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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

You can not get away from them...!

45 replies

lookluv · 05/12/2022 19:17

I cycle and I drive.

I drive to the station ( live in the hills) usually behind a number of darkly ,clad minimal lighting, unfit wavering mamils who make overtaking safely impossible and now they take the short cut down a single country lane!

Nothing like raising the blood pressure at 0600 on a cold morning as you see your train disappear down the track!

However, today the CFers really iced the cycling cake. So I missed my train due to some unfit mamil wandering up the hill all over the place, stopping for breath - still no place to stop ( well there was if he had gone 10m further on!)

I wait for the next train and board. No seats - such is life. Except for the fact there were 5 ( you can only see 4 in the picture) allegedly fold up bicycles wedge in the spaces of 5 seats and the disabled bay. All the delightful CFer cyclists had then gone and sat down -so 10 seats used up by 5 people.

One brave man, picked up the smallest bike and threw it on top of the large collection on the right and sat down - he gained a round of applause.

I will happily share the road with cyclists and cars alike depending on my mode of transport but I am absoutely pissed off that I then have to share the seats with bicycles that get priority for space over paying customers. Entitled behaviour or what!

You can not get away from them...!
OP posts:
Tiani4 · 05/12/2022 19:29

What are mamils?
You seem to be an a world of your own grumping at something the rest of us have no idea what you mean?

geraniumsandsunshine · 05/12/2022 19:31

Get up earlier? I don't cycle but think if people chose to do so then I admire them and don't get angry. I don't think it's entitled to cycle rather than drive!

WeWereInParis · 05/12/2022 19:32

Tiani4 · 05/12/2022 19:29

What are mamils?
You seem to be an a world of your own grumping at something the rest of us have no idea what you mean?

Middle aged men in Lycra

IAmTi · 05/12/2022 19:35

Why are you moaning about a cyclist for being unfit? That's a bit rude.

lljkk · 05/12/2022 19:45

think OP is moaning that slow cyclist slowed her down (when OP was driving to station).
She'd be moaning about slow tractor or slow horses if they got on trains, too.

Is OP disabled, is that why she resented the bikes in the disabled space?

I wonder how OP feels about people with huge suitcases or prams.

You're welcome to use my train service, OP. The only space cyclists are allowed to use also has seats so (bikeless) passengers sit there rather than the dozens of empty seats elsewhere. Cue ticket collectors shouting & waving arms (at the seated people who don't look further than the first seats they find). But actually I feel for parents with babies, who also like the cycle space for their prams. Pointless conflict gets generated due to poor train design.

Tiredallofthetime · 05/12/2022 19:47

Lol, I was thinking mamils were some sort of animal 😂

Tiani4 · 05/12/2022 19:54

lljkk · 05/12/2022 19:45

think OP is moaning that slow cyclist slowed her down (when OP was driving to station).
She'd be moaning about slow tractor or slow horses if they got on trains, too.

Is OP disabled, is that why she resented the bikes in the disabled space?

I wonder how OP feels about people with huge suitcases or prams.

You're welcome to use my train service, OP. The only space cyclists are allowed to use also has seats so (bikeless) passengers sit there rather than the dozens of empty seats elsewhere. Cue ticket collectors shouting & waving arms (at the seated people who don't look further than the first seats they find). But actually I feel for parents with babies, who also like the cycle space for their prams. Pointless conflict gets generated due to poor train design.

Glad you've interpreted this

Frankly it's a waste of an OP I'd post when no one has the foggiest what you mean as OP doesn't spell it it but goes cryptic

I'm disabled myself but would had no idea what this post was about

Tiani4 · 05/12/2022 19:54

Was a waste of an OP that they posted (not I'd post!!)

Original poster
lookluv · 05/12/2022 20:01

I now leave 15 mins earlier than I used to to get to the station in time for a train but since the back lane short cut is now used by the cyclists it is taking even longer. If you are not fit enough to cycle up a steep short hill then you should practice elsewhere first - we share the road and considerate road usage is part of the Highway code.

