Cyclists!!!

[bugbear]

I take this garbled post as an admission that as a cyclist you personally never pull over for traffic in narrow lanes, giving the rest of us a bad name. :roll:

As usual your conclusion is a reflection of your prejudices, not the evidence.

BugBear

 

[Jacob]

.......
So from a cyclists' perspective, Jacob talks perfect sense.

Terry

Thanks for that. I sometimes wonder if it's me that's round the bend, but it's them as usual!

2 ft from the kerb, 2ft from parked cars (in case of opening doors), centre of lanes etc are all basic safety measures for cyclists and are things you should tell your kids if they are going on to the road. Cyclists have to be assertive about their road space or they get killed.
Drivers need to know these things too - should be more in the highway code and the driving test.

 

[RogerS]

It's the laws of statistics, Jacob.

Sooner or later there has to be one person who agrees with you. Down to chance, really. Nothing more. Wouldn't read too much into it.

 

[Racers]

Plus he changes his mind so often he covers most sides of the argument :wink:

Pete

 

[woodbloke]

.......
So from a cyclists' perspective, Jacob talks perfect sense.

Terry

Thanks for that. I sometimes wonder if it's me that's round the bend, but it's them as usual!

2 ft from the kerb, 2ft from parked cars (in case of opening doors), centre of lanes etc are all basic safety measures for cyclists and are things you should tell your kids if they are going on to the road. Cyclists have to be assertive about their road space or they get killed.
Drivers need to know these things too - should be more in the highway code and the driving test.

I agree in all respects, but I always give more that 2' going round a parked car...at least the width of the doors which is quite a bit more - Rob

 

[Finial]

Yes, I'd say more than 2 ft.

Most drivers are fine, but there are a few crazies who aren't fit to be in charge of a car, and quite a lot who are just careless - for example they pull out of junctions right in front of a cyclist, or cut across in front when turning right. I've had both of these incidents within the space of about 75 yards. It's as if cyclists are invisible!

 

[Jacob]

.....
I agree in all respects, but I always give more that 2' going round a parked car...at least the width of the doors which is quite a bit more - Rob

I would have said 3ft but I thought it might trigger one of Roger's funny turns. :roll: :lol:

 

[RogerS]

Remind you of anyone ?

 

[woodbloke]

Remind you of anyone ?

Doesn't remind me of anyone round here Rog :---) :-" - Rob

 

[SBJ]

As a cyclist and a motorist, it's quite clear that there are good and bad on both sides.

The worst road user, is the one that is dangerous. That is usually the motorist, usually impatient trying to pass a cyclist when it's not appropriate. This leads to cyclists needing to take up "primary" positions on the road to protect themselves. The thought that you would put someones life at risk for the sake of a few seconds until it's safe to pass is quite ridiculous.

The next issue is the inconsiderate road user, and I think that the cyclist is more guilty of this. I quite often follow cyclists on narrow lanes where it isn't possible to pass and I find it very frustrating when the cyclist doesn't slow down and allow me to pass safely.

 

[John Brown]

Whilst we're nattering about the whys n'wherefores of cyclists, can anyone explain why the front brake on the Blokebike now emits an ear piercing squeal every time I touch the brake lever. It was fully serviced (new brake blocks, chain, chain set, rear cassette, lubed etc etc) around Feb of this year, so I'm a bit confuzzled :? - Rob

Ensure the rear of the blocks touch the rim first. May need to bend the yoke a little to achieve this if there isn't an off-set washer behind the block carriers.

I think it's the other way round.
The front of the brake block should contact the rim first.

 

[newt]

Whilst we're nattering about the whys n'wherefores of cyclists, can anyone explain why the front brake on the Blokebike now emits an ear piercing squeal every time I touch the brake lever. It was fully serviced (new brake blocks, chain, chain set, rear cassette, lubed etc etc) around Feb of this year, so I'm a bit confuzzled :? - Rob

Ensure the rear of the blocks touch the rim first. May need to bend the yoke a little to achieve this if there isn't an off-set washer behind the block carriers.

