I am writing this post about things I don’t like because several of these things have clustered-up on me in the last couple of days. After all, what’s the point of having websites if you can’t vent on them occasionally.
I don’t like it when people say “there is a cycle path … but more ‘confident’ cyclists can ride on the road”. I am very ‘confident’ thank you very much. I have been cycling all my life and consider myself to be as confident as the next person BUT I don’t ‘enjoy’ playing with cars. On very busy roads, I choose the cycle path or pavement because it’s more pleasant. Just because I’m a lady of a certain age who cycles in normal clothes, that does not mean that I am deficient in confidence or cycling ability.
I don’t like it when the person on the bike in front of me is wearing cycling shorts that are old and/or over-stretched and have become too thin and transparent to provide basic decency. Personally, I find this view less than flattering, particularly given the racing position many cyclists take, and would just like to ‘put it out there’ as an issue – one that is perhaps not normally discussed. I understand that the cyclist in question is unaware of the view that they are presenting to the person behind them, and I’m sure that this is not their intention. So may I suggest that, if this might be you, you get a friend to run a 6 monthly WOF on the decency of your cycling shorts.
I don’t like it when people who have had an experience with a ‘cyclist’ write unpleasant comments on MY website about ‘you cyclists are all the same … blah blah blah’. Firstly, it exhausts me just contemplating how to respond to all the things about which they are so blatantly ignorant; secondly, WE REALLY DON’T CARE – there are several organizations who do care about these things, but that is not us. Perhaps try commenting on the AA website, where I’m sure you could whip up a few like minded and equally prejudiced people to join in; thirdly, I have the power of the ‘delete’ button and I’m not afraid to use it (it’s actually a lot of fun). I also have the superpower of the ‘blacklist’ button, which may effect the online ‘credit rating’ of the recipient. So, if you are one of these boorish people – be warned!
Just to balance this post, things I do like include:
- nice car drivers that smile and wave you through,
- cycling in Christchurch in Spring,
- the thought of going on my cycle trip to Europe next year
Agree with you on stuff that isn’t nice… can I please add:
- Men (and some women) in black Range Rovers or big SUV’s that think it ok to pass you at speed with ZERO room.
- drivers that give you 1.5m space AFTER they have passed you with zero room.
But things I do like?
- LOVIN’ all the people that do give me 1.5m!! BIG SHOUT out to them!!
- LOVIN’ all the drivers that patiently sit behind me as I make my way through a narrow part of the road.
- All the interesting sights one sees when one is cycling around.
I dont ride on paths because they are too dangerous.. especially ones that have driveways attached to them.. Cycleways are not too bad but if they are shared with pedestrians, I am just as likely to kill them at 35-45kmh is my usual speed (note, going slower is NOT an option..)
The “hated” lycra brigade actually have a rule about this (they are semi serious..):
Rule #53 // Keep your kit clean and new.
As a courtesy to those around you, your kit should always be freshly laundered, and, under no circumstances should the crackal region of your shorts be worn out or see-through.
http://www.velominati.com/etiquette/dont-be-an-ass-just-say-no-to-bad-lycra/ (please excuse the language.. I didnt write it) (I have to note.. I did follow an attractive young lady who’s lycra was in an incredibly bad state the other day.. I’m not complaining.. however, how on earth do I tell her..? moving on…)
As for the third point.. I agree. It’s even worse when its motorcyclists, who have many of the same problems that we do.. (I ride one also). They put all sorts of bright lights and fluro gear to be seen.. then abuse me because my bicycle light is “too bright” (that’s the point isnt it?).
What I do like?
When I wave to a “normal dressed” person, or say hi at the lights, and they respond, and we have a pleasant conversation about the weather and how great it is too be out cycling.
When cars, trucks, and buses realise that I am doing 40kmh and that they can just wait 5 secs for me to be past and not try and kill me. I give them a cheerful wave and a smile and get out of their way.
What I dont like:
People who honk and yell, and try and run me off the road (I have video footage of this happening) because they think that they know how to ride better than I, although they havent been on a bike in 30 years, and probably never really rode anywhere when they did anyway.
I’m glad you liked cycling in Christchurch this week Unity, it was great to have you visit!
I LIKE the fact that I could go and take a whole bunch of photos for work today and do it all as part of a pleasant 30km ride around town. Stopping and starting my car to take the next photo (~140 of them) just wouldn’t have been the same…
I DON’T LIKