Am I a propper commuting cyclist now?

[wesa]

As I was nearing home last night I was passing a section of road with three pinch points, all of them clearly signed for my priority. I was following a Civic (not too close) at about 25mph and I had my Maxx D on flashing (Ahh, perhaps I blinded the driver ), it wasn't even dark.

At the second pinch point a fiesta was waiting, the Civic went through and the fiesta pulled straight out in front of me, I was in primary. I jumped on the brakes and stopped in the middle of the road about 5' from the fiesta's front bumper; with her pushing forward trying to get through a non existent gap.
She was quite animated, pointing at the pavement shouting 'You should be on the pavement'. I didn't say a word I slowly shook my head, made a mental note of her registration (which I promptly forgot) and very slowly (I was a bit shocked) edged my bike to the left so she could carry on. The driver behind her seemed to have enjoyed the encounter and gave me a thumbs up.

I know this is all in a day's riding for most of you but this is the first time I have ever been told to get off the road, I feel like I have just passed an exam.

 

[BentMikey]

Well done! And you didn't even turn the MaxxD onto full power and shine it in her face?

You're certainly a proper communter now.

 

[fossyant]

You have - flying colours.

 

[mattybain]

Welcome to our world!! some drivers are just unbelivable, they want us on the pavement, they want us off the pavement, anything as long as we don't delay their precious journey by a couple of seconds.

*RANT ON* The number of close shaves I have had when cars overtake then immediately turn left is amazing, the worst was a rubbish truck, now that was close!! Risking my life, all for what?? *RANT OFF*

On the other hand you will be amazed how many drivers are actually really courteous and nice.

 

[smavter]

Dumb driver, sometimes i think its just the embarrassment of almost hitting someone (especially if they have passengers) that make them say stupid things.

In Holland they have just changed the laws on bike lights, youre not allowed to have them flashing anymore, i guess its that split second somebody might not see you or something.

 

[4F]

Welcome to the club.

 

[jonny jeez]

I feel like I have just passed an exam.

I've yet to encounter that level if denial/ignorance

Gutted. I feel so un-initiated,

I did have a chat with a lady in a convertable that jumped a red light (quite blatantly) and got beeped by everyone on the junction as she sat on the crossroads blocking it, as I rolled past her bonnet (the 3rd vehicle to do so), she shook her head and shouted at ME!...why me, I wasnt even involved ...I was like 5 seconds behind the incident...her reaction to me was enough for me to go back and start a conversation with her.

I have to agree with Smavter, I've done really silly things myself after an embarrasing incident ....that I've caused.... and thought later...."what a spanner, god i hope no-one I know saw me"...bit like checking your shoe after youve tripped up.

(thinking about it, I have a fantastic example of this...but it would take ages to explain on a forum)

Jonny

 

[mattybain]

I've yet to encounter that level if denial/ignorance

Gutted. I feel so un-initiated,

I did have a chat with a lady in a convertable that jumped a red light (quite blatantly) and got beeped by everyone on the junction as she sat on the crossroads blocking it, as I rolled past her bonnet (the 3rd vehicle to do so), she shook her head and shouted at ME!...why me, I wasnt even involved ...I was like 5 seconds behind the incident...her reaction to me was enough for me to go back and start a conversation with her.

I have to agree with Smavter, I've done really silly things myself after an embarrasing incident ....that I've caused.... and thought later...."what a spanner, god i hope no-one I know saw me"...bit like checking your shoe after youve tripped up.

(thinking about it, I have a fantastic example of this...but it would take ages to explain on a forum)

Jonny

So many teasers!! what did you say to the woman in the convertible?

And give us the example pleazzzz

 

[jonredhornet]

A friend of mine had the same thing happen to him, although he didn't move and the car had to reverse in the end.

 

[wesa]

Dumb driver, sometimes i think its just the embarrassment of almost hitting someone (especially if they have passengers) that make them say stupid things.

I quite agree, I see this in the car much more than on the bike.
I once ended up driving onto a roundabout right in front of another car, entirley my fault. I stopped (enough room for them to get by) waved & backed up; The other driver waved back and let me go first, smiles all round

In Holland they have just changed the laws on bike lights, youre not allowed to have them flashing anymore, i guess its that split second somebody might not see you or something.

I normally carry a constant light and a flashing, the Maxx D is good in that on flashing mode it is still on during the 'off' cyle, it just flashes a lot brighter. As a point of note none of the cars had lights on.

 

[BentMikey]

I was quite pleased to see another MaxxD user here. I love that light, it's so bright and (usually) so effective at altering driver behaviour.

 

[wesa]

I love the Maxx D; it took a lot of consideration before I splashed out for it but it was worth every penny. I don't use the full beam on road (very much ), my old commute route was 75% off road on country bridleways, a good light was essential. I still look forward to the dark mornings when I can take the MTB and go the long way.

The pinch points in the original post have caused me trouble in the past, in the dark, with various cateye configurations. I think the Maxx D comes accross as a motorbike, drivers can't see past it to see the pedals going up and down.

 

[jonny jeez]

So many teasers!! what did you say to the woman in the convertible?

And give us the example pleazzzz

If you insist....please dont Judge me..I know it was wrong

Just picked up muy new pride and joy (a convertable M3...this was way...way before the recession) and had picked up a friend of mine from cheapside to take her home (nice peice of car candy to complete the "look"...yes, I really was that shallow.) I had stopped at the lights at St Pauls when the guy on a motorbike to my right just turned around, and started shouting at me like a lunatic and going at it!. I grabbed the bottom of his crash helmet and started trying to punch him through the little "post box slot "visor gap...with no real effect other than crushing the outer knuckles on my fist on the edge of his lid.

We continued this dance for ages untill the lights changed and then both shot away with him weaving and wobbling next to me..waving his fists and staring at me with a "wild look".

He lost me in the traffic and as i calmed to a stop, I turned to my firend and said cooly.." sorry about that, the car seems to attract loonies" to which she replied...would have helped if you hadn't stopped on his foot!

Poor bloke wasnt attacking me at all, just trying to get his foot out and screaming in pain...whilst i rained blows down on him for the priviliage!!

One day I know I will ses this on "when commuters go bad" or something as I'm sure the whole incident was captured on CCTV.

Sorry Mr Moped driver...If it helps, I felt as stupid as I looked.

Oh and the convertable women, honestly cant recall word for word, i did stay calm and didnt swear or shout, just told her it was her own daft fault and that blaming other people is likley to get her into more bother.

To add to this mamouth post, i once drove into the back of a car in my Range Rover (now you all really hate me!!!) then shouted at the guy in front for having the nerve to stop...ON MY ROAD!!! ..he wound down his window when i got along side him and calmly said something like "when you get around the corner and calm down a little, your going to realise just how daft you look"

he was right......

 

[mattybain]

To add to this mamouth post, i once drove into the back of a car in my Range Rover (now you all really hate me!!!) then shouted at the guy in front for having the nerve to stop...ON MY ROAD!!! ..he wound down his window when i got along side him and calmly said something like "when you get around the corner and calm down a little, your going to realise just how daft you look"

he was right......

Brilliant, this whole post has made my day very funny.

 

[purplepolly]

She was quite animated, pointing at the pavement shouting 'You should be on the pavement'.

....I know this is all in a day's riding for most of you but this is the first time I have ever been told to get off the road, I feel like I have just passed an exam.

That's right, you could be the most perfect cyclist in the world with a doctorate in road positioning and highway code observance but that still won't be enough to avoid criticism from ignorant idiots.