Out on my bike in the autumn sun. Needless to say some wally in a 4x4 drove past me within 6 inches of my arm on a wide road with no other traffic!
Cyclists.
- Thread starter Z Victor 1
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Where were you at this point @bertiejaffa ? 
I don't cycle on the road anymore 
I used to, all the time, but about 6 years ago I was hit by a car. As unlucky as it was to get hit by a car in the first place, it is remarkable how lucky I was. It was a 60mph road, slightly uphill and facing into the evening sun, so visibility wasn't great at that moment, but I'd done everything I could do - wearing neon colours & reflective clothing, rear light flashing. But the car driver didn't see me (or wasn't looking) and ploughed their left wing mirror into my right arm, spearing me into the verge. It messed up my arm from the mirror and my knee from the fall, but apart from that I got away with just some stitches and physio. If I had been going any quicker I wouldn't have been so close to the verge and then I don't think I'd be here today.
The worst part of the whole thing was that the driver didn't stop (despite losing a wing mirror). And the police could not have been any less interested in trying to track them down
I used to, all the time, but about 6 years ago I was hit by a car. As unlucky as it was to get hit by a car in the first place, it is remarkable how lucky I was. It was a 60mph road, slightly uphill and facing into the evening sun, so visibility wasn't great at that moment, but I'd done everything I could do - wearing neon colours & reflective clothing, rear light flashing. But the car driver didn't see me (or wasn't looking) and ploughed their left wing mirror into my right arm, spearing me into the verge. It messed up my arm from the mirror and my knee from the fall, but apart from that I got away with just some stitches and physio. If I had been going any quicker I wouldn't have been so close to the verge and then I don't think I'd be here today.
The worst part of the whole thing was that the driver didn't stop (despite losing a wing mirror). And the police could not have been any less interested in trying to track them down
There are a lot of terrible drivers out there. As a cyclist as well as a motorist I am perhaps more aware of them than those motorists who moan about cyclists on the road. Yes, there are some stupid inconsiderate cyclists as well as motorists, but the cyclists are FAR less dangerous.
It is genuinely terrifying to see some people share their attitudes when it comes to cyclists on social media, almost always born out of ignorance ("well they don't pay road tax...") or their own skill/confidence shortcomings ("stuck behind them for miles..."). I have been driving for 20yrs now and don't think I have ever been "stuck" behind a lone or group of cyclists for more than 20 seconds.
They would feel differently about it if they or a loved one cycled.
You are correct though, there are some absolute wombles who give cyclists a bad name - running red lights, cycling on pavements etc.
Let me know if you're ever cycling through Darley Dale - there's always a loo-stop or bottle filling station available for you
You could even visit your old Z3 a few doors down
They would feel differently about it if they or a loved one cycled.
You are correct though, there are some absolute wombles who give cyclists a bad name - running red lights, cycling on pavements etc.
Let me know if you're ever cycling through Darley Dale - there's always a loo-stop or bottle filling station available for you
You could even visit your old Z3 a few doors down
Totally agree John, I've been driving since 1967 and I've NEVER been significantly held up by cyclists. I have been held up for hours due to avoidable vehicle crashes, no cyclists involved. I have also been held up significantly by caravaners when there have been two or more behind eachother making it impossible to overtake.