Meeting up

[bicyclos]

Finishing work tonight and getting changed into my cycling garb I noticed one of the guys from the office area where I work setting off to cycle home. He had only got his bike last week on the bike to work scheme and was a bit shakey when riding off. I was a good 5 mins before leaving the adjacent warehouse but knew which route he was taking as he usually jogs home a few nights a week. I caught up with him about a mile away and we pulled up and had a chat. Cycling behing him I noticed he was cycling next to the kerb and a bit vulnerable. Where we stopped was the start of a fast paced semi grid locked duel carriagway. He was going to ride on the pavement and I suggested he followed me and do what I do and we would stop at a safe place after the roudabout and have another pet talk. I made sure he was following me OK and not in any trouble. I explained what we had done to get through the traffic in a safe manner and not hug the kerb plus a load of other stuff. He lives 4 miles away from my turnoff point and he asked if we could meet up after work to cycle home together to give him more confidence as he enjoyed the experience of having someone with him and he wants to get more into cycling as it complements his jogging. It has made me feel good inside tonight that I have at least give some of my experience back to help another potential cyclist on the road. Even he knows that I am called the "Cycling Anorak" at work.

 

[Matthew_T]

Well done you. Keep up the good work.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Well done you. Keep up the good work.

This ^^^^^ in spades

 

[TheDoctor]

Did much the same with a work colleague last year.
We're going to France next summer for a somewhat alcohol-fueled weekend ride!

 

[paulw1969]

nice one.
He will gain confidence a hell of a lot faster than being alone

 

[biggs682]

3 people in our office have done ctw recentley not sure if bikes have got out of there boxes yet !

 

[2Loose]

Good work.

It reminds me of when I cycled with my (then) boss between offices. He was cycling very close to the kerb and I tried to impart that bit of knowledge to him as we rode. While concentrating on me, he clipped the kerb, wobbled, braked and ended up going over the bars and landing on the pavement. Point proven, but certainly not in a way that I wanted

Glad your advice was more successfully received

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Good on both of you! It's not the easiest time of year to begin cycling to work (so credit to him) and it sounds like your colleague has a good cycling buddy to set him right on the road (so credit to you).

 

[Maz]

On my rides home, I've stopped to push a few cars recently - each time they'd run out of petrol!!!

 

[Sandra6]

That's a really good idea, lucky he wasn't too much of a "man" to ask for your help.
Having a cycling buddy is a real confidence boost when you first start off.

 

[bicyclos]

Cheers for the replies all, had another ride home session tonight, I let him take the lead on to the dual carridgeway to give him more confidence and watched how he rode and his position etc. He was riding miles better than last night and used more of the road instead of hugging the kerb......

 

[buggi]

Fair play. i did the same myself with a total stranger the other day. he was hugging the dashed white line on a roundabout between the lanes, I was in my car (have been for a couple fo weeks), i stopped him, and he said he "didn't want to annoy the cars" so i explained my experience and primary position etc, and he seemed really open to my suggestions. Also stopped a girl the other day and gave her some hi viz slappers for her ankles, and explained from a drivers point of view about how her rear light was hidden by her frame, and maybe she could get two in case one failed. She was well happy with her "present" and thus happy to take the advice. I think if you approach them in the right way, people are always happy to take advice.