Got squeezed

[Holdsworth]

On my third day commuting the 9 miles to work I had a close call with a HGV which overtook me and pulled in a bit too soon to avoid going over the approaching solid white line. At first the overtake was fairly ok, slightly close but nowt too bad. It was only after the end of the trailer had gone past that it became apparent that it was twin trailer, much like a bendy bus.
It then started to move in and the second trailer started to get uncomfortably close. In the end it squeezed me and managed to come within about 1.5-2 feet of me. I wasn't going that slow either, maybe around 18-20 mph at the time and about 2 foot out from the kerb along this stretch of road going east towards Reaseheath. The first trailer had passed me just before I got the low hedge of the left of the picture and I was positioned just a few inches to the left of that crack at the bottom of the image.

It kinda shook me up a bit just afterwords and I think if the driver had been more reckless it could have been quite serious.

ATM I have to use that road on my commute as I lack a decent "seeing" front light to negotiate the lanes safely in the dark at around 7:30 in the morning, and 4:30 in the evening.

 

[david1701]

after that I'd be tempted to go for the hairy lanes in the dark with crap lights (my current passtime but no route options) option rather than the hairy lorry murder big road

 

[biggs682]

i had an artic turn round in in a junction just as i was about 100 yrds behind him this morning , what an arse

 

[Tynan]

if the road is dangerous I'd either stop riding or lash out the hundred odd quid on good lights

 

[pshore]

I don't know the area but looking at the map, its an A road that links to a bypass. I imagine the volume of traffic will be high especially in rush hour with lots of frustrated drivers who start taking risks to overtake.

Invest in the lights. You'll enjoy your commute much more on the back lanes. A full moon might be ok with your current lights too, depending on tree cover.

 

[Holdsworth]

Sadly splashing out on some ligths isn't an option right now, I haven't been paid and I have rent to pay for when I do. I guess tomorrow I will ride the back lanes tomorrow and use the alternative route through Church Minshull and Cholmondeston.

It should hopefully be OK for me to ride this with my current lights, they allow to be seen but aren't enough to see the road ahead with in pitch black.

My front light is similar to the one below, mine is branded "Torch"

 

[david1701]

I ride lanes with the exact same unit it is actually good enough to ride by - ish

I use it at kinda middle distance to let me see where I'm going, then a head torch clipped to my helmet to let me see anything close to, so I can avoid what I have to.

I stick to lanes not going up tracks in the dark because its too hairy there but it works ok and is easier when you get to know the roads better

 

[mgarl10024]

I know many on here are keen on asserting your rights on the road, but personally I don't feel confident enough.
If it were me, I'm not sure I'd even be on the road you're using. Definitely back routes for me!

 

[DrSquirrel]

Try your lights on the back lanes first to see how you cope, with less light sources about you might find you are okay, specially if you're at lower speeds. Remember to run backups though, even if the backup is a cheapy/low powered jobby (or mix a cheap high powered vs a reliable mid power etc)

I know many on here are keen on asserting your rights on the road, but personally I don't feel confident enough.
If it were me, I'm not sure I'd even be on the road you're using. Definitely back routes for me!

I am all for rights - but it would be fool hardy to take larger roads when smaller ones are available - and generally a longer quieter route can be just as fast as one that has high levels of traffic on it.

 

[Slartibartfast]

I've had exactly the same thing happen to me on that stretch of road. I now go through Wettenhall, and although the road surface isn't always great, it's miles better and I feel far safer.

Just out of interest, where are you going from & to?

 

[Holdsworth]

Tried it this morning, got a pinch flat on a pothole 1 1/2 mile from home, and then another straight after fixing the first one on the SAME tyre!!!

I must have messed up putting that last bit of tyre wall back in the rim and the tube escaped and pinched after 500 yards. It was a loooong walk back home this morning....

So I will hopefully try again tomorrow after fixing the flat and stocking up on inner tubes.

 

[400bhp]

what tyres are you running?

 

[Holdsworth]

Just Schwalbe Blizzard Sport, 700x23c. I'm skint ATM so I can't really afford a tyre upgrade for a while.

 

[400bhp]

But you say this...

stocking up on inner tubes.

 

[Holdsworth]

When I said that, I meant one or two equating to around £6-8 from the LBS and not. Anyway how would a new set of tyres protect me from pinch flats? Tyre was at full pressure when I left the house this morning.