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You can see a car coming and if concerned it’s coming too fast just pull slightly towards the verge.
I tend to use mine for the reverse. If I know there's a vehicle approaching and I think it's a poor place for an overtake I'll "own" more of the lane to act as a discouragement and then pull over slightly when I think it's a better location.
You can see a car coming and if concerned it’s coming too fast just pull slightly towards the verge.
I tend to use mine for the reverse. If I know there’s a vehicle approaching and I think it’s a poor place for an overtake I’ll “own” more of the lane to act as a discouragement and then pull over slightly when I think it’s a better location.
I don't use a radar but both equally valid approaches to vehicles. The trick is knowing when to pick each. Something I'm trying to educate my son on.
lots of good advice on here already, my thoughts are -
Decent lights front and rear day or night - no harm in having a second rear light as you'll not always notice when one has died/fallen off.
Hi-viz clothing during the day - but remember it does very little at night - which is when you need some retro-reflective stuff.
Stay off roads you know are going to be fast/busy - i need to ride down the A21 (out of Bromley) to get to the countryside and always use the bridle/cycle path alongside it unless its early on a Sunday morning.
Find the right balance between confident and risk averse - its sometimes a little difficult but once you get your head around it you'll find its second nature.
If you're uncomfortable - remove yourself from the situation - i'm quite happy to jump off and walk a busy junction - no point in getting stressed when there is an alternative.
As suggested already, avoid rush hour, and get a garmin Varia rear facing radar. I initially thought they were a gimmick, but it’s genuinely a game changer.
A couple of our club racers were discussing this at the weekend, and are absolute converts to the Varia radars. Really interesting hearing regular road racers/time trialists talking about how its given them more confidence.
Agree both valid approaches. Depends the speed of the approaching car. If I know it’s seen me, slowed down and is looking for an overtake I’ll take @scotsroutes approach
if I see it racing up behind me at speed I tend to move over out of an abundance of caution
either way it’s a brilliantly useful tool.. the other positive is when I’m riding 2 abreast with a buddy on a narrow country lane having a chat it allows us to be alerted to a car waiting behind and pull over when it’s safe for them to overtake
Pick a route with good wide roads and lines of sight
Im sometimes happier on a busy a road as its wider and has a clear view.
If it helps get a bar mirror. Put one on for my missus as she's nervous that helps.
Also anyone you know road ride go out with them. Learn how to hold your position.
My other half is in the gutter and gets close passed i sit out a good way makes it less likey to get a bad pass.
@tpbiker thanks for the insight on the radar stuff.
Totally agree on the tactics even if my earlier post didn't quite get that across right (apologies if that was the case). Trying to build my son's confidence to know when to be forceful and when to get out of the way is an interesting journey. He's great round town but open road is a new environment and speeds are higher. He's getting there, one or those things he actually listens on.
The tactical wobble is also useful. In some situations, I'll deliberately veer (slightly) left and right when a vehicle is approaching (but still some way off), usually in dappled sunlight or shadow. Im hoping the relative side-to-side movement triggers something in the driver's eye rather than a steady forward movement which is easier to miss
I also read a study many years ago the driver's tend to give "unsteady" riders a wider berth than those they deem "competent"
I've no idea if either approach works, but what the hell!
That anxiety really is your mind warning you of the danger that is infact real.
I think you get a lot adrenaline from road riding which can improve your performance infact but it can take some managing. You are trying to go against your body's natural alarm system which can be done with practice and you will become more used to it the more via exposure to the situation. It does carry extra risk of course but in winter I prefer to ride roads usually as its cleaner and less hassle with heavy mud etc but it depends what your personal preference is. I just hate deep cleaning my bike after a ride which has to be done after mountain biking for instance.
Ideally don't wear race lycra race kit. I find when I ride in full race gear I get way more attention than when I ride a mtb in standard clothing which tells it's own story. I can almost guarantee on a ride I will have one incident where someone has driven near me aggressively or made comment etc. Sad times, ideally as said previously stay off the narrow fast roads as people don't want to wait anymore. I think many riders are finding themselves going back to the canals and disused rail track type riding. The stress levels are night and day infact when I rejoin a road after being on a trail it's pretty unpleasant. Also it seems there's an unhealthy amount of Horrible SUV type vehicles hammering it and riding near to cyclists also. I may get rid of my road bike as its become unpleasant at times which is ashame as you need to use the roads to get to the quiet roads up in the hills and out in the country.
Wow, sounds like the best thing some of you could do is move house. Flippin eck.
Decent lights front and rear day or night
This too - having a rear light on all the time really does help. Not a retina smasher, you don't want to hurt the people behind you; likewise not an airport runway style slow flash, as it's off most of the time which is just confusing for everyone's eyes.
I'm yet another who looks to ride only on quiet roads, and avoid the known busy and too-fast-vs-road-width roads.
I'm in Derbyshire and can put some serious miles in whilst avoiding anything big or busy.
