Is my new bike causing all these close calls !

[mr_cellophane]

Since I got my new bike with drops car seem to be passing closer. Do they think I am suddenly a better cyclist ? I am no faster as I don't have a commute at present so fitness level is falling.

This is one of todays, filled up the SD card before a WVM left hooked me and a bus pulled in on me (although I will go 50/50 on that one )
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUIHw4S4Wd8

 

[addictfreak]

Shocking driving by the hire truck. I think I may have been after him and given him a bit stick!

 

[hackbike 666]

I take it you had a MTB before?

 

[BentMikey]

It's full moon - people do nutty things.

 

[thomas]

Since I got my new bike with drops car seem to be passing closer. Do they think I am suddenly a better cyclist ? I am no faster as I don't have a commute at present so fitness level is falling.

This is one of todays, filled up the SD card before a WVM left hooked me and a bus pulled in on me (although I will go 50/50 on that one )
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUIHw4S4Wd8

I can't remember who posted it, but someone said yesterday that there was some evidence to show that (some) drivers give less space to cyclists who look a bit more professional.

So maybe there's something to it...getting less space on your new flashy bike

 

[cyberknight]

I take it you still allow the same room from the kerb? i find when i switch from a flat bar to a drop i have to think about riding the same distance out.

This all said shocking driving i was close shaved in the week by a taxi , i would have gave chase but it was up hill near the end of my commute so i was shagnerked

 

[Jamesb]

that is bad driving, i have encountered my own close calls when out on the road. A couple of cars to close and the odd car door being opened in front of me.

 

[hackbike 666]

It's full moon - people do nutty things.

Look here pal,people don't need an excuse to do nutty things.

 

[atbman]

Lousy, thoughtless driving, but you may have been able to prevent it by riding a bit further out. I noticed that you were, possibly, close enough to the parked cars to have been doored. You may want to give some thought to taking up more of the lane under those circumstances, evne tho' you're about to turn left.

Not a criticism but observation only.

 

[downfader]

Lousy, thoughtless driving, but you may have been able to prevent it by riding a bit further out. I noticed that you were, possibly, close enough to the parked cars to have been doored. You may want to give some thought to taking up more of the lane under those circumstances, evne tho' you're about to turn left.

Not a criticism but observation only.

I had the same thing happen to me by a driver at a similar spot just after I'd switched over to drops. Parked cars etc, driver cuts in sharp and close. I moved up to remonstrate with him at the lights (he was a driving instructor, messing around with a blue tooth headset) and he basically goes:

"Its your fault, you were in the center of the road! Get on the left! Let cars through first!!"

Bl**dy idiot, and he teaches learners.

MrC's position is ok imo. He can get away with it 99% of the time if he's slow and careful.

I too will say that when I switched to drops drivers seemed to get a little closer or drive more inconsiderately.

 

[Crankarm]

You should look rear wards, at least once on your ride .

 

[mr_cellophane]

I take it you had a MTB before?

Yes, but with narrower, slicker tyres.

 

[hackbike 666]

Yes, but with narrower, slicker tyres.

Look pal I'm sure the tyres were lovely but I was thinking more about the handlebars.

When I had a MTB type bike in 1989 the handlebars were too wide for me and I found I kept whacking peoples wing mirrors.

 

[downfader]

Look pal I'm sure the tyres were lovely but I was thinking more about the handlebars.

When I had a MTB type bike in 1989 the handlebars were too wide for me and I found I kept whacking peoples wing mirrors.

I think thats what happened to me. They were avoiding wider handlebars but when on drops they see your hand as being the "edge of the overtake".

 

[potsy]

I think thats what happened to me. They were avoiding wider handlebars but when on drops they see your hand as being the "edge of the overtake".

You should try flat-bar with a bar end mirror!! I've had mine clipped twice by knobs overtaking too close