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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Fucking Cyclists

624 replies

SpanielSprint · 03/04/2023 16:17

I live in a very rural area that is super popular with cyclists. All of the roads around me are narrow, bendy, single track lanes - no white lines. Wherever I go I get stuck behind cyclists. I accept this, always leave extra time for my journeys and never drive aggressively.

The issue is that the cyclists always seem to try and wave me past when I don’t feel it is safe to overtake. Either into blind corners, or when the road is too narrow so would necessitate going onto the verges which are rutted and full of hidden rocks and pot holes - I’m not willing to risk my tyres driving at pace along them. Obviously I just ignore them but this seems to infuriate them.

I’ve just returned from yet another journey where I was behind a pair of cyclists for several miles. The cyclist at the rear kept waving me on and when I didn’t go past she seemed to get increasingly angry about it, gesticulating etc. when I finally did pass, she screamed fucking twat at me and gave me the Vs.

Nice. So basically that’s my ‘thanks’ for trailing patiently behind them for 10 minutes and almost doubling the duration of my journey.

disclaimer: I realise that not all cyclists do this, but there seems to be a significant enough number of them around here to make this sort of thing a weekly occurrence.

AIBU to overtake cyclists when I’m good and ready, and think that some of them need to learn a few lessons about manners and road safety before they go out on their bikes?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Dreamysaurus · 03/04/2023 20:19

nomoremerlot · 03/04/2023 19:34

@SpanielSprint are you happy that you've incited hatred of cyclists?

That's a bit dramatic. Leave the Internet alone and find something else to do for 10 minutes. You need a break 😘

WestwardHo1 · 03/04/2023 20:20

And yes people on bikes are often able to enjoy the trees and flowers because of their slower pace. Birds too!

nomoremerlot · 03/04/2023 20:28

@Dreamysaurus but op doesn't need a break with her title "fucking cyclists"?

ConcordeOoter · 03/04/2023 20:28

Soapyspuds · 03/04/2023 20:14

I am not going to stay ten metres behind cyclists. I understand this would make the ride more pleasant for them. But although i refuse to overtake on a bend, i do want to overtake when i can. Not crawl along at ten miles an hoyr ten metres behind a group of cyclists for miles

Okay perhaps 10m is a little excessive. But the point is if any driver intends to sit on a cyclists rear wheel they should not be surprised when the cyclist raises their displeasure.

In an ideal world every driver should spend an hour cycling before being allowed to pass their test, then perhaps they might understand how cyclists feel. Rather than us having to endure a "fucking cyclists" thread every few days in the warmer months.

Yeah, I think 10m is too much as well. Around 2m should really be quite sufficient on a quiet road stuck at pedalling speed, bearing in mind that ideally your overtaking manoeuvre wants to give the cyclist a wide berth and preferably keep acceleration to a sedate minimum at the same time.

10m could mean more danger, it isn't worth it to assuage what is likely paranoia grown in bustling urban settings.

Dreamysaurus · 03/04/2023 20:31

nomoremerlot · 03/04/2023 20:28

@Dreamysaurus but op doesn't need a break with her title "fucking cyclists"?

Oh my goodness.... stop. You're spending all this time online trying to humiliate the OP. But it isn't working. The only one looking silly here - is you!

Everyone knows that "fucking cyclists" are also drivers, teachers, doctors, mums, dads, sons, daughters - I'm sure she wishes the renamed her thread title.

You've never made a mistake in the heat of the moment? I'm sure you have.

nomoremerlot · 03/04/2023 20:35

Everyone knows that "fucking cyclists" are also drivers, teachers, doctors, mums, dads, sons, daughters - I'm sure she wishes the renamed her thread title.

Apart from the ones saying

I despise all cyclists

I hate all cyclists

Why are pro hating cyclists not able to see these posts? It's really bizarre!

ConcordeOoter · 03/04/2023 20:35

Shemovesshemoves21 · 03/04/2023 19:37

The second-hand embarrassment from your overly-dramatic and nonsensical posts is palpable.

Show quote history

At the same time I think there is a certain type of person who takes a rant about cyclists as if it entitles them to be angry at the next cyclist they see (and the other way around for that matter). People love an excuse to be wretched.

If this is you, dear reader, please don't. Remember how fragile a person is on a bike and imagine them being one of your loved ones.

Shemovesshemoves21 · 03/04/2023 20:36

ConcordeOoter · 03/04/2023 20:35

At the same time I think there is a certain type of person who takes a rant about cyclists as if it entitles them to be angry at the next cyclist they see (and the other way around for that matter). People love an excuse to be wretched.

If this is you, dear reader, please don't. Remember how fragile a person is on a bike and imagine them being one of your loved ones.

Show quote history

😆😆 righty-ho, dear!

Dreamysaurus · 03/04/2023 20:37

dear reader 🤣

nomoremerlot · 03/04/2023 20:37

@ConcordeOoter 100%!!

As an example...

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4657960/Cyclist-hater-boasted-running-biker-Sydney.html

Dreamysaurus · 03/04/2023 20:38

nomoremerlot · 03/04/2023 20:37

At least stick to UK news. Otherwise you're just fighting a losing battle 🥱

ConcordeOoter · 03/04/2023 20:39

Shemovesshemoves21 · 03/04/2023 20:36

😆😆 righty-ho, dear!

