So, Im driving along a country lane near home, its wide enough for two cars to pass but not two cars and a bike.
A group of riders (around 10 in total)in front of me nearly all two-a-breast, some three. All nice expensive bikes, most had some sort of team kit on.
I politely sat behind for a mile, not even a hint from the riders to form single file and let me pass. Another mile goes by, several look round and acknowledge me there. Still no attempt to let me pass, road just a bit too winding for me to pass safely. After four+ miles group pull into a petrol station.
I pull in and without loosing my rag and politely question them, asking why they never let me pass (I had cycle gear on too as I was on my way to a ride). To say they where arrogant and non-caring would be an understatement, not one of them came up with a reason as to why they never let me pass.
I think this sort of thing gives cyclist me included a bad name. All they had to do was form a single file and let me pass, basic decency as far as Im concerned. I ended by telling them without swearing or raising my voice that people like them give cycling a bad name and make non-cycling road users take unnessesary and dangerous chances. I was then told to F-OFF by the only female in the group.! I laughed and walked back to my car.
What do the collective think, am I out of order?
Handily I've just made myself a cup of tea...
Lycra clad cocks!
You wasted your time and breath.
Have a nice day.
SB
Chocolate digestives to hand
If ten riders got into single file wouldn't that just leave you with a very long line to try to get past safely? Or would you just start to pass and then push into the middle of them if something was coming the other way?
Still no attempt to let me pass, road just a bit too winding for me to pass safely.
so you can't overtake as per the highway code, your problem.
After four+ miles group pull into a petrol station.
so now is your chance to overtake.
All they had to do was form a single file and let me pass,
read the highway code, it would still not be safe for you to overtake. You are expected to make a real overtake not squeeze past trying not to cross the white line just in case a car is coming round the corner.
rule 163
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4+ miles!!!
You sir, have the patience of a saint......and need some lessons in overtaking 😯
No (I ride a road bike too).
Thats just rude on thier part. FWIW, I witness this yesterday - I was passed (whilst on my bike) by 3 riders who continue up the road three abreast.
An orderderly queue of cars started behind them. After about 5 miles and 3 cars had passed and irate lorry driver (who of course needs more space), honked his horn. They all gave him 1/2 fingers as he went past.
Its especially worse as the left side of the road has a 1m bike lane.
IMO, and this is what I'd do, they ^^ should have moved across single file.
Its not anything to do with road biking btw, just some obnoxious idiots on a bike.
In my experience, it is pretty rare for it to be unsafe to overtake riders who are two abreast but would be safe to overtake a line of single riders.
Single file means double the length of the group, I suspect that the cyclists felt that there was nothing that they could do to allow you to overtake safely besides keep going until a better passing place comes along.
This is going to end badly.
I can see a well used and dog eared image from a highway code website winging its way here as we speak!
+1 what mrmo said, if it's not safe to pass dont pass. If it had been a large slow moving vehicle what would you have done?
Well it's a no win situation. You pass them they are going to windge, on the other end, they'll never be pilote or corteous enough, to make overtaking easy for you. Welcome to roadie universe.
Bugger was just going out with the dug
I can see a well used and dog eared image from a highway code website winging its way here as we speak!
happy to oblige
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super soaker full of piss would be the appropriate response I believe..
While cycling enjoys its 15 minutes, road riding seems to be attracting this kind of nobber. I wouldn't worry too much. Give it a month or two and they'll be kite surfing or something
In the meantime.....
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Can someone explain to me how overtaking people riding two (or even three) abreast is sooooo much more difficult than overtaking people riding in single file?
+1 what mrmo said, if it's not safe to pass dont pass. If it had been a large slow moving vehicle what would you have done?
^^ This.
I wonder at the attitude of some people where they'll happily (OK, maybe not happily but at least tolerably) sit behind a tractor doing 15mph for 3 miles but put them behind a group of roadies doing 15mph for 3 miles and they'll turn the air blue with curses...
Yes they *could* have moved into single file but suppose you started your overtake of a line that was now twice as long as a 2-abreast line up and a car came round the corner - you say yourself that the road is just a bit too winding.
road just a bit too winding for me to pass safely
Sounds like a pretty good reason for them to claim the lane and not let you pass.
How would them riding single file help? You'd have a much longer pass to make and you'd still have to go into the oncoming lane (assuming you were overtaking in accordance with the Highway Code and giving them as much room as a car).
That said. 4 miles is a bit of a pain, so unless they were going at a pretty decent clip I'd expect them to let you pass at a side road or parking spot as a courtesy (as any other slow road users should: tractor, caravan etc)
A line of 10 bikes in single file with a good gap between each (cos you've broken up their close formation) would be lots longer than an artic. Overtaking would need a good long view ahead- they were probably right & you were wrong.
