Hit and run .

[benedmonds]

Just now, benedmonds said:

 

 

Edited May 11, 2018 by benedmonds
double post

[Mark Bolam]

Equal rights for equal pay.

[Stubby]

1 hour ago, Mark Bolam said:

Big groups are the problem.

They seem to develop a ‘this is our road today’ mentality.

If they are having some kind of ‘event’ they’re even worse.

One of the problems we have on the stretch of road between Lavant and West Dean is that quite a lot of the " pro Lycra " brigade refuse point blank to use the dedicated cycle track provided .  It is totally separated from the road  by a approx 3 meter wide grass strip with periodic trees and is tarmacked .  But no . they would rather risk it on the undulating twisty  A 286 .  

[dig-dug-dan]

6 hours ago, kevinjohnsonmbe said:

A tragedy for someone...

 

I've done a bit of cycling and a bit of driving (and been an idiot and seen idiots in both settings) so not coming at it from a pro/anti position for/against either group...

 

Sounds like a busy, high volume, high speed road, I wonder if the cyclist was 'lit up like a Christmas tree' or wearing black, on a black night, on a black bike....

 

Our very good friend and nearby neighbour's ex-husband has just been in court for killing a cyclist.  

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-43729449

 

Certainly a tragedy for the cyclist's friends and family, but the impact upon the extended family of the driver is also significant.   The driver was a self employed delivery driver.  Van seized, no money coming in, rent to pay, family to support, pending loss of licence,  potential loss of liberty, etc, etc... It was in court recently and referred to Crown court.

 

The cyclist was racing on the road, was 'old', might not have been focussed on peripheral situation....

 

It could happen to anyone of us road users and have life changing implications....  Scary stuff.

You from my neck of the woods?

[benedmonds]

Just now, Stubby said:

One of the problems we have on the stretch of road between Lavant and West Dean is that quite a lot of the " pro Lycra " brigade refuse point blank to use the dedicated cycle track provided .  It is totally separated from the road  by a approx 3 meter wide grass strip with periodic trees and is tarmacked .  But no . they would rather risk it on the undulating twisty  A 286 .  

I seem to be the only cyclist here.. I don't know the section of cycle track, but many are completely unsuitable for cycling on..

They are covered in road debris and gravel and might have bumps for pedestrian access.   Your never going to get a strava segment on there...

[Stubby]

Just now, benedmonds said:

I seem to be the only cyclist here.. I don't know the section of cycle track, but many are completely unsuitable for cycling on..

They are covered in road debris and gravel and might have bumps for pedestrian access.   Your never going to get a strava segment on there...

Its tarmac as I said and runs parallel with the road .  

[benedmonds]

Just now, Stubby said:

Its tarmac as I said and runs parallel with the road .  

But it probably still has lose gravel and crap.. and you might have to enter and leave traffic.. You would understand if you donned some Lycra and cycled on it on a road bike....

[Stubby]

Just now, benedmonds said:

But it probably still has lose gravel and crap.. and you might have to enter and leave traffic.. You would understand if you donned some Lycra and cycled on it on a road bike....

You dont have to enter and leave via the traffic and I cycle on it and there is no gravel or lose crap . The worst is the grass some times gets a little long in between cuts . 

[benedmonds]

5 minutes ago, Stubby said:

You dont have to enter and leave via the traffic and I cycle on it and there is no gravel or lose crap . The worst is the grass some times gets a little long in between cuts . 

Assuming this is this stretch of road.  There will be more gravel in that cycle lane and there are definitely drains and other road furniture, you don't want to hit them on your 25mm tyres.  The cyclist might have to weave and dodge...  It goes back to the defensive riding, if you are in the blue section the cars, trucks busses are going to pass you no matter what, if something big is coming the other way that means they will squeeze though the gap, there is a cycle lane, they certainly won't leave the safe distance required in the highway code....   

 

Also it looks flat the "pro lycra" riders will be doing about 35mph down that section, even us Mamils will be in the 20's... It's a 30mph zone, sat behind them it only adds seconds to your journey..

[Mark Bolam]

I don’t do any road cycling, but plenty of my mates do.

They get more infuriated by the arrogant antics of some of the bigger groups than anyone else because they all get tarred with the same brush.