Cyclist's and CoronaVirus

[Duncan]

I used the wrong one from my collection, sorry

 

[Moakesy]

As a keen cyclist and a member of a triathlon club, me and my club mates have agreed that the best way is to train from home using turbo trainers if possible.

At the moment there are so many more people using country lanes and other paths, it is not really possible to maintain social distancing. Dogs that are off their leads, kids, runners with headphones in and many other additional hazards means the paths don't need us lycra clad folks on there as well.

And even as experienced cyclists, we are not immune from falling off and requiring hospital treatment, so the decision has been made to avoid going out where possible, either on or off road.

I live across the road from a lovely walk, and can see about half a mile of path from my bedroom window. I'd say that the path is about five times busier than normal (perfectly understandable) but I don't understand why that also includes some 'serious' cyclist who are clearly trying to get their times up and riding far too fast with no consideration for others.

NOTE: For those that don't know what a turbo trainer is, I initally tried to describe one but gave up and decided a picture speaks a thousand words!

 

[Velma's Dad]

Hardly any travel news on the radio at moment but today as cyclist got hit by a tractor locally, I dread to think of the amount of resources took up as the air ambulance was called. All the farmers are out at the moment due to the good weather so why would anyone risk cycling ? My exercise currently consists of sit ups in my bedroom

Okay let's get things into proportion. Cycling isn't all that dangerous. From 2014-2018, one cyclist was killed and forty-four cyclists were killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads for every 33 million miles travelled by cycle - the equivalent to well over 1,000 times around the world (RRCGB RAS30001 & TRA 0403).

Full disclosure: I don't cycle, but that's because I'm a bit of a lard-arse and prefer to walk the dog, not because cycling's risky.

 

[Velma's Dad]

View attachment 56937


I used the wrong one from my collection, sorry

What, you COLLECT stupid, offensive JPEGs?

 

[pjm-84]

I was reading about the MGB driver who had a crash with a tractor. Seems tractors are dangerous. How many fire engines?

Crash involving tractor and MGB sports car sees man suffer serious injuries

A CRASH on a Hampshire main road has left a 58-year-old man with serious injuries.

www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk

 

[larrylamb]

Okay let's get things into proportion. Cycling isn't all that dangerous. From 2014-2018, one cyclist was killed and forty-four cyclists were killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads for every 33 million miles travelled by cycle - the equivalent to well over 1,000 times around the world (RRCGB RAS30001 & TRA 0403).

cyclists do fall into the "vulnerable road users" category along with pedestrians and motorcyclists with more casualties per mile than other road users.

 

[pjm-84]

cyclists do fall into the "vulnerable road users" category along with pedestrians and motorcyclists with more casualties per mile than other road users.

Missing the key ingredient...... car

 

[insomnia]

Why are road cyclists hated so much? I have never see so much hate against a certain type of person apart from people that smoke with kids in the car with them

 

[larrylamb]

I was reading about the MGB driver who had a crash with a tractor. Seems tractors are dangerous. How many fire engines?

Crash involving tractor and MGB sports car sees man suffer serious injuries

A CRASH on a Hampshire main road has left a 58-year-old man with serious injuries.

www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk

very dangerous, I still can't understand how a 16 year old can drive a huge tractor and trailer, thundering down a minor road, all legally. They are like tanks.

 

[pjm-84]

The safety in numbers approach states that in a mixed traffic environment, the balance of different types of road users can affect the relative risk of injury to individuals, suggesting that if more people cycle; the roads will become less risky for cyclists.

 

[Velma's Dad]

She will have your card marked for sure.
Burning up a load of fuel in a rally at the other side of the world...

I know, my karma was blown years ago. Greta will sail over and dance on my grave.

 

[pjm-84]

Why are road cyclists hated so much? I have never see so much hate against a certain type of person apart from people that smoke with kids in the car with them

Because its an easy target and people need to feel opinionated with the masses. It gives them a standing in society, an self-importance.

 

[pjm-84]

 

[larrylamb]

Missing the key ingredient...... car

true, but still valid.

 

[pjm-84]

true, but still valid.

Yes and no. Most cyclists who cycle chose quiet roads, free from traffic, or times when traffic numbers are low. First thing in the morning. Late evening, etc. The car driver is a sleepy animal who likes to lie in.

This is because the risks are diminished.

 

[B J G]

My thinking seems to be out of step with many.

when out walking this morning I noticed a few, not together, cyclists on the main A road and thought that they were much safer with so little traffic to worry about or hinder on their journey.

I gave up A road cycling some decades ago due to the risk to my life from vehicles brushing my elbow as they sped past.

 

[steve and lisa]

Yes and no. Most cyclists who cycle chose quiet roads, free from traffic, or times when traffic numbers are low. First thing in the morning. Late evening, etc. The car driver is a sleepy animal who likes to lie in.

This is because the risks are diminished.

What rubbish

 

[soulstyledevon]

What rubbish

@pjm-84 is spot on.
The majority of my road cycling is early Sunday mornings or post 7pm evenings.
Entirely because the biggest danger is less prevalent. The motorist...

 

[pjm-84]

In what way? Do you cycle?
Can you ride competition XC races / compete in road races / ride distance 300km / ride pave in the wet / ride cyclo cross / ride downhill / ride in a group ?

I gave up downhilling 12years ago. I found that crashing hurt and I took longer to heal compared to the younger generation. Risk removed
I stopped riding on the road 10years ago. Lost too many friends. Not worth the risk. Risk removed
I ride XC now. Back roads that even cars are unable to use. Hit a few trees when racing but I'm slightly bigger than the nom.

 

[pjm-84]

Hate getting on and off for cyclo cross. Too big and heavy. Risk removed to my gentleman's area

 

[larrylamb]

I'm not anti btw, just noticed a consequence locally due to the number of people at home now.

On another note driving to work at 13.30 i noticed the roads were a lot busier today. Are people getting a bit fed up of isolation and starting to creep out a bit more or are folks still doing a Friday big shop even though every day is a Friday at the moment (to a lot of people)??

 

[Bill R]

Yes I drove to the chemist. Read it again!!

I said I had been out previously on my bike for excercise on a cycle path travelling at a slow speed. Don't worry, I am not one of these lycra clad idiots that think they are in the tour er France and hated by the majority of the population

What a shame that the thread has come to that. I Cycle, I wear Lycra, I’m not an idiot and don’t wear Lycra because I think I’m in the Tour de France. There are lots of reasons why regular Cyclists wear Lycra which can be googled if you were interested.
a sensible conversation about the preferences for Cycling in the current climate is healthy , but I’d like to think I’m not hated by the majority of the population just because I occasionally wear Lycra when riding my bike.

 

[Moakesy]

I’ve also vastly reduced road cycling now due to cars. When I do go out on the road, it’s mostly early at the weekend to reduce the risk.

Cyclocross is my main thing now, with a bit of mountain biking thrown in. The main risk to me now is my ability, once I ride beyond that accidents happen.

For reasons unknown, there are far too many car drivers who see Lycra clad cyclists as akin to vermin. Just before Xmas there was a driver in my town who actually turned their car around to go back and run over acyclist in his 60’s who had the audacity to ride on the road. There was no other issues other than they had to slow down to overtake him. The cyclist died and the driver is now in prison.

Going back to the main point, ALL of us need to maintain social distancing no matter what form our daily exercise takes. If people choose to ignore these rules, then of course other people are going to get annoyed.

 

[Borris]

Fantastic forum punchup combo-theme: lycra-clad cyclists AND coronavirus rules! Can we get Greta Thunberg into this?

And just a dash of Brexit?

 

[Gary&Heather]

Never a boring moment on here