Ignorant cyclists strike (almost) again

**fireball** · 29th August 2007, 13:29

Originally Posted by Jim2

There is nothing more important than NOT killing other people. I seriously thought (for the first time ever) that I was going to kill one of them, through their own stupidity. We can get along when everyone realises that they have to make an effort to get along by owning the responsibility for their own stupid behaviour.

they are like anything else on the road.. a hazard so treat them like one at all times
but no point moaning about it as it wont solve the problem
altho you could ask aunty helen to change the laws for you...

**McJim** · 29th August 2007, 13:35

Originally Posted by disenfranchised

I believe it's mandatory for them to have lights if riding at night already
Any chance there'll ever be required to have mirrors...would make it much easier to make them aware of who they're holding up

I can't imagine it making any difference - I've been held up behind a ho'bag before and it had mirrors

**Jantar** · 29th August 2007, 13:36

Originally Posted by fireball

...altho you could ask aunty helen to change the laws for you...

Nice thought, but the laws are already adequate...

**Swoop** · 29th August 2007, 13:37

Originally Posted by disenfranchised

Any chance there'll ever be required to have mirrors...would make it much easier to make them aware of who they're holding up

Fat chance. Look at cages and how many times they use their mirrors.

**Deano** · 29th August 2007, 14:01

Originally Posted by fireball

but no point moaning about it as it wont solve the problem

No but it has made others aware to be careful up that way at the moment - methinks I will pull out my 4x4 and cruise up and down the hill looking for them.....go ahead, pull out of that intersection in front of me, make my day.

**90s** · 29th August 2007, 14:04

Know your road hazards:

1) cyclists - generally clueless people on nondescript bikes, hybrids and old crap paying no attention to the road and ignorant of the rules governing road use; moves at a slow painful speed generally in the wrong gear
GIVE THEM A WIDE BERTH
2) roadies - (aka stiffbacks) lycra clad racers on expensive road bikes with 2ft seatposts, singley well behaved although will jump lights / junctions. Social and usually found in packs where they constitute a real menace, thinking that an essentially nude person on a 20lb metal frame is invulnernable to the effects of being hit by cars. Spreads out over the road, unpredictable, illegal.
Also found in pairs, two abreast. Deathwish obviously.
AVOID - AND THE GROUPS RIDING THING IS ILLEGAL AND GIVES CYCLISTS A BAD NAME
3) MTBers - (aka Mountain bikers) - take a 3lb frame and put on hayes / hope disc brakes, marzocchi shocks (maybe front and rear), tractor tyres and some bling, wear fox gear and you are natures own off-road motorbiking cousin. (note XC riders really roadies in stealth). Generally well-behaved if you can find them on road. But do not confuse with cyclists on pieces of shit that look like real MTBs.
GIVE THEM A WAVE
4) Couriers - mad fucks.
AVIOD!

Remember at the end of the day - two wheels good, four wheels bad.

**Insanity_rules** · 29th August 2007, 15:24

Ahh all the bastards are out to get us so ya have to ride with eyes in the back of your head. As for 250 riders, these days 250s are extremely capable of mixing it up with much bigger rides.
I went from a CBR 600 down to my VTZ to legalise and it hasn't slowed me up much, in fact I like the lighter bike on the tukkas much better.

I think lycra on men should be bannned......

My 2 cents

**Fatjim** · 29th August 2007, 15:44

Originally Posted by Jim2

and in the aftermath of an accident caused by their careless behaviour they can escape scot free as they are unidentifiable.

Not if you leave a nice Pirelli diablo tread pattern up their leg mate.

One thing to remember about cyclists is cleats. They make it very heard to kick out quickly, whereas the weight of a motorcycle and the the lack of doors make it an ideal platform kicking the odd bastard of a bicycle.

One trick that works really well, except on the VTR, is to creep up behind them and blast them with the horn from real close. If you're lucky one might fall off.

**kevfromcoro** · 29th August 2007, 15:59

Originally Posted by Fatjim

Not if you leave a nice Pirelli diablo tread pattern up their leg mate.

One trick that works really well, except on the VTR, is to creep up behind them and blast them with the horn from real close. If you're lucky one might fall off.

HaHa,lockup your back wheel just before you hit the horn.
Scares the daylights out of them.

**Maha** · 29th August 2007, 16:21

Originally Posted by nodrog

Came upon a bunch of about 8 or 10, not one of the fuckers pulled to let me through, these pricks knew i was there, had at least a couple of minutes warning that i was coming.

Its the Lycra that does aye Gordie?....

**Blair-SV** · 30th August 2007, 16:49

I cycle a lot, mostly to work these days and I have to agree in some way with Jim. Like any group when some people do stupid stuff the others all get the blame. so those idiots that block the road like you say are making it worse for guys like me. Having said that, according to the road rules bikes are allowed to be 2 abreast (max) unless they are passing a slower or stationary object. I really wish the guys running the bunches would police that better too.

Just about every time I go cycling something dangerous happens, drivers pulling out, not giving me enough space (law says 1.5m) and it's making me question my daily cycle. I wish it wasn't the case but it is and I'm well aware of how vulnerable I am out there. My trusty suzuki is starting to look like a more attractive option everyday but I know I'm going to miss the exercise.

over and out

**Angusdog** · 30th August 2007, 20:49

Ditto. I switch between my XC MTB and my Suzuki M50 for commuting, and use both for fun. Sometimes on my MTB, I do things outside the letter of the road code knowing full well I can't be identified. Sometimes I speed on my M50. In neither case do I endanger anyone else, and don't condone motorcyclists, drivers or cyclists who do. Inconsiderate use of the road, or dangerous behaviour, is intolerable regardless of vehicle. Heck, even pedestrians need a bollocking sometimes.

Sometimes groups of cyclists, and sometimes individual cyclists, act like they own the road, as they're a higher life form. Clearly that's wrong. But don't assume all cyclists are wankers, in the same way you wouldn't want all motorcyclists labelled similarly.

On a lighter note, check this out:

**90s** · 31st August 2007, 09:05

Originally Posted by Blair-SV

Having said that, according to the road rules bikes are allowed to be 2 abreast

My god you are right!
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/roadcode/abo...-cyclists.html

That had slipped me by before. Its mental. I assumed this was illegal as in the UK so thanks.

As a cyclist (or XC / Mountain biker re: my earlier post) myself I would not put myself or a friend where I would have every expectation that a car would trash them at some stage through ignorance, frustration or lack of awareness. Living just of scenic drive I see how close some roadies who insist on riding two abreast come to being taken out - and for what

?

Anyway, like I said, two wheels good ...