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AMA
Original poster

I'm a cyclist - Ask me anything

33 replies

IamwhoIsayIam · 15/10/2019 12:22

There doesn't seem to be a lot of love for cyclists on MN - specially cycling husbands. I've been a bit Shock at some of the things I've read - even that women in cycling clubs are predatory!!

I work in cycling and have been a cyclist and racer for decades so go ahead, ask me anything.

OP posts:
GlitterSparkle85 · 15/10/2019 12:33

Do you wish you could cycle on pavements if there wasnt a fine and a legal issue?

Soubriquet · 15/10/2019 12:35

Why do so many men ditch their responsibilities as a husband and father to fuck off and cycle instead?

Surely it doesn’t take that much commitment.

Ohyesiam · 15/10/2019 12:38

I hear that you cycle, but is it your hobby?

InAQuandry2019 · 15/10/2019 12:41

I'm sure you don't do this, but...
Why do cyclists cycle two abreast, at 15mph, on single lane roads, chatting, completely oblivious to the long line of cars trying to overtake them?

Kazzyhoward · 15/10/2019 12:43

Why do cyclists cycle two abreast, at 15mph, on single lane roads, chatting, completely oblivious to the long line of cars trying to overtake them?

They do it just because they can. It's a "dominant male" thing to highlight their importance. What I can't understand is why they go back into single file when the road widens and you could have actually get past them if they'd stayed two abreast - the only reason could be that they were doing it deliberately.

Original poster
IamwhoIsayIam · 15/10/2019 12:45

@ GlitterSparkle85

  1. Do you wish you could cycle on pavements if there wasnt a fine and a legal issue?

No - pavements are for pedestrians. They don't work for cyclists anyway. What we need is better safer, infrastructure for all vulnerable road users - pedestrians and cyclists. People mainly cycle on pavements when they feel unsafe on the road, if roads were safer for bike riders and/or better cycling provision there would be less need for pavement cycling. Whilst not always the case - some people are just ignorant dicks - a lot of pavement cycling is by people who feel vulnerable on roads with cars.

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Original poster
IamwhoIsayIam · 15/10/2019 12:53

@Soubriquet

2)Why do so many men ditch their responsibilities as a husband and father to fuck off and cycle instead?

Surely it doesn’t take that much commitment.

Quite frankly its only fun when you are fit, which does require a lot of commitment, but you can get fit on 5-7 hours a week, which isn't a lot of time really. I'm a mum of a one year old and have to work out how to train, parent, work and be a partner and my partner is someone who probably feels like you so I hear both sides of the story.
I am better at everything if I feel fit and healthy so those 7 hours on my bike a week are an investment not time wasted.

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Original poster
IamwhoIsayIam · 15/10/2019 12:54

@Ohyesiam

  1. I hear that you cycle, but is it your hobby?

Hobby? No, its way more serious than a mere hobby Wink Grin

OP posts:
Cockw0mble · 15/10/2019 13:01

What's your dream bike, and what's the most you've ever spent on a bike (I'm currently lusting after a Wilier Cento 10 Pro Disc, or Canyon CF Evo - a girl can dream!)

BourbonAndTea · 15/10/2019 13:04

I was sat waiting in traffic last week, minding my own business, staring at the back of the car in front of me. Handbrake on. In neutral.

There was no cycle lane.

A cyclist 'undertook' me and hit my wing mirror, bending it backwards. Then had a go at me.

Why do cyclists think everything is a driver's fault? Why do they not take ownership of their own actions? How was that my fault?!

I respect that some people like the keep fit side of things, and it saves them getting caught in traffic, but the arrogance of the majority of cyclists is what gives them the bad reputation. I live in a cycle filled city, and very few are respectful, or even safe!

Soubriquet · 15/10/2019 14:25

Oooo actually

I have just started biking to and from work. It’s 4 miles each way..

What bike seat could you reccomend and this one kills my bum!!

And also, how do you stop cars from driving too closely when they overtake you?

I was almost knocked off my bike twice but someone speeding by and I was as close to the edge of the road as I could be without going off into the dyke

GG20 · 15/10/2019 14:32

Why do cyclists cycle two abreast, at 15mph, on single lane roads, chatting, completely oblivious to the long line of cars trying to overtake them?

It's safer. A group riding two abreast is half the length of a group riding single file, so takes half the time to overtake safely.

