Nearly taken out by Sportive nutcases

[glasgowcyclist]

then it's up to the driver to move their head in order to see for themselves... they are after all in control of the vehicle. Most drivers don't rely on passenger information (IME), it's the few that do who worry me.

I used to work in an area with uncontrolled level crossings. When out with a colleague in the car, me as passenger, I used to wait until we were at one of these crossings and he had ascertained it was safe to cross. He always checked to his right again as we crossed, at which point I'd suddenly brace myself in my seat and go "AAARGH!"
Worked every single time.

In my defence I was young and stupid(er) then.

GC

 

[snorri]

In my defence I was young and stupid(er) then.

A variation on that was for the passenger to say "All clear", then when the car had started to move..............................................................................................................................................................................".if your fast".

 

[glasgowcyclist]

A variation on that was for the passenger to say "All clear", then when the car had started to move..............................................................................................................................................................................".if your fast".

Or, "All clear after the red car.... NO not THAT red car!"

GC

 

[Pale Rider]

I suspect some of the 'nutcase' cyclists in this thread will have been chasing Strava segments.

A few months ago a roadie told me there is a problem in his club with some members who take risks they would not otherwise take in pursuit of internet glory.

 

[Hip Priest]

I suspect some of the 'nutcase' cyclists in this thread will have been chasing Strava segments.

A few months ago a roadie told me there is a problem in his club with some members who take risks they would not otherwise take in pursuit of internet glory.

I've seen some Strava segments that cross quite tricky junctions. The sort of junctions where you need to make a full and proper assessment before moving out. I don't know why people set them up.

 

[winjim]

Or, "All clear after the red car.... NO not THAT red car!"

GC

I've driven with a passenger who, when it was safe to pull out, would shout "break!" as in "there's a break in the traffic". The homophone never occurred to her until I pointed out why I was stuck paralysed at the junction

 

[Smokin Joe]

It's the mob mentality. You get the same with groups of motorcyclists and crowds on their way to a football match. The "Safety in numbers" attitude kicks in and people think they can do what they like.

I stopped riding sportives because I found them embarrassing.

 

[the_mikey]

Well, duh.

But if it turns out they're wrong, I can't sue them. And the poster claimed specifically that you could sue a ride leader through their BC insurance, which I felt was a point worth challenging.

Also, it's not safe to assume that the semantics involved in the language and hand signals used by cyclists are the same as your own.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

INDEED!

Crikey!!!

Not a good event, for anyone

With incidents like that, for 2016 Tour de Yorkshire, they will probably either;
1. Have no Sportive (on YAS/Police 'advice'/request)
2. Have entry criteria (pack riding experience required)
3. Reduce numbers

 

[mjr]

I've seen some Strava segments that cross quite tricky junctions. The sort of junctions where you need to make a full and proper assessment before moving out. I don't know why people set them up.

They park at a nearby bowling green and want to reduce the number of cyclists.

 

[Drago]

I've noticed that some of the more reckless downhill strava suicide segments appear to have been deleted recently, including a couple t hat used footpaths for some of their length.

 

[HertzvanRental]

It's worth pointing out, I think, that whilst the aforementioned horror stories are regrettable, for the vast majority of sportive riders the aim is just to finish and have an enjoyable ride into the bargain.

 

[Hip Priest]

It's worth pointing out, I think, that whilst the aforementioned horror stories are regrettable, for the vast majority of sportive riders the aim is just to finish and have an enjoyable ride into the bargain.

True.

It's the minority that tarnish the rep of sportives.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

as a non-driver but frequent passenger, it baffles me when the driver asks me if it's clear.... "you're driving... you tell me!"

then it's up to the driver to move their head in order to see for themselves... they are after all in control of the vehicle. Most drivers don't rely on passenger information (IME), it's the few that do who worry me.

Although, why would you say that it was ok to pull out when there was a car coming towards you?? Passengers generally are not stupid lemmings you know.

It doesn't happen very often, but certainly pulling out of our drive, nobbers have started parking on the pavement beside, blocking the view. A second pair of eyes is usually asked for as we might be able to see what the driver can't. The driver still checks if possible, but it is helpful nontheless.

Do you think passengers don't value their health? Do you think I would say it was ok with a car driving straight towards me or something similar?? Seriously?
I don't care about the car, its true, but I care about the health of myself and everyone else in the car.

My wife and I were merrily driving along behind a sportive a month or so ago. We were being patient, waiting for a safe place to overtake, and indeed chatting about how it must be nice to cycle in a group occasionally; eventually our left turn came up and we hadn't managed to overtake so we started slowing for the turn when some stupid nobber on a carbon bike came zooming up the inside of our car while we were indicating to turn left. There followed a hurried application of brakes and some choice words from Mrs cisamcgu (who very rarely swears) - he, the cyclist, didn't even seem to notice that he had almost been squished flat and carried on pedalling with his head down after his friends in the group ahead. Complete pillock and no doubt the cause of many a frustrated driver further along the road.

People cycling two or three abreast with a car waiting to pass behind them gets on my t*ts, especially when the cyclists just look at you like you are a complete moron when you point this out to you.

Well done, yet another driver who might now be pi**ed off at cyclists. Well done!

 

[summerdays]

Note to sportive riders: Don't shout "clear" to other riders. More importantly don't listen to someone you don't know shouting "clear".

When the ride leader on a Sunday morning club ride shouts clear, you can trust him. If your trust turns out to be ill placed, you can sue his sorry arse (he'll have 3rd party insurance). When a random sportive rider shouts "clear" ... well, you may just as well obey the instructions of a driver who flashes his headlights at you. He isn't the one who will be sued if you crash into something.

I've always told my kids (once they were old enough), not to trust even me saying it's clear to cross a road and that I could make a mistake, so they should also look and check my decision.