anyone else hate cyclists

[overbez]

And you lot are a damn nuisance on the roads as well ... leaving bloody great piles of fresh horse sh*t everywhere for motorcyclists to skid on. It's especially annoying when it's out of sight around a bend and smack on the bloody racing line.

Maybe you need to adjust your riding technique when on the public road....

Have you ever followed a police motorcyclist along a twisty road? Generally the best / safest / and therefore ultimately fastest line would not be the "racing line" but the line that gives the best visibility through the bend and allows you space and time to react to unseen hazards.

 

[viv1969]

Speaking as a horse owner who regularly rides both on and off road, I've had a few run ins with cyclists I'd prefer to forget!!!

For those of you who cycle, could someone tell me why it's so hard to warn people (riders or walkers) when you're approaching from behind? What happened to those little bells mounted on handle bars and designed for just this purpose?

And to the guy who cycled past me recently when I was out on my horse, and was then heard to comment to his mate "blimey, did you see the a#%^e on that? ..." Firstly, I presume you were referring to my horse, and secondly, you should see yourself from the rear in Lycra shorts before passing comments on others' rear ends!!

So horse riders want cyclists to tinkle thier little bells?
Someone needs to tell "those in the know" , because safety advice is to never use bycicle bells / horns when overtaking a horse and rider.

 

[dejongj]

And you lot are a damn nuisance on the roads as well ... leaving bloody great piles of fresh horse sh*t everywhere for motorcyclists to skid on. It's especially annoying when it's out of sight around a bend and smack on the bloody racing line.

Oh man you are missing an opportunity. Most people have to pay to pickup the horse poo to put on their roses.

I quite like the smell as well. And my dog loves eating it :yuk:

It's just one of those things that one should anticipate on the country roads there may be horse poo, on the lanes dogs will enjoy walking off the lead, many fields will have men wielding rifles who won't be pleased when you disturb their birds. Big 4x4 are use to check our land. Heck come to think of it, the only thing that isn't natural in such an environment is brightly coloured man made fabrics and foul language when we are in their way.

 

[Stuart M]

Oh man you are missing an opportunity. Most people have to pay to pickup the horse poo to put on their roses.

I quite like the smell as well. And my dog loves eating it :yuk:

It's just one of those things that one should anticipate on the country roads there may be horse poo, on the lanes dogs will enjoy walking off the lead, many fields will have men wielding rifles who won't be pleased when you disturb their birds. Big 4x4 are use to check our land. Heck come to think of it, the only thing that isn't natural in such an environment is brightly coloured man made fabrics and foul language when we are in their way.

1. I don't have any roses.

2. It's never occurred to me to stop and fill my pockets with horse poo that I might find a use for at a later time.

3. Pig poo smells much better.

4. You have a very strange dog.

 

[Quicksnapper]

So horse riders want cyclists to tinkle thier little bells?
Someone needs to tell "those in the know" , because safety advice is to never use bycicle bells / horns when overtaking a horse and rider.

When overtaking, yes, but from a safe and respectable distance behind, no ....

I've been a rider for many years and have never known a horse spook or take fright at a bicycle bell, when heard from several yards to the rear. On the other hand, I've had many a bad experience when bikes have rushed up behind me unannounced, attempted to overtake when on narrow lanes etc etc. A bit of fore-warming delivered at sensible volume and from a safe distance, to allow all parties to avoid each other is the acceptable way to go. So either a bell or even a called out "bike behind" or similar is perfectly acceptable.

ETA ... a safe distance to the rear of a horse is about 4-5 horses lengths.

 

[Nod]

Oh man you are missing an opportunity. Most people have to pay to pickup the horse poo to put on their roses.

I quite like the smell as well. And my dog loves eating it :yuk:

It's just one of those things that one should anticipate on the country roads there may be horse poo, on the lanes dogs will enjoy walking off the lead, many fields will have men wielding rifles who won't be pleased when you disturb their birds. Big 4x4 are use to check our land. Heck come to think of it, the only thing that isn't natural in such an environment is brightly coloured man made fabrics and foul language when we are in their way.