Chris Boardman explains more here: www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/chris-boardman-explains-why-cyclists-ride-two-abreast-in-new-safety-video-187215

Cockw0mble · 15/10/2019 14:48

@Soubriquet move out a little into the carriage way, it makes you more visible, and requires drivers to think about what they do. The carriageway will also typically be better maintained with fewer obstructions out there. Moving out will require drivers to overtake properly (and theoretically more safely/slowly) too

Soubriquet · 15/10/2019 14:51

Ah thanks Grin

Original poster
IamwhoIsayIam · 15/10/2019 16:08

Thanks @GG220 I posted the exact same link but my reply got eaten by the ether.
Cyclists are more aware of their own safety than drivers give them credit for, if a cyclist is riding in the middle of the road or not singling out a lot of the time ( not all, of course some people are just nobs) its because that is safer for them AND the car behind.

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Original poster
IamwhoIsayIam · 15/10/2019 16:12

@Cockw0mble

most I've every spent is £5000 rrp but tbh I've been lucky and had sponsor help with bikes in the past so always had fairly decent things to ride. The really 'nice' bikes start around £4000 in my opinion

I'd go Cannondale SuperSixEvo if I could. Di2. Although right now what I am actually looking at is a Kinesis cross bike.

OP posts:
TheLongRider · 15/10/2019 16:14

Have you ever tried Audax?

Original poster
IamwhoIsayIam · 15/10/2019 16:17

@BourbonAndTea - no excuses for damaging other persons property, esp if you are a stationary vehicle but this is again symptomatic of poor road infrastructure. If there had been a cycle lane there would have been room for them to get past your car and not get stuck in car traffic.
It's very frustrating to be stuck trapped by stationary cars in a queue and puts the temptation to weave, undertake or pavement ride. Better infrastructure to keep bikes free flowing would stop this anti-social behaviour.
If you are a car driver stuck in a queue then your only real choice is not drive because you are the traffic. Our roads are way too congested and space at too much of a premium for there to be an infrastructure solution to traffic jams, only answer is less cars.

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MIdgebabe · 15/10/2019 16:18

How often have you been knocked off your bike by
A car
Another cyclist
A pedestrian

How often have you been sworn at by car drivers ?

How do you find cycle lanes that run up the inside of traffic and then stop

Sittinonthefloor · 15/10/2019 16:19

I understand why cyclists ride two abreast or in the middle of single lane country roads. I don’t understand why they don’t pull into passing places to let cars past? I followed someone for nearly 3 miles the other day. So inconsiderate. Riders (horse) always let people past.
Also where is the pleasure in riding amongst traffic?
Why do cyclists think it’s acceptable to inconvenience people going about their everyday business and use public roads for a sport?
😡

Original poster
IamwhoIsayIam · 15/10/2019 16:23

@Sobriquet and @Cockw0mble

yep the only way is to 'manage' the traffic behind you by holding primary position in the middle of your lane so you can't get squeezed - particularly before traffic islands and the like. That is what is taught as safe cycling skills.

Also glance back and make eye contact so they know that you know they are. It also humanises you - otherwise (some) car drivers simply see you as an obstacle.

OP posts:
Original poster
IamwhoIsayIam · 15/10/2019 16:26

Ps - on the bum thing it is just as likely to be your shorts ( padded - no pants!) or your riding position as the saddle.
Have a look at some info on setting up your bike, things like a saddle too high/too low or leaning forward too much can also wreck your backside.

OP posts:
Original poster
IamwhoIsayIam · 15/10/2019 16:30

@Midgebabe

Yes knocked off by cars - several times
Yes knocked off by cyclists - but only in races
Never been knocked off by a pedestrian but more thanks to my skill than theirs when they wander into a road looking at their phone

Being sworn at by drivers was a daily occurrence cycling in London. Multiple times per journey in fact. And hit/slapped by passengers or drivers leaning out windows. Once with a bit of wood. And had my pony tail pulled and my bottom spanked.

Some cycle lanes seem to lead you into danger then abandon you at the worst possible moment. My belief is a lot of "anti-social" cycling is due to poor infrastructure.

OP posts:
Original poster
IamwhoIsayIam · 15/10/2019 16:36

@Sittinonthefloor

3 miles is a very long way to be following a single cyclist with no chance of passing them.
Did they know you were there? Had they looked over their shoulder and seen you? Did they pass anywhere they could pull in? Were they cycling slower than a car would reasonably go on the same bit of road?
Electric and hybrid cars are almost impossible to hear with wind noise in your ears and not every cyclist is good at doing frequent shoulder checks ( the equivalent of a rear view mirror).
I wish cars had two horns a friendy I'm here beep beep and a pissed off one! In this country if you hear a car honk you assume it is because they are angry.

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Mumski45 · 15/10/2019 16:36

@Sittinonthefloor why do drivers think they have the right to pass too close, left hook and abuse cyclists as the OP has described. Why do tractors have the right to go slow on public roads and inconvenience others. You seem very intolerant of people's right to do things which you choose not to. There are lots of things in life which inconvenience us all and most people just have patience and get on with life.