Oh I just despair at times......

[Nigeyy]

Honestly, I just despair at times. A fork in the road* where the road bears right, and you can take a left. I maintain super super primary to avoid (well at least try to!) someone giving me the left hook, and I'm pretty close to the junction when I see a people carrier behind me -what do they do?

Bloody accelerate, whip around me to take the left squeezing me in!!!!!!!! Have people no sense? A couple of things from this:

1. they actually had to floor it to get round me. Had they maintained their original speed, I think they could have easily just taken the left.
2. even if they had to brake to allow me to clear the junction, I'm sure it would have only taken 1.24 seconds off their journey time. What the heck?

I really think this comes under the heading of "my stupidity compels me to always overtake a cyclist no matter what the circumstances." I reckon if overtaking me would have meant they'd go off a cliff, they'd have still done it. <Homer Simpson voice> "Mmmmmm.....Cyclist.... must.... overtake..... at..... any.... cost......brain....cells....all....gone...." </Homer Simpson voice>

Grrrrrrrrrrr.

*for clarity, I've reversed all directions in the description, as I have to cycle on the right here

 

[shimano]

Glad you survived! I'm saving up for an Airzound for just such an eventuality so I can make my feelings known.

 

[magnatom]

Come on, what did you expect... they were American....

Seriously, you do get 'must pass cyclist' drivers. Your comparison with Homer Simpson is spot on.

Mind you, you do get cyclists who think,' must pass cyclist....'

 

[gavintc]

I have a similar situation on my commute home when travelling down Queensferry Road to the junction with Quality St. It is a fast downhill section on a 4 lane urban road. I am generally travelling at around 30 mph. The speed limit is 40 mph. I too choose a solid primary - about 3/4 across the inside lane, but always have to check behind as I draw close to this junction to look for the overtaking motorist. Frequently, I have to put my right hand up in a stop signal to tell them not to overtake. Love the Homer comment. In addition, why do motorists drive with less awareness of what is around them when it is raining?

 

[Maz]

Glad you are ok, nigeyy.
It must be something to do with the Olympics being on...a whole 1.24 seconds can make all the difference between winning and losing!

 

[Plax]

Yes, some drivers are complete muppets. I had one this afternoon on a roundabout. I was cycling straight ahead and taking the next turning off. Car driver (doddery old fella) sees me, knows darn well what exit I'm taking and still carries on going. He should have given way to me, I have to move out to avoid hitting him and as I glare at him and shout "what the f%%%k are you doing!", he just motions me to carry on cycling, lets me get past him, and then overtakes.
I was a bit pissed I didn't have the camera on my helmet - I had it on the rack filming the traffic behind me so didn't get any of it.