Own Worst Enemy

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 14:40:58 +0000 (UTC) someone who may be "Peter Taylor" <[email hidden]>
wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

After a mile or two at 10 mph, the road widened. Instead of allowing me to pass, they continued,
this time riding 4 abreast. After 10 minutes of following them , I gave a very short blip on the
horn. The response was a couple of "fingers" from the group.

This carried on for another three or four miles, until the group strung out on a steepish hill. I
managed, eventually and very very carefully to get past them. One swore - pretty obscenly - at me
as we went past - certainly not words I want my young daughter to hear.

1) "a mile or two at 10mph". We know from the second paragraph that this was not up a long hill. I
therefore think that this claim is unlikely.

2) You said that they knew you were there. Of course they did, your car undoubtedly makes enough
noise to be heard a long way away. What effect did you think beeping your horn would have on
them? Remember that car horns sound very different when one is outside a car.

3) I suspect that they thought your "get out of my way" behaviour very rude.

I was not there, so don't take any one side, but you might like to consider these thoughts.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

David Hansen must be edykated coz e writed:

Quoted message said:

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 14:40:58 +0000 (UTC) someone who may be "Peter Taylor" <[email hidden]>
wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

After a mile or two at 10 mph, the road widened. Instead of allowing me to pass, they continued,
this time riding 4 abreast. After 10 minutes of following them , I gave a very short blip on the
horn. The response was a couple of "fingers" from the group.

This carried on for another three or four miles, until the group strung out on a steepish hill. I
managed, eventually and very very carefully to get past them. One swore - pretty obscenly - at me
as we went past - certainly not words I want my young daughter to hear.

1) "a mile or two at 10mph". We know from the second paragraph that this was not up a long hill. I
therefore think that this claim is unlikely.

2) You said that they knew you were there. Of course they did, your car undoubtedly makes enough
noise to be heard a long way away. What effect did you think beeping your horn would have on
them? Remember that car horns sound very different when one is outside a car.

3) I suspect that they thought your "get out of my way" behaviour very rude.

I was not there, so don't take any one side, but you might like to consider these thoughts.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

It is illegal to ride 4 abreast is it not?

Ian

"Ian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

It is illegal to ride 4 abreast is it not?

The Highway Code says :-

You should -

- not ride more than two abreast

Part of para 51.

From this we can presume that it is NOT illegal to cycle 4 abreast.

T

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

It is illegal to ride 4 abreast is it not?

Are you asking or telling?

Colin

Colin Blackburn must be edykated coz e writed:

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

It is illegal to ride 4 abreast is it not?

Are you asking or telling?

Colin

The question mark gives it away, Tony has pointed out the recommendation of the Highway Code, so
whilst not illegal it displays a lot of inconsideration. I think a blip on the horn is fine if they
were blocking the road without cause or reason.

Ian

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Colin Blackburn must be edykated coz e writed:

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

It is illegal to ride 4 abreast is it not?

Are you asking or telling?

Colin

The question mark gives it away,

Not really.

Quoted message said:

Tony has pointed out the recommendation of the Highway Code, so whilst not illegal it displays a
lot of inconsideration. I think a blip on the horn is fine if they were blocking the road without
cause or reason.

Were they blocking the road? It is possible for roadies to ride four abreast and not block the road.

Colin

Colin Blackburn must be edykated coz e writed:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Tony has pointed out the recommendation of the Highway Code, so whilst not illegal it displays a
lot of inconsideration. I think a blip on the horn is fine if they were blocking the road without
cause or reason.

Were they blocking the road? It is possible for roadies to ride four abreast and not block
the road.

Colin

The OP judged it unsafe to pass them at that point so the available information says yes, they were
blocking the road.

Ian

"Ian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The question mark gives it away, Tony has pointed out the recommendation

of

Quoted message said:

the Highway Code, so whilst not illegal it displays a lot of inconsideration. I think a blip on
the horn is fine if they were blocking the road without cause or reason.

The HC also advises that slow traffic should pull over to let other road users past.

Basically, the OP's initial post describes some pretty selfish behaviour by a group of cyclists --
but contains several inconsistencies that make it smell strongly of Troll. The total absence from
the discussion of the OP since his first rant seems to add to the suspicion of Troll.

He has singularly failed to provide any of the further information requested -- such as where,
when, who etc.

While a blast on the horn (or even a gentle toot) may not be welcomed by a group of cyclists we are,
frankly, so used to Jimmy Cager's arrogance and impatience that I suspect few would do more than
wave a finger or two at the offender -- there is little point in trying to keep him behind you as --
experience suggests -- this only winds up young Jimmy and increases the danger to all involved.

I suggest we waste no more time on this work of fiction.

T

Tony W must be edykated coz e writed:

Quoted message said:

He has singularly failed to provide any of the further information requested -- such as where,
when, who etc.

While a blast on the horn (or even a gentle toot) may not be welcomed by a group of cyclists we
are, frankly, so used to Jimmy Cager's arrogance and impatience that I suspect few would do more
than wave a finger or two at the offender -- there is little point in trying to keep him behind
you as -- experience suggests -- this only winds up young Jimmy and increases the danger to all
involved.

I suggest we waste no more time on this work of fiction.

T

On looking over the posts I see what you mean about the absence of the OP, maybe he is a troll,
actually even our local TT group don't hold the traffic up and they seem to stuck up their own
behinds more than most.

Ian

[email hidden] (marc) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Peter Taylor said:

Any thoughts on this?

Sniff sniff?

Trollshit?

Maybe, but Peter has posted to URC a few times before - tinyurl.comjrdxOpen ↗ he may lurk around
here and just post when he feels he has something to contribute, or in this case, something to get
off his chest. Most trolls are "hit and run" type pillocks.

You never know though...

Have (troll free) fun!

Graeme

"Graeme Dods" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Trollshit?

Maybe, but Peter has posted to URC a few times before - tinyurl.comjrdxOpen ↗ he may lurk around
here and just post when he feels he has something to contribute, or in this case, something to get
off his chest. Most trolls are "hit and run" type pillocks.

In that case my apologies to Peter for doubting him -- though his post does have 'inconstancies and
he has not come back to provide additional information.

T

Ian said:

Colin Blackburn must be edykated coz e writed:

Quoted message said:

Were they blocking the road? It is possible for roadies to ride four abreast and not block
the road.

Colin

The OP judged it unsafe to pass them at that point so the available information says yes, they
were blocking the road.

Some drivers will consider *any* cyclist to be blocking the road.

John B

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 14:40:58 +0000 (UTC) someone who may be "Peter Taylor" <[email hidden]>
wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

After a mile or two at 10 mph,

Between 6 and 12 minutes.

Quoted message said:

the road widened. Instead of allowing me to pass, they continued, this time riding 4 abreast.

Perhaps they considered it not possible for a motorist to overtake the whole group in safety
following the Highway Code, in particular Rule 139.

Quoted message said:

After 10 minutes of following them,

Presumably 16-22 minutes from the start.

Quoted message said:

This carried on for another three or four miles,

Another 18-24 minutes, so 33-46 minutes from the start. Even taking an alternative reading of the 10
minute claim, 28-34 minutes since the start.

Quoted message said:

I managed, eventually and very very carefully to get past them. One swore - pretty obscenly - at me
as we went past - certainly not words I want my young daughter to hear.

I suspect that he did not share your view of how careful you were.

Just some further thoughts.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

"Peter Taylor" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

It is not necessarily only car drivers who are at fault.

On Sunday, driving along some local lanes having picked up my daughter

from

Quoted message said:

a sleepover, we came up behind a group of cyclists - perhaps 20 or so

riding

Quoted message said:

in a group.

I hung back maybe 50 yards as the lane was quite narrow. The rear marker kept looking round, as
did a number of others so they were well aware that

I

Quoted message said:

was there.

After a mile or two at 10 mph, the road widened. Instead of allowing me to pass, they continued,
this time riding 4 abreast. After 10 minutes of following them , I gave a very short blip on the
horn. The response was a couple of "fingers" from the group.

This carried on for another three or four miles, until the group strung

out

Quoted message said:

on a steepish hill. I managed, eventually and very very carefully to get past them. One swore -
pretty obscenly - at me as we went past -

certainly

Quoted message said:

not words I want my young daughter to hear.

To be frank, I was appalled. I am ALWAYS careful of cyclists and riders - giving plenty of room. I
am sympathetic to the predicament of cyclists especially on the roads in this country, and it will
not affect my

attitude

Quoted message said:

in the future. But this sort of deliberate confrontation is pointless, stupid and dangerous, and
does not help relations between car drivers and cyclists. I am not quite sure what it was all
about, but it was pretty unpleasant. This lot were all middle aged and clearly dressed for

cycling -

Quoted message said:

shorts, various "team" jerseys and pretty expensive looking bikes.

And for the record, I am a cyclist myself. Not fanatical but I cover 5K - 6K per year in the UK
and France and have does so for years, including

some

Quoted message said:

reasonably long distance trips.

Any thoughts on this?

Peter Taylor

If it's kosher.....

I remember when motorcyclists were a polite 'tribe' who used to take care on the roads and give way
when safe to do so and showed a little thought for their fellow road users....then came flash
b*stard bikes and flash b*stard leathers that cost the same price as a small house. This led to an
increase in possession by those who are driven by the dollar, work in cut throat businesses and have
no consideration for their fellow man. All of a sudden motorcyclist become ignorant gits who don't
give a toss about their fellow road users, are just in it for the buzz (not bus, buzz!!) and pay
little heed to the highway code. I wonder if this is what's happening with cycling......?

just a thought,

Dave.

Tony W said:

The HC also advises that slow traffic should pull over to let other road users past.

Nothing the OP said appears to make rule 145 apply.

Rule 144 probably does, but doesn't say that pulling over is required, merely not being obstructive.

On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 20:26:08 +0100 someone who may be David Hansen <[email hidden]>
wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

Presumably 16-22 minutes from the start.

Quoted message said:

This carried on for another three or four miles,

Another 18-24 minutes, so 33-46 minutes from the start.

More accurately 34-46 minutes from the start.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 13:07:55 +0100 someone who may be Ian <[email hidden]> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

It is illegal to ride 4 abreast is it not?

No it is not illegal.

In many circumstances it is discourteous to other road users. A large ride is one of the situations
where it may well not be discourteous.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.