Filtering --> Punishment Pass. Opinions?

[MrHappyCyclist]

I'm fairly confident about filtering, and usually manage to do it without problems. I do get a lot of practice because of rush-hour traffic going north out of Bolton. This evening, I did have a small problem, and am interested in opinions. I filtered for about a mile here, so it is worth doing. I tend not to bother if it is only a few cars.

The situation is in this video:
[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PUtX2vKbDs[/media]


I had a bit of a problem getting back into the lane here because the silver hatchback couldn't decide whether to let me in or not. So I kept checking back, whilst indicating all the time and the moved in behind him, in front of the BMW. It's usually possible to get in without problems, but occasionally can be tricky. With hindsight, perhaps I could have moved in earlier.

The later pass by the BMW was really unnecessary and gained the driver virtually nothing.

Anyway, how do others deal with this situation, and do you ever get the same problem.

 

[BentMikey]

I do that sort of thing all the time. I'm not sure that was a punishment pass, as much as a "push through I want to get past that damned cyclist". That bit I stop by staying in the lane till the next lane is clear enough for him to use that to overtake. If I feel they're extra pushy, I get all wobbly and make them afraid to drive anywhere near me. The filtering bit I thought you did very well, sometimes a driver won't let you in and you just have to wait for the space behind. I'm quite assertive though, pushy even.

Admittedly all of the above is much easier on a recumbent, it seems to get most drivers to back off and give me room far better than the upright.

 

[gaz]

Give them space, and they will put their vehicle in it, even if it's only a few cm more than the width of their car.
Your best bet is holding a strong position until it is safe for them to pass + with that turn off that looked to be at a big angle so cars don't need to slow down for it, you really don't want to be left hooked there .

 

[CopperCyclist]

I agree with Mikey, seems more impatience than punishment. Something we have to put up with unfortunately. You get some nicer drivers too occassionally!

 

[Arfcollins]

I agree with Mikey, seems more impatience than punishment. Something we have to put up with unfortunately. You get some nicer drivers too occassionally!

Sorry this is off topic, but blimey Coppercyclist, joined today at some unearthly hour of the morning and 29 posts already! Couldn't you sleep?

 

[Red Light]

The only thing I would suggest is you left it too late to move in - there was a big gap between the blue and silver car that you could have moved into much earlier than you did. Generally on a bike you get a good view over the top of the cars as to what the queue in front is doing and therefore whether to stay out or move back in. I would have moved across keeping close to the back bumper of the blue car rather than let that large gap open up and then try to move into it. A bike will accelerate much faster from slow speed than a car so I never find myself unable to get in front of a car I'm alongside provided I have anticipated the queue starting to move (because I can see further forward than the driver can).

I agree with others about the BMW and it did seem to have held back for some time before it passed rather than pushing straight on through.

Just my £0.02

 

[CopperCyclist]

Sorry this is off topic, but blimey Coppercyclist, joined today at some unearthly hour of the morning and 29 posts already! Couldn't you sleep?

Shift work. I can never, ever get off night shifts properly! This is my second day off, got up at 1pm. I'm useless!

 

[Bobtoo]

I'd be much more worried about the two behind the BMW who seem to have turned left across your path. It's hard to tell without being there but I don't think I would have done that as a driver, but I might have done what the BMW driver did if I could leave you enough room.

 

[dellzeqq]

buy some surface to BMW missiles - apparently you can get them in Tripoli for a fiver

I'm with Bobtoo on this - it's the left turning cars that are the worry. You found yourself on the left hand side of traffic at a junction. Your mistake (sorry) was not to occupy sufficient of that lane to prevent the two cars turning left around you. I'd have been just to the right of centre of that lane.

(Gaz has pretty much said the same thing, so apologies....)

(and, having said that, filtering is tricky, and we all get it wrong once in a while)

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

(Gaz has pretty much said the same thing, so apologies....)

No need to apologize. I asked for opinions, and got good advice.

I do have a bit of a problem with taking the lane and blocking people after I have just filtered past them. I just need to get over that.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Guy was trying to get down the inside of the car in the outside lane, seen the gap and went for it, got to close to you whilst doing it, as others have said the cars turning left from your right hand side are more of a danger.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

as others have said the cars turning left from your right hand side are more of a danger.

You're probably right, but even taking the lane wouldn't have stopped those, as they turned across from the outside lane! The road layout needs to be changed really.

 

[Mad at urage]

What BM, Gaz and most everyone has said - I'd have occupied the whole lane through those junctions.

And wobble more! There's a place for a good wobble, or you might call it 'swaying' mostly moving the H'bar's across, rather than swerving about: It's surprising how much room you can take up that way and very disturbing for a driver to try to pass as you suddenly aren't as narrow as (s)he thought.

 

[HLaB]

I don't think I'd call that a punishment pass and I'd be more concerned with that left hook inviting left turn. I usually leave something in the tank so I can keep up the with the car in front and slot into that gap, in front of the silver car in your case. Other times depending on conditions, etc with that dodgy left turn coming up I might have slotted in earlier into a strong primary (or maybe just to the right of it).

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Thanks for all the excellent advice, folks.

I'll probably slot in earlier and then queue for a little longer. I can make about 14mph maximum through that junction, which is up a hill, but my leg muscles feel like they are on fire and my lungs feel about to burst if I do (although I generally do). I need to get fitter and faster.