Are they all like this?

[Crandoggler]

Yesterday I went on a bit of a jaunt on my bicycle. Yes I was riding a bike. I've only lived here about 3 weeks, so decided to explore. Turns out Oxfordshire does have some hills, they're just 20 miles away from where I live.

Anyway, whilst poodling along, on my way to Didcot from Wallingford, I see, what can only be described as a group of 20+ cyclists riding in a very close knit peloton. 4-5 wide at points, all cruising along at not much more than 10-12mph mimicking the groups you see on the tour's.

I gazed over in amazement actually. Wondering how anyone could be that ignorant and not even pass a thought for the 6-7 cars who were unable to pass because of the bulk and the nature of the road. Baring in mind this was around 0745, I can understand that the roads were quiet and the chaps had more of an opportunity to block the road and practice their group riding skills. However, the motorists were probably trying to get to work. Retail I'd imagine, on a Saturday. You must spare a thought?!

I had to wonder to myself, is this normal practice? I was considering joining a cycling club whilst I'm here, but to be quite frank, it's embarrassing to watch as a cyclist passing by and I'd never want to be caught up riding like that.

I'm sure it's perfectly legal, I'm sure that many will say that the motorist is the devil and an 4 wide peloton is the only way to ride to stay safe, but Christ. Can't we all use the road with some empathy for people who may not want to sit behind cyclists at 12mph on a national speed limited road for 25 minutes. Not to mention the dangers if a cyclist at the front went down, the carnage that would ensue would be horrendous.

 

[bonsaibilly]

My guess is they thought they owned the road, as so many cycling groups do. Always surprises me that cyclists seem unable to realise that we are mainly much, much slower than cars. Why we don't single file it so they can pass is beyond me. Last thing I want is to feel and hear cars building up behind me.
BB

 

[Globalti]

....and if any motorist dares to make an issue of it, they will receive a torrent of abuse and even threats.

It's the reason why I don't ride with a club.

 

[summerdays]

Or they wanted to make it easier and safer for cars to pass, when safe?

 

[CopperCyclist]

Were they blocking the whole road, or just their lane?

I don't ride in groups, am not a member of any club... But as a driver I much prefer overtaking a group of cyclists "clumped up" as then it's more similar to overtaking a single slow moving vehicle like a tractor. A load of cyclists on single file is like overtaking a long vehicle such as an artic, which is much harder.

I don't come across groups of cyclists that often around here, but when I do, probably 9 in 10 of them split into single file, and I'd rather they didn't!

If they were blocking the whole road though, then yes, it would have been more courteous to split into single file, or even stop to let people through. Not necessary or required of course, but nice.

 

[Stu Smith]

....and if any motorist dares to make an issue of it, they will receive a torrent of abuse and even threats.

It's the reason why I don't ride with a club.

Surely not all clubs advocate such group riding etiqutte?

 

[theclaud]

what can only be described as a group of 20+ cyclists

[...] 4-5 wide at points

[...] an 8 wide peloton

It would help if you didn't appear to be talking cobblers.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Sounds like they were taking the p***, I used to do club rides, it was normally two abreast and the the tail end charlie had the job of telling the others when cars were behind us and we made the effort to get cars passed us when safe.

 

[sidevalve]

Or they wanted to make it easier and safer for cars to pass, when safe?

Really ?
Ignorance and arrogance is just the same on two wheels and on four. It gives fuel to the anti cyclist brigade, p----s of perfectly reasonable drivers who would usually be quite thoughtful [nobody wants to be late for work] and as above any motorist trying to get past would face a whole load of verbal. Crap riding is crap riding - it's time we stopped finding excuses for it.

 

[theclaud]

It gives fuel to the anti cyclist brigade

Of which you appear to be spokesperson.

 

[Crandoggler]

It would help if you didn't appear to be talking cobblers.

Seriously? It was an elaboration of words to get the point across. Don't be a pedantic twat.

 

[Crandoggler]

[QUOTE 3913829, member: 9609"]i seen some the other week, taking up the whole road they were, could of been fifty cars behind this lot.

[/QUOTE]
If you were to discount the LHS huddle on this photo, you wouldn't be far off from what I saw. Bar the FKW's... Actually, they probably were FKW's.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Are you sure they were 4-5 abreast? In the past our club has received quite unfounded complaints that we were doing this on leisure rides, when we were riding quite legally 2 abreast. Unless the group is riding very closely and tidily behind one another it is easy to see the bunch as being all across the road, although only 2 abreast, especially viewing from an angle as you would be if approaching the group on the opposite side of the road for example

 

[summerdays]

Really ?
Ignorance and arrogance is just the same on two wheels and on four. It gives fuel to the anti cyclist brigade, p----s of perfectly reasonable drivers who would usually be quite thoughtful [nobody wants to be late for work] and as above any motorist trying to get past would face a whole load of verbal. Crap riding is crap riding - it's time we stopped finding excuses for it.

Have you ever cycled with a group in a line watched a car come towards you as one is trying to pass? It isn't a nice feeling! If they are bunched so that they become car shaped they become much easier to pass, when safe.

Out of interest in that situation where would you pull in?

 

[theclaud]

Seriously? It was an elaboration of words to get the point across. Don't be a pedantic twat.

Your account of what you saw simply isn't credible. It's standard knee-jerk stuff from someone who has clearly internalized the widespread resentment of groups of cyclists daring to use roads that motorists erroneously regard as theirs.