Closest Pass of the Year?

[Boris Bajic]

Oh I don't do it antagonistically, I don't look back at them or say anything as I pass, but I will pass on the right hand side and make sure they have seen that their driving didn't get them anywhere any quicker.

Usually it's just dopey drivers who might possibly (though unlikely) learn something. Only very rarely do I get aggressive drivers who will make a succession of bad passes possibly deliberately, and even still I usually beat them in London traffic.

Plus, it also gives them a second chance to prove that they can overtake safely. I'm all for self-improvement and that.

I'm not writing in pompous smuggitude as I chase cars as well, but if there's any anger or aggression involved the 'wronged party' has already lost the moral fight before they catch up.

As long as it's safe (or in London safe-ish) I believe that for the reasons given above it is perfectly fine to chase cars. It is fun and can add a little frisson to a commute. Cycle-commuting in the Balkans, I used to race trams. They were faster but stopped frequently. I had to reach the city centre two trams ahead of where I started. Never a dull ride. Also they don't swerve, so you can race shoulder-to-carriage.

What I do not get is the idea that a driver who passed you some minutes ago will see you go past again and say "Bugger, he's got past me".

I do not (unless the car or bicycle is interesting) take much notice of the appearence of people I pass. I just boodle along, passing some while others pass me. There are places and times when cars are faster and some where cars are slower.

The part of the quoted post that I've highlighted is a notion that seems to occupy the thinking (at times) of many urban cyclists I speak to. For the most part, the response is imagined. Many drivers will not register their position relative to a bicycle as they grind through rush-hour traffic.

As someone who for many years drove, motorcycled and cycled in heavy traffic - I do not recognise in myself or most other road users this competitive, comparative-speed jealousy.

A little sprint or a fun target is fine, but don't imagine for a moment the car you're surging to catch has the faintest notion it's a race. She's got Radio 2 on and is watching the traffic signals.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

The last thing I would suggest is putting yourself back in front of someone that has already shown they drive dangerously around you.

I did that last Saturday as I was completely f'ed off.

 

[ManiaMuse]

The part of the quoted post that I've highlighted is a notion that seems to occupy the thinking (at times) of many urban cyclists I speak to. For the most part, the response is imagined. Many drivers will not register their position relative to a bicycle as they grind through rush-hour traffic.

As someone who for many years drove, motorcycled and cycled in heavy traffic - I do not recognise in myself or most other road users this competitive, comparative-speed jealousy.

A little sprint or a fun target is fine, but don't imagine for a moment the car you're surging to catch has the faintest notion it's a race. She's got Radio 2 on and is watching the traffic signals.

Which is exactly the problem. Some drivers don't pay attention to the cyclists they pass, especially less confident ones cycling close to the kerb, which leads to problems like left hooks and squeezing at pinch points for the sake of a few seconds.

 

[Boris Bajic]

Which is exactly the problem. Some drivers don't pay attention to the cyclists they pass, especially less confident ones cycling close to the kerb, which leads to problems like left hooks and squeezing at pinch points for the sake of a few seconds.

My language was infelicitous. I ought to have written that the relative position was not registered in a competitive sense ("I'm faster, you're faster").

My experience of motorists in heavy rush-hour traffic is that they do register my presence. They just do so in a non-competitive way.

Apologies for writing in a way that invited a misunderstanding of my intended meaning.

 

[jonny jeez]

so....its a competition now is it?

Mods, please close this thread, the tone of it depresses me..."my pass was closer, your pass was best/worst".


Sigh...

 

[BentMikey]

so....its a competition now is it?

Mods, please close this thread, the tone of it depresses me..."my pass was closer, your pass was best/worst".


Sigh...

On the contrary, I didn't see any willy waving or competitiveness. It's just a litany of particularly bad overtakes, each with its own specific sets of circumstances.

Honestly, anyone would think you're one of those helmet cameraistas who goes out looking for trouble! :P

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

It might sound completely stupid, but sometimes it can be a good incentive to get yourself to do a sprint and push yourself a bit harder.

I don't say anything to drivers unless they say something first, but I will chase after cars and re-overtake them if they have overtaken me pointlessly and/or dangerously (coming up to a queue of traffic, squeezing past me at a pinch point at a speed difference of 2mph etc). Usually find it gets me in the mood for pushing harder the rest of the way, especially if I'd been slacking before.

Yeh i understand. Pushing it that bit harder is something i try to constantly do. I usually don't have angry drivers to rev me up though.

As Gaz previously mentioned though, it may be unwise to give that twat driver a second chance. Maybe safer just taking EPO for the improved performance. Watch out for random drug checks though.

 

[Bigsharn]

so....its a competition now is it?

Mods, please close this thread, the tone of it depresses me..."my pass was closer, your pass was best/worst".


Sigh...

I started it originally having seen the video and thinking it's bloody close. I didn't attempt to start a competition (though my phrasing of the OP could be better)

 

[jonny jeez]

On the contrary, I didn't see any willy waving or competitiveness. It's just a litany of particularly bad overtakes, each with its own specific sets of circumstances.

Honestly, anyone would think you're one of those helmet cameraistas who goes out looking for trouble! :P

Come off it Mikey, even the title contradicts your contraryness.

 

[BentMikey]

See, I told you those cameras make you look for trouble!!

 

[Tynan]

benborp, that second video of the guy overtaking on the zebra crossing is just bloody crazy.
I wouldn't have believed it unless I had seen it.
That person needs his license taking away for a very long time and a hefty fine.

Indeed!

But I can hear that driver now blaming the cyclists for that, 'I tried to overtake, he wouldn't get out of the way, and then the zebra crossing came up and I had nowhere to go'

 

[Vikeonabike]

This is one of my close overtakes... Did well not to swear!

 

[benborp]

But I can hear that driver now blaming the cyclists for that, 'I tried to overtake, he wouldn't get out of the way, and then the zebra crossing came up and I had nowhere to go'

What school run mum (with child in the back) actually said was "F*** off!"

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

My closest past this year (actually hit me), driver was given a warning (for failing to report, guess better to get it on a technicality than nothing at all):

I have very RARELY had any problems, but the worst I ever had was having my handlebars hit by a passing van when I was about 15. Thing is, I had at the side a ruddy great kerb I nearly ran into at the time but somehow managed to keep control. I had no film of it, no proof, so it was never reported (and I was too busy s*itting myself/keeping the bike under control to get a registration number anyway. That said, it was a van from a local fruit and veg distributer, so I probably could have tracked down who it was).

Anyway, yes, I know that moment of 'Oh crap' as the vehicle hits.

 

[BentMikey]

Those various HGV overtakes are really frightening for me to watch!