I'm Invisible!

[krhall]

<rant> :smt013Got on my push bike this morning for the first time since December and to my amazement found out that I am apparently even more invisible than I usually am on the SV, I have to say it was a truly scary experience.

Why don't cagers have any peripheral vision? Every car driver should be made to ride pillion on a proper bike or be forced to cycle to work once a week, I'm sure that they would open their eyes a bit........:smt013 </rant>

[kwak zzr]

being on a push bike on the road is dangerous, my mates had loads of near misses on his.

[ThEGr33k]

I cant say much i nearly pulled on on one on my bike. Made it out before him but it was a bit close :(

I think the problem is they are small and not very bright in most cases, if bikes had a light on the front to catch the eye it might help OR ride somewhere further into the road? Maybe its all about awareness? To be honest you dont see many so perhase you dont think to look for them.

I know its not a good excuse... Its wierd i saw him but i didnt if you get what i mean, and i do ride a push rod also :rolleyes:.

[Davies]

Got on my push bike this morning




There's your problem right there ;)




On the other hand I've just bought a mountain bike through Cyclescheme at work to use a couple of days a week.......not looking forward to it TBH. Maybe pegs and cardboard will be loud enough for me to be heard :rolleyes:

[fizzwheel]

<rant> :smt013Got on my push bike this morning for the first time since December and to my amazement found out that I am apparently even more invisible than I usually am on the SV, I have to say it was a truly scary experience.

Fun aint it !!

I commute to work by push bike, and I quite often extend my route home whilst the weathers been nice. I'm lucky I've got some nice quiet country lanes to ride on, but I've nearly been clipped by cars a few times.

I find that if I dont ride in the gutter and ride more defensively i.e in the left hand car wheel tracks I get seen a lot easier and then they'll give me more room. I've had plenty of cars pull out in front of me though I nearly T-Boned the side of an Audi the other night.

I've got used to it now and I just dont react to it, I had words with a car driver ages ago and they tried to run me off the road...

Its not worth getting stressed about it IMHO.

[krhall]

I used to cycle everyday but since having the SV I've been a lazy git. I never paid too much attention before but really noticed it this morning.

My language was much bluer than on the m/bike. It always amazes me how cars/buses/lorries/vans drive past you one minute being very aware of you then 100 metres further up the road in traffic they leave absoulutely no room for you.

[hovis]

<rant>I'm Invisible </rant>


:shock:WHO SAID THAT?:shock:

[krhall]

........and now that I am at work I have to cycle home again so another 12 miles to look forward to this afternoon........

[krhall]

:shock:WHO SAID THAT?:shock:

Have you been driving a car this morning Hovis?;)

[fizzwheel]

My language was much bluer than on the m/bike. It always amazes me how cars/buses/lorries/vans drive past you one minute being very aware of you then 100 metres further up the road in traffic they leave absoulutely no room for you.

Yep I get that to. I'm on a road bike so I can clock a decent speed on the flat, they look surprised when they get stuck in traffic and I pass them again.

I cycle with two other guys and whilst I wear cycling gear, shorts and a branded team jersey they dont, I notice they get a much rougher ride off the the traffic than I do, they'll get cut up where as because I look like a proper cyclist I seem to get given a bit more room.

[krhall]

whilst I wear cycling gear, shorts and a branded team jersey they dont, I notice they get a much rougher ride off the the traffic than I do, they'll get cut up where as because I look like a proper cyclist I seem to get given a bit more room.

I'm built for comfort and not for speed so would look like a right plum in proper cycle gear.

I might try being a bit more defensive though, the reason I try to stay over is because I know as a car driver how much of a pain cyclists can be if they are in the way. So I think I am doing the right thing. :confused:

[krhall]

Plus I don't have a road bike, I use a Raleigh Grifter - watch me go in 3rd gear!!!!

Actually its a hybrid type thing Carrera Subway 8 and has a top end speed which I just cannot get faster than even down a steep hill. Might be the tyres they are puncture resistant Kevlar jobs.

[fizzwheel]

I might try being a bit more defensive though, the reason I try to stay over is because I know as a car driver how much of a pain cyclists can be if they are in the way. So I think I am doing the right thing. :confused:

Thats pretty much what I do, I sit out from the gutter and hold my space on the road. Sometimes I get barged ( I nearly got clipped by a transit wing mirror last night ) but most of the time I get left space and overtaken safely.

I wont ride in the gutter, its full of gravel and nasty sharp road debris and thats how you pick up punctures.

[ASM-Forever]

But don't all the cyclists need a special place in the office....as they come in pouring with sweat/mud/water etc. Unless there are shower facilities, cycling to work should be avoided.

[fizzwheel]

Unless there are shower facilities.

I guess we're quite lucky, we've got a shower room so I can have a shower and get changed when I get to work.

[krhall]

Nah we have showers here and lockers - although I am one of the few people who do occasionally cycle and actually use them.......In fact I often find the showers in the same state as I left them in even if I haven't used them for a week or so!

MINGERS!

[Daimo]

Where we are, its not so bad on a pushbike, it just theres a lot of simpletons out around that time in the morning.

Got more time for cyclists outside the city than I have for the idiot kamakazi types you see up town.

[philbut]

Used to live in Cambridge, now in oxford so I've always commuted on a bike. Used to do it in Worcester too when i lived there. same as being on the SV really, just expect the worst. it really does help to get a yellow vest or something like. Did get reversed over once by an old biddy in an astra estate. I was a little peeved to say the least, considering i was on a foot path and talking to a mate at the time. i alerted her to my presence with my D lock on her rear window. b*tch didn't even apologise and just drove off - yes, you are indeed invisible!

[krhall]

yes, you are indeed invisible!

Very reassuring!!!

I used to do it everyday and don't remember it being this bad?

[Flamin_Squirrel]

This is (motor)bike talk, not bicycle talk! MODS!

[krhall]

This is (motor)bike talk, not bicycle talk! MODS!
Very true, but to try and keep it here I have referenced the SV several times - look I did it again see!;)