Although we're near the city limit, we are still in the city but get a lot of horses crapping on the road as well as the pavements and footpaths. When challenged about riding on FOOTpaths, the riders (almost without exception) get aggressive and claim they have a perfect right to ride on footpaths. Their excuse is that they don't feel safe on the road (which is to some extent fair enough, although the road they're avoiding is one where the limit is fairly tightly observed) but there is a bridleway that runs parallel to the road for them to use.

Back to cyclists... We mustn't forget the comedy value the lycra louts sometimes give us; for example during the recent Tour of Britain, where the car parks were filled with cars fitted with bicycle racks and the city centre was filled with extremely overstuffed yellow jerseys and overtight (undersized?) lycra shorts riding the bikes they'd brought into town on their carriers on the pavement. Add the little poos on their brake/bell less BMXs tearing through the crowds on the pavements. Now close the streets and block the crossings for several hours while sod all's going on. How does that add to spending in the city as claimed by the organisers? It was impossible to park anywhere near the city centre and that was if you could GET there in the first place (multiple lengthy road closures for no apparent reason) and even harder to get anywhere once you'd got there.

 

[POAH]

i am starting to get paranoid about these two wheeled menaces ,in the area where i usually go for peace and quite and some nice winter owl shots they have laid a new cycle path over the old footpath ,the bloody fools think thats its a race track not a joint cycle and footpath that is still used by walkers ,photographers,and dog walkers ,in my case its even worse as i am tone deaf and rarely wear my hearing aids so cannot hear there little bells tinkling ,i do know if one rides into me it will be there balls tinkling .
and to make it worse they seem to like hogging the local lanes as well its bad enough trying to drive and watch out for buzzards and kestrels never mind morons in lycra pants .surely it can't be just me that hates them :arghh::arghh::arghh:

to be fair you shouldn't be walking on a cycle path

 

[Neil B]

i am starting to get paranoid about these two wheeled menaces ,in the area where i usually go for peace and quite and some nice winter owl shots they have laid a new cycle path over the old footpath ,the bloody fools think thats its a race track not a joint cycle and footpath that is still used by walkers ,photographers,and dog walkers ,in my case its even worse as i am tone deaf and rarely wear my hearing aids so cannot hear there little bells tinkling ,i do know if one rides into me it will be there balls tinkling .
and to make it worse they seem to like hogging the local lanes as well its bad enough trying to drive and watch out for buzzards and kestrels never mind morons in lycra pants .surely it can't be just me that hates them :arghh::arghh::arghh:

to be fair you shouldn't be walking on a cycle path

Typical cyclist

 

[POAH]

Typical cyclist

around here there are joint walking/cycling paths too but they are separated with a line hence my comment.

 

[viv1969]

around here there are joint walking/cycling paths too but they are separated with a line hence my comment.

They are here too.

 

[chadders]

A friend of mine calls cyclists "silent assassins". I think that's a fair description of some of them.

One of the "best" examples of a cyclist was a woman I saw on (The) City Road, London. Headphones on, oblivious to everything. She did have an helmet though. It was fastened to a carrier.

 

[Big Andy]

A friend of mine calls cyclists "silent assassins". I think that's a fair description of some of them.

One of the "best" examples of a cyclist was a woman I saw on (The) City Road, London. Headphones on, oblivious to everything. She did have an helmet though. It was fastened to a carrier.

Darwin will be proved right, it's only a matter of time.

 

[the black fox]

here ya go the proof of the pudding taken today by a mate of mine who i didn't realise till i saw this hated cyclists to
https://flic.kr/p/p6ihNP

the rider is is riding down the promenade in high winds and heavy seas ,one handed while on a mobile phone with a rucksack on his back and another rucksack hanging from his handlebars

MILORD ,LADIES AND GENTLEMEN I REST MY CASE

 

[the black fox]

to be fair you shouldn't be walking on a cycle path

TO BE FAIR read the whole bloody thread ,its a joint foot and cycle path with no separation lines marked and when i next return i shall measure it as it seems it may contravene planning laws as to width ,which happens often in the wilds of the north west ,so yes i have every right to be walking there ,there are clearly marked bollards as well that let the LYCRISTS know its a joint /shared path to

 

[Neil B]

around here there are joint walking/cycling paths too but they are separated with a line hence my comment.

