More Surrey traffic cops truth bombs…this time about riding two abreast; Promising pro rider killed while training; 10,000 RideLondon entries on sale; How to overtake a cyclist; Ok, vroomer; Pro rider of 2021; Nature fights back + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
First 10,000 places on RideLondon-Essex 100 available from 10am
RideLondon is back in 2022 with a new route heading out into Essex. The popular 100-mile sportive is on Sunday 29 May, but the ballot opens today at 10am. According to the event’s website the first 10,000 places will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, costing a hefty £89. International entries will open later in the year.
> RideLondon: Essex urged to focus on road safety ahead of revamped sportive
The full route will be announced early next year but will include traffic-free roads out of London and into Essex, where riders will face 60 miles of rolling roads through some of the county’s “most beautiful countryside and villages” before the turn back into London.
If you’re interested you can sign up on RideLondon’s website (after 10am)…
How to overtake a cyclist
This @CormarCarpets driver knows how to behave around #cyclists. More of this please pic.twitter.com/ubBYyZhq5o
— PassPixi (@PassPixi) November 9, 2021
The Surrey traffic cops would have no issues with this one…the Cormar Carpets HGV driver waits, indicates and passes wide. As one reply pointed out, it’s not really that hard is it? Just needs a little bit of patience…
"The world's best performance fabrics": Albion's new Zoa collection
Zoa is Albion’s new on/off the bike range that’s suitable for multiple riding disciplines and thanks to a partnership with technical fabrics brand Pertex, Albion says the collection uses “the world’s best performance fabrics.”
Zoa includes the first cycling products to use Pertex Shield Air, according to Albion, which is a new highly breathable 3-Layer waterproof fabric designed for intense activity.
The full line-up consists of a hooded insulated jacket (£185), a hooded rain shell (£260), and an insulated scarf (£35), and has been designed as a system that can be used together, or as standalone products, depending on the conditions and intensity.
Albion also recently launched its Autumn/Winter products, continuing its sustainability drive the full range is now PFC free, and inclusivity-wise, Albion has introduced its first cold weather products for women.
The Three Season Tights (£150) are new; created with the British weather firmly in mind, it consists of a panelled construction using a mid-weight thermal recycled fabric in the waist and thigh area, windproof front knee panels, and a lighter weight fleece-backed recycled fabric for the lower and back of the legs, all coated with a C0 DWR treatment.
Ok, vroomer
Just saw someone say “ok vroomer” to a driver
— 🚲 loomis st debris lane (@urbaniconoclasm) November 9, 2021
Promising Eritrean pro rider Desiet Kidane Tekeste killed while training
Desiet 💙
With her constant smile, kindness, respect and deep passion for cycling, Desiet Kidane Tekeste 🇪🇷 was a rising young talent who will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts are with her family, friends and @WCC_Cycling teammates and coaches during this tragic time. pic.twitter.com/6xve9QDV6i
— UCI (@UCI_cycling) November 9, 2021
Desiet Kidane Tekeste, a 21-year-old pro cyclist from Eritrea, has died after being hit by a driver while she trained in the country’s capital Asmara. The UCI broke the news, saying: “With her constant smile, kindness, respect and deep passion for cycling, Desiet Kidane Tekeste was a rising young talent who will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and WCC team-mates and coaches during this tragic time.”
Deputy general at the UCI, Amina Lanaya, added: “Such a tragic loss. On behalf of everyone at the UCI and WCC Cycling, our hearts go out to Desiet’s family and close ones during this tragic moment in time. Her passion, kindness and immense talent are major losses to the whole cycling community.”
Kidane won her country’s national time trial championships in 2019, aged 18, and had been racing in Europe this season, including at the World Championships in Leuven.
EF Education-Nippo backtrack on Sergio Higuita sacking — have accepted rider's apology for riding new Specialized bike in viral clip
EF Education-Nippo have said the team will not terminate Sergio Higuita’s contract after the rider apologised for riding a non-team issue bike at a sportive. The Colombian rider was spotted smashing it uphill at the Giro del Rigo event on a Specialized S-Works SL7, the bike of his team for 2022 — Bora-Hansgrohe.
His current employer had said they would be terminating the rider’s contract for disrespecting Cannondale and not using their bike sponsor’s equipment. However, in a statement released to Cyclingnews late last night, EF Education-Nippo backtracked…
The team has come to a mutual agreement with Sergio Higuita regarding the recent issue at Giro de Rigo and will not end his contract early. He has been a steadfast teammate and positive presence, both on the roads and off. We wish Sergio the best in his future endeavours
Higuita also apologised to the team and Cannondale for his actions, saying: “I made a mistake in riding the wrong bicycle at a public event, but this is not how I want to leave this team or remember my time here.”
