Are they all like this?

[Crandoggler]

Not necessarily. It depends on the type and what its pulling. The bottom line is, if there was a lane to overtake then that's ok. If they were taking up the other lane then it's not. Being in a group is far safer for them than being in single file, unless you want them to compromise their safety for the convenience of a motorist?

Perhaps even the reason the cars weren't overtaking was because you were coming? By being there, surely you are part of the problem. And surely, had they been in single file, you would not have been too happy if a driver had squeezed between you and them if he overtook them (most likely at speed to get past 20+ cyclists) so maybe, in the end, they did you a favour?

Nice. You're probably right, but as the comment above mine has said, they really were riding like idiots. I don't post up every time someone nearly hits me with a car and quite honestly, it takes quite a lot to surprise me. But these guys were taking the piss.

 

[Fab Foodie]

@Crandoggler @theclaud @Bollo @summerdays et al.... please could we steady the Buffs a little here?
As a cyclist in the same locale as the OP, I have a sneaking suspicion that his observations might be correct, day, time and location are strong circumstantial evidence.

Might I ask what colour/club kit was being worn?

Crandoggler, please don't tar all clubs with the same brush, there are a growing number of non race style clubs growing. That doesn't mean that rides cannot be fast, but it means the whole club and riding ethos is different. If I might make a pitch for 'Abingdon Freewheeling' as the alternative to cycling clubs. We offer social riding for a wide range of abilities from about 15 to 20 mile 'Mellow' rides to fast as you like. Yes we wear lycra most of the time, yes we have people that go fast and do 'training rides' and pacelines, but the majority just want a fun ride out with people of their own abilities laden with coffee and cake.

http://groupspaces.com/AbingdonFreewheeling/

https://www.facebook.com/abingdonfreewheeling

 

[Fab Foodie]

I didn't see this particular group, however I do live near Didcot & Wallingford, and there is a group of "mature" cyclists I've seen riding the roads here that do seem to have a " riding style" of their own. They often meet up at the Root One cafe on the Wallingford road. I wonder if it's them?

I also wonder if we could keep the unpleasantness off the post?

Hear hear.

You have pm.

 

[Crandoggler]

@Crandoggler @theclaud @Bollo @summerdays et al.... please could we steady the Buffs a little here?
As a cyclist in the same locale as the OP, I have a sneaking suspicion that his observations might be correct, day, time and location are strong circumstantial evidence.

Might I ask what colour/club kit was being worn?

Crandoggler, please don't tar all clubs with the same brush, there are a growing number of non race style clubs growing. That doesn't mean that rides cannot be fast, but it means the whole club and riding ethos is different. If I might make a pitch for 'Abingdon Freewheeling' as the alternative to cycling clubs. We offer social riding for a wide range of abilities from about 15 to 20 mile 'Mellow' rides to fast as you like. Yes we wear lycra most of the time, yes we have people that go fast and do 'training rides' and pacelines, but the majority just want a fun ride out with people of their own abilities laden with coffee and cake.

http://groupspaces.com/AbingdonFreewheeling/

https://www.facebook.com/abingdonfreewheeling

This sounds more like it for me!

As for club kit, it was ridiculously foggy yesterday, to be honest, I was doing ~20mph and my eyes were streaming. So not a clue. Dark, I know that.

 

[Ian H]

I saw a car being driven quite badly the other day. I wonder if they're all like that?

 

[Bollo]

@Crandoggler @theclaud @Bollo @summerdays et al.... please could we steady the Buffs a little here?
As a cyclist in the same locale as the OP, I have a sneaking suspicion that his observations might be correct, day, time and location are strong circumstantial evidence.

Might I ask what colour/club kit was being worn?

Crandoggler, please don't tar all clubs with the same brush, there are a growing number of non race style clubs growing. That doesn't mean that rides cannot be fast, but it means the whole club and riding ethos is different. If I might make a pitch for 'Abingdon Freewheeling' as the alternative to cycling clubs. We offer social riding for a wide range of abilities from about 15 to 20 mile 'Mellow' rides to fast as you like. Yes we wear lycra most of the time, yes we have people that go fast and do 'training rides' and pacelines, but the majority just want a fun ride out with people of their own abilities laden with coffee and cake.

http://groupspaces.com/AbingdonFreewheeling/

https://www.facebook.com/abingdonfreewheeling

I was you, wasn't it?

