attempting to squeeze through.
2. Moves you further into their line of sight.
3. Gives you ample room to make an emergency manoeuvre towards the curb, should some idiot actually try a poor overtake.
Of course many riders are concerned about riding in the lane incase they get rear-ended by a inattentive driver. This is obviously a risk but its a risk anywhere on the road, and there is nothing stopping you listening and looking over your shoulder for them.
rear-ended by a inattentive driver
This has happened to me, I thought something on my bike had broken, dumped me in the road, and the car behind was a ninja on the brakes, turned out he wasn't.
I still ride in the middle of the lane at pinch points though.
looking over your shoulder for them
I do this pretty much all the time when riding on the road, taken from years of riding motorbikes (known as a lifesaver glance)... it's invaluable, especially when moving out around parked cars. Eye contact with the driver behind you is a good thing to stop them from doing stupid overtaking.
I am astounded by how little cyclists look behind them - in traffic I look behind every 10 seconds or so and if I feel threatened by the car behind or want to manoeuvre I sit up and make eye contact.
Project - don't just dismiss this - read cyclecraft and consider it. Maybe get some training
its not they don't see the signs and so on - they ignore them. By being further out into the road you make sure yo cannot be ignored.
[i]am still learning everyday.[/i]
Ah yes, there's always some new way in which a driver can be a cretin, that is for sure.
I am astounded by how little cyclists look behind them - in traffic I look behind every 10 seconds or so and if I feel threatened by the car behind or want to manoeuvre I sit up and make eye contact.
True, even just turning your head can indicate to a driver that you are aware of their presence and can make them think twice. Its funny but this action is so ingrained in me i realised the other day i do this when walking about to, looking over my shoulder when trying to walk around someone is the supermarket or whatever, made me laugh when i realised.
And there are things you can learn to make you a better rider.
I keep meaning to get around to filming me riding thru traffic for a critique - It will be funny as I ride in such a different style to the clips posted such as this.
Backwards?
So if i was out further into the road,the landrover would have hit the car turning right into the craft centre then, and the pickfords lgv, would have had me under it.
As TJ said he was judging when you would be far enough ahead etc. A bit further out he wouldnt have made that maneouvre. I know he is an idiot but on that stretch its impossible to see further than about 40 metres.
No - much further out in the in a much more assertive style and with far more observation and anticipation. I treat riding in traffic as a sport
I will get round to doing it and post it for a critique
So if i was out further into the road,the landrover would have hit the car turning right into the craft centre then, and the pickfords lgv, would have had me under it.
no they wouldn't; at the moment you are inviting them to overtake by giving them room to do so; you are implying it is ok. move out, remove the invitation and they will overtake properly.
try it, you might be surprised.
The quid pro quo of riding wide out in the road to block unsafe passes is that when its safe to pass you sit up, pull in and wave 'em thru[b]
Project - don't just dismiss this - read cyclecraft and consider it. Maybe get some training
I have Cyclecraft the book and very good it is,also been riding since i was about 9 years old,
TandemJeremy - Member
I keep meaning to get around to filming me riding thru traffic for a critique - It will be funny as I ride in such a different style to the clips posted such as this.
I loook forward to seeing the "such a different style of riding" ,perhaps its the union advised one,
Project - then please just try riding out from the gutter on that bit of road.
Will you be wearing a helmet?
😆 he doesn't need to. he a expert
DezB - why are you so unwilling to accept that there is anything different you could do or anything you could learn? I accept that I am always learning, Anytime I am in a dangerous / inconveninent / annoying incident on the road I ask myself " what can I learn from that" You have been involved in incidents that you have described on here and refuse point blank to consider that there is anything different you could have done.
Big hardlooking blokes wont monster yocvvu with their car. Go figure what type of men and women do.
Anytime I am in a dangerous / inconveninent / annoying incident on the road I ask myself " what can I learn from that" You have been involved in incidents that you have described on here and refuse point blank to consider that there is anything different you could have done.
I must think "WHAT WOULD TJ HAVE DONE" 😯
No project -the point is to think - "what could I have done that would have have given a different outcome?" Its known as reflective practice if a buzzword helps and its a very useful tool for improving outcomes. I do this constantly and modify what I do in the light of it
I an seriously concerned for your safety riding like that - please get out of the gutter or stop riding that road.
project - it's a while since I've ridden with you, I think I need to come and show you how that bit of road is done 😉
Lady Gresley any time,except this sunday.
I need some training and discipline, or is this the wroing forum.
Of course many riders are concerned about riding in the lane incase they get rear-ended by a inattentive driver. This is obviously a risk but its a risk anywhere on the road, and there is nothing stopping you listening and looking over your shoulder for them.
This is what mirrors are for. I have had to ride off the road once when a large speeding vehicle came right through where I had been riding seconds before. Other than that primary position, where appropriate works for me.
[i]DezB - why are you so unwilling to accept that there is anything different you could do or anything you could learn? I accept that I am always learning, Anytime I am in a dangerous / inconveninent / annoying incident on the road I ask myself " what can I learn[/i]
I'm not unwilling to learn on exactly the way you describe. The only thing I object to, ever! is being told what I ( or indeed others) should be doing by people ON AN INTERNET FORUM!!
People who look at a 30 second video clip or read a little description of an occurance and say "ah well you should be riding in this way, like I do. Because every road I ride on is exacltythesameasthe roadsyourideonsoyoushouldbedoingexactly thesame asme blahblah blah."
I've had a few beers btw