For example I absolutely and utterly detest the A6, and will do anything to avoid it - even I'd that puts some more hills in. I just refuse to ride the A6 if I'm with a couple of mates and they want to use it (it's an easy 'route 1' home).
Also I don't do big group rides - just 3 or 4 of us, and quite often 1 or 2 of us. I find a chain gang experience is unpleasant- no time to look around etc as you're concentrating on not taking 10 others out.
As per others, daytime good lights are a must for me. And dusk or night time, I put the Exposure Joystick on the helmet - I purposely look into cars at junctions etc to give a better chance they see me (when the inside of the car illuminates like an alien abduction is about to happen, it sometimes stops them momentarily from dicking around with radio / phone / fag.
The Garmin Varia radar is also well worth a look. I got one as a leaving prezzie from my employment of decades, and the warning of cars approaching from the rear is really great - no surprises even on narrow or quiet roads. It's a device I never thought I'd need or want. Until I got one. It's absolutely brilliant. I'd buy another in a heartbeat if I lost or broke it.
I'd second/third/fourth the Varia and won't even list all the benefits here as its one of those rare things that a quick Google will reveal the internet is almost unanimous on- pretty much everyone who gets one says its a gamechanger.
I'd also specifically recommend the Bontrager Ion 200 front light- its a dedicated daytime flash light with a flash pattern designed to grab drivers attention.
I'm one of those people who hates disrupting the clean lines of my road bike with mudguards and lights and stuff but the Ion is so tiny and weightless its impossible to justify not using it and works super well. Its not good for seeing in the dark (well perhaps it'll get you home in an emergency) so cannot really be used as an all in one light but its on my bike year round now pretty much.
I think the combination of the Varia plus the Bontrager Ion 200 on the front makes a big difference.
Edit to say I would also second not reading road.cc as whilst I agree with some of their opinions it mainly seems to be good for just raising everyone's cortisol levels.
This may be unpopular amoungst some.
I don't go for road rides but have ridden on the road a lot on all types of traffic commuting, touring and just getting about but just not head down pounding out the miles style. All of the ideas above are good but one that is missing is that sometimes it can be worth pulling over, I know you have a right to be there but in some situations its just polite and makes it safer for everyone. E.g. a long queue is forming as its particularly twisty lane for some time and vehicles are struggling to find a safe spot. Keep going because you have the right but a higher chance of someone trying something they are less comfortable with because the road is difficult? Large lorry / van with trailer / tractor behind. It can be very difficult to overtake in many situations for these vehicles. if you and see it has been difficult help them out. You are not showing weakness, your are recognising the difficulty and helping. Yes you have the right to be there but there comes a point where if you can help a situation and make everyone's day including your own better and you refuse on principle its just being rude. I am not saying constantly jump out the way at all the time just be aware of the road, the traffic levels, the vehicles around you and that sometimes it helps a lot.
Yeah I have very occasionally pulled-in on twisty narrow lanes when there's been someone stuck behind me for ages, especially if a work van or wagon of some sort. I have always got a toot of thanks for this.
I think its just sensible if someone is genuinely struggling to pass for a really long time and a natural pulling-in place reveals itself up the road. Sometimes its not even a case of unclipping bur rather just taking a corner in an exaggerated slow and wide manner to let them through.
I don't commute though and so only ever out riding as a hobby if that makes any difference.
This is where the Varia is great on narrow country roads. I have a really early warning on an approaching vehicle and can try and spot a passing place ahead of time and can judge when to pull over - maybe a gate or layby further on. Sometimes a sprint, or a slow down and I can indicate in and let them pass easily and safely.
sometimes it can be worth pulling over,
I've always done this on quite country roads, and it's usually appreciated. On busy roads it can be a problem. I sometimes do it to let a large vehicle (lorry or bus) pass but any traffic behind that simply follows through driving you into the gutter, preventing you taking back your road position.
Anyway, I got knocked off by a car (for the first time every) a couple of weeks ago (entirely his fault) and am feeling a tad nervous now myself.
Anything that makes a ride safer sounds good, and I like the idea of a Varia, however, they aren't cheap and as a low income rider I'm seriously considering a good old fashioned mirror; what are folks' views on these?
Yeah I have very occasionally pulled-in on twisty narrow lanes when there’s been someone stuck behind me for ages,
Good grief, I pull over as soon as I can on lanes if they cannot pass, because why wouldn't I? If I met them coming the other way in a car I'd do my best to let them past, why not when cycling? Doesn't make a difference if they are going the same way or not. On country lanes we all have to do our best to allow each other to make their journey, this applies to bikes and cars and everyone else.
This is where the Varia is great
Never hear of this, looks good if within budget. Seems like it works best on less busy roads as other wise you could start to ignore or become obsessed from description but a solid idea.