 

[Fab Foodie]

I was you, wasn't it?

nah, 12mph is a bit quick for me .....

 

[Fab Foodie]

This sounds more like it for me!

As for club kit, it was ridiculously foggy yesterday, to be honest, I was doing ~20mph and my eyes were streaming. So not a clue. Dark, I know that.

You're miost welcome ... we even do MTB as well.
Let me know if you want more info about Sunday rides and weekday evening rides .... Thursday evenings at 0630pm is the main event with free chip butties afterwards .... the beer you need to pay for :-)

 

[earlestownflya]

a tractor is a different entity,it's a working

Nope. You're right. Can imagine a tractor would keep a higher speed though. Justsayin'

a tractor is a different entity,it's a working vehicle ,a solid unit,if you block a entire lane with bicycles knowing you're holding up vehicles when you could easily narrow the group to assist vehicles to pass is just ignorant.On the other hand,cycling this way will ensure vehicles can only pass you when it is truly safe.at the end of the day we're all at the mercy of motorists.it's not a good idea not anger them unnecessarily ,it's just basic road etiquette.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

@Crandoggler @theclaud @Bollo @summerdays et al.... please could we steady the Buffs a little here?
As a cyclist in the same locale as the OP, I have a sneaking suspicion that his observations might be correct, day, time and location are strong circumstantial evidence.

Might I ask what colour/club kit was being worn?

Crandoggler, please don't tar all clubs with the same brush, there are a growing number of non race style clubs growing. That doesn't mean that rides cannot be fast, but it means the whole club and riding ethos is different. If I might make a pitch for 'Abingdon Freewheeling' as the alternative to cycling clubs. We offer social riding for a wide range of abilities from about 15 to 20 mile 'Mellow' rides to fast as you like. Yes we wear lycra most of the time, yes we have people that go fast and do 'training rides' and pacelines, but the majority just want a fun ride out with people of their own abilities laden with coffee and cake.

http://groupspaces.com/AbingdonFreewheeling/

https://www.facebook.com/abingdonfreewheeling

Your club sounds lovely, its a shame its too far away

 

[Bollo]

My particular issue with this thread is twofold and both point have already been made. First, the whole description of the incident is inconsistent and hysterical, like a Daily Mail article on migrants smuggled in by hiding in halal pizza.

Second, I'm really really tired of being my brother's keeper. If a group of people choose to ride like that, I can do feck all about it. They to not represent me, and I do not represent them. If others choose to make that link, then its more to do with out-group thinking (linked many times on CC here) than the actual behaviour one group of cyclists in one particular incident. We're all guilty of this to some extent (it's literally human nature), but I'm often surprised how common it is for cyclists to view other cyclists as an out-group.

Putting all the name calling aside for a moment @Crandoggler, I think you'd find it an interesting read.

 

[glenn forger]

This sounds more like it for me!

As for club kit, it was ridiculously foggy yesterday, to be honest, I was doing ~20mph and my eyes were streaming. So not a clue. Dark, I know that.

You were held up behind cyclists for nearly half an hour and you didn't notice their colours?

 

[Accy cyclist]

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

 

[glenn forger]

They were doing 12 mph, you were going at 20, you said. Either you were going in the same direction and you think any cyclist in your way is "blocking" the road, or you were driving in the opposite direction in which case you have no idea how long they delayed the following vehicle and you pulled your twenty five minute claim out of thin air.

 

[Drago]

Unfortunately we get a lot round here like that. Even solo they wobble blithely all over the place cos they've spent all winter on the rollers so any bike control skills or road craft they did have has long since evaporated through lack of practice. Part of the reason I shy away from the club scene, and either ride with my chums (some of whom are also instructors or trainers) or occasionally the old duffers section of the local CTC.