I think it's the other way round.
The front of the brake block should contact the rim first.

+1

 

[Noel]

Yes, sorry, toe-in so front first. I should read before I press submit. And as mentioned clean blocks and rim.

Is this the bike you bought last year?

 

[paulm]

I sold my old mountain bike on ebay recently and treated myself to a half decent new one, no comparison really.

The brakes on this one, and many new ones these days I guess, are hydraulic disc brakes rather than the old cable pull rubber blocks, and the stopping performance is amazing ! Have to be even more careful of the front brake than usual to avoid flying over the handlebars !

Picked one with front suspension too, as I was getting bad wrist ache riding the old one, and that makes a big difference to riding comfort too.

Too many gears though, 24 in total and can get a bit confusing :roll: especially with two shift levers on each handlebar, but the trigger shifts are another impressive improvement on the old levers or twist grips.

Still have to get off and push it up the steep bits though given my current fitness levels :lol:

Cheers, Paul

 

[woodbloke]

Yes, sorry, toe-in so front first. I should read before I press submit. And as mentioned clean blocks and rim.

Is this the bike you bought last year?

No, this is the road bike, the one with the squeaky brakes is a Trek 7.5 hybrid - Rob

 

[mailee]

Well this really has been an entertaining thread. :lol: There are good and bad road users regardless of what mode of transport they choose. I always drive by one of the rules my instructor told me: "Treat everyone on the road as an *****" I certainly won't be replacing my transport for a push bike though as I couldn't get a wardrobe on a bike! :lol: I no longer have a car since buying the van but intend to buy a motorcycle in the future. I wouldn't even consider a push bike though as I am thin enough already.

 

[Jacob]

.......I certainly won't be replacing my transport for a push bike though as I couldn't get a wardrobe on a bike! :lol: ......

Don't knock it if you haven't tried it!

 

[bugbear]

As a cyclist and a motorist, it's quite clear that there are good and bad on both sides.

The worst road user, is the one that is dangerous. That is usually the motorist, usually impatient trying to pass a cyclist when it's not appropriate. This leads to cyclists needing to take up "primary" positions on the road to protect themselves. The thought that you would put someones life at risk for the sake of a few seconds until it's safe to pass is quite ridiculous.

The next issue is the inconsiderate road user, and I think that the cyclist is more guilty of this. I quite often follow cyclists on narrow lanes where it isn't possible to pass and I find it very frustrating when the cyclist doesn't slow down and allow me to pass safely.

Now you've introduced balance and reason into a perfectly decent argument!

:lol: :lol: :lol:

BugBear

 

[Jacob]

As a cyclist and a motorist, it's quite clear that there are good and bad on both sides.

The worst road user, is the one that is dangerous. That is usually the motorist, usually impatient trying to pass a cyclist when it's not appropriate. This leads to cyclists needing to take up "primary" positions on the road to protect themselves. The thought that you would put someones life at risk for the sake of a few seconds until it's safe to pass is quite ridiculous.

The next issue is the inconsiderate road user, and I think that the cyclist is more guilty of this. I quite often follow cyclists on narrow lanes where it isn't possible to pass and I find it very frustrating when the cyclist doesn't slow down and allow me to pass safely.

Now you've introduced balance and reason into a perfectly decent argument!

:lol: :lol: :lol:

BugBear

Nonsense.
"Cyclists on narrow lanes" aren't being inconsiderate, they are merely slow.
It's inconsiderate of our Mr Toads to expect cyclists to throw themselves into the ditch at every encounter.

 

[Noel]

We have quite narrow roads around here (canny call them "lanes", a lane is a dirty, unsurfaced grass strewn track leading to a field or something similar....) and at times you get the odd car sitting on your back wheel. Often easier just to let them past and enjoy the ride.