I object to sharing train space with bicycles blocking seats and the disabled space. Does that help!

OP posts:
pictish · 05/12/2022 20:05

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

America12 · 05/12/2022 20:11

I'd call the train manager , get the bikes moved so you can sit down.

IAmTi · 05/12/2022 20:12

lookluv · 05/12/2022 20:01

I now leave 15 mins earlier than I used to to get to the station in time for a train but since the back lane short cut is now used by the cyclists it is taking even longer. If you are not fit enough to cycle up a steep short hill then you should practice elsewhere first - we share the road and considerate road usage is part of the Highway code.

I object to sharing train space with bicycles blocking seats and the disabled space. Does that help!

They have every right to try and cycle up a steep hill. Don't be so mean. They are trying to keep fit.

geraniumsandsunshine · 05/12/2022 20:21

Sounds like they are taking the quieter roads. Can you not take an alternative road?

AllCatsAreBeautiful · 05/12/2022 20:29

YABU. Cyclists have as much right to the road as you. It sounds like you need to leave more time for your journey if you’re missing your train.

luxxlisbon · 05/12/2022 20:32

we share the road and considerate road usage is part of the Highway code.

Sounds like you are the one who needs to be more considerate on the road.

catandcoffee · 05/12/2022 20:54

Are bikes allowed on rush hour trains?
I thought there was a rule many years ago

lljkk · 05/12/2022 21:30

Foldy bikes is what OP described & showed, so about the size of a medium suitcase. OP is objecting to luggage, basically. Is that banned on peak time trains? I can't keep up. OP's train needs more luggage storage space, is what she's telling us. See I can find that common ground, bad train design is very frustrating, agreed.

OoooohMatron · 05/12/2022 21:33

Tiani4 · 05/12/2022 19:29

What are mamils?
You seem to be an a world of your own grumping at something the rest of us have no idea what you mean?

Most people do know what a MAMIL is.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 05/12/2022 21:40

Nah it's inconsiderate to use seats to store bags/bikes/coats etc. See any thread about people taking up 2 seats on a bus with their shopping. Use appropriate storage. If no storage and keep your bike on your knee or under your seat. If it just can't be done then there isn't space for your bike on the train.

ChangedmynameagainforChristmas · 05/12/2022 21:42

I do not have a problem with cyclists of any sort. I do have a problem with the stuff they wear and wonder about the poor souls they are married to having to look at that :)

Pumperthepumper · 05/12/2022 21:43

He did not get a round of applause, stop it 😂

lifeinthehills · 05/12/2022 21:44

I understand the annoyance of slow cyclists on hills. I'm happy to follow until I get to a safe overtaking place. What I find harder to deal with is impatient people behind me (you know, the queue of cars cyclists cause) who honk at me because I refuse to do a dangerous overtaking move on a blind corner. I'll overtake when I can!

We have a range of rude cyclists around here who don't take opportunities to bike more to the side when they present, just so the cars can get past. Those annoy me. And the ones who ride two abreast when there is no chance of overtaking safely. They put themselves at risk this way because a lot of people aren't as patient as I am.

Dealing with the cyclists I can do. The impatient cars behind me are more annoying. I do agree the cyclists on the train are rude though. They should move their bikes to a position that doesn't obstruct seats.

gamerchick · 05/12/2022 21:44

OoooohMatron · 05/12/2022 21:33

Most people do know what a MAMIL is.

Show quote history

I didn't. I thought it was some sort of animal and hoped someone else would explain.

BelenaConhamHarter · 05/12/2022 21:46

I know exactly what you mean OP. They live in their own little world. Working round one or two is life, but if you're having to navigate past loads of them it's mind blowing.

Round here they like to close off the roads for a race. They seem to think tying a bit of plastic ribbon around the trees along the 'route' is all that's required.

Drives me insane

jc12689 · 05/12/2022 21:50

Most people do know what a MAMIL is.

yes it's a derogatory term usually used by fat unfit people driving Chelsea tractors.

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