I have a tip on how you can become invisible:
Ride a white touring bike with one red pannier on the right side of the bike, wear "normal"clothes, i.e. walking trousers and a blue long sleeved top, don't wear a helmet, ride uphill very slowly (only a month or so to the THR). Certainly worked for me, so many close passes I lost count, including the moron who decided to squeeze passed as we went through a traffic island - so close I ended up smacking the window (not something I normally do, but really, the road was empty just beyond the island). According to his passenger (he stopped to have a go at me- so he was in a real hurry) I deliberately swerved out at them, really? Who would come off worse in that situation? Unfortunately I get too angry to put forward a coherent argument at times like that and end up telling them they are morons and stop before I start swearing. Once they have gone I could quite eloquently argue my case! One day I will manage it, and probably be faced with a knuckle dragger who simple wants to run me over!
I am 5'6" tall and weigh around 9st, a lot of 13 year olds are bigger than me, it could easily have been a young, inexperienced rider and not a grumpy old git that they nearly struck! It's not surprising that most youngsters are reluctant to ride a bike.
A while back I watched in dismay as a driver berated a lad on his bike for "getting in the way", threatening to knock him over if he didn't move to the kerb- the lad must have been all of 10. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) the driver then floored it away (all in a 30mph limit at school finishing time) before I had the chance to say anything - again not quick witted enough to note his number plate.
Perhaps I need to put my camera back on the handlebars or helmet (when I wear one).
