1st outing with my cheap headcam

[Martyb32]

I've had a couple of injuries with cycling lately, first one being me getting ran into on a duel carriageway and the second one was me sliding on oil or something like it on a tarmac cycle-path resulting in me breaking my hip. Now I'm back out there unfit as hell and trying my best, very nervous as you can imagine. Am I right to say that this vehicle is far to close?


View: https://youtu.be/54d95gPu8BQ

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

which one?

 

[Martyb32]

More the second one.

 

[Scoosh]

White car and grey van for me - but you might discourage them a bit by riding further out/in the middle of the lane ...

 

[Martyb32]

White car and grey van for me - but you might discourage them a bit by riding further out/in the middle of the lane ...

There was me thinking I was out far enough, must learn to take the middle.

 

[Martyb32]

[QUOTE 4771736, member: 9609"]what speed limit is that road, I'm clocking the first car at 38mph[/QUOTE]

Some bits are 30mph and others are national I'll need to check the next time I'm up.

 

[DaveReading]

There was me thinking I was out far enough, must learn to take the middle.

Yes, the road's not wide enough for a car to overtake safely when there is one coming in the opposite direction, so you need to make sure that they aren't tempted to.

 

[swee'pea99]

Have to say I disagree. None of those passes seemed particularly close to me. And the advice to take primary on a road like that just seems to me like asking for trouble.

I thought your road positioning was about right. Roads like that are unfortunately always going to be a tad hairy. I think the best you can do is try to be doubly alert when you feel a car approaching from behind when you're about to pass one coming the other way (because the car overtaking you will tend to come closer) and if anything edge in slightly to give them more room to pass. One other thing that can help: if you're going to pass an oncoming car at a point where the road narrows or is otherwise worrying, try to glance over your shoulder before any pass. You won't be able to make eye contact, but just showing your face, I believe, can help change drivers' view of you - from 'a bleeding cyclist' to a bloke who happens to be on a bicycle.

Well done on 'getting back in the saddle', BTW. Not easy after a fall. Stick with it. And try not to assume they're out to get you. Overwhelmingly, they aren't.

 

[classic33]

To go with the above, by swee'pea. What may seem too close for you, having just got back on the bike, may not be for someone else.

We weren't there, we don't know how close would be "too close" for you. That will always vary. The main thing is, in some ways, you're back on your bike.

If it's a road you'll use often, see where you could have done things differently. The check over the shoulder. On some dual carriageways, I don't limit it to just the right shoulder, its both.

 

[steveindenmark]

Who really cares? Please excuse my lack of interest. But we see this on here time and time again and imo it is pointless as there is nothing we can do about. These cameras give a very distorted aspect and it is vey difficult to judge what is a close pass, and what is not.

Even if we could. A close pass to you is possibly not a close pass to me. It sounds like you have had a confidence knocker and I can imagine that a lot of cars appear close to you at the moment.

Judging by what I can see. None of them were close passes or excessively fast.

Personally, I would much rather see some footage of a nice ride in the countryside or an interesting tourist spot, taken with your new camera. Rubbish driving is not interesting as it is just part of every day riding on the road.

But the footage looks clear. Have you put it on a TV screen to see how clear it is?

 

[MikeG]

White car and grey van for me - but you might discourage them a bit by riding further out/in the middle of the lane ...

This, to an extent, although none of the passes was particularly bad.

It doesn't mean riding out in the middle, but even another foot or two out gets you away from the ironmongery in the tarmac, and forces the traffic to think more carefully about an overtake. I understand your nervousness, and wish you well in your return to cycling. It takes a little boldness to ride further out into the road, and boldness may be in short supply after your experiences, but grit your teeth and do it, and you'll soon be fine. You'll soon get to the point where you don't worry about every near-ish pass. I do wonder if the cam is actually a good idea, simply giving you something else to stew about afterwards as you review the clips.

 

[DaveReading]

Have to say I disagree.

Fine, each to his (or her own).

I know I'll continue to discourage unsafe overtakes by a combination of road positioning, over-the-shoulder checks and, if necessary, a bit of feigned wobbling.

And no, I don't have a camera. I'm more interested in avoiding unsafe situations than filiming them.

 

[Martyb32]

Thanks for all the replies, I got the camera mainly for my commute as the road I got ran into still gives me the fear and to me still think the cars come to close.
It's a dual carriageway and on that I take my lane but some cars still don't move right over. I was hoping that if drivers see the cam it might make them think differently, I drive for a living btw so I see things from both angles.
Was very nearly giving up commuting by bike, not sure what else I can do.
I'll post a pic of what happened the last time.

 

[classic33]

Without intending to knock either your reasons for buying the camera, or when & why you cycle. I'm going to say who but you cares why you bought it?

If the camera helps give you some piece of mind whilst you cycle, instead of driving, whilst you get your confidence back. Go for it, despite what others may think.

You'll get used to cycling again, in your time and way.

 

[classic33]

Who really cares? Please excuse my lack of interest. But we see this on here time and time again and imo it is pointless as there is nothing we can do about. These cameras give a very distorted aspect and it is vey difficult to judge what is a close pass, and what is not.

Even if we could. A close pass to you is possibly not a close pass to me. It sounds like you have had a confidence knocker and I can imagine that a lot of cars appear close to you at the moment.

Judging by what I can see. None of them were close passes or excessively fast.

Personally, I would much rather see some footage of a nice ride in the countryside or an interesting tourist spot, taken with your new camera. Rubbish driving is not interesting as it is just part of every day riding on the road.

But the footage looks clear. Have you put it on a TV screen to see how clear it is?

That's the biggest part of the problem, who does care? We're just cyclists after all!

Rubbish driving shouldn't have to be an "everyday thing" though.

Maybe those who police the system should take a good look at what their driving is like. Then cast judgement on others.