What Grinds Your Gears?

I know what you mean.

 

As a concerned citizen I’d just have to stay in the back as a lookout. For the ladies safety, of course!

 

Here in Southern California there is a push to "share the road" with cyclists. Trouble is, some of them are not bright enough to realize when they are putting themselves in danger. An example is the two lane mountain road leading to my vacation home. While it is legal to ride a bicycle there, it is foolish. You can wind up legally dead too...J.D.

 

In North Wales - they have spent many thousands on cycle paths that run next to the main road. Why do the cyclists still ride on the highway causing mayhem.
Bloody idiots texting whilst driving - I just want to ram their phone where the sun doesn't shine.

 

The problem with these paths right next to the road is that they are where all the debris from the road settles. All the motor traffic kicks everything from chunks of metal to broken glass right into these lanes. You wouldn’t ride a motorcycle through this junk, much less a cycle with much more delicate tires. The problem only becomes worse as time goes by because I know my local townships maintenance never includes a thought toward maintaining these lanes. If a tree fell into the road it’s gone in literally minutes. I witnessed a large limb in the middle of a bike lane last three weeks. And angry motorists wonder why cyclists are not using the bike lane, which is effectively just shunting them out of the way.
Sorry for rambling on, one thing that grinds my gears is this very subject. I’ve spent on average 1000 hours a year as a volunteer working with local and federal land management involving cycling as a viable recreational activity.

 

I too ride push bikes, on and off road, and no matter how much it grinds your gears, we are legally allowed to be there and are much more vulnerable than tin box twats who drive like cunts. This has lead to some party’s riding defensively and safely... this is two abreast on most roads , single file on tighter country roads. Yes there are ignorant dickheads who take the piss, but this is not a single vehicle problem.... busses, trucks, vans, cars, motorbikes, pushbikes, horses and pedestrians can all have major Highway Code failings... it’s just cyclists tend to dress like pillocks too!

 

After riding competitively on street circuits I flinch when the wife talks about road vermin, but after nearly killing 8 separate individuals not following stop signs or give way signs I understand why people in my neighbourhood have little tolerance.
As with all things, including our love of motorcycles, it is the selfish arses that ruin it for the caring and sharing souls.

 

You seem to of misread my post - these cycle paths are new and well maintained the highways dept clean them and they are checked when bins emptied. My feelings come from experience - back in 2002 - a friend of mine purchased a bike and joined a club - to become fitter. He was one of 5 killed ( found out after another mate was with him) when a car skidded into them. My real issue is the cyclist who wobbles all over the road on a country lane with lots of blind spots - who will not allow vehicles past. I have nothing against cyclists in general - but do not like ignorance and arrogant road users. Sorry but rant over and gearbox grinder.. ..

 

No, I totally agree. I was just stating the experience I have had with these paths in my part of the world. Sounds like they are treating it as a serious public service. I also wish we all had more responsible road users, no matter what they are driving/ riding. Cheers.

 

Dickhead BMW car drivers who cut you up on a roundabout by being in the wrong lane, crashing into the front of my wife’s new Nissan car, (me driving), then accusing me of being in the wrong lane !!

 

Probably wasn’t indicating either (and that’s coming from another BMW driver)
Hope you’re alright though Tony

 

I'm sure that you'll politely and calmly remind the Freelander that it always used to be an accepted convention that if anyone would need to give way on a hill it would be TO the vehicle going uphill! Dumb bar stewards.

 

How'bout all the locals in my town that think a stop sign means beat the other guy through the intersection and a red light means go faster. Really the wild wild west out here anymore. ...J.D.

 

Yes I am alright, but was shook up at the time, I was returning home from a few days away in Hawes , the incident occurred at the Sutterton A16/A17 roundabout, but to my regret, I didn’t go back up the road to take a photo of the Get in Lane board on the approach to the roundabout , I wish I had.

 

1) People who think that all bikers ride like dicks

2) People who pull out too late at junctions and force others to slow down to avoid a crash, usually driving a Kia, zafira, picasso or some other piece of junk

3) as above then turn off again 100 yards later, disrupting me twice

4) people who see another car pulling out ahead, speed up to catch them up then slam on the brakes to make a scene (usually BMWs)

5) cyclists who don't wear a helmet

6) people who think I'm 10 years older than I actually am

7) people who think Brexit / politics in general actually makes a difference to their life

8) people who act shocked when you haven't seen an allegedly popular film

9) tradesmen

Yes I have a general issue with people