So much road rage...in me

[rualexander]

Borders Buses take bikes on some of their routes out of Edinburgh.
https://www.bordersbuses.co.uk/bike-friendly-buses
https://www.bordersbuses.co.uk/bike-friendly-journeys

 

[Dogtrousers]

For weekend riding can you ride out in the morning, when it's quiet and get a train home from the end of your ride? That's what I do, but I may be lucky that it's quite practical for me to do that. I know what you mean about having to do the last 15km of your ride through built up areas. It kind of takes the edge off the enjoyment.

 

[BigMeatball]

Yes, use the car to drive away from all the other cars!

I know, not the most environmental friendly way to do things, but certainly the only way to guarantee my mental sanity

Also better and cheaper than the train, so that's what I'm planning for next Saturday.

 

[ianrauk]

City/Town cycling is not for everyone. Some people just get on with it and are not bothered by all the kerfuffle it brings. Others just can't be doing with it. My partner hates cycling in built up areas so when we plan a cycle ride together we put the bikes in the car and drive to a start point with far less traffic.
So do as others have said, grab a train or drive out to quieter spots, jump on your bike and pedal away.
Much better for your well being.

 

[Globalti]

GtiJ and I once went out with a small group from Manchester Uni. The first few miles of the ride were just getting clear of the city out into Cheshire where the roads seemed quite busy compared with Lancashire where we normally ride. Then back into the city; there's no joy in riding on busy city roads even at a weekend.

 

[BigMeatball]

there's no joy in riding on busy city roads even at a weekend.

Aye, no joy at all, at least for me. I can imagine it's the same in every city but in Edinburgh there is always traffic, even when I leave the house at 8am on a Saturday morning. Potholes are always there regardless of the time, bus drivers cutting you off are always there even at the weekend. Can't wait to move out of here.

 

[BigMeatball]

Great ride on Saturday morning.

Loaded the bike on the car, drove out for 30 minutes, parked the car, unloaded the bike, and off I was.

Rode my bike up and down the hills for 2 hours, didn't see ANY cars on the road, just a dozen of polite and friendly cyclists.

I don't think I'll ever be able to go back.

 

[Vantage]

I'll be a hypocrite and say I almost wish I'd been able to do that on Saturday.
It started off nice, but cycle.travel dragged me through the worst of Wigan and Leigh and by the time I was back out the other side on quiet bike trails I was in a right foul mood.

 

[Electric_Andy]

Good advice above, but I'd also concentrate on not letting the close passes etc get to you. it will eat you up if you let it. It can happen anywhere, even on country roads (although less traffic I know). Try and chnage how you react to idiot drivers; I just try and laugh under my breath and think how idiotic they are and wonder how they have got through life so far without a full time carer.

 

[vickster]

Great ride on Saturday morning.

Loaded the bike on the car, drove out for 30 minutes, parked the car, unloaded the bike, and off I was.

Rode my bike up and down the hills for 2 hours, didn't see ANY cars on the road, just a dozen of polite and friendly cyclists.

I don't think I'll ever be able to go back.

Good stuff. Presumably you're not an urban commuter or utility cyclist?

 

[BigMeatball]

Good stuff. Presumably you're not an urban commuter or utility cyclist?

Yep. I only use the bike for leisure and training related purposes on the weekend.

 

[bigjim]

I sometimes quite enjoy dealing with traffic especially today when filtering through an unusually long line of traffic and realising that a motorbike was following me through, so I pulled over to the side when I reached the lights to allow room for him at the front. We both had a bit of a chuckle when I pointed out how much the drivers hated him for filtering and a short discussion followed of which one of us they hated more.

I still think it's him, obviously.

Jump the train and get out the city, especially if you aren't commuting and just out to enjoy leisure rides. Life's too short.

I ride a motorbike and never ever get grief off drivers. On the pushbike the opposite. Strange.

 

[bigjim]

GtiJ and I once went out with a small group from Manchester Uni. The first few miles of the ride were just getting clear of the city out into Cheshire where the roads seemed quite busy compared with Lancashire where we normally ride. Then back into the city; there's no joy in riding on busy city roads even at a weekend.

The Cheshire lanes on a Sunday have more than their fair share of idiots. Some of them are cyclists.

 

[Wobbling]

I can only advise as others have suggested get our earlier however you still get them on the homeward run but at least you can de tense in the bath