I didn't notice the OP mention a segregation line

THIS happened within the first week of our local joint walking/cycling path opening.

 

[big soft moose]

TO BE FAIR read the whole bloody thread ,its a joint foot and cycle path with no separation lines marked and when i next return i shall measure it as it seems it may contravene planning laws as to width ,which happens often in the wilds of the north west ,so yes i have every right to be walking there ,there are clearly marked bollards as well that let the LYCRISTS know its a joint /shared path to

To be fair what i reffered to earlier was a guideline not a law - however it would be worth asking the council why they decided not to comply to Dft guidelines - if nothing else the burreaucratic twisting and turning like a twisty turny thing could be moderately amusing - and at best you may discover that they havent actually changed the designation at all.

You could also ask your local PRoW team if its on the definitive map (if its a cycleway it shouldnt be - if it is they probably havent upgraded the designation), and wind up your local rambler assoc rep to start writing to councillors. There are hours of fun to be had in winding up bureaucrats if you have the time on your hands

 

[Lynton]

oh and if there is a cycle path, use it, otherwise cyclists are stupid!

 

[kennethwfd]

to be fair you shouldn't be walking on a cycle path

Oh, but in my neck of the woods, I live in a National Park, the "peoples" New Forest which is for eveyone to enjoy as they see fit.,,,,,,,,when organising the next cycling event

Of course, in posting this, I am an anti cycling NIMBY (deleted) (deleted) (deleted)

 

[neil_g]

Lets ban cycling in the new forset then. Oh wait lets not forget the revenue generated by the tourism.

It's one of the small prices to pay for living in a tourist hot spot

(new forest'er born and raised)

 

[neil_g]

So anyway, spent just over 4 hours in the saddle over on the purbecks and not a crossed word was uttered by anyone.

Encountered lots of hikers, dog walkers, couple of horse riders etc and received lots of smiles, waves, "afternoon/hello/keep going!", dogs held on to etc. some gates held open by walkers and an unnecessary apology from one kind lady who insisted she should have hurried to open a gate for me so I didn't have to stop.

I felt like I'd slipped into some parallel universe compared to this thread..

 

[dejongj]

So anyway, spent just over 4 hours in the saddle over on the purbecks and not a crossed word was uttered by anyone.

Encountered lots of hikers, dog walkers, couple of horse riders etc and received lots of smiles, waves, "afternoon/hello/keep going!", dogs held on to etc. some gates held open by walkers and an unnecessary apology from one kind lady who insisted she should have hurried to open a gate for me so I didn't have to stop.

I felt like I'd slipped into some parallel universe compared to this thread..

Or perhaps you behaved and left your warrior at home

 

[big soft moose]

yeah but they are strange over in darset , its the scrumpy addling their brains

 

[Mattyd]

oh and if there is a cycle path, use it, otherwise cyclists are stupid!

To big a blanket statement. Cycle lanes are rightly optional for many reasons and most who don't cycle are totally clueless to the many issues with them.

I can wax lyrical on some of the many problems, and happy to offer some examples if anyone's interested.. In fact there's a great vid on youtube. I'll see if I can dig it out.

edit -

worth a watch. And interestingly only the tip of the iceberg.

 

[neil_g]

that reminds me.. the cycle lane that runs to the chain ferry on sandbanks, theres a bit where I guess tree roots have got under it and its raised and dropped the tarmac by a good +/- 6". that'd easily throw someone over the bars if they were not paying attention or for a roadie that may be an issue.

 

[Mattyd]

that reminds me.. the cycle lane that runs to the chain ferry on sandbanks, theres a bit where I guess tree roots have got under it and its raised and dropped the tarmac by a good +/- 6". that'd easily throw someone over the bars if they were not paying attention or for a roadie that may be an issue.

Yep. Round me way we have a cycle path that's exactly the same. They even placed a "uneven surface" sign under the cycle path sign. It's totally unusable, it's barely walkable, and when my son was small his pram was totally unusable on it, the front wheels kept locking it was that bad.