It had been suggested that EF riders were required to return their team bikes on November 1st, meaning Higuita would not have a team-issue Cannondale available to ride. These rumours have not yet been commented on by the team or rider.
Regardless, Higuita will not be an EF Education-Nippo rider next year. He’s off to Bora-Hansgrohe on a three-year contract as part of the German team’s post-Peter Sagan recruitment drive. Along with Higuita, Sam Bennett and Aleksandr Vlasov have also been tied down for next season.
What we've all been waiting for: Cycling out Context's 2021 highlights
Cycling Out of Context Highlights | 2021 Season
Thank you all for the memories. Enjoy. pic.twitter.com/vVDWyIsyAB
— Cycling out of context (@OutOfCycling) November 9, 2021
You can forget who actually won the Tour, Roubaix, Olympics and San Remo…this is what it’s all about.
Nairo the chameleon, robots delivering medals, drunken debauchery, bumper cars, chainsaw-wielding fans, Van der Poel being Van der Poel, Higuita’s hiccup, bottle throwing, podium dancing and everything else in between. What a year.
When nature fights back...
I had a massive maple leaf get swept up by the wind and stick to my face on the Embankment cycleway last week.
I probably briefly looked something like this 🤣 pic.twitter.com/tOsh6cLFg4— Simon MacMichael (@simonmacmichael) November 10, 2021
Death wish squirrels get my vote for the most dangerous British wildlife for cyclists. If you can hear laughing, that’ll be our American and Australian readers…
I’m talking about those pesky squirrels that wait by the road (or in it) and then run towards the danger at the last minute. At least most other wildlife runs away from trouble. They always scamper off happy as Larry while you’re left with your heart in your mouth, clenching the brakes.
Who's doing RideLondon?
Joyous to see lots of people who REALLY love cycling sending happy tweets and WhatsApps instead of being annoyed at yet another ballot rejection. This change of approach is welcome and appreciated @RideLondon, thank you. pic.twitter.com/GRo4150L4Y
— 𝔅𝔞𝔡𝔤𝔢𝔯 RPR 🔱 🄹🄰🄼🄴🅂 (@badgercyclist) November 10, 2021
Most people seem happy with the new staggered RideLondon entry. Rather than straight to a ballot, the first 10,000 people can simply book their place. Then the rest of entries will be decided by a ballot.
A couple of people in the comments have said they’re signed up. Steve K was, like many I’m sure, put off by the £89 entry (Oh, and the small matter of it being on the same day as his wedding anniversary). That could be a hard sell.
Anyone tempted by the new route?
Poll results: Tadej Pogačar is your pro cyclist of the year (by two votes)
Two votes was all that separated Cav and Pog in yesterday’s live blog poll, one of which was me picking a random name to see the result… it all came down to whoever cast that deciding vote. The Slovenian’s double Monument-winning season (and the small matter of a second Tour de France) was enough to swing it over Cav’s comeback.
Poor Julian Alaphilippe won a second rainbow jersey, a stage of the Tour, wore the yellow jersey, but that was only enough for 23 per cent of your vote. Anyway, Vélo magazine’s panel will decide who the actual Vélo d’Or is…we’ll have to wait and see if they agree with 36 per cent of you…
Black employees challenge Peloton over pay inequality
Black employees have challenged Peloton executives over allegations of inequal pay. The home trainer company committed to spending $100 million fighting systematic racism as part of its ‘Peloton Pledge’ last year.
However, the brand’s vice president Michael Gettlin unexpectedly attended a Zoom call for employees to address concerns that some employees were being paid less than industry standard for their positions and experience.
Gettlin said that pay hadn’t dropped below the market rate, but some employees have since told Business Insider the explanation did not address their concerns. One employee spoke about Peloton’s pledge to fighting systematic racism, saying “none of it is genuine”.
It is the latest challenge for the company. Last week, shares in the at-home connected fitness brand plunged by a third…leading to numerous jokes about Peloton being the first to crash a stationary bike…
Best of Twitter...
Protected bike lanes pic.twitter.com/1E6zIHnNCl
— Robyn (@robynjournalist) November 10, 2021
There’s a few funny things off Twitter worth a shout out so I’ve bundled them together…
I’ve just found out that on average cattle kill more people a year than cyclists.
I think it’s about time every cow has insurance and number plates.
— Adam Bronkhorst (@AdamBronkhorst) November 10, 2021
Meanwhile, at COP26…
We can now go live to #TransportDay at #COP26… pic.twitter.com/SmbjdjrGJd
— Adam Tranter (@adamtranter) November 10, 2021
But I thought nobody cycles when the weather's bad
It’s a typical morning here in Cumbria – rain, rain and more rain! Looks like our young people are far more resilient than our politicians and planners #ThisMachineFightsClimateChange #cycling #COP26 pic.twitter.com/qyhmepBGp2
— Cycle Sprog (@CycleSprog) November 9, 2021
There’s always plenty of these ‘commuting in the rain’ scenes from the Netherlands to share on the live blog. Here’s one closer to home. In fairness, if you only cycled in Cumbria when the weather’s nice, you’d be pretty unfit…
Shame there’s no cover for the bike racks here. That’s gonna be a damp journey home.
