I went for a cycle ride on Friday afternoon.
in [UK Drivers]
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From: Doug on 19 Jun 2010 01:16 Big mistake! Not to be recommended. It just didn't occur to me when I set off and never ever to be repeated. Three examples of motoring madness combined to provide a hostile and highly dangerous environment. They are... a) The school run b) An early rush-hour home. c) The weekend getaway. The roads were atrocious, with jams and impenetrable queues of fast cars which made turning right virtually impossible. Of course many of the car multitude came dangerously close to my bicycle, which was wobbling from fear. Add to all that hordes of schoolchildren, who were quite rightly exercising their right to use public roads as well as pavements, and you have what might be described as a cyclist's nightmare. Doug.
From: Chris Bartram on 19 Jun 2010 02:59 On 19/06/10 06:16, Doug wrote: > Big mistake! Not to be recommended. It just didn't occur to me when I > set off and never ever to be repeated. Three examples of motoring > madness combined to provide a hostile and highly dangerous > environment. They are... > > a) The school run > b) An early rush-hour home. > c) The weekend getaway. > And that was a surprise to you in some way? I'd argue with 'dangerous', but it was never going to be pleasant. It's not pleasant to drive in either, just like shopping in an extremely busy supermarket isn't pleasant. > The roads were atrocious, with jams and impenetrable queues of fast > cars which made turning right virtually impossible. Of course many of > the car multitude came dangerously close to my bicycle, which was > wobbling from fear. > Perhaps you need training in how to ride your bicycle, if you were wobbling. > Add to all that hordes of schoolchildren, who were quite rightly > exercising their right to use public roads as well as pavements, and > you have what might be described as a cyclist's nightmare. > > Doug.
From: Adrian on 19 Jun 2010 03:03 Chris Bartram <news(a)delete-me.piglet-net.net> gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying: >> Big mistake! Not to be recommended. It just didn't occur to me when I >> set off and never ever to be repeated. Three examples of motoring >> madness combined to provide a hostile and highly dangerous environment. >> They are... >> >> a) The school run >> b) An early rush-hour home. >> c) The weekend getaway. > And that was a surprise to you in some way? I'd argue with 'dangerous', > but it was never going to be pleasant. It's not pleasant to drive in > either, just like shopping in an extremely busy supermarket isn't > pleasant. >> The roads were atrocious, with jams and impenetrable queues of fast >> cars which made turning right virtually impossible. Of course many of >> the car multitude came dangerously close to my bicycle, which was >> wobbling from fear. > Perhaps you need training in how to ride your bicycle, if you were > wobbling. Or, p'raps, he needs training in how people live their lives, if the school run and POETS came as a surprise to him...?
From: FrengaX on 19 Jun 2010 03:20 On Jun 19, 7:59 am, Chris Bartram <n...(a)delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote: > On 19/06/10 06:16, Doug wrote: > > > Big mistake! Not to be recommended. It just didn't occur to me when I > > set off and never ever to be repeated. Three examples of motoring > > madness combined to provide a hostile and highly dangerous > > environment. They are... > > > a) The school run > > b) An early rush-hour home. > > c) The weekend getaway. > > And that was a surprise to you in some way? I'd argue with 'dangerous', > but it was never going to be pleasant. It's not pleasant to drive in > either, just like shopping in an extremely busy supermarket isn't pleasant. Quite! Ever heard of planning and anticipation? Unless your journey at a specific time is absolutely necessary, I always find it helps to think about what it's likely to be like out there. Just as I won't voluntarily drive round the western section of the M25 in Friday evening rush hour, or go near a football stadium when a match is on (foot as well as vehicle traffic becomes a problem), I shall also be anticipating a 27,000 or so bicycle procession tomorrow (London to Brighton Bike ride, which, for once, I am not taking part), and finding a route which doesn't involve having to come in direct contact with them (M25 seems the best option). Unlike some, I don't expect the rest of the world to adjust their journeys just to suit me.
From: Tony Dragon on 19 Jun 2010 04:13
Doug wrote: > Big mistake! Not to be recommended. It just didn't occur to me when I > set off and never ever to be repeated. Three examples of motoring > madness combined to provide a hostile and highly dangerous > environment. They are... > > a) The school run > b) An early rush-hour home. > c) The weekend getaway. And this surprised you, strange that as you have complained about these things in the past. > > The roads were atrocious, with jams and impenetrable queues of fast > cars The jams were full of queues of fast cars? > which made turning right virtually impossible. Of course many of > the car multitude came dangerously close to my bicycle, which was > wobbling from fear. You must train your bike better. > > Add to all that hordes of schoolchildren, who were quite rightly > exercising their right to use public roads as well as pavements, and > you have what might be described as a cyclist's nightmare. > > Doug. -- Tony Dragon |