Welcome to episode 2 of my occasional but ongoing series about things I am having to deal with, but could do without, during my training for the ride to Cornwall.
This post could easily have been dedicated to the man (I say man, that wasn't the word I used at the time) driving a blue mercedes who almost killed me this week in Balham. I decided against that though, as the thought of it makes me very angry, and I would rather this stays a little lighter than that!
- Other Cyclists
Unfortunately there is a common perception of cyclists being a menace on the roads. Of course I have witnessed people flying out into the roads, dodging traffic, not signaling, riding on pavements, not having any lights, talking on their phones and weaving all over the place, not paying attention to traffic lights across junctions and the craziest thing of all, riding without a helmet. I don't want to seem naive, but I genuinely believe that this is a minority of people. If you happen to be one of these cyclists, please understand that a lot of the rage directed at the rest of us happens because of you. It creates a horrible and unsafe atmosphere, and accidents are caused because we don't have enough respect as road users.
There are however, a few other things that cause me a certain amount of annoyance on a day to day basis, that are done by cyclists who ride in a perfectly safe way, they just seem to get on my nerves.
Firstly I would like other cyclists to smile a bit more. I've already mentioned in the post about my yellow jacket story that people seem to be unwilling to engage with anyone else when they stop at traffic lights and junctions. I asked a guy on a bike the other day which exit he was taking off a roundabout, as I was going to sit the correct side of him and make life easier as we pulled away, but I got back nothing!
I think that this is probably a London thing, as anytime I have cycled anywhere else everyone is lovely and smiley. Lighten up London.
I also have a problem with people who I've overtaken, pulling up to a set of lights where I've been held up, and sitting in front of me. It just wastes everybody's time! I am clearly faster than you, especially on the Boardman, and it must end up being a constant dent in your confidence to keep on being overtaken.
I cannot stand anyone cycling on a Boris Bike, they are so heavy and slow that the cycle lanes get clogged up. I also think that Boris Bikes should automatically come with a helmet, it seems crazy to me that people chug around the centre of London on these things without any sort of protection. The roads are not a safe place, and your head needs protecting.
Lastly, I would like to come out of work and find my bike in the position I left it in. More often than not it has been knocked over and is hanging all askew by it's lock. I manage to get it in the cycle rack without disturbing anyone else's bike, so why can't other people do the same?
I think that is enough venting for now as I can feel myself tensing up!
I'll be back in a few days with an update on the rest of the team. At the moment I am the only member of the team with a fully working suitable bike, but I will elaborate on that in the next post!
Keep sponsoring us, we have had an amazing amount of support in the last couple of weeks. It really inspires the training, so a massive thankyou to all of you.
www.justgiving.com or text RIDE76 to 70070 to donate £5
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