Tips for cyclists

[R650R]

I am driving on the Alps to Ocean route often. I was under the impression there was to be a dedicated cycleway for the entire distance. Not so it seems. The route ventures some nice rural areas but a large majority of this is on a state highway and now relatively well used (thanks to the worlds requirements for milk) country roads.

I will ride a pushy less often than most but can some of you more regulars please explain why it is necessary to ride 2 or 3 abreast and simply not give a fucken rats ass as to who or what is approaching from behind? I know it could be regarded as a case of "one bad egg" and all that but seriously (and I am pretty liberal and am by no means some kind of road nazi) it happens more often than not now. I experienced partaking in a line of 6-8 vehicles, backed up on SH83, in 100kph zone, behind a group of wankers who couldn't even have the decency to split into single file for 30 seconds to let everyone pass... Having a line of traffic that long in that area at those speeds is waiting for an acident to happen. Not to mention the road rage it induces to the "Cagers" (God I hate that term.....)

These are roads that are primarily built for motor vehicles. Motor vehicles that have associated costs (fuel taxes, registration etc) that are a method of gathering the revenue required to build and maintain the roads that we all use. I'm not saying ban cyclists or impose any kind of taxing (Fuck knows we're taxed enough as it is) but it would be nice if cyclists could at least make an attempt to ensure all users can travel safely.....

This is my experience and I'm sure its not every cyclist.... Least of all any that post on Kiwi Biker

I only mountainbike and sometimes ride road to nearest river trail but I think I can shed some light.
What you are witnessing is an acute case of Penis Inverse Small Syndrome. Much like the more well known syndrome the afflicted ones develop the condition from working office jobs where they feel they have some power and control over others lives but effectively don't. Usually they ascibe to green political beliefs which prohibit them from treating their condition in the normal manner by buying a car or bike with big engine.
So what happens is to express themselves they buy these expensive bikes and clothes. Now of course they cant do ripping overtaking moves or lay black lines out of corners so in order to be noticed they have to block a main thourofare.
This also serves to satisfy the green in them of disrupting motorised transport.
Of course the way or legal system works it cant recognise this large style eco-terrorism wreaking havoc on the roads as each interaction with a cyclst must be treated as an individual case.
Be warned though PISS is contagious and also the risk of stockholme syndrome is high as if you spend too much time in close proximity to a group of PISS sufferers you may be hypnotised by the fit female members of the group or the blingy nature of the carbon fibre framed bikes.
So for your own safety stay at least 1.5m away (those signs were put up by the centre for disease control, not cycle lobby groups) and accelerate briskly past them.
If your concerned you may have caught PISS then immediately go and purchase a high power vehicle to mitigate symptons and have a chance of recovery

[North island falcon]

There are small mirrors available that attach to the helmet, these work well, but according to a few cyclists I know "do not look cool".
The only real annoyance with them is that you have to be careful how you store your helmet because they can accidentally detach easily. However they work, they are better than bike mounted mirrors and they cost about $20.

[SMOKEU]

I am driving on the Alps to Ocean route often. I was under the impression there was to be a dedicated cycleway for the entire distance. Not so it seems. The route ventures some nice rural areas but a large majority of this is on a state highway and now relatively well used (thanks to the worlds requirements for milk) country roads.

I will ride a pushy less often than most but can some of you more regulars please explain why it is necessary to ride 2 or 3 abreast and simply not give a fucken rats ass as to who or what is approaching from behind? I know it could be regarded as a case of "one bad egg" and all that but seriously (and I am pretty liberal and am by no means some kind of road nazi) it happens more often than not now. I experienced partaking in a line of 6-8 vehicles, backed up on SH83, in 100kph zone, behind a group of wankers who couldn't even have the decency to split into single file for 30 seconds to let everyone pass... Having a line of traffic that long in that area at those speeds is waiting for an acident to happen. Not to mention the road rage it induces to the "Cagers" (God I hate that term.....)

