Roll on term time

[2Loose]

When the roads are quiet in the morning I see some horrendously risky driving.

Some people seem to think the roads are a race track, I assume that because they can see a 100 metre clear stretch, that means accelerate as hard as possible and then brake as late as possible as if that will get them to their destination quicker.

This morning I was following 2 cars down a slight hill with sleeping policemen every 150m and a cycle lane which has a bollarded chicane beside the sleeping policemen. As it was no problem to keep up with the cars, I wasn't using it.

Just approaching the third traffic calming measure, doing about 25, a hatchback screams alongside me and brakes hard as the cars in front slowed for the bumpy bits. Expressing my displeasure with a loud 'Oi, watch it', the driver indicates the cycle lane.

Quite angry, I moved into the cycle lane, put the hammer down and undertook the three cars before retaking the lane and left them all behind me. Still a bit angry as my ride in is normally far more relaxed.

Can't wait for the cars to start clogging the roads up again, they seem to be far calmer when they have nothing to do except crawl along behind each other.

 

[palinurus]

Where I am it's generally more relaxing when the roads are quiet. When busy there isn't quite enough traffic volume to slow 'em down, but enough to induce low-level frustration- probably a similar traffic volume to what you are getting now!

 

[gaz]

I find people driver like idiots when it's busy, not when it's quiet.

 

[magnatom]

It's term time here already. It means back to filtering. Filtering is in itself fun, but I must admit I prefer the quieter roads. I'll let you know if there is any improvement or decline in the driving standards!

 

[2Loose]

You guys are right about quiter roads are normally better, but perhaps these incidents just stand out more because there are so few cars on the road at the moment. The dodgy driving normally gets lost in the hubub of the normal commute.

 

[Matthames]

I am looking forward to term time. The funny thing is, unlike most of the posters where traffic gets busier, the reverse is true for where I live. Normally I go to my voluntary work around about midday, so don't get either the rush hour or the school run. But during the school holidays, because I live in a touristy kind of area the traffic has been heavier than normal as everybody was heading to the beach.

Lighter traffic on the main road also means I am more willing to take the back roads for extra miles. Mainly due to impatient idiots with a heavy right foot thinking that adding 6 miles to their journey through country lanes is going to get them to their destination quicker.

 

[BentMikey]

Must admit I prefer the busy traffic of term time too. Less speed, just as much crazy driving.

 

[stowie]

I find cycling on a Sunday has more incident than any other day. Whether the drivers are less experienced, or the roads a bit clearer thus allowing more stupid behaviour is something I don't know.

It isn't just drivers being stupid with Cyclists, they are also stupid with each other on a Sunday. I have much more close passing on a Sunday along with stupid "overtake and brake for the lights" stunts. I assume this shows a lack of driving experience with these drivers and that they are ignorant of how to deal with many different road conditions.

Last Sunday I had a driver cut me up in spectacular fashion, then cut up a bus. If the driver is daft enough to cut up a bus, I stand little chance on a bicycle. Of course I caught up with the driver at the next set of lights, but for some reason he had wound up his window and wasn't in the mood for a chat.

 

[magnatom]

It's funny how it differs for different people (and different places). This Sunday past, was my last Sunday commute due to my oldest going to School and some changes at work. I've loved my Sunday commutes and I am really going to miss them. Quiet roads, and generally people seem to be in less of a rush. Yes the speeds are greater (mine as well! ), but generally I get treated better.

 

[Paul_L]

When the roads are quiet in the morning I see some horrendously risky driving.

Some people seem to think the roads are a race track, I assume that because they can see a 100 metre clear stretch, that means accelerate as hard as possible and then brake as late as possible as if that will get them to their destination quicker.

This morning I was following 2 cars down a slight hill with sleeping policemen every 150m and a cycle lane which has a bollarded chicane beside the sleeping policemen. As it was no problem to keep up with the cars, I wasn't using it.

Just approaching the third traffic calming measure, doing about 25, a hatchback screams alongside me and brakes hard as the cars in front slowed for the bumpy bits. Expressing my displeasure with a loud 'Oi, watch it', the driver indicates the cycle lane.

Quite angry, I moved into the cycle lane, put the hammer down and undertook the three cars before retaking the lane and left them all behind me. Still a bit angry as my ride in is normally far more relaxed.

Can't wait for the cars to start clogging the roads up again, they seem to be far calmer when they have nothing to do except crawl along behind each other.

not sure if i read that right, but have you now accelerated past the tosser and are now sitting in front of him?

Quite understand why you were angry, but my rule of thumb is i'd rather have a dickhead in front of me where i can see what he's doing rather than have him behind me where i'm vulnerable to his stupidity.

 

[HJ]

With term starting on Thursday the roads will all too soon be busy again, I'll be sad to see that quite roads go...

 

[StuartG]

I regularly use the National Express coach service to Aberystwyth and, by preference, usually sit behind the driver.

The drivers are really good and can comfortably cruise at 60 mph along the winding Welsh single carriageway roads. Yet because it is a coach it is a target to be scalped by the local boy racers. Not easy overtaking a long coach with restricted vision ahead. But dedication to gaining a Darwin Award knows no bounds and we regularly see close calls. All for nothing. Its instructive to see how calm the coach drivers settle down and follow an unhelpful tractor driver for miles on end.

That's the trick. Stay cool like them and especially when tempted to retaliate as some tosspot tries to use my elbows to clean his wing mirrors ...

 

[3tyretrackterry]

i cycle all year round am lucky enough to often be going to or from work when vast majority is going other way ie on nights i am going home as everyone is going to work. i work in a city and live in the burbs. so my side of the road is often quieter. However i am waiting for the council to improve the way lights are controlled as more often than not i need a car to trip the sensor so the lights will change in my favour. a few times i have to RLJ as the lights wont change at all for me. i prefer the lights with a sensor on top like a PIR rather than a sensor in the road surface.
Anyone else have these problems

 

[2Loose]

However i am waiting for the council to improve the way lights are controlled as more often than not i need a car to trip the sensor so the lights will change in my favour. a few times i have to RLJ as the lights wont change at all for me. i prefer the lights with a sensor on top like a PIR rather than a sensor in the road surface.
Anyone else have these problems

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How lights detect vehicles