Cyclists and foam tubes

[Woodman]

Coming back from my annual Rainbow/Molesworth ride yesterday and halfway between Blenheim and Nelson I saw two cyclists that made me yell out "FUCKWITS".

They had foam rubber tubes somehow attached to their bikes that stuck out into the road about a metre presumably to fend off cars or to simulate riding two abreast. now I am not an angry person and don't suffer road rage, but this really made me want to turn around and ride over their stupid appendages.

[neels]

Sounds like an evolution of the stupid flags that cyclists used to have sticking out the sides of their bikes, I guess a foam tube is less likely to get snapped off and jammed up your arse.

I'm an occasional cyclist myself, but see no reason for such tomfoolery which is only likely to further piss off other road users, much like the oh so smug 'one less car' backpack covers.

[Voltaire]

Coming back from my annual Rainbow/Molesworth ride yesterday and halfway between Blenheim and Nelson I saw two cyclists that made me yell out "FUCKWITS".

They had foam rubber tubes somehow attached to their bikes that stuck out into the road about a metre presumably to fend off cars or to simulate riding two abreast. now I am not an angry person and don't suffer road rage, but this really made me want to turn around and ride over their stupid appendages.

Great review of the Molesworth/Rainbow
I think 1 metre clearance of cyclists is law in AU now.

[GazzaH]

1m overhead? Needs ramps.

[TheDemonLord]

Coming back from my annual Rainbow/Molesworth ride yesterday and halfway between Blenheim and Nelson I saw two cyclists that made me yell out "FUCKWITS".

They had foam rubber tubes somehow attached to their bikes that stuck out into the road about a metre presumably to fend off cars or to simulate riding two abreast. now I am not an angry person and don't suffer road rage, but this really made me want to turn around and ride over their stupid appendages.

Wouldn't it be a shame if said foam attachment got caught in a rotating appendage....

[WALRUS]

I think 1 metre clearance of cyclists is law in AU now.

In Tassie, at least, its 1 metre on roads with posted limits up to 60kmph and 1.5 metres with limits posted above 60... Our roads are so wide, it's pretty easy to do but most people don't know how big their cars are and unnecessarily cross onto the wrong side of the road to go around them..

[GazzaH]

I try to give them a wide berth, regardless of the law, timing my approach to suit. Some are so wobbly that a metre is less than one standard deviation from the mean! Slowing up a bit gives them a chance to hear me coming up too, those without headphones on anyway.

As to avoiding oncoming riders while overtaking, just watch for the wide-eyed wide-mouthed look of terror!

[Woodman]

Great review of the Molesworth/Rainbow
I think 1 metre clearance of cyclists is law in AU now.

Yeah well what can i say its a nice day loop from here.

[Akzle]

fuken peddlies

[pritch]

fuken peddlies

Take this brother. May it serve you well.

[AllanB]

The law changed maybe a year back - you must give 1m clearance for the cyclist. Which can cause issues.

Some months back heading to Tekapo there were two cyclists with big sticks taped on the back - like tree branches. That was never going to end well.

Just done a week in Arrowtown - I've never seen traffic so busy for 500 odd kms continuously, it was crazy. And among this were cyclists loaded up to the hilt peddling to some distant spot. Now they are entitled to for sure but I wondered about their decision to do this in the busiest weeks of the year and heat.

[neels]

And among this were cyclists loaded up to the hilt peddling to some distant spot. Now they are entitled to for sure but I wondered about their decision to do this.

I've wondered about that myself, when there are 2 wheeled machines with L-twin engines that can get you there much faster......

[OddDuck]

Just done a week in Arrowtown - I've never seen traffic so busy for 500 odd kms continuously, it was crazy. And among this were cyclists loaded up to the hilt peddling to some distant spot. Now they are entitled to for sure but I wondered about their decision to do this in the busiest weeks of the year and heat.

A mate went and did that, some years back. Long distance road touring on a pushbike. He reckons never again, it was simply a crazy thing to do. Narrow roads, high speed traffic etc etc... He loves his cycling but I've seen him getting visibly anti when we see a cycle tourer doing the same thing.

Busiest and hottest time of year - maybe it's the only time they can get out of the regular round of work and family?

If they can stay off the public roads (Otago Rail Trail anyone?) it could still work out. Unfortunately NZ doesn't have a network of cycle trails paralleling main roads yet, there are a few but there's no way it's nationwide.

[Dadpole]

There a an ever-increasing number using the Pahiatua Track too. With the Gorge closed we have high traffic numbers along with truck and trailer units on a skinny, windy country road. Can they be charged with attempted suicide?

[ellipsis]

...I've seen at least half a dozen fuckwits over the last couple of years towing their babies on HW75, one 'caring' family were even struggling up to the Hilltop with their 'precious' cargo... fuckwits need to be shot for being so idiotic...