More Surrey traffic cops truth bombs...this time about riding two abreast
Not legally required to do so, and HC is being re-written currently where we expect that advice to be changed as it’s easier to overtake a bunched group (peloton) than a long string of single file riders.
— Roads Policing Unit (RPU) – Surrey Police – UK (@SurreyRoadCops) November 10, 2021
Saying unpleasant or inaccurate things about cyclists online? You’ll have the Surrey Roads Policing Unit’s Twitter admin to answer to, probably within the hour…
Today’s subject is two abreast cycling, something ‘Mad Max’ was very keen to argue shouldn’t be happening (according to his interpretation of the Highway Code). Unfortunately for him, the Surrey traffic cops were only too happy to advise…
“Not legally required to do so, and HC [Highway Code] is being re-written currently where we expect that advice to be changed as it’s easier to overtake a bunched group (peloton) than a long string of single file riders.”
> Surrey traffic cops tell driver spouting Highway Code whataboutery to return licence
The exchange stemmed from someone digging up the force’s ‘how to safely overtake a cyclist’ video from 2017, featuring patience, a clear view of the road ahead, indicating and keeping at least 1.5m distance as you pass. The force was widely praised for the clip, but four years on Deborah Wylde found the time to take issue…”I’d be more patient if those cyclists who hogged the bendy road offered to replace the money I’d lost due to being late for work!”
> Surrey Road Cops slide into DMs to educate angry driver
Again, the traffic cops were on hand…”It would be appreciated if you left earlier and anticipated some delays to your journey whilst others make theirs. What about all the selfish drivers you sit behind in queues of motor vehicle traffic, all whilst polluting the planet?”
This was when ‘Mad Max’ got involved, I wonder if he’ll be back for a second go?
"I'm tired of having pills in cycling, I think it's grotesque": 21-year-old retiring pro rider calls out use of legal painkillers in the peloton
Retiring Danish prospect Ludvig Wacker has called out the use of legal pills, such as painkillers, by riders in the pro peloton. The 21-year-old rode for WorldTour outfit Sunweb’s development team (now Team DSM) for two years between 2019 and 2020, but said the use of pills by riders is “grotesque” and “ridiculous”.
Speaking to Danish news outlet Feltet.dk, Wacker did not name specific teams or athletes but said the use of legal medication was one of the reasons for his retirement.
“I’m tired of pills in the sport. It may be legal pills, but I’m tired of having pills in cycling, and I think it’s grotesque, it should be so clear,” he said.
“It simply came to our notice then. In the big races, people ride around with small containers in their pockets with pills and so on. I have never wanted to take something myself, and then you know that in all the finals, the others take something you do not take yourself. These include painkillers and caffeine, among other things. It’s completely ridiculous the amount of people taking, because you do not know what it can mean for the rider’s body in 20 years.
“I often think it is the young riders who do it themselves. It is not necessarily the team that is responsible for it. The riders can get it themselves. It is very easy to access.”
Many painkillers remain legal to use during competition or can be accessed via a TUE (therapeutic use exemption).
Well, well, well...
I’ll be giving my opinions on the news with @theJeremyVine @JeremyVineOn5 tomorrow morning… you *might* even catch a glimpse of the legend that is Mother F @motherfoufas
— Cristo (@cristo_radio) November 10, 2021
10 November 2021, 08:56
An update on the weekend's big story...
“Possible ID” on member of Surrey Quays angle-grinder bike theft gang passed on to police
Owner says gang filmed stealing his bike at busy shopping centre are known to police
10 November 2021, 08:56
Full story on EF's U-turn...(+ another opportunity to watch the brilliant video)
EF Education pro rider no longer fired over early use of Specialized SL7 ahead of move to Bora-Hansgrohe
EF Education-Nippo moved to end Sergio Higuita's contract early, but have now backtracked on this decision following the Colombian’s apology for using the wrong bike
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Latest Comments
Cry me a river architect guy
Hookless is still a bad idea. I agree that it should be safe when all guidelines are adhered to, but that is not always going to happen in the real world. I've had several clients come to my workshop with bikes that they've bought 2nd hand and have no idea what I mean when I ask about their hookless rims. Just yesterday I someone with a Scott bike with Zipp 303 S hookless wheels; he'd been pumping his tubed tires up to 90-100 psi on them, because that's what he's always done. I had to educate him and he's now going to be using his new 30mm tires at 60-65 psi and checking that his pump is somewhat calibrated. Why do brands like Zipp continuing to put people in dangerous situations that are totally unnecessary?
