I'm doing an Enduro or out a trail centre and someone is faster than me they usually shout rider, on your right or similar if they want to pass which makes perfect sense. Get into the odd scuffle but it's usually good natured and total accident, both parties carry on riding and laugh it off.
Playing around on road / gravel lately I noticed no-one seems to say anything and often pass super close trying to slipstream or similar. Nearly taken someone out avoiding a pothole pulling right about 5cm today. They were in blindspot inline with my real mech. With road noise I couldn't hear until I made contact with them.
So, anyone know if there is any etiquette or what goes in this strange new world or road / gravel?
Always assumed if you crash a bike it's each persons problem but just heard a story of a car driver taking legal action against a cyclist after running them over. Does anyone here actually take insurance for that kind of thing and does it work like car insurance. E.g. If they crash into back of me then they are at fault? Always taken insurance against theft but never thought about the other protections bundled in.
Some people are dicks. If they're riding on your wheel without letting you know or riding so close to you it's not your fault. Although it's a good idea to have a regular look round to see what's around you.
If you are carrying out any manoeuvres on the road then you should be looking behind you before doing so.
If you are carrying out any manoeuvres on the road then you should be looking behind you before doing so.
As a defensive measure maybe, but that doesn’t in any way diminish the fact that anyone who just sits a stranger’s wheel is a weapons-grade asshole who’s sooner or later going to cause a crash. It’s clearly a dick move to be that close in cars, it’s no less a dick move to do it on bikes.
And surely you can’t claim that you look behind every time you move two inches around a pothole. If you did that round here you’d be straight into the next pothole.
I've had occasional occurrences of total strangers trying to sit on my back wheel unannounced. It's a bit odd but maybe road cyclists are used to it?
I have no problem with strangers sitting on my wheel but then I am able to point out problems and ride in an sensible manner. Cant say I ever recall a rider, sneaking up on me. I have sometimes spent a few kms pointing out potholes to riders who were not on my wheel anymore though.
They were in blindspot inline with my real mech
The follower shouldn't be overlapping wheels though, that's just stupid riding.
If you are carrying out any manoeuvres on the road then you should be looking behind you before doing so.
this - urban riding I will be looking behind me about every 10 - 15 seconds.
Never happened to me in decades of riding on road. I always call rider back so as not to startle them.
I’ve caught the odd group and asked to for a tow for a couple of km’s. I’ve also had an annoying experience where the guy I overtook didn’t like it and tried to “race” me. I ride to a power meter so just decided to let him go ahead, but he was crap on every hill so kept catching him.
Insurance wise I’m a member of British Cycling so covered by their insurance. I pay £78 a year and it includes my race licence. For non racers £44 a year gets you liability insurance and legal support. I’ve never needed to use it.
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership
Cycling UK membership is worth it if only for the insurance protection. Been a few stories of uninsured cyclists in London being taken to the cleaners after an incident.
When I overtake bikes I give as much room as I do if in my car which to me seems sensible.
Since moving back to a low geared SS MTB overtaking bikes on the road is a thing of the past except up hill so not something I have to worry about any more.
I was just thinking the other day that there hadn't been a "why don't roadies say hello" thread for a while.
Can't say I've ever had it happen to me, usually there's a "hi" or similar. Also if it's a local rider they are likely to know which are potholed roads so will sit back a little to allow you to point them out.
I usually sit back a fair bit and wait for the right moment to pass quickly with plenty of room, would expect most decent riders to do the same.
I never get anyone try to sit on my wheel, if I did I’d either pick it up a bit and get rid or ease off and let them on their way.
It is generally considered bad etiquette to sit on a wheel without announcing yourself. You change your riding style when there are people on your wheel as they have no time to react and can't see in front very well. If I don't know a rider I won't follow them as it relies hugely on trust.
It still happens though, I think some people just assume it's ok. I see it as the equivalent of being tailgated in the car.
Totally inappropriate to pass a stranger that closely and unnanounced in my opinion. Thankfully it only happens occasionally and it's definitely not accepted etiquette. It's stupid and dangerous.
If I approach another cyclist from behind then I ring my bell to let them know I am there. Seems pretty simple to me.
If I overtake a rider who is not a lot slower I will ease a little to let them get on my wheel, obviously I say hello too. If a rider overtakes me who is not a lot faster I may or may not get on their wheel. I don't see it as an issue either way tbh. Say hi and get on with your day.
Surely people don’t want to come too close with COVID kicking about? Potential for a nose clearance etc. I’ve being doing the same as Kerley - just sitting off and waiting for a nice clear chance to pass wide enough.
Big Lols from me yesterday when I pulled over on a ride to text the wife. A 50 something on a dogma and all the gear was struggling a bit on the flat head down with a similarly aged commuter with neon helmet cover and chinos sat up about 2mm from his rear wheel!! Haha!
On the rare occasions I catch a rider on the road, I hang back a couple of bike lengths till I can give them a clear overtake and say hello as I pull out, same as I would off road I guess.
Don't think I've ever had someone sneak onto my wheel. If I know someone is approaching from behind I'll start to signal hazards as I would on a group ride.
A few times I've been caught by a group and if we are close in pace they've invited me to jump on the back of their line to have a tow for a bit - Belper CC are friendly about this on the A6.
I'm with Cycling UK for liability insurance and legal expenses cover, awaiting settlement of a claim actually. If you cause a crash while cycling then you are legally liable, same as any other act of negligence, but far more cyclists make claims than are claimed against, I suspect.
If I don’t know a rider I won’t follow them as it relies hugely on trust.
There's a few I know well and don't trust!!!
Rider in front has the right to do what he wants, rider behind is responsible for his own and the rider in fronts wellbeing until he eventually is alongside, then its 50-50.
Different rules apply if you are riding in an arranged group.
Regarding the insurance. The cycling club I'm in (and believe many other clubs are the same) insist that you have some form of 3rd party insurance (usually British Cycling membership or Cycling UK) if you want to become a member and take part in group rides. If you cause a crash that is your fault with another rider or multiple riders, they could be left out of pocket with thousands of pounds of damage to bikes.
Also if you don't have insurance and you cause an accident with a motorist they can claim off you personally.
My advice is Take out some cycle insurance. They also provide legal cover so in the event of you being in a non fault accident they will look after you.
Additionally the likes of British Cycling membership provides you with discounts to certain things. So it can work out that you can save the cost of membership on savings you have made throughout the year
Etiquette? Talking about similar speed riders here, but overtaking someone has to look effortless particularly if it's not. And if overtaken (guessing here as it obv never happens) perhaps say something about nice day for a recovery ride, whist trying not to gasp?
Makes sense now I know all the road groups require insurance. British Cycling seems way forward. Cheers.
No way I’m looking behind me every 10 seconds riding on London roads for a 5-10cm shift. Way too many car drivers changing lane or pulling out without looking or indicating but that I’m prepped to expect.
It’s the cyclists tailgating that I don’t understand. View view is overtake or don’t overtake but don’t sit on ass. One person mentioned power meter and tying to stay consistent which is cool if you shout or ring bell but how many people can that be. Damn the silent slipstreamers 😂
I aspire to be someone who is fast enough for someone to want to follow my wheel. Normally I get a reasonable hello and a look of pity at my ridiculously slow speed. I’m fine with that though, I like to look at the pretty flowers and birds.
I find that people do sit-on when road riding sometimes which I don't mind but its just a bit weird if they don't say hello or hi.
I rarely bother myself though unless I get chatting to someone at the lights or whatever, usually hang back and then pick a point to overtake. I mean I picked the route on the basis that I felt I could at least finish it, so I don't see a huge benefit from drafting someone for 5mins
Anyone thinking a power meter justifies them riding dangerously close to someone else needs to confine themselves to a velodrome and get off the roads.
I once had a guy jump in to my back wheel as I overtook him. He didn’t say anything but I knew he was there. He followed me for miles up little back roads. I was heading to a hill climb race and had to climb to the top of the hill to register and pick up my number. Obviously not going hard saving my legs for the event. The guy disappeared at that point after following me through back roads for around 20 miles without saying a word. Weird behaviour.
Anyway liability insurance is a must in my opinion. I have British Cycling Gold membership. Silver covers you too. I’ve used it a few times and it’s been excellent. Paid for itself a thousand times over.
Another point is British Cycling won’t cover you for claiming against another BC cyclist. In my opinion if you ride in a bunch you are accepting the risk and it should be knock for knock.
on the rare occasions i catch someone up I will pull along side and say hello, gauge the response friendly stay for a chat, otherwise ride on.
Anyone thinking a power meter justifies them riding dangerously close to someone else needs to confine themselves to a velodrome and get off the roads.
Who said it did?
I would never sit on a stranger’s wheel, it's an absolute dick move.
Unless you have been suddenly gifted with telepathic skills, you have no idea what is going to/could happen next .
TJ you really need to invest in a mirror before your neck fails.
I've only had one instance on the road when someone caught me up and sat on my wheel unannounced without my noticing. They weren't pleased when I braked suddenly to dive down a bridleway. In my view, if they were reasonably sure that I hadn't noticed them by looking around etc then the onus is on them to expect the unexpected.
I mentioned a power meter, pretty sure I’m the only person on the thread who did.....I meant it in regards of knowing my power hadn’t increased to catch someone.
I also said I give a “rider back” shout when overtaking so as not to startle anyone.
What about etiquette regarding what side of a cycle path or similar, do you stick to? I always stay left, as we would on roads, and most people seem to get this, but you get the odd spanner, such as one bloke yesterday, who don't seem to understand this. It's common sense, in my mind.
Who said it did?
No-one, I think, but sillysilly appeared to interpret something that way and partially accept it as a justification, which seemed unreasonably generous to me. My point was just a general one, not aimed at anyone 🙂
What about etiquette regarding what side of a cycle path or similar, do you stick to?
Ah but that brings in the whole question of the inevitable dog walkers, runners, kids etc sharing most "cycle paths" in the UK.
Dog walker <---m a s s i v e e x t e n d i n g d o g l e a d---> dog
How can ONE person and ONE small dog take up the ENTIRE sodding trail?!
Living on the outskirts of SW London we have high volumes of riders at hotspots like Richmond Park, Box Hill (and other popular SH areas), riding the loop round Regent's Park is insane at the weekend on the couple of times I've done it. Picking up drafters and overtaking others is pretty common. I quite regularly check over my shoulder, and I've developed a 6th sense for a back wheel passenger, if they're quicker they'll generally pass anyway. If they want to sit I'm good with that and will signal as appropriate (I'm no hero but ride at a pace which would mean that anyone who has caught me 'should' be a reasonably decent rider), I'll also happily exchange drafts if the other rider wants too (generally speaking someone who wants to do this is a competent rider). I don't ever recall someone calling 'rider' behind me, and I don't really recall doing so myself. I always give plenty of room for a pass, and won't sit on the wheel of someone slower as I like to ride at my own pace if solo. I'll also generally say hi as I pass.
Personally speaking I've had more issues with mtb'ers on singletrack (and these days mostly eebs which are seemingly often ridden by complete cockwombles dressed as MXers I'm sad to say) charging up behind and sitting almost buzzing the rear tyre aggressively in the hope I'll ride into a bush so they can charge off.
I don't get people sneaking up behind. They generally just whizz straight by. When overtaking I do think it's a good idea to give a warning (bikes are pretty quiet) either by saying something or using a bell and allowing plenty of room.
I always stay left, as we would on roads, and most people seem to get this
Not in my experience. I assumed so, rather naturally, after moving to UK. Been proved wrong on multiple occasions. By casual and what looks like regular riders...
Cheers!
I.
As far as I’m aware the “rules” apply to all ways, not just carriageways, so keeping left is the technically correct approach even in bridleways etc.
Obviously that doesn’t really happen consistently in reality so you need to be pragmatic, but it makes sense to default to keeping left.
Keep left is common sense & seems normal for 99% of people but every so often you encounter an idiot doing the opposite.
They even put signs up for them but they don't think it applies to them
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I do the same as when MTB'ing: "coming through on your right" or similar. Not that keen on people that I don't ride with a lot sitting on my wheel, but OK if they say hello and need a tow. I can think of only one person I trust enough to ride on his wheel, and we've ridden together for 15 years on and off, including track.
The worst thing for me is when you pass someone and they get all competitive and speed up. I had this two weeks ago, passed a rider who had pulled in for something, I slowed to pass some horses a few miles later and he came tearing past us all. I then caught and passed him at a junction, only for him to come past again huffing and puffing so I sat back for a few miles until he blew up. Needless to say I felt like a total hero.
The worst thing for me is when you pass someone and they get all competitive and speed up.
Pet hate of mine.
I'm doing my own ride at my own pace. Me overtaking is not a challenge, an insult or an invitation to a race.
I long ago stopped jumping on the wheels of overtaking riders unless they specifically invited - maybe a cycle club overtaking and saying "jump on if you want". Even then I'm quite wary of it, I know just how bad some group riding skills can be!
Maybe he was doing intervals?
^^^ I have been that person doing sprint intervals and come across other riders who I pass on a sprint then they come pass on a recovery split then I pass again on a sprint. Normally I think it’s pretty obvious what I’m up to; especially if it’s near the end and I’m red and messy, but I will say to them that I’m on intervals if I get a chance. On a normal ride I’ll just call out a friendly greeting as I come up to pass. Don’t mind wheel suckers if I know them, everyone can have off days and a wheel can be a saviour.
Maybe he was doing intervals?
Maybe but I doubt it, as above it's normally pretty easy to spot folks on intervals. Certainly the way he shot past me and two horse riders made me wonder about his personality type.