These are roads that are primarily built for motor vehicles. Motor vehicles that have associated costs (fuel taxes, registration etc) that are a method of gathering the revenue required to build and maintain the roads that we all use. I'm not saying ban cyclists or impose any kind of taxing (Fuck knows we're taxed enough as it is) but it would be nice if cyclists could at least make an attempt to ensure all users can travel safely.....

This is my experience and I'm sure its not every cyclist.... Least of all any that post on Kiwi Biker

The cyclists who hold up traffic like that really piss me off. It seems to be lycrafags who are most guilty of that, rather than "normal" cyclists. If it were up to me I'd ban riding 2 or more abreast on roads, but not on cycle paths.

[Voltaire]

I would have thought having this moan would work better on a cycling forum.

Oh come on....forums are where people who no one listens to get a change to type something no one cares about.
I took my family around Europe in 2004 and we had bicycles on the back of the van, parked up and rode the bikes lots around Belguim, Holland, France and Germany. Europe is good for bikes, dedicated cycling lanes, polite driving etc.

[wharekura]

I cycle often mornings and late afternoons and will stay off the road and ride on the verge where possible when I hear traffic. I don't know if that's practical for road bikes as mine is a hybrid and can do "off road". Someone mentioned cyclist listening to music with earphones - I consider that dangerous as you wont be able to hear approaching traffic.

[Hoon]

I rarely look behind either. For me turning to look over my shoulder makes my bike veer to the right so I only do it when I have lots of space. Yeah I could try to compensate but having a steering battle with my bike and trying to keep as tight left as possible while looking in the opposite direction is even more riskier.

I do like those helmet mirrors though and keen to get some.

[SMOKEU]

I cycle often mornings and late afternoons and will stay off the road and ride on the verge where possible when I hear traffic. I don't know if that's practical for road bikes as mine is a hybrid and can do "off road". Someone mentioned cyclist listening to music with earphones - I consider that dangerous as you wont be able to hear approaching traffic.

I never wear headphones when cycling, it really does remove a whole lot of situational awareness.

I don't look behind unless I am on a narrow road where the passing car would have to cross the centre.

I rarely look behind either. For me turning to look over my shoulder makes my bike veer to the right so I only do it when I have lots of space. Yeah I could try to compensate but having a steering battle with my bike and trying to keep as tight left as possible while looking in the opposite direction is even more riskier.

I do like those helmet mirrors though and keen to get some.

You really should check behind you often to know what's going on around you. Try countersteering slightly left when you turn your head off to the right to keep the bike straighter. It's not hard to do with a bit of practice. It steers just like a motorbike obviously, except lighter.

[Akzle]

tips? Fuck off and die. The road is no place for bikes.

[puddytat]

Ride on the footpath.
they're usually emptyish as most people walk fuckall nowadays.

[MD]

I hope you all saw Top gear tonight. They made a series of public service bulletins on cycle safety. Had me in stitches! One of the funniest episodes of TG in ages.

[neels]

There are ignorant fuckwits on bicycles, there are ignorant fuckwits in cars, there are ignorant fuckwits on motorbikes.

There are ignorant fuckwits everywhere in the world, sometimes you will encounter them in your travels, that's life.

[Oakie]

I hope you all saw Top gear tonight. They made a series of public service bulletins on cycle safety. Had me in stitches! One of the funniest episodes of TG in ages.

What he said.

"Learn the difference between red and green". I laughed until I stopped (because it's true)!

[Akzle]

I hope you all saw Top gear tonight. They made a series of public service bulletins on cycle safety. Had me in stitches! One of the funniest episodes of TG in ages.

red and green. Learn the bloody difference!

Work harder, get a car!

[unstuck]

There are ignorant fuckwits on bicycles, there are ignorant fuckwits in cars, there are ignorant fuckwits on motorbikes.

There are ignorant fuckwits everywhere in the world, sometimes you will encounter them in your travels, that's life.

Truest thing posted since ages ago.

[Mike.Gayner]

Someone mentioned cyclist listening to music with earphones - I consider that dangerous as you wont be able to hear approaching traffic.

I listen to books and podcasts on my bikes - it's different to listening to music because you can still easily hear what's around you. So just because someone is wearing earphones doesn't mean they have the Katy Perry cranked.