I’m seriously considering a good old fashioned mirror
I had one on a bike when I was a teenager (something from a boot fair no doubt) and found it vibrated too much to be useful but I see a local older gentleman who looks very audax has one on end of his drops so some must be better than others, knowing which ones work is key:/
P.S. I borrowed a copy of this years ago. Worth a look, I liked the idea of dynamically changing your space / size as required. https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/john-franklin/cyclecraft/9780117037403?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=18129456947&cq_con=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&gclid=CjwKCAjwsKqoBhBPEiwALrrqiCKOdCR-8NyJ58dNdwRVyPlFASfZSkTCplxpnPuJlQCMmlzVKJ7bURoCFRgQAvD_BwE#GOR001791163
as ever, I take bits from it and leave other bits, its an opinion not hard science.
Good grief, I pull over as soon as I can on lanes if they cannot pass, because why wouldn’t I? If I met them coming the other way in a car I’d do my best to let them past, why not when cycling? Doesn’t make a difference if they are going the same way or not. On country lanes we all have to do our best to allow each other to make their journey, this applies to bikes and cars and everyone else
I'm sorry I have no idea what you're talking about or how that really relates to my post.
If it helps get a bar mirror.
+1
I have a bar-end mirror and it makes all the difference on the road seeing what is coming up behind and how fast, it also gives me eye contact with a driver, just like in a car, looking behind is as important on the road as looking forward.
If I sense the approach from behind is too fast, I will slightly pull further out, making myself more conspicuous, then as the vehicle approaches it give me scope to pull in if a close pass is looking likely.
Another that pulls over where possible if vehicles are struggling to pass. Always get a friendly toot especially from truck drivers.
@racefaceec90 it's been a year since your post did you manage to overcome the anxiety?
Personally I go out of my way to avoid certain roads even if they are more direct on my commute though that's probably more a cycling enjoyment thing.
I too am becoming more cautious about road riding and every time I'm out I wonder why I don't get one of those dashcams strapped to my bars that has a rear camera and a 4 inch screen. Like a big rear view mirror. I've just seen one on Amazon for £33. Although I'd need a big battery strapped to the bike as well.
The one I had in my van was great. It also had a split screen facility showing front and rear views side by side. Those times when your neck gets tired (and if time trialling) you could keep your head down and watch the road ahead through the screen. Maybe.
@dudeofdoom @fooman thanks for asking 🙂 i have done the odd road ride but unfortunately have had to deal with nightmare neighbours for the past year which killed any motivation i did have/ my depression went into the stratosphere.
the good news is that they have now gone and i do plan on getting out on the bikes again both offroad and on 😀
as for the anxiety about road riding i still have it i must admit and i do tend to ride after midnight or on quiet roads during the day when i can find them. i live in devizes wilts so there are plenty of country lanes around where i live (and plenty i have yet to ride) so i plan on looking on the map and making some new routes up along with the ones i know.
i do love riding my road bike so i don't want to give it up.
<p style="text-align: left;">Varia light has been excellent. People may not realise that it changes from solid to flashing to attract the driver’s attention as it approaches the cyclist. It would be hard to say you didn’t notice that feature. Works in a peloton (had it on last night’s club ride). Game changing for cyclists and perhaps drivers too.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">on the front Ive now fitted an Exposure Blast with daylight double flash. Again an impressive light and tucks under the Garmin. The Varia switches off automatically with the Garmin, but also on when charging the same.</p>
Pick a route with good wide roads and lines of sight
Im sometimes happier on a busy a road as its wider and has a clear view.
I think the busy vs. not busy road thing is a bit more complicated.
My favorite roads are without doubt the quiet middle-of-nowhere ones in places like the Dales. But closer to Leeds, the busier roads can sometimes feel the safest -- i.e., the main roads that are single lane, but easily wide enough for cars to pass with a couple of meters of space, without crossing the central line. Those I don't mind at all and I find them the most relaxed way to get out of town to the moors or whatever. They are probably also a good place to get used to riding in traffic.
I also don't really mind my rush hour commute, despite the amount of cars, as there are cycle lanes, the traffic is slow moving, and the ratio of courteous to non-couteous drivers is really high.
In contrast, the worse driving I've experienced recently was on extremely quite (and normally really nice) single-track country roads, on which two drivers very nearly knocked me off, one seemingly deliberately. I actually never experienced that kind of aggression cycling in the city. It took me a couple of months to get over the shock of these incidents -- quitting facebook also helped.
Actually I've got the perfect answer.
Go abroad. Southern Spain, most of France. It's a different world.
I'm in Southern Alps at the moment and in spite of the camper vans, motorbikes etc, the roads are quiet, the villages are beautiful and the drivers are considerate.
It's a totally different environment, there's just NO hassle, you never feel in any danger. Absolute bliss.
I live very rural now , far less traffic than Birmingham , which I left after 50 years , but even with much quieter roads , I still had plenty of close calls etc , BUT recently I've invested in a rear light radar attached to my head unit and its been a revelation 🙂 .... its superb knowing I'm covered and gives me plenty of notice to cars coming up on me.. that's not to say they still wont get close to you but at least you know you have a car coming up on you and that in my mind is half the battle , as u don't usually know they are there until they are virtually on you ! ... this way u get 140m warning and how fast they are approaching .. total recommendation