Must stop scaring ...

[Vikeonabike]

Cyclists!
My rural commute means that there aren't too may opportunities to pass other cyclists. However coming up silently from behind (???) on unsuspecting cyclists with a loud Cheery "Hello" or "Coming through" seems to frighten the poor little blinders off their bike. One poor bloke who I only pass on a very quiet country road just outside of home in the dark at around 2300 hours nearly falls off. Got him 3 times in as many months.

 

[661-Pete]

I had a similar encounter with a jogger recently, and apparently scared him too (I posted a thread about it). Makes me wonder whether my hitherto anti-bell stance is wrong.

As regards cyclists passing other cyclists: I don't often post on this subject. Just set my teeth. Not accusing you, of course, but it irritates me no end, to read some on this forum posing about 'conquests'.

I am one of those more often passed than passing, and am therefore well qualified to say: no need to make a big deal of it. Simply overtake when safe, as you would do if you were a (sensible) car driver. I'm used to being passed and it doesn't bother me.

 

[Vikeonabike]

Pete,
I only ever pass courteously, SCR doesn't apply to me as I rarely see another cyclist on a commute and the only one I tried to chase down left me for dead (his calves were bigger than my thighs). It is only corteous to shout a waning before passing, it's just that the warning seems as much a shock to them as passing without notice!

 

[downfader]

I havent been passed in ages. I dont think I'm that good a cyclist

If I have (or rather want) to pass another cyclist on a quiet road I'm often tempted to say good morning or whatever.. trouble is the old shyness kicks in as soon as I think of it.

 

[cyberknight]

more often than not the ones i catch up with on my commute are plugged into head phones and are oblivious to the world , unless i had a air horn there is no way a bell would make any difference.

I do not go out of my way to catch folk,if they are going slower i will overtake only if they really hold me up an extra minute or 2 will not kill me .The same goes for the odd overtaker i am not in any hurry to suck their wheel,odds are they have a shorter route ,are fresher or just a dang sight fitter

 

[gbb]

It is a problem sometimes. I chased down a cyclist on the Nene cycleroute from Whittlesea. Its long and straight, hardly ever a soul there.
As i approach i realise ive got to let him know i'm coming through. I used the 'coming through if i may'...and made him wobble
Its times like that i reluctantly wish i had a bell.

Pete, i suspect many (perhaps like me) who 'chase' down other cyclist are not actually trying to 'put one over' on the other cyclist...rather satisfying ones desire to be fitter and faster for my own satisfaction...not fitter and faster than the guy i just overtook. (does that make sense ? )
Although reading some posts, i know what you mean...

 

[downfader]

I tend to think you're only as good as your last ride. I reckon half the roadies and people I go past might have done a fair few more miles than me.

 

[Crankarm]

Strangely a bell or such similar audible warning device is a legal requirement on a bicycle. Those compass bells are very useful.

Or get an Airzound .................

 

[semislickstick]

Strangely a bell or such similar audible warning device is a legal requirement on a bicycle. Those compass bells are very useful.

Or get an Airzound .................

I don't think it is legally required, Highway code suggests you have one.

 

[MacB]

Or get an Airzound .................

Oh yeah, I pity the poor person that announces their arrival behind me with an airzound. Trying to explain to doctors and nurses how it got lodged where it did

 

[Jezston]

I was told when I got my new bike last week that retailers are legally obliged to fix all sold bikes with a bell.

 

[Arch]

Pete,
I only ever pass courteously, SCR doesn't apply to me as I rarely see another cyclist on a commute and the only one I tried to chase down left me for dead (his calves were bigger than my thighs). It is only corteous to shout a waning before passing, it's just that the warning seems as much a shock to them as passing without notice!

Is it? I'd never bother unless it was a narrow cycle track and I wanted the other person to know I was coming so that they didn't suddenly move out into me.

On the road in town, I just give them plenty of room and go past. In the country I might say hello, if I thought they wouldn't think I was a loony. I'm rarely passing at a great speed anyway and my wheezing and creaking knees will probably alert most to my presence.

Passed one chap twice yesterday, after he got off and walked round a corner to get through a red light. I caught him just up the road...

 

[Arch]

I was told when I got my new bike last week that retailers are legally obliged to fix all sold bikes with a bell.

Yes, it gives snobs a nice little job to do, taking it off...

 

[thomas]

I was told when I got my new bike last week that retailers are legally obliged to fix all sold bikes with a bell.

Yeah...and all cyclists need to have a 'warning' device on their bike (I believe)...but a voice counts, so the bell law thing seems silly.

 

[semislickstick]

I was told when I got my new bike last week that retailers are legally obliged to fix all sold bikes with a bell.

....and wheel reflectors, but they aren't legally required either.(on the road by end user)