400bhp
Guru
+1.
Another technique, stand out of the saddle when you see a car coming. It gives the impression you have noted them and will look to pass with care.
Cycling on Single-Track roads
- Thread starter FlyingCyclist
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Another technique, stand out of the saddle when you see a car coming. It gives the impression you have noted them and will look to pass with care.
There are two points to answer here :
First, on the singletrack roads I've experienced up here, drivers to not fly around like idiots because of the very real possibility of meeting another car coming in the opposite direction.
Secondly, sticking to the left is only inviting an unsafe pass. Riding in the middle of the road makes you very visible and makes sure that drivers slow down and have to wait for a safe opportunity to pass.
Last edited:
morrisman
Guru
On most the true single track roads here in leafy Bucks you can't ride in the centre of the road as there is grass growing there and the sides of the roads are crumbling away, so you have to navigate a tortuous route between potholes and grass at a maximum of 5 mph 
http://goo.gl/YzyDdJ
http://goo.gl/YzyDdJ
Crankarm
Guru
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
I would buy an Airzound if you don't already have one, or a marine fog horn, and a very bright front light such as an Exposure Max D and rear light such as one of their RedEyes.
mcshroom
Bionic Subsonic
- Location
- Egremont, Cumbria
Most of my riding is on that sort of road. Be assertive about whether you think they can get through or not. If you think they can but don't want them trying to fly past you then you can also stay in the middle until they've slowed down and then peel over to the left to let them through. That works for drivers in either direction btw.
Otherwise it's the same advice as driving or walking on these roads. Put yourself in the position where you can see furthest (it also tends to mean that they can see you better too), so pull out towards the right on left hand bends and towards the left on right handers. Keep an ear out for traffic and scan as far ahead as you can as much as you can to work out where any approaching car is. Often you can see for miles on fell roads across valleys.
Also check the surface as a lot of dressed single-track roads have gravel up the middle.
Otherwise it's the same advice as driving or walking on these roads. Put yourself in the position where you can see furthest (it also tends to mean that they can see you better too), so pull out towards the right on left hand bends and towards the left on right handers. Keep an ear out for traffic and scan as far ahead as you can as much as you can to work out where any approaching car is. Often you can see for miles on fell roads across valleys.
Also check the surface as a lot of dressed single-track roads have gravel up the middle.
classic33
Leg End Member
Where there is grass/gravel in the centre, use that as your lane divider and the tracks left either side as your lanes. Taking the centre of that "lane". Giving way when you feel it is safe for you to do so. Not when the other person feels like you should be moving out of their way.
I'm against holding to the left handside as it puts you in a bad posistion for any other traffic that may be using the road. Especially since you say that there are a few blind corners. In such situations I prefer to be on the outside of the corners, as it allows for a better line of sight along the road.
Most of my riding along these kind of roads has been where the sightline is restricted by diches & walls.
I'm against holding to the left handside as it puts you in a bad posistion for any other traffic that may be using the road. Especially since you say that there are a few blind corners. In such situations I prefer to be on the outside of the corners, as it allows for a better line of sight along the road.
Most of my riding along these kind of roads has been where the sightline is restricted by diches & walls.
classic33
Leg End Member
Roads like these. Speeds have increased over the years, as have the number of vehicles using them. Blind corners and hidden entrances are there waiting to be found. Its impossible to see over the ditches from within a car, so you become reliant on others seeing you and you being predictable. From the saddle you get to see over some but not all.
First picture is a right hand corner, followed by a left hand. Looking up the road. Less than 20 foot wide at the tree, with a drain to the righthand(upper) side of the road.
Second one has the grass/gravel down the centre and is actually going downhill. Telegraph pole marks where the road goes to the left, again.
First picture is a right hand corner, followed by a left hand. Looking up the road. Less than 20 foot wide at the tree, with a drain to the righthand(upper) side of the road.
Second one has the grass/gravel down the centre and is actually going downhill. Telegraph pole marks where the road goes to the left, again.
Yes. Its not uncommon.So what do people in cars driving in the same direction as the cyclist do when the idiot in the car comes the other way? Are cars often hitting each other head on?
Bromptonaut
Rohan Man
- Location
- Bugbrooke UK
Advice pertaining to banks and hedges is relevant in southern (particularly SW) England.
Single track roads in Scotland tend to much more open, often slightly higher than surrounding ground on account of needing heavy duty footings over bogs and lochans. I'd certainly be riding assertive so that traffic both from behind and ahead slow down to a safe pace and waits for a passing place. You need a plan B though in case of the odd nutter who does not.
Single track roads in Scotland tend to much more open, often slightly higher than surrounding ground on account of needing heavy duty footings over bogs and lochans. I'd certainly be riding assertive so that traffic both from behind and ahead slow down to a safe pace and waits for a passing place. You need a plan B though in case of the odd nutter who does not.