I can't think of anywhere I have seen cyclists getting more space than pedestrians unless we count the fact that twats in cars like to park blocking pavements as a matter of course around me. I would also suggest that if you want people to travel around an area effectively instead of using a car, cycling is the best way to do it. I wouldn't walk 2-3 miles to get somewhere but I would happily cycle it because it would take me about 1/4 of the time or less.
There is basically no cycling infrastructure in Edinburgh that is not either a shared footpath or shared with motor vehicles. Cyclists are subservient in both cases. On shared use paths this is by legislation and common sense. On the road it is because most cycle lanes in residential areas are parking spaces, bus lanes have busses in them and the lanes segregated by wands peppered with give ways to cars every few feet. And people still park in them. Pretty much the only exception is that side of the extremely wide path through the meadows, for a few hundred yards. The total width of the paved region is probably wide enough to land a light aircraft, there is absolutely no restriction to pedestrians and pedestrians completely ignore the cycle markings on one side anyway. Given the colossal amount of space given over to motor vehicles in the city, which are predominantly single occupancy, and the fact it is illegal to cycle on all of the pavements dedicated formpedestrians, I going to put this guy's comments in the "idiotic" category.
I believe the Miners Pension Fund has proved a nice little earner for Government coffers, generating a huge surplus and that Government has been pocketing half of it. This payment that you apparently resent so much is a partial settlement of that unfairness!
Mr Fraser would seem a perfect paraphrase of the old cartoon about the millionaire with a thousand cookies telling the working man with one cookie to watch out or the immigrants will steal his cookie...incidentally, in this age of obesity I often see pedestrians far wider than me and the bike, not to mention people with pushchairs twice as wide or more, they don't feel guilty about the amount of space they're taking from me, or so I surmise from the way they wander into the bike lane whenever it suits them...
Motor-heads are the champions of false equivalence.
10 years in prison for killing a cyclist should be the minimum sentence. The objective is to raise awareness and remind motorists they must remain vigilant at all times when behind the wheel. Drivers who harm people and/or damage properties shall be sent to retest. No excuses. No exceptions.
@wtjs No remorse from the 84 year old driver though. " He fully accepts responsibility and places no blame on the cyclist whatsoever". Which seems to imply he'd like to blame the cyclist if he could.
Hookless and yet still ‘just 1585’ grams. No and no . The only thing ‘industry leading’ is their marketing team that convinces folk to part with their money for this product.
79 thoughts on “More Surrey traffic cops truth bombs…this time about riding two abreast; Promising pro rider killed while training; 10,000 RideLondon entries on sale; How to overtake a cyclist; Ok, vroomer; Pro rider of 2021; Nature fights back + more on the live blog”
I can sort of sympathise with
I can sort of sympathise with Mad Max and Ms Wylde.
Last week I was out with Mrs Mungecrundle. We had been for a nice pub lunch up near Bottisham Lock and were heading back towards Cambridge on Horningsea Road. Travelling side by side and having a bit of a chat as we went along. The road was quite narrow and with oncoming traffic, overtakes were out of the question. A queue of vehicles built up behind us, a large articulated lorry with no chance of passing safely followed by probably 20 plus cars and lorries, more than any time I have been out cycling. I was beginning to think about Nigel’s words of advice. Was our journey necessary? Well, we had stopped at the pub and contributed to the local economy. Had we chosen an inappropriate route? A usually quiet B road. Was our road positioning correct? Perfect. Probably a minute passed and more vehicles stacked up behind. I was beginning to worry that we were going to get a lot of grief from all the delayed drivers. Then thankfully a gap appeared in the oncoming stream of traffic and I was finally able to turn right onto the slip road for the A14 and accelerate to join the other cars doing 60mph.
I’ve noted non-cycling
I’ve noted non-cycling acquaintances (some of whom, frankly, need a good dob on the nose) chuntering about cyclists riding three abreast now. Personally, the only time I ever encounter that is when the two on the front of a group peel off and scuttle off to the back (rather than a rotating chain), and no-one does that when there are cars around. I think they are seeing a group two abreast but not directly behind one another, so that it looks like three abreast.
I just don’t get involved in discusison like that any more. At least I’m not trying to drive down a road with a three-seater sofa sideways behind me
I’ve never seen three abreast
I’ve never seen three abreast but it would be possible to ride three abreast entirely within the width of an average traffic lane. A tight bunch would be no wider than a small car.
For that reason, I think the
For that reason, I think the advice has much more to do with the safety of the cyclists themselves (the centre rider in particular, who has no option to bail out without compliance from those either side) than it has any bearing on other road users. Circumstances may vary.
I see far more comments about cyclists riding three abreast than I have ever seen cyclists actually riding three abreast on a live road. That tells me all I need to know about those comments.