 

[Nod]

that reminds me.. the cycle lane that runs to the chain ferry on sandbanks, theres a bit where I guess tree roots have got under it and its raised and dropped the tarmac by a good +/- 6". that'd easily throw someone over the bars if they were not paying attention or for a roadie that may be an issue.

I take it you've reported the problem to the relevant authority?

 

[neil_g]

I take it you've reported the problem to the relevant authority?

if i could remember exactly where it was then i would, it was a one off that i was down that way and im not familiar with the route. google streetview is from 2012 from that area (i did look last night) so that doesnt help.

id like to think one of the regulars that use that route would have.

 

[Neil B]

I take it you've reported the problem to the relevant authority?

if i could remember exactly where it was then i would, it was a one off that i was down that way and im not familiar with the route. google streetview is from 2012 from that area (i did look last night) so that doesnt help.

id like to think one of the regulars that use that route would have.

So you don't mind someone else having the accident :meh: :indifferent:

 

[neil_g]

So you don't mind someone else having the accident :meh: :indifferent:

thats exactly what i said.

tell you what i'll walk the 5 miles back down there after work and make a note of the exact OS grid ref.

 

[Mattyd]

I take it you've reported the problem to the relevant authority?

I've reported many a problem in my time. Its yet to yield any result. Not one.



It's the primary reason I push for the right to use the road if a cycle path is not convenient or safe

 

[big soft moose]

I've reported many a problem in my time. Its yet to yield any result. Not one.

councils only deal with faults that lotsof people shout about .. if you want it fixed you need to get your friends on the case, or use lots of pseudonyms and hotmail accounts

 

[viv1969]

I've reported many a problem in my time. Its yet to yield any result. Not one.



It's the primary reason I push for the right to use the road if a cycle path is not convenient or safe

Genuine question....do you not already have the right to use the road even if a cycle path is present?
("regular" roads, clearly.....not motorways)

 

[neil_g]

Genuine question....do you not already have the right to use the road even if a cycle path is present?
("regular" roads, clearly.....not motorways)

HWC says:

"Cycle Routes and Other Facilities. Use cycle routes, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes and toucan crossings unless at the time it is unsafe to do so. Use of these facilities is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer."

 

[Mattyd]

Genuine question....do you not already have the right to use the road even if a cycle path is present?
("regular" roads, clearly.....not motorways)

Yes, totally. Many assume cyclists are legally required to use a cycle path if its available. I'm very quick to remind people who think that that they are wrong

My wording was a little crappy though

 

[viv1969]

HWC says:

"Cycle Routes and Other Facilities. Use cycle routes, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes and toucan crossings unless at the time it is unsafe to do so. Use of these facilities is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer."

Yes, totally. Many assume cyclists are legally required to use a cycle path if its available. I'm very quick to remind people who think that that they are wrong

My wording was a little crappy though

Ta very much!

 

[george g]

As a Cyclist, I like to see how many cats eyes i can weave between before missing one or falling off... tends to keep drivers alert when your swerving all over the place... but at least I know they see me!

 

[big soft moose]

As a Cyclist, I like to see how many cats eyes i can weave between before missing one or falling off... tends to keep drivers alert when your swerving all over the place... but at least I know they see me!

yeah i like to try that in a car , getting the wheels between the catseyes takes real talent... course if a cyclist gets hit while my attention is diverted i'm sure they understand that its just part of the game

 

[viv1969]

As a Cyclist, I like to see how many cats eyes i can weave between before missing one or falling off... tends to keep drivers alert when your swerving all over the place... but at least I know they see me!

I give you riders a wide berth when you do that........
.
.
.
.
............Otherwise I don't have enough room to reach out the window and push you off!

 

[dejongj]

As a Cyclist, I like to see how many cats eyes i can weave between before missing one or falling off... tends to keep drivers alert when your swerving all over the place... but at least I know they see me!

My dog loves that game. It is an extra challenge when the big chewy it moving. Great idea!

 

[Mattyd]

As a Cyclist, I like to see how many cats eyes i can weave between before missing one or falling off... tends to keep drivers alert when your swerving all over the place... but at least I know they see me!

I have issues with those metal studs and painted lines. When its wet they are a nightmare. Lost control of the back wheel once or twice, but never had an off.