New commute, new problems...

[Origamist]

Why are you assuming I didn't react? You of all people should know better than to make assumptions like that. It's certainly true that I could have reacted and planned ahead better than I did, but that's already been addressed.

I can't see what evasive action you took. You said you were aware of the vehicle approaching and had plenty of time to react. What did you do? Why did you not swerve left? Did it not surprise you when it struck your offside?

 

[BentMikey]

p.s. where is video footage of your cycling? How about we meet up and I film your riding for a while.

So, are we going to meet up for some filming of your riding?

As for the reaction - there are enough clues for a switched on person to work it out.

 

[Origamist]

So, are we going to meet up for some filming of your riding?

Certainly, how about tonight?

As for the reaction - there are enough clues for a switched on person to work it out.

Play the ball, not the man. I'm always polite and patient when dealing with you.

All I could discern was a belated and ineffectual parp of your AirZound - (the driver already knew you were there, but didn't give a stuff about you or your safety), there was no major lateral movement to avoid or block the overtake. If, as you say, you had plenty of time to react and were expecting the overtake (which you must have realised was going to be perilously close given your road position, the width of the carriageway and the oncoming vehicle?) why did you bother to beep when the vehicle was alongside, but not swerve left earlier - the vehicle was already committed to the overtake and was always more likely to squeeze/hit you then take a head-on crash with another car.

If the hit to your bike did not surprise you, you must have exceptional judgement and great faith in your ability to keep the bike under control as another few inches and he would have taken you down.

 

[KentMikey]

p.s. where is video footage of your cycling? How about we meet up and I film your riding for a while.

Are you a qualified cycling instructor?

 

[BentMikey]

I'm still down with lurgy, but I'm available for some filming in a week or two. I'll pm you...

As for playing the ball, and not the man, you might point that directly at yourself. We were talking about best practice, and then you bring up a video of mine. Despite my telling you that I wasn't riding particularly well there, you carry on picking at my errors, getting personal, and adding denigratory remarks. We all make mistakes after all, and I've never pretended otherwise.

Back to the principles - you suggested earlier it was acceptable to you to be surprised by vehicles approaching from behind. I disagree with that, and I feel I've failed in my observation when I've missed one. It's quite amusing how defensive you got on that!!

 

[Origamist]

I'm still down with lurgy, but I'm available for some filming in a week or two. I'll pm you...!!

No problem. GWS

As for playing the ball, and not the man, you might point that directly at yourself. We were talking about best practice, and then you bring up a video of mine. Despite my telling you that I wasn't riding particularly well there, you carry on picking at my errors, getting personal, and adding denigratory remarks. We all make mistakes after all, and I've never pretended otherwise....

Where have I got "personal"? Denigratory remarks? All I can see on this thread that is directly personal is when I said you were a braver and better man than me if you were going to stick your arm out in front of an overtaking vehicle. I meant that - it's a gutsy move. Everything else has been about trying to understand best practice with regard to riding, driving, and the use of mirrors.

The point of linking to your video (which complements Magnatom's) is that it shows an even more dangerous overtake. I thought the hit to your offside had surprised you, obviously I was wrong. You've maintained that you expected it and had plenty of reaction time...

Stating that everyone makes mistakes is a truism.

Back to the principles - you suggested earlier it was acceptable to you to be surprised by vehicles approaching from behind. I disagree with that, and I feel I've failed in my observation when I've missed one. It's quite amusing how defensive you got on that!!

I did not suggest that it was acceptable. I listed extenuating circumstances that would make it understandable (can you look behind when you've been dazzled by a full beam?). This not the same thing, but if you want to call this a "failure of observation" on the part of the cyclist, that's up to you.

I enjoy these discussions - I don't get defensive on interweb fora.