3 or more cyclists riding in
3 or more cyclists riding in echelon(s) looks like abreast from the rear (oooerr missus). Non-cyclists who dont understand simple perspective would jump to a 3 abreast conclusion fairly readily.
Unless you are slipstreaming for every last watt it makes sense riders are all slightly offset from each other incase a brown short event occurs. Not that you would expect the average drivist to understand that.
For that reason, I think the
This comment was duplicated and so I have edited it. Is there a way to delete it altogether?
I see groups of cyclists
I see groups of cyclists riding across the entire road pretty much every time I go out on a Sunday down the country roads near me.
I wouldn’t call it “riding 3 abreast”, as that implies some kind of structure to the group, it’s more of a loose, ill-disciplined, sweaty gaggle of unfit, uncouth, disrespectful and self-entitled middle aged and OAP white men.
The reason they do it is because when they congregate in this formation they can reach a speed of around 13mph – if they go out solo they can only do around 11mph. Plus they get the advantage of being able to hold a conversation while operating this slow-moving road block. Nonetheless, it’s good to see none of the participants having to resort to the ignominy of using an e-bike.
Of course, for anyone trying to get past (i.e. me) they won’t deviate or apparently even acknowledge your presence, even with my insanely loud freehub. All I hope for is that Ride London-Essex goes nowhere near these routes, as it will just encourage more of these antisocial gatherings.
I’m sure if you use your
I’m sure if you use your customary social skills it will have a suitable effect on them.
Nigel Garage wrote:
For someone who claims to be so polite and courteous, your disdain for other cyclist who you perceive to be too slow or who choose to use electric assist is really something.
Nigel Garage wrote:
Welcome back! This is more like it! “Slow”, “eBikes” and a lovely detail of when you ride past them there will be cyclists how many abreast…?
“a loose, ill-disciplined, sweaty gaggle of unfit, uncouth, disrespectful and self-entitled middle aged and OAP white men” – excellent description. Sounds like your favoured representatives are taking some improving exercise in your patch. I hope you wave to these “top lawyer” types as they pass. Isn’t it great that they feel empowered to use the roads – as is their right, for which they need no licence – for non-polluting, minimal-harm healthy exercise, social conversation etc.? I prefer to imagine them doing that rather than polluting the airwaves with their “controversial” views, campaigning for the removal of cycle lanes, bringing in repressive legislation and generally maintaining the patriarchy!
Nigel Garage wrote:
Funnt just the other day you were saying how the parts of essex near you were particularly civilised.
I have never seen a group of cyclists ACROSS THE ENTIRE ROAD anywhere else. (except ride london on closed roads) So if you see if often things must be much worse where you are.
Nigel Garage wrote:
Does someone need a hug?
There We Are Then.
There We Are Then.
I used to think that was what
I used to think that was what people were actually seeing & predominantly probably still is, but I am increasingly seeing groups of 3 riders out often riding abreast, not in tight formation spread across the whole road as such but positioned so they can all comfortably chat across to one another.
And they dont always single out properly when traffic is around trying to get past.
Whether it’s becoming more of a thing I’m not sure, but its definitely a thing that happens.
Awavey wrote:
And they dont always single out properly when traffic is around trying to get past.
Whether it’s becoming more of a thing I’m not sure, but its definitely a thing that happens.— Awavey
I’m glad someone else has validated my observations. I think it’s a problem that’s getting worse and worse, and it’s high time we got some Singapore-style legislation in place to tackle the scourge of anti-social group riding.
Nigel Garage wrote:
I’m glad someone else has validated my observations. I think it’s a problem that’s getting worse and worse, and it’s high time we got some Singapore-style legislation in place to tackle the scourge of anti-social group riding.
[/quote]
We do have relevant legislation in this country. To give you a simple example, there is legislation that relates to maximum speeds for motor vehicles. Other legislation relates to protected characteristics. These characteristics include age, sex and race. Acordingly, identifying a group on the basis that they are “middle aged and OAP white men” is the sort of thing that only a fool would do. QED.
Until I clicked the link I
Until I clicked the link I thought you were referring the ban on chewing gum and fines for not flushing the loo! I take it as read that you would approve of the Singapore limitations on free speech.
There We Are Then.
There We Are Then.
Do you mean ‘across the whole
Do you mean ‘across the whole road‘ or ‘across the whole lane’. If they’re across the lane (i.e. all on one side of the white line) then it makes no material difference to when they can be safely overtaken. If the position of a cyclist or group of cyclists makes a difference to when you can overtake on a two-lane road, then the overtake you were planning to make wasn’t safe anyway.
On narrow roads, riders will rarely ride side-by-side because the risk of being hit by an oncoming car just isn’t worth it. If the riders are close enough to the left to not be in danger of having a head-on collision with an oncoming car, then an overtake is possible, although probably not safe because if a road is that narrow, it’s unlikely that you could give the 1.5m minimum anyway.
