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Sad reality is that there are too many idiot drivers. I'm lucky that currently my road rides are on quiet roads, at the weekends in the summer I probably pass more road cyclists than cars on some rides. If there were more cars about I'd give in and just use the mountain bike. All my biking friends in London have a story to tell.
I don't blame the OP to be honest.
I used to road bike loads as a teenager, and I was fast, confident and not bothered at all by traffic - until I started driving that is, and realised just how many sh*t, unaware and barely capable drivers there are out there.
An old guy in our road club got taken out from behind by the side of a large trailer which was considerably wider than the 4x4 towing the said trailer. It took him around 2 years to recover enough to be able to get back on his bike. I converted to MTB shortly afterwards (my road bike had been stolen anyway) and have never looked back.
At least with MTB the scenery is usually nicer, it's quieter, the air is cleaner, the descents are more fun, and I get to determine my own level of risk. If I crash it's entirely my own fault and I'm no longer waiting for the moment that I get wiped, without warning, from the face of the planet by some clueless numpty in a 4x4.
Grow a pair yolo
Although I do more off-road than road these days (more fun) I've been riding on the roads of NE Scotland for 15 years now and have seen no evidence (either documented or based on my own experience) that it's got any more dangerous. If anybody has any such evidence I'd be interested to see it.
Still more than happy to ride on the road, I even commute now. Excluding riding as a kid, I've been riding seriously on the road for 38 years. In all that time I've had one accident, sadly it was a biggy. Got back on after some time and haven't looked back.
Not sure what I can put all those safe years down to? I always see myself as a road user not a 'cyclist'. I do obey all the rules. I don't like big groups, reason being too many seem to see group rides a social and fun thing. The roads nowadays aren't a place for fun, but that's not to say I don't see road cycling as pleasurable. I'm courteous and humble i.e I'll raise a hand in a thanks/sorry way for anyone that waits or I've held up, nearly always get a hand in thanks back or a quick flash of the indicators.
Another thing is driving where you ride. Strewth the roads are bad, I'd hate to encounter a cyclist where I ride!
That said all those years, i had a bit of a shocking incident last week. Going though a village at about 6.30pm. My lights were on L&M's. I see a driving centre car parked on the right facing the wrong way. As I draw parallel they moved out....wtf. I put my foot out and tapped his windscreen with it as he was drawing that close. That finally woke him up.
This reminded me. 'A' what did you say...'A' didn't hear you.
Just got back from a road ride and got badly cut up by a Driving Instructor (on her own), pointed to my head to indicate she was'nt thinking, she winded the window down and told me to F*ck off. I would very much like to name the company.
Self employed or Franchise?If its one of the big schools I'd be making a complaint, if a local then I'd be getting in contact to politely discuss and then make my next move based on how they handle it.
Anyone else?
Not me, road racer and daily cycle commuter in central Manchester. Sorry but I love it 🙂
I came over from road about 7 years ago mainly because every time I went out I'd come back in a bad mood. The last road ride I had I had to jump off my bike and pull it onto a grass verge to get out of the way of a bloke in a 4x4 who was trundling towards me on a single track road. He actually looked me in the eye as he went past about 12 inches from my face. No aggresion, just a slightly distant look in his eyes.
Can't believe I didn't mountain bike earlier though. Can't see me going back now.
My Road Bike is staying on the Turbo for the time being as I'm not confident about going out in this cold and slippy roads after my off on a roundabout the other night.
Also I'm sick of drivers doing daft things. Pity I'm feeling like this but where I live its a hell hole on the roads. Had one character overtake then turn left, I braked, obviously too hard locked the back wheel and nearly came off and I got the horn off one women simply as I'd gone through a gap as she was stuck behind a car turning right.
MTB again for a bit I think. I've ordered some better tyres for the Road Bike so gonna put them on and nip out in the day on a quiet road near me and try the grip out.
Another thing is driving where you ride.
This is great advice. I know my local roads very well and there's some, particularly fast busy A-roads, that I will literally go the extra mile to avoid riding on and plan my road rides around routes with the least traffic.
Also I live oop north where I think the arsehole ratio is slightly more favourable.