Overtaken by another rider intent on wiping us both out...

[SteveBM]

Went out for a lovely winter ride in the sunshine yesterday. I ended up doing 85 miles, and it's fair to say I was a bit slow for the last few miles, back home.

As I climbed that last 1/2 mile, very low gradient, I was doing about 14mph and I was knackered. There was also quite a lot of traffic passing me.

Suddenly, I hear a car horn right next to me, and I glance to the my right to see another cyclist passing. No warning, not even an "on your right mate" or a wave. He'd decided to pass between me and a car which was overtaking, nearly wiping us both out!

No wave, not a word of warning or acknowledgement!

Just needed to vent there - I feel better now because I know you'll understand!

 

[Globalti]

Was it his fault or the car driver's fault?

 

[SteveBM]

definitely the cyclist I'm afraid, I doubt the motorist would've used his horn if there was sufficient space for him to pass

 

[Markymark]

Are you sure that the car didn't overtake after the cyclist had already started?

 

[Gatters]

who do you think made the first overtake move, car or bike?

 

[Globalti]

Surely the driver was "horning" the other cyclist, not you? And surely a good driver would have seen a cyclist catching up another cyclist and would have hung back a little?

 

[SteveBM]

Yeah all good points chaps. I couldn't see behind me, but nevertheless a little warning from the cyclist would've been nice.

On the rare occasions that I overtake anyone, I always make the rider aware that I'm there....

 

[ianrauk]

Yeah all good points chaps. I couldn't see behind me, but nevertheless a little warning from the cyclist would've been nice.

On the rare occasions that I overtake anyone, I always make the rider aware that I'm there....

An..."on our right" would have shown good manners.

 

[Markymark]

My guess is that cyclist overtakes you. Driver overtakes cyclists withiut thinking they would be two wide.

Probably driver not giving enough space but would also suggest other cyclist should have checked the way was clear for him(?) to pull out safely.

Probably everyone being a bit rubbish apart from you!

 

[Ajax Bay]

If he cared/thought he may have judged that it was safer to go past you without a warning: a warning you may or may not have heard from behind. As (he might judge) there was less chance of a wobble/change in line if he was past you before you knew it (given the differential in speed you imply). The car was hooting at him not you, of course, possibly out of surprise that one cyclist was overtaking another and therefore the wider line your nemesis was taking.

Bear in mind the cyclist will have manoeuvered to overtake you before the car did to overtake him, so think blaming the other cyclist 'definitely' may be a tadge unfair (put yourself on his saddle and perspective). Also I think waving is optional (nonetheless encouraged) and should be subordinate to the rider's requirement for safe handling/safety.

Having been surprised by a 'speedy gonzales' carbon framed job coming past me quite close and without warning at the end of a hard ride, I recognise exactly the feelings expressed. [Managed to latch onto his 'second man' though and got a tow for a while, till my route turned off (and I was knackered staying on the wheel).]

 

[Moodyman]

"'No wave, not a word of warning or acknowledgement!''

A bloke cycles 85 miles and gets no cheery hello. Shame on the overtaking cyclist.

 

[SteveBM]

My guess is that cyclist overtakes you. Driver overtakes cyclists withiut thinking they would be two wide.

Probably driver not giving enough space but would also suggest other cyclist should have checked the way was clear for him(?) to pull out safely.

Probably everyone being a bit rubbish apart from you!

I was just being a bit slow!

 

[Ajax Bay]

A bloke cycles 85 miles and gets no cheery hello. Shame on the overtaking cyclist.

Yes, it should have been obvious to the cyclist coming up behind (at say 6mph (=9 feet per second) closing speed) that the sterling rider ahead had been out for 6 hours plus. A shout of greeting (say when 15 feet behind) is just what's required to get the bloke struggling up the final drag to home to look round, have a wobble (maybe), take his hand off the handlebars to wave (at the overtaking cyclist that's passed him by now and not looking back), have another wobble, get hooted at by the car doubly overtaking . . . . Stay safe everyone. The issue here is giving people enough space; both the overtaking cyclist and the car driver. Glad you got home safely, @SteveBM - channel that energy into your next 85 miles.

 

[SteveBM]

Thanks all, this post achieved it's original aim of me blowing off some steam, and had the unexpected consequence of me seeing this from everyone's perspective too!!

Appreciate your views guys, this really is a wonderful forum.

 

[Globalti]

As a footnote, I don't mind if car drivers give me a polite pip from 100 yards back to let me know they are there as I ride so fast that the wind roars in my ears, deafening me.... *cough*

I hate it when they come up close behind and horn me though.