It’s not that scientific an
It’s not that scientific an analysis really, it’s just I’ve seen groups of 3 riders across a whole road and more frequently spread across a whole lane and every type of combination in between, it depends on the road width really. But the basics are just imagine 3 riders together, so they can principally chat to one another but not always 3 across and certainly not in a 2 up 1 behind combination, and that may then cause other traffic, including other cyclists to have more difficulty passing them than if theyd stuck even to that 2-1 formation, or had just singled out as is recommended in some situations to do.
And it’s something I’ve noticed, maybe since club rides havent returned to pre Covid levels yet so there are smaller groups heading out, that’s been increasing recently. What it means overall I dont know, I’m a sample size of one.
As for people who expect this 1.5m ideal gap at all times, they will quickly come unstuck on rural roads imo, many of which are barely 1.5m to begin with, if they ride like that.
There has to be some give and take sometimes.
Awavey wrote:
There does, but it’s the cyclists’ gift to give, not the motorist’s gift to take. If it’s that tight, then it really doesn’t matter how many abreast a group is, overtaking is not safe unless it is made safe by the cyclists detouring out of the way. That may be a solution, but it can’t happen every time a group gets another motor vehicle behind them… cyclists are also allowed to make reasonable progress (and reasonable doesn’t mean as fast as a car could).
Any driver going down such narrow lanes should be anticipating delays: cyclists, a group of walkers, horses, tractors, flock of sheep… there is no right to a journey time.
GMBasix wrote:
There does, but it’s the cyclists’ gift to give, not the motorist’s gift to take.— Awavey
How beautifully put.
On the few occasions I have caught up with a group that is too wide to overtake within my lane, I have found a courteous call of “I’d like to pass on your right” works very well. It must be a thing local to the Lothians, Borders, Fife, Perthshire, Isle of Arran, Stirlingshire, Angus, Tayside, Northumberland, Yorkshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Suffolk, because our courtesy correspondent confirms that it does not happen in Essex.
Absolutely, honestly cannot
Absolutely, honestly cannot recall a single instance in 40 years of people refusing to move over when politely alerted to the presence of faster riders, and I’ve never not moved myself when asked. Perhaps some people’s supercilious attitudes (along with their “super loud” freehubs – male compensation alert!) show in the way they address others? Or maybe, just maybe, some people are making rubbish up?
Cool story bro – hopefully it
Cool story bro – hopefully it’ll get published
Shake wrote:
2005’s teenagers have been on the line asking if they can have their savage put-down back.
TheBillder wrote:
Cool story bro – hopefully it’ll get published
— TheBillder 2005’s teenagers have been on the line asking if they can have their savage put-down back.— Shake
Texting, surely?
This a genius wild ride of a
This a genius wild ride of a comment, and I applaude it!!
In order to drop “truth bombs
In order to drop “truth bombs”, Surrey police actually have to tell the truth. So when Twitter user Mad Max correctly states the highway code, the “poorly-resourced” police, sitting behind a warm desk eating doughnuts, should do better than speculate on what may or may not change in future legislation.
A simple “you’re right Max, that’s what they should do, but unfortunately some cyclists are too discourteous to do so” would have sufficed.
The relevant section of the Highway Code is – of course – “You should…never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends”
On one hand we have Surrey
On one hand we have Surrey Police (admittedly being quite the outlier amongst most police forces) using logic and common sense to proactively point out it’s easier to pass a small group than a long line of riders.
On the other hand we have Road.cc’s very own Roger Irrelevant alter-ego to contribute a load of nonsense.
We also have Road CC’s love
We also have Road CC’s love-in with Surrey Road Cops when in my experience the police here aren’t very good at taking action when given examples of poor/dangerous driving. Just saying.
The truth, however, is that
The truth, however, is that any instruction in the Highway Code, whether it is the current wording of Rule 66 or the intended phrasing, is guidance to the cyclist(s). It is not a statement of entitlement to anybody following them.
The future wording, that invokes the conditionality of moving to single file if it makes it safe to pass the cyclists, is already in the overall spirit of the Highway Code, but the new wording will make it more emphatic.
Moreover, as it currently states, “You should…never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends”
‘never’ is only applied to one part of the guidance, since they re-use the verb without ‘never’/’only’. That implies that there are circumstances in which the rule must be balanced against the prevailing circumstances.
In short, it remains the cyclists’ decision as to when to ride single/double file (noting that it remains, as Surrey RPU correctly states the truth, guidance and not a legal requirement).
So, Surrey police should actually tell the truth. Fortunately, it does.
In doing so, and therefore educating those who are willing to reflect on their own understanding, they may be behind a desk; although let’s not rule out the possibility that an officer is actually out in the field using his/her/their mobile device to update Twitter during a pause between attending road deaths caused by careless motorists. In either case, I’m not too bothered if they perform a human necesssity and consume some calories – doughnut or otherwise. But since it suits your bluster to steretype them thus, please continue, it only reflects on the value of your statement.
