I think I was quite polite actually!

[baldycyclist]

Out of interest, what sort of lighting arrangement do you have? Theory says that it is easier to judge the speed of a vehicle at night when it has two solid lights mounted as far away from each other as possible (as in a car), as the lights appear to get closer together the closer they get to you - Of course none of this helps if they don't look.

I have a helmet small led flashing
one on each front fork not flashing and a main on the bars - forgotten the lumens etc but it is bright enough to stop cars on roundabouts who are not sure what it is coming at them

 

[baldycyclist]

Hmm, as far as I can see the OP was sensible - firstly riding at a perfectly legal speed, and then when a plonker either deliberately or accidentally was a plonker, safely took avoiding action. On the whole, if I can ride at the close to or the same speed as motor traffic in town, I reckon it causes fewest problems ... as long as you are ready for the inevitable plonkers. I'm not going to be cowed into bimbling along at 10mph just because some drivers are plonkers.

Thank you Brian - I appreciate your support in this

 

[briantrumpet]

I think we should have some "public information" videos like int he 70s made - anyone offering?

Look up Reginald Molehusband in the phone book, and if he's not busy parking cars, maybe he'd help.

 

[baldycyclist]

I am not suggesting the OP wasn't sensible. It's more of a self preservation angle I was thinking of. If drivers can't judge a cyclists speed, perhaps even more acute at night, then it might be a good idea to drop the speed a little. 25-30mph is fast on a bike and is well above the norm.

I like the "well above the norm" bit - makes me feel like a "proper" peddler.
My norm on flat and not windy is 20ish with a nice cadence of 90ish - can do that for a few hours normally, so 30mph on a slight downhill with no wind is nothing fancy.
But I do take the point of speed in the urban area etc

 

[400bhp]

That's a high average. Do you ride competitively?

 

[baldycyclist]

Look up Reginald Molehusband in the phone book, and if he's not busy parking cars, maybe he'd help.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4733518.stm
I have a feeling he may not be with us any more
Such a sad passing!

 

[thelawnet]

You look very fast on that video, not many cyclists go that fast.

Also to be fair it's quite usual for cars to pull out in front of other vehicles, I have to apply my brakes quite often when I drive. You just get over it, no beeping the horn, just 'whatever'.

 

[lukesdad]

Unfortunately there are many drivers out there who are unable to judge the speed of bikes and as has already been said many can't even imagine bikes attaining those speeds which is why, as a matter of self survival I don't ride flat out in urban environments.

Many drivers ( peds other cyclists etc. etc.) are unable to judge the speed of some bikes. These riders need to be aware of this.

 

[baldycyclist]

That's a high average. Do you ride competitively?

you are having a laugh right?
42 year old slightly over weight guy on a bike he probably shouldn't be on (trying to relive his childhood) is how I would look at myself!

 

[Arjimlad]

They all think we're riding like Miss Marple, in my experience. It's worse when they pull out like that then stop, because of oncoming traffic, blocking your path completely.

 

[400bhp]

Seriously - an average of 20mph over many rides is very high. for example, go and have a look on mycyclelog cc group for an idea of what is average and what is a high average.

 

[baldycyclist]

I would get a louder light - especially if it had a full beam option like a car to show my annoyance.

 

[briantrumpet]

Also to be fair it's quite usual for cars to pull out in front of other vehicles, I have to apply my brakes quite often when I drive. You just get over it, no beeping the horn, just 'whatever'.

True - though when such behaviour threatens the safety of a squishily vulnerable road user, I think it sensible to remind them of their responsibilities when driving a one tonne lump of metal.

 

[baldycyclist]

Seriously - an average of 20mph over many rides is very high. for example, go and have a look on mycyclelog cc group for an idea of what is average and what is a high average.

never thought of looking at things like that - will do

 

[400bhp]

Hey (brianT)-you have the same bike as me