Show quote history

That part was not directed at you, personally, by the way.

nomoremerlot · 03/04/2023 20:40

@Dreamysaurus oh ok, only uk news is allowed..... because?????

Endlesssummer2022 · 03/04/2023 20:41

As a woman, I’d find it threatening if a man was walking behind me for 10 mins not overtaking. As a cyclist I’d feel threatened if a car was trailing for that long and not overtaking either.

When you’re aware you’re the vulnerable party, you want the danger to go away. It’s highly anxiety inducing. There is no way you couldn’t have found an opportunity to pass before 10 mins.

UndertheCedartree · 03/04/2023 20:43

SpanielSprint · 03/04/2023 16:17

I live in a very rural area that is super popular with cyclists. All of the roads around me are narrow, bendy, single track lanes - no white lines. Wherever I go I get stuck behind cyclists. I accept this, always leave extra time for my journeys and never drive aggressively.

The issue is that the cyclists always seem to try and wave me past when I don’t feel it is safe to overtake. Either into blind corners, or when the road is too narrow so would necessitate going onto the verges which are rutted and full of hidden rocks and pot holes - I’m not willing to risk my tyres driving at pace along them. Obviously I just ignore them but this seems to infuriate them.

I’ve just returned from yet another journey where I was behind a pair of cyclists for several miles. The cyclist at the rear kept waving me on and when I didn’t go past she seemed to get increasingly angry about it, gesticulating etc. when I finally did pass, she screamed fucking twat at me and gave me the Vs.

Nice. So basically that’s my ‘thanks’ for trailing patiently behind them for 10 minutes and almost doubling the duration of my journey.

disclaimer: I realise that not all cyclists do this, but there seems to be a significant enough number of them around here to make this sort of thing a weekly occurrence.

AIBU to overtake cyclists when I’m good and ready, and think that some of them need to learn a few lessons about manners and road safety before they go out on their bikes?

I understand as car drivers do this all the time to pedestrians. I will cross when I consider it safe not when you decide to be benevolent to me! They try to wave you across when it is clearly unsafe due to the other lane of traffic. It's annoying when cars slow and try and wave you across when if they just moved on, you could cross safely when you can concentrate and not be put under pressure. So yeah...fucking drivers! 😄

ConcordeOoter · 03/04/2023 20:46

Endlesssummer2022 · 03/04/2023 20:41

As a woman, I’d find it threatening if a man was walking behind me for 10 mins not overtaking. As a cyclist I’d feel threatened if a car was trailing for that long and not overtaking either.

When you’re aware you’re the vulnerable party, you want the danger to go away. It’s highly anxiety inducing. There is no way you couldn’t have found an opportunity to pass before 10 mins.

Much as that may be, you wouldn't expect the rest of the world to bend around your emotions like you're Neo from the Matrix, unlike the person OP encountered I suppose.

A couple of metres behind, a wide berth on overtake, absolutely reasonable. Shouting at people because they overtake when they consider it safe vs what you consider nice, unreasonable.

Soapyspuds · 03/04/2023 20:47

Around 2m should really be quite sufficient on a quiet road stuck at pedalling speed, bearing in mind that ideally your overtaking manoeuvre wants to give the cyclist a wide berth and preferably keep acceleration to a sedate minimum at the same time

If the cyclist hits and loses balance, or needs to steer around a pot hole do you think that you will be able to take evasive action when you are 2m behind them?

This is why we feel vulnerable.

Foldingchair · 03/04/2023 20:49

There's one who has decided to trundle along the road I take to work, at 720 every morning.

However, the road is pretty much the main way from Wales to Liverpool. It is single carriageway and goes 50-60. V narrow and straight into hedges on one side and a constant stream of oncoming traffic, including lorries the other. Driving a car on it can be dangerous, as all the crashes would attest.

If you get stuck behind him, you're all going 15mph. All 30 or more of you, all the way to Hooton.

midgemadgemodge · 03/04/2023 20:50

12 m stopping distance at 20mph

midgemadgemodge · 03/04/2023 20:50

Wouldn't it be good if there was a good cycleway for that route ?

TruthsAndALie · 03/04/2023 20:52

Cyclist should not have done the V’s and sworn, as no road user should.

Cyclist did nothing wrong in trying to wave you past. If you don’t want to go that’s fine, but there’s a thread on here everyday complaining cyclists don’t let people past. Can’t win.

Saying cyclists made your journey 10 mins longer is just the same as a car driver saying “all these annoying cars in front of me made my journey 10 mins longer”. Cyclists are road users like everyone else.

Dreamysaurus · 03/04/2023 20:53

nomoremerlot · 03/04/2023 20:40

@Dreamysaurus oh ok, only uk news is allowed..... because?????

Because if you want to engage with people and help them see your point of you then it's best using UK news that people can visualise and relate to.

Everyone has room for self improvement 😊 hope that helps.

Dreamysaurus · 03/04/2023 20:53

Point of view*

Foldingchair · 03/04/2023 20:53

midgemadgemodge · 03/04/2023 20:50

Wouldn't it be good if there was a good cycleway for that route ?

You'd have to ask all the farmers and stable owners to give up some of their land for one. I think there are lots of cycle routes round there, but that's just a bonkers place and time to cycle.

nomoremerlot · 03/04/2023 20:55

@Dreamysaurus but I think it shows that nasty angry cyclist hating drivers, are worldwide.

The nasty feckers are everywhere.