“that may or may not be the case, Max, but unfortunately it’s nothing to do with you; you just have to make sure you drive safely around them an other vulnerable road users” would have been better advice.
The sergeant has previously
The sergeant has previously tweeted that he updates the account in his own time (although there must be times when it is done during work).
GMBasix wrote:
The original Twitter poster never said riding 2 abreast was against the law. They simply said that cyclists “should” ride single file. This is correct and completely in line with the Highway code, as well as being aligned to what you’ve written.
It strikes me that some in Surrey Police simply have too much time on their hands – and far from being under-resourced the force simply has the wrong priorities. As top lawyer Nick Freeman wrote earlier, they are over-reaching and apparently deciding – outside the judicial system – what is and isn’t a crime. This has to stop.
Nigel Garage wrote:
What a strange filter you have. That is not all they said and it does a disservice to the nuance in the tweet that you have conveniently edited out.
Whenever you’re ready to do so, fine with me.
“This has to stop”
“This has to stop”
Indeed it does. Please, please switch your comments to the Daily Mail forum or somewhere else as appropriate for your trolling. Thanks.
Nigel Garage wrote:
— Nigel GarageYou made this very point only recently and the respondents said very much the same thing at the time as they are making now.
That suggests to me that it’s you that has too much time on your hands.
And instead of insulting people or accusing us of indulging in groupthink / hive mind (or whatever other snappy epithets you can muster), why not try posting on a forum or site that isn’t populated by regular cyclists? You’d get far less flak and not annoy people with your personal jibes or misguided or deliberately inflammatory comments, repeated ad nauseam. But it appears you get your kicks from trolling cyclists on road.cc.
This is not to suggest that valid criticism of Surrey police, some cyclists’ behaviour or even road.cc’s news reporting is not welcome, it’s simply that your trolling on here is just so boringly predictable and a waste of everyone’s time.
Simon E wrote:
You’re obviously entitled to your opinion, but it’s one that is very much misguided. Why on earth would I post on a non-cycling forum, when I’m a keen cyclist myself, just to appease you?
In just the last day or two I’ve confirmed that the Le Col Thermal Bib Shorts are a good fit, and that Zecto Drive Lights are well-worth the money.
What cycling-related posts have you made? As far as I can see, none, along with most of the other people who hang around me like middle-aged groupies.
If I want to post that I find large groups of cyclists riding in unsuitable and unstructured formations around narrow country lanes, I will. I’m not the only one here who has remarked on that fact. Of course, to encounter this problem you actually have to own a bike and go for a ride, so I’d suggest that you buy a bike and get out and see for yourself.
Go away Nigel. Thank you.
Go away Nigel. Thank you.
Nigel Garage wrote:
Groupies tend to be rather keen on the person whom they hang around, not dying for them to get lost and take their nasty, petty, small-minded, spiteful and bigotted opinions with them. Slightly different.
Nigel Garage wrote:
Nigel Garage wrote:
“Appease” – ha ha, great language slipped in there! Absolutely no need to appease anyone but there’s also no need to be a trolling dickhead.
Buy you’ll keep on trolling, I’m sure.
That (deliberately provocative?) question demonstrates that you either 1. have not been paying attention or 2. are simply trying to wind people up. If you looked through my long history of contributing on road.cc you’d find very, very little that’s not cycling-related. By contrast, your constructive or useful contributions are sadly eclipsed by the massive pile of trolling bullshit you post in virtually every discussion.
Do you really think I don’t ride a bike? Oh, that’s beyond hilarious! You’ve genuinely made me laugh out loud now.
Keep on trolling matey.
Based on this evidence I am beginning to think that it’s the only thing you’re good at.
Except that Mad Max does not
Except that Mad Max does not correctly state the Highway Code – as you must know since you have just quoted the relevant part yourself, and it does not tally with what Mad Max says. [Ironically, I think the proposed changes to the HWC came closer to what Mad Max actually said, though I don’t know how they are being implemented in the final version.]
Ah, another “strewth bomb”
Ah, another “strewth bomb” based on wilfully selecting only the parts of the relevant passages that alter the context to suit your own agenda.
“You should…never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends” (none of which “friendly easygoing” Mad Max referred to).
The “excessively time resourced” commenter, sitting in a damp cave chewing keyboards, could do so much more with their time, but unfortunately appears too obtuse to do so.
This has to stop
Best
Username
Ever!
Best
Username
Ever!
They’ll need to change it to
They’ll need to change it to Forrage with two Rs soon. Then back again.
Ah, well, The Code…
Ah, well, The Code…
…is more what you’d call Guidelines than actual Rules!