Yep, all roadies are cocks, and become bigger cocks linked to the value of their bikes.
You would have have none of this fuss from a salt of the earth mountain bike riding an entry level hard tail.
Shocking stuff you should have evoked the spirit of Clarkson and mowed through them all listening to some pile of shite soft rock cd.
OP - you'd have been as well titling your post "please explain the Highway Code to me".
Have to say, I'm amused that after 4 miles you then gave up your opportunity to get past them. I guess you weren't in such a hurry after all.
So.. it seems Im the one out of order then.
I still think they could have let me past safely, it was the F YOU JACK im alright attitude that got me.
I cant believe I kept my cool, probly wrong footed by the fact the rude one was female.
its wide enough for two cars to pass but not two cars and a bike
So how would them riding single file have helped? Are you expecting them all to pull over and wait at the side of the road for you to pass?
What do the collective think, am I out of order?
Well, going by the comments above some of "the collective" seem to agree with you. I don't.
"Basic decency"
"Common sense"
"Thinking of others"
Problem sorted - sadly neither cyclists not motorists seem capable of applying each/all consistently. Chapeau for your patience. The VERY least that they should have done is to acknowledge this. I always make a point of waving thank you to motorists who drive sensible around me and make every effort to let them pass at suitable points on narrow roads. Quite simple really.
Bruce Wee,
Do you really need an explaination?
Woman in a mans world, she had the most to prove 😉
I still think they could have let me past safely
How?
If possible, they should have stopped and let you through.
Common decency innit?
pap your horn after 2 miles ...u mite get a wave of some gesture tho :wink::wink:...crickey what a patient car driver you are ..... 
the female cyclist was being 'hard headed' cos she was with the fellas (lol, again
Bruce Wee,
Do you really need an explaination?
Yes please
Im with the OP here. They could have gone into 2 groups of single file allowing him to overtake in 2 stages as he was patiently waiting for 4 miles.
While on the road with mates we always go to single file when cars are coming in both directions. Sorry but its just common sense. Yes, the highway code states when overtaking you should leave as much room for cyclists as other vehicles, but it also states you should wear high visibility clothing with reflectors etc...
The most important highway code rule is common sense.
[i]Yes they *could* have moved into single file but suppose you started your overtake of a line that was now twice as long as a 2-abreast line up and a car came round the corner - you say yourself that the road is just a bit too winding. [/i]
single file with enough room for a car between each rider, just in case like or better still they should have pulled over immediately and let the OP through he obviously more important as he drives a car.
teamhurtmore,
I agree.
There is middle ground here, sadly there was no attempt by the cyclists to get there.
I suppose motorists (me included) do think we have a right of way.
Still not changed my views though, they could have easily let me pass safely and everybody would have got on with what they were doing.
This causes so many problems / accidents and I feel that there should be more public information about this to educate both motorists & bikers.
I always cover this when teaching Mountain Bike Leader Courses. This is spot on -
BruceWee - Member
If ten riders got into single file wouldn't that just leave you with a very long line to try to get past safely? Or would you just start to pass and then push into the middle of them if something was coming the other way?
If you and few mates where followed into a petrol station by a motorist for a "critical chat" would you give a sh!t about what they had to say.
Your the one with problems if your still fuming now with a "tar everyone with the same brush attitude".
Could you not just clip the back wheel of the rider at the back...if it's anything like TdF they'll all be laid in the hedge bottom in 5 secs...problem solved
Explain how they could have let you past safely
The way they do it around here is pick the most dangerous spot and scream by with the yell of....Waaannnkkkeeeerrrssss....and need some lessons in overtaking
specialknees - MemberSo, Im driving along a country lane near home, its wide enough for two cars to pass but not two cars and a bike.
From this in the OP it's tough to see how he could have passed single file riders safely.
That said. 4 miles is a bit of a pain, so unless they were going at a pretty decent clip I'd expect them to let you pass at a side road or parking spot as a courtesy (as any other slow road users should: tractor, caravan etc)
For me this is the bit where the difference is made and something I always try to do and don't feel comfortable riding with others who can't show similar courtesy when a big queue is forming behind or even a single other road user is excessively inconvenienced.
''Explain how they could have let you past safely''.
Many folk above already have.
I cant believe I kept my cool, probly wrong footed by the fact the rude one was female.
problem is by pulling in behind them, you are already causing a confrontation, it doesn't matter what your manner is, I have had too many bad experiences with drivers and i suspect most cyclists have as well. The cyclists will be on guard, they will be expecting you to assault them, at least verbally.
Yes they could have pulled over to let you past, but so many variables as to whether they could have done so safely any earlier, lay-bys, steep hill, descents, gravel, etc,etc.
its wide enough for two cars to pass but not two cars and a bike.
road just a bit too winding for me to pass safely.
not even a hint from the riders to form single file and let me pass.
Bearing in mind the first two points, how could the third be achieved?
There are c0cks on bikes, c0cks in cars, and even c0cks in pick up trucks that deliberately drive at you to force you off the road - that's life, I'm afraid.
I think after 4 miles i would have expected the group to help me get past.
As a cyclist i tend to try and let cars past [ when i think it is safe and i will hog the lane if needed as
1. Its polite an makes them more likely to like cyclists
2. An irate driver behind you followed by another 10 is never a good idea
3. the prime directive is what is safest for me is what will be done..if that means locking you tough
FWIW we have all had a car overtake a few of us then drive along next to you at the same speed after forcing their way ino the peleton [ often with only a few feet space to your side]...this is not safer for the cyclist so some wont do single file unless it is a long straight section
All these issues are solved by a bit of patience and courtesy from both sides
I thought inly 2 a breast was legal for cyclist am I wrong?
Just common courtesy, innit? If I'm on a road, be it on fat or skinny tyres, I usually make a point of giving cars room to pass, mainly because I don't like having an increasingly wound-up and frustrated motorist sat 2 feet behind me. The longer they have to wait, the more likely they are to take a chance at barging past and leaving you upside-down in a ditch.
The worst offenders seem to be the club-roadie types who appear to think their natty matching kit makes them immune - I got stuck behind a certain Midlands-based club wearing orange and blue yesterday - similar story to the OP, but without the confrontation - because I know how that would have turned out... 🙄
teamhurtmore +1
However, what surprises me is how many motorists haven't worked out the simple combination of stick and pedal movements that make their car go faster. I generally cycle alone, but the vast majority of cars that make overtakes are chugging along next to me for far longer than I am comfortable with.
4 miles? I can't imagine a piece of road, even on the windiest country lanes, where with some give and take you couldn't have got past. A decent tractor driver would have pulled over after far less.
But we won the tdf so I imagine roadies feel they can do what they want.
it's like the critical mass lot but with different haircuts..
some of you lot are so shallow..
courtesy costs nowt and it's this sort of thing that [i]really[/i] gives cycling a bad name.. never mind whether it's technically legal or not..
Junkyard,
You have put it better than I ever could.
I was patient and just needed a bit of assistance and cooperation from the group.
I usually make a point of giving cars room to pass,
how, bare in mind the highway code guidance is quite clear on how the driver overtakes?
The only option is for the cyclists to pull over and get off the road if the road is that winding.
If you came up behind a couple of horses what would you do?
Yunki,
You too make a lot of sence.
Can someone explain to me how the group could have helped the car overtake? Or at least quote the bit where someone else has explained it?
Riding en masse 2 or 3 abreast with total disregard for whats stuck behind you?... Hmmmmmm.....
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Well if your going to start quoting the highway code to defend your troll point then it quite clearly states they were in the wrong in the section pasted below. We could rangel all day about the highway code and legalities, but point remains, roadies that hold up traffic for several miles are just bleeding inconsiderate of other road users. Even tractors pull in and let you pass if there's a spot. Cycling like that just gives us a bad name.
66
You should
keep both hands on the handlebars except when signalling or changing gear
keep both feet on the pedals
[b]never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends[/b]
not ride close behind another vehicle
not carry anything which will affect your balance or may get tangled up with your wheels or chain
be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians. Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted
just out of interest, what urgent mission where you on that meant that you couldn't be slowed down for a couple of miles?
Bruce wee,
You seem to looking for a fight?
Sorry, you got the wrong person.
Can someone explain to me how the group could have helped the car overtake?
By pulling over if opportunity arose. 4miles equals 12-15mins - I'd be feeling pretty uncomfortable if the same person was stuck behind me after that much time. Others clearly wouldn't.
Bruce wee,
You seem to looking for a fight?
Sorry, you got the wrong person.
Actually, I just want to know what you wanted them to do. Single file wouldn't have helped so what was it they should have done to help you get past? Pulled off the road and stopped?
Roadies are not all bad.
The other day there was a well-fed group in Team Sky gear coming the other way while I was riding along the pavement on my DH bike.
I shouted WIG-GO! and they shouted WAN-KER!
Smiles all round happy days
Pulled off the road and stopped?
Yep, that's what I'm happy enough to do every now and again( or at least a slow roll through a lay-by or passing place) on roads where backing up behind a bike is inevitable. 2-3mins max of stuck behind me and I have to stop every now and again seems like a reasonable compromise of inconvenience all around.
Even tractors pull in and let you pass if there's a spot.
If there is a spot, they got to a garage and pulled in.
job done.
never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends
still doesn't help the OP overtake though and going by normal events, the car pulls into the middle of the group because it can't complete the overtake, forcing riders to take evasive action. I have seen accidents due to this kind of stupid behaviour.
If you can overtake safely do so, if you can't you wait. 10riders 2 abreast is about 20m, if they are in single file your looking at nearer 40m, on a narrow twisty road that is a long time to be on the wrong side of the road?
and i am interested to know where this happened i can't think of many places where there are 4miles of bends where an overtake couldn't be safely performed?
And people do seem very prone to getting stressed out by having to wait. so time perception gets a bit skewed.
If you were in such a hurry why did you pull into the petrol station to [s]argue[/s] talk to them.
Can someone explain to me how the group could have helped the car overtake? Or at least quote the bit where someone else has explained it?
They could have gone into 2 groups of single file allowing him to overtake in 2 stages as he was patiently waiting for 4 miles.
''Pulled off the road and stopped''
Either of the above or simply go from three to two abreast would have helped.
Single file with a few gaps would have been even better.
I suppose we are never going to all agree on this but if I was one of the cyclists I know I would have done something and Im sorry but three abreast is just asking for trouble in my book.
would it been okay if they were on mountainbikes?
i'm guessing here, but even single-file those yard wide handlebars would be about as broad as two roadies
Three abreast is also illegal isn't it?
Oh not another weekly road incident thread where the scenario gets analysed in more detail and from more angles than the 'trial of the century' with O.J freekin Simpson!
Get back to work,get out on yer bikes or hit another website before this turns into another 10 pager!
and i am interested to know where this happened i can't think of many places where there are 4miles of bends where an overtake couldn't be safely performed?
If its a really busy day and there is a constant stream of cars coming the other way, I can think of loads of places.
''If there is a spot, they got to a garage and pulled in''.
They passed at least three other places they could have done the same.
Either of the above or simply go from three to two abreast would have helped.
Single file with a few gaps would have been even better.
Trust me it wouldn't, it does cause accidents. cars and bikes in that sort of arrangement is never good.
You either overtake the whole group or you don't.
''If you were in such a hurry why did you pull into the petrol station to argue talk to them''.
I wasnt in a hurry, never said I was.
As I said I had cycle kit on and thought I would at least get an explaination, being part of the gang so to speak.
Single file with a few gaps would have been even better.
WHAT!!! There is no way in hell that I'd ever think that was a good idea either as a driver or a cyclist. Putting a car in the middle of a group of cyclists on the public road is never a good idea.
As a road user you have to expect that sometimes you will be held up by others. You do not own the road, you do not have special priviliges, you should not expect that other people should get out of your way (blue flashing lights excepted) although it is nice when they do.
I rarely ride on the road, but in the instance above then yes, I would pull in at the side of the road to let the cars past as soon as I was able. It isn't the TDF, a few seconds of their time could have saved the OP 12-15 minutes!
Some MTB'ers and some Roadies are - but the bast majority arn't - that's just their problem - don't let them tar your view!
Does anyone [i]really[/i] care if a few roadies get run over though? Really? I mean, it'd just mean a few less overpaid, middle-aged marketing managers in the world, surely?
And how can that be a bad thing?
I HATE RODIES. not all off them just the ones that think thay are better than plp on mtb's. all i say to em tho is watch this pop it up on rear wheel and thay soon put there heads down.
[i]Pulled off the road and stopped[/i]
I did this once during the 50 miles I put in yesterday. It was not a problem for me and once the car had pasted I could happily continue along the country lane, without having a car behind me. This took all of a few seconds.
When walking along the foot path, if I become aware of someone walking faster than me or apporaching in the opposite direction, I will move to one side of the pavement and let them by.
As I said I had cycle kit on and thought I would at least get an explaination, being part of the gang so to speak.
As said earlier, the moment you pulled over, you are a threat, you are the idiot who is going to lamp someone. Or at least that is how you will be treated.
Yes it sounds like they could have pulled over, but depends on the group as to how easy it is to get everyone to realise a car is behind, where to get off the road etc.
I have driven devon lanes with a police car on blues behind me, no where for them to get past at that point but i know one spot, so aim for that, noticing after the event that i could have stopped elsewhere.
Lots of things may have been happening that you weren't aware of.
Does anyone really care if a few roadies get run over though? Really? I mean, it'd just mean a few less overpaid, middle-aged marketing managers in the world, surely?And how can that be a bad thing?
+1,000,000