Do you find you get more 'aggro' from people, when in Lycra /FPK, than when in 'normal' clothes

[coffeejo]

As has often been said, there are a few nobbers behind the wheel and a few nobbers on two wheels, and when one meets the other, it all goes to hell in a handcart and everyone gets tarnished with the same brush.

 

[jarlrmai]

I don't get the chance to let people go, they'll buzz me on straight roads with, no oncoming traffic, for no reason, in no way do I ride in a confrontational manner.

On the commute it's mostly people passing me too close usually to get to red lights or people driving at me when there are cars on their side of the road and I'm in primary on my side. A few pullouts as well., my commute is literally ten minutes of riding.

I having trouble imagining anyone riding for a decent while and not having one close pass.

 

[Alan Frame]

Don't think clothing has anything to do with it.

If one is a confrontational aggressive arse, trouble will find you even if stark naked.

P.S. Comment is not specific to the original poster.

 

[Paul139]

Aggro in lycra, aggro in normal clothes. Oh well there's only one thing for it then

One thing though, I always take my helmet everywhere I go!

 

[Dan B]

I was told last week to "get on the pavement" (while riding a cargo bike that was, as it happens, too wide for the pavement anyway). Should I interpret this as aggro or as well-meaning but ultimately useless advice?

 

[Zojam]

As u can see from my profile pic I cycle in normal kit rather than be a mamil. That pic was taken in 1982.

 

[Andrew_P]

But why? Is there any truth in the idea that the way you ride and the way you look makes you more or less vulnerable to abuse?

I believe it's possible because drivers evaulate the threat to their road space by the look of their competition; it's why we used to find that when we drove an old Land Rover we seemed to become invisible as other drivers didin't view us as a potential competitor.

Definitely to do with road space, and congestion. By aggro I mean close passes and inconsiderate driving, mobile use causing erratic driving that sort of thing. If you pass comment it quickly escalates. I get more aggro now than when I started as I defend my road position against the minority of bad drivers that would try and squeeze past, the by product of that is that it appears to offend some that wouldn't have tried in the first place if that makes sense. I do not see any difference in clothing worn. And nor did the this study http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/2013/11/26/overtaking-cyclists/

 

[Steady]

I had more close passes, and agro when I was on a heavy MTB using it for road riding, wearing "normal" clothes and riding slowly.

It comes down to cyclist speed in my experience, slower riders get more hassle because more patience is required from drivers and drivers don't have the time to give it.

Which is sad because the slower cyclists and older cyclists feel forced off the road by these people.

 

[Williams05]

Got a lot of aggro until I bought a go pro now they seem to go round me

 

[Jimidh]

I have honestly I've never had any aggro cycling and I can rack up 3-4000 miles per year.

Maybe I'm lucky or it's just the roads I ride on but most drivers give me plenty room and I've only had one proper near miss and the driver was very apologetic as he hadn't seen me.

Just wait till tomorrow now!!!

 

[Andrew_P]

This is exactly my experience. Never....and I mean never get aggro on my rides. Peak District and Cheshire Plains. But then I also keep an ear out and if I'm holding someone up I'll give them a quick glance to let them know I've seen them, make sure I'm well to the left of the road and if I've held them up at all, give them a wave of thanks when they pass me. I'll also try to put a bit of a sprint on if I'm holding them up (not that my sprint counts for much)

Maybe the issue is I don't ride in towns in rush hour so don't encounter commuters in a rush. Or maybe it's because I don't ride my bike in a confrontational way, I don't know

Why do you feel the need to not hold up a motorised vehicle and put extra effort in to not hold them up, or worse still stick yourself in the gutter encouraging a close pass. Not being confrontational it was how I used to ride, the car is king etc. The fact is you are costing them very little time and zero in physical effort. Buggered if I would sprint to make sure I wasn't holding anyone up, and I wouldn't consider myself an aggressive rider by any stretch.

 

[400bhp]

[QUOTE 3770106, member: 45"] "racing cyclists" in lycra slowing him down along the country road .[/QUOTE]

He didn't see the irony in that.

 

[400bhp]

1. Maybe the issue is I don't ride in towns in rush hour so don't encounter commuters in a rush.

2. Or maybe it's because I don't ride my bike in a confrontational way, I don't know

1. Definitely.

2. Most probably.

Even the most mild mannered of us commuters on here that I know have had aggro.

 

[Bianchi boy]

Why do you feel the need to not hold up a motorised vehicle and put extra effort in to not hold them up, or worse still stick yourself in the gutter encouraging a close pass. Not being confrontational it was how I used to ride, the car is king etc. The fact is you are costing them very little time and zero in physical effort. Buggered if I would sprint to make sure I wasn't holding anyone up, and I wouldn't consider myself an aggressive rider by any stretch.

spot on, Old chap

 

[Drago]

Been out in my lycra today and 2 young couple squared up to me.