Bloody cyclists

[MSTRS:Me]

fair enough. yes and i apex early ....

Now that we are back on the same page, can we get back to bagging cyclists who think the whole road belongs to them?

[marty]

Obviously, grammar played a part in you not understanding my rebuttal.
Is this better? "No, it wasn't (on a closed road)."
You gonna fold now, or what?

i would suggest that for the period of time that the race passed through that area, the road was essentially closed, and the pre-race briefing would have indicated as such.

[u4ea]

For the sake of healthy discussion (and its fun) the RUCs and licenses don't entitle you/us to be fast, weaving, and take advantage of other motorcycle behaviors anymore than cyclists are given the right to congest roads.

Don't get me wrong, I find the behavior of some cyclists to be a bit arrogant/ignorant, but I honestly see little difference in our behavior sometimes (riding up some car's date so that they'll pullover for us?).

Riding up a cars date is NOT my thing!!!!!!not healthy matey....no room for error there aye.........

[N4CR]

now that we are back on the same page, can we get back to bagging cyclists who think the whole road belongs to them?

fvckin ay bunch of *****s when they ride like 50 a****** and take up the entire racing line, just wish finn was there or motu to take em out.

i'll post up the video of a guy wheelieng past an entire group and they all start *****ing 'that guys an *******, he's an *******' etc to the cameraman on the side of the road. rofl.

[MSTRS:Me]

i would suggest that for the period of time that the race passed through that area, the road was essentially closed, and the pre-race briefing would have indicated as such.

You mean like a 'rolling closure' sort of thing? For each bunch? Pace cars back and front? With marshalls stopping cross traffic at every intersection?
Can't say I've ever seen that happen here in the Bay.
The photo as published is a fair representation of what really happens...

[skelstar]

Riding up a cars date is NOT my thing!!!!!!not healthy matey....no room for error there aye.........

Sure, I mean in a healthy way (back right hand corner, just outside the righthand wheel track)

[Swoop]

Perhaps having an "open season" on lycra-clad treddlie riders occasionally might cull their numbers back somewhat?
Perhaps January to November?
Decoys and beaters are permissable, of course...

[MSTRS:Me]

Perhaps having an "open season" on lycra-clad treddlie riders occasionally might cull their numbers back somewhat?
Perhaps January to November?
Decoys and beaters are permissable, of course...

Bwahahaha!
That's a bit harsh. Surely 1 August to 31 May would be fairer? That at least gives them a whole 2 months to enjoy their bare limbs and lycra....

[Wolf]

And likewise that handbag of push-bikers I encountered had no pace car(s) anywhere, it was just some fecking stupid bunch of unlicensible (as evidenced by their obvious lack of knowledge of the Road Code) dorks in spandex blocking most of a country road.

I've encountered organised races with the pace cars and I have no problem with that, it's encountering all of the local "We hate cars so we'll travel in groups of thirty" brigade without warning that fucks me off.

I will state that I have encountered people touring in pairs riding two-abreast (as is permitted under the code so long as the road is clear) who have heard the approach of my bike or car and fallen into single file - no problem with them, just these supposed cycling "clubs" who think they are somehow beyond the road code, riding 6-abreast and cutting right-hand corners.

Time to have all push bikes on the road comply with a minimum safety standard (yes, I'm talking "Warrant of Fitness" checks, here) - lights, indicators, rear view mirrors, adequate brakes for the speed they travel (a well-maintained bike should aready have decent brakes) etc and anyone who rides a push bike or other HPV ("Human Powered Vehicle", for the uninitiated) on the road should have passed a road licence test in which they demonstrate a knowledge of general and HPV-specific road rules. I'm not expecting graduated licenses and handling tests, just some indication that the dork in the spandex at least knows what "single file" means and how it applies to group riding on "open" roads.

As the minimum age for riding on the road is apparently eight years old and most eight-year-olds are at least semi-literate, this should not be a problem.

I had one dork on a pushie glance behind him, let the car in front of me past and then, without signalling, swerve right across the path of my motorcycle while I was travelling at 50km/h. I braked and hit the horn simultaneously (seems to be a side-effect of having to hastily grab a fistful of clutch and down-shift - somehow my thumb hits the horn as my fingers clench...) and yelled at him to watch where he's going. The moron yelled back "I saw the car" so I hollered back (now going slow enough to exchange lengthy pleasantries with a bloody pedestrian) "Ya didn't see me, ya fucking idiot."

That bloke was definitely in need of rear-view mirrors, indicators and some basic education in how to use them.

Oh, but wait, the addition of rear view mirrors and indicator lamps would spoil the aerodynamics of the bike and slow him down - not to mention the detrimental effects of the weight of such "needless" safety equipment. As if a push bike and rider are "streamlined" anyway - no amount of shaving the legs, spandex "mumble pants" and tapered futuristic helmets can alter the fact that a person on a pushie has all the streamlining of a cinder-block fence.

If I removed the lights, indicators, and rear view mirrors of my bike or car, I would not be allowed to take it onto the road (yeah, I know there are exemptions for bikes and cars of a certain age but they're pretty rare these days and they're driven/ridden by people who have actually passed a licence test).

If I tried riding or driving any motor vehicle without a licence (let alone a vehicle that does not comply with warrant of fitness standards) I would be for the high-jump if caught.

Either push bikes and their riders should comply with appropriate standards and laws or they should not be allowed on the roads/streets - pretty simple, really.

[MSTRS:Me]

Either push bikes and their riders should comply with appropriate standards and laws or they should not be allowed on the roads/streets - pretty simple, really.

Yep. Doesn't get much simpler than that.

[skelstar]

If I removed the lights, indicators, and rear view mirrors of my bike or car, I would not be allowed to take it onto the road (yeah, I know there are exemptions for bikes and cars of a certain age but they're pretty rare these days and they're driven/ridden by people who have actually passed a licence test).

A side issue: do we feel the same about people that merely ticked a box on their car license form to get a motorcycle license also in the 'old days'?

[MSTRS:Me]

A side issue: do we feel the same about people that merely ticked a box on their car license form to get a motorcycle license also in the 'old days'?

How old are we talking here? M/c licence in 1973 and cage in 1974 - had to do a written and practical for the bike, and a practical to add the cage.

[skelstar]

I guess 1960's maybe? I heard plenty of enviable stories when I was waiting for my Full/Restricted.

[u4ea]

Sure, I mean in a healthy way (back right hand corner, just outside the righthand wheel track)

only prior to passing it.....

[MSTRS:Me]

Can only speak for my own experience. However, if someone did get their m/c licence back then in the way you mention, then chances are that they are not a problem on the road as a result of the lack of testing. Problem riders will have all been 'weeded' out by now. Or the problem is now old age, if it exists at all.