There We Are Then.
There We Are Then.
Anyone else get their
Anyone else get their ridelondon entry?
Just entered now! It’ll be my
Just entered now! It’ll be my first imperial century (unless I get one done in training for it) so a great target to work towards 🙂
I was tempted, but (a) £89 is
I was tempted, but (a) £89 is a bit steep and more importantly (b) it’s on my wedding anniversary!
Yes, £89 is a bit steep but
Yes, £89 is a bit steep but compared with the £80 (including medal) I paid last week for Etape Loch Ness and the amount Triathletes pay for their “sport” (our local half Ironman is £335 each!!!), IMHO, its not a bad price for a one off.
As for it being on your wedding anniversay… er, that might be a problem!
Sounds like a toss up between
Sounds like a toss up between come to see Palace and come on ride london !
hirsute wrote:
I’d get away with going to see Palace because she’d come with me.
I pulled out all the stops
I pulled out all the stops for our 10th wedding anniversary, so when our 11th came up, i was able to cash in all the brownie points and go see Iron Maiden with a mate ! Super gig !!
Seagull2 wrote:
I failed to plan ahead.
Get a tandem and promise her
Get a tandem and promise her a day out to remember?!
Surreyrider wrote:
I have, semi seriously, suggested getting a tandem before, but she wasn’t keen. The best I did was get her to take the kids to Wimbledon to watch me doing Ride London – which is as good excuse as any to post this cute picture of the kids from the Love Wimbledon site (2017 edition, I think)
just got mine having only
just got mine having only ridden the first edition of the surrey route in 2013 ( not gettign a ballot place on two other occasions). A bit odd to not know the route before shelling out £89 but at least I have secured a place. Wont have the climbs of Surrey but hope there will be other delights
I failed the ballot in 2018
I failed the ballot in 2018-2019. Managed to get the 46 in 2019 though. Then in 2020 I got in on the lucky dip, and I thought the worst that would happen that year was that they had screwed up the mail merge so my acceptance went to someone else.
Yes I’m in, rejected from the
Yes I’m in. Rejected from the ballot every year so not done it since 2015. Looking forward to it.
STOP!!!
STOP!!!
REPLYING!!!
TO!!!
THE!!!
TROLL!!!!!
I doubt he even has a bike. More likely he spends all day updating his mates on smalldickcarforum.com about the lols he causes on here…
Sorry.
Sorry.
Rubbish, he doesn’t have
Rubbish, he doesn’t have mates.
Well he did post a picture of
Well he did post a picture of it once…(not sure if you can link to a particular post but https://road.cc/content/forum/59367-pictures-your-bike), looks like a Giant for what it’s worth. But yes, said poster probably gets what he wants too often. I try to avoid the more ridiculous bait…
Well the post is his, but:-
Well the post is his, but:-
The bike isn’t being ridden.
Amazing how the politeness and studious courtesy only seems to be for people on four wheels minimum, but be in his way on two and it disappears faster then the truth near a Tory MP.
EddyBerckx wrote:
It’s a clown. Have stopped bothering to even read the sewage it spews. there are too many interesting people to talk to on here to contemplate wasting time on it.
Sing to the post man pat
Sing to the post man pat theme tune.
Nige the troll
Nige the troll
Nige the troll is a pain in the hole…..
I couldn’t get that to work,
I couldn’t get that to work, then realised I was humming Bob the Builder by mistake…
brooksby wrote:
Can we fix it?
hawkinspeter wrote:
Didn’t there used to be someone you could write to?
hawkinspeter wrote:
No, I can’t.
Nice to see that LGV driver
Nice to see that LGV driver getting some recognition for being safe and competent.
As we’ve got ‘Near Miss of the Day’, how about a ‘Best Pass of the Day’ feature to ease things out.
I’m sure I’m not alone in having drivers go the extra mile in ensuring my safety when they’re overtaking, so let’s have a “That’s the way to do it” feature as well.
Oldfatgit wrote:
The ones I feel sorry for are the drivers so keen to give me lots of room that they nearly run into an oncoming car!
PRSboy wrote:
In that case I generally feel sorry for the poor bugger coming the other way
If that was my video, I’d
If that was my video, I’d send a quick email to the firm saying that good driving like this is much appreciated.
Which reminds me, I need to
Which reminds me, I need to send a thank you to a tipper lorry driver for executing a perfect overtake – it was a helpful contrast on the video when I reported the DPD driver seconds later, who just tried to execute me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeXdkQof5vo
hawkinspeter wrote:
I don’t want to upset you, Peter, but we found these in the house yesterday. We have no idea what the cat has done with the rest of the poor squirrel.
Steve K wrote:
I know that squirrels can use their tails for defence – similar to a sacrificial rear derailleur hanger – the tails break off easily and squirrels can live without them. Not so sure about the paw, though.