People of habit

[Easytigers]

Have started to make a real effort to cycle everyday to work (I was getting to the point where I would find every excuse possible but realised that I had to harden up!).
Going in everyday has made me realise just how much we are creatures of habit. I see the same people everyday at the same time...I can judge how early/late I am by the places that people are on the road or bus stop etc.
Anyone else find the same thing???
p.s. Have also found that so many people let on everyday and that kinda makes me smile!

 

[400bhp]

Yeah, there's the odd cyclist I see regularly and generally pass at the same place at the same time - literally within 1/4 mile.

I probably pass/get passed by the same cars but they all blend into a mass of obstacles to get in the way of my important ride to work.

 

[Liamjc90]

I find the same, see the same people waiting for buses, same cyclists and cars even the same stinking taylor's industrial waste removal lorry and usually in the same places. Tho in yesterdays wind and rain i think i was the only one on my whole journey cycling.

 

[Easytigers]

Never thought about the cars! Although there is a white van that passes me everyday, just a bit too close (he lives in the village as well and have often imagined what I might say to him if I see him in the street...not good I know!)

 

[Easytigers]

Th

I find the same, see the same people waiting for buses, same cyclists and cars even the same stinking taylor's industrial waste removal lorry and usually in the same places. Tho in yesterdays wind and rain i think i was the only one on my whole journey cycling.

That's weird...I was saying to a guy at work yesterday that i probably only saw about 10 cars on the whole way in ...usually it's quite a bit busier!

 

[Liamjc90]

Th
That's weird...I was saying to a guy at work yesterday that i probably only saw about 10 cars on the whole way in ...usually it's quite a bit busier!

Hmm, yea was strangely quiet yesterday. I think most people stayed in bed a bit longer trying to avoid the horrid weather. I know i would have but i knew the wind would slow me down a bit.

 

[clarion]

There is a chap we see by whom we can check the time. But I hope no one uses spotting me for the same purpose, as I use several different routes at several different times.

 

[ianrauk]

see loads of the same people, cars & other cycle commuters at the same time most days...

 

[400bhp]

Never thought about the cars! Although there is a white van that passes me everyday, just a bit too close (he lives in the village as well and have often imagined what I might say to him if I see him in the street...not good I know!)

Chances are, because you [i'm assuming] have your cycling gear on whilst on the bike, he won't recognise you when off the bike. You have the element of surprise.

Conversation can go "You don't know me do you?" [pause for effect] "I'm the poor sap on the bike you try to mow down every day at [time]-give me a bit more room mate. I'm just trying to get to work like you. I ldo ike to go home to my [insert wife/kids/partner/inanimate object] each evening"

This actually happened to a mate of mine - he almost got mowed down by (IIRC) a DHL delivery truck on the way into Manchester. He'd popped out of work early morning a bit later and chance would have it he saw the bloke delivering to a shop. He said something along the lines of the above.

 

[400bhp]

There is a chap we see by whom we can check the time. But I hope no one uses spotting me for the same purpose, as I use several different routes at several different times.

We? You have a commute buddy?

 

[classic33]

There is a chap we see by whom we can check the time. But I hope no one uses spotting me for the same purpose, as I use several different routes at several different times.*

* Multiple personalities?

 

[clarion]

We? You have a commute buddy?

I often do the first 14km of my commute with my partner, Butterfly. If I'm not riding with her, I might go out a bit later and use a different route.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I have a theory that being creatures of habit is helpful to our safety, its only a theory based on my experience. With the same people using the same routes at roughly the same time we get used to each other, drivers see me regularly and get used to the way I ride, I see the same drivers every day, get used to the way they drive, and learn who the idiots are. We also learn the roads, the traffic patterns and the safest way to deal with the junctions. I recon commuting is at its most dangerous when we start a new route, for the first few weeks we are learning all the stuff I've mentioned above and until its all learnt our accident risk is raised.

 

[400bhp]

There's a contra theory to that backed up by stats. You are at greater risk of an accident (in a car) within the first few miles of leaving your house. This is likely to be because you know the roads and can be in auto pilot. as it were.

Changing the route keeps you on your toes and I vary my route often, not just for this reason, but because of several other reasons too.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

There's a contra theory to that backed up by stats. You are at greater risk of an accident (in a car) within the first few miles of leaving your house. This is likely to be because you know the roads and can be in auto pilot. as it were.

Changing the route keeps you on your toes and I vary my route often, not just for this reason, but because of several other reasons too.

Yes I've seen that one as well and I've often wondered if knowing the roads over a wide area increases your risk.