A cyclist's rant to incompetent road users...

esmerobbo

Erm

My first posting on this thread

Oh and lights should be a legal requirement! but that's 2 things!

And!

http://www.midshropshirewheelers.com/events_eveningTTGuide.asp

And from that

The use of a flashing rear light on your seat post is an excellent idea as your visibility to other traffic, especially on a dull night, is greatly improved.

esmerobbo

Now getting back to the beginning of this thread. I agree motorists should show due consideration to cyclists but should that not be both ways that they both obey the law.

Rossy.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

Lycra is the most practical and comfortable material from which to make cycling attire. That's why people use it.

I think most people (like you, for instance) mock lycra simply because they don't have a clue what they're on about.

your quite right Pew Pew. I don't have a clue about cycling other than you pedal to go forwards

I'm not after an argument. I just don't see the neccesity for Lycra. Competitive riding may see a benefit. But riding down the road to get a paper - C'mon.

I work in Central London. Usually you'll see a group of 10-20 riders giving it like their on the tour de france, all dolled up like their in the competion too.. then a normal joe blogg comes cycling past in joggers and a hi-vi. He to me looks MORE comfortable than a skin hugging pair of shorts.

This is just my view. I'm not against them i just honestly don't see the benefit of them at all

muckybutt

sequence wrote: »

Is you car made out of tin foil or something ? Errr no its a van !

How does a cyclist damage goods in transit? if I have to emergency stop cos a !!!!!! of a cyclist (even though she was a woman) decides to cut across in front of me, that sends stuff namely fluorescent lighting tubes, tools etc flying in the rear of said van, even when fully racked out in the back.

Do they still do cycling proficency tests anywhere ?

And before I get slated saying im a cyclist hater far from it, I used to do a helluva lot of road racing and time trials when I was in my younger years and am fully aware of the hazards of being a cyclist. Its just a shame that its always a few that tarnish it for other more law abiding cyclists, it got to a point when I was cycling that instead of a bell on my bike I used an air horn instead, placed it in my bottle holder !

timbo58

The lycra type shorts usually have a gel insert sewed into the crotch area and no seams that rub, if you look at a road bikes seat (i.e we used to call them 'racers' if that helps!) you'll see why.
There is no padding or very very little on a road bike seat which is also very narrow, this helps the rider balance the bike correctly.
You also do not wear underwear with them.

Hence most riders getting into road bikes initially shy away from Lycra (which not very many people are lucky to look good in to be fair!) but realise pretty quickly that you can cycle in complete comfort in lycra shorts/tights for some distance, or you can have a very nasty rash/rubbing in some very sensitive areas in a relatively short distance if you don't wear them!

They aren't a fashion statement anymore than HI VIS gear is to anyone who uses it.

rev_henry

muckybutt wrote: »

Do they still do cycling proficency tests anywhere ?

And before I get slated saying im a cyclist hater far from it, I used to do a helluva lot of road racing and time trials when I was in my younger years and am fully aware of the hazards of being a cyclist. Its just a shame that its always a few that tarnish it for other more law abiding cyclists, it got to a point when I was cycling that instead of a bell on my bike I used an air horn instead, placed it in my bottle holder !

I need to get myself an AirZound 3 horn. Look it up.

luxor4t

timbo58 wrote: »

The lycra type shorts usually have a gel insert sewed into the crotch area and no seams that rub, if you look at a road bikes seat (i.e we used to call them 'racers' if that helps!) you'll see why.
There is no padding or very very little on a road bike seat which is also very narrow, this helps the rider balance the bike correctly.
You also do not wear underwear with them. ....snipped[/QUOTE]

Oh dear, too much information

custardy

luxor4t wrote: »

timbo58 wrote: »

The lycra type shorts usually have a gel insert sewed into the crotch area and no seams that rub, if you look at a road bikes seat (i.e we used to call them 'racers' if that helps!) you'll see why.
There is no padding or very very little on a road bike seat which is also very narrow, this helps the rider balance the bike correctly.
You also do not wear underwear with them. ....snipped[/QUOTE]

Oh dear, too much information

wait till we get into crotch rot

timbo58

custardy wrote: »

luxor4t wrote: »

wait till we get into crotch rot

Yes, sorry about that: but I guess you can see why they are actually worn now by the majority of longer distance/serious cyclists.

I have tried riding in other gear or with boxer shorts: it isn't at all comfortable.

johnfarquhar74

rev_henry wrote: »

I need to get myself an AirZound 3 horn. Look it up.

Not always the answer, I have an airzound on my hybrid bike that I used to commute on (20 miles per day) and came across more than a few occasions where I could legitimately use it, bearing in mind a horn/bell/flash of lights in darkness should be used to warn other road users of your presence.

In the end I stopped using it as

i)Most road users were confused by the sudden +100dB 'parp' that they sometimes stopped dead in front of you, looking for the imaginary car that just tooted them, thus causing you more of a hinderance, or

ii)It wound some folk up to the point that road rage nearly occured.

I'd like to point out that I used the horn no more than I would normally do in my car, i.e when someone stops in front of you for no reason or pulls out without giving way.

Nowadays it's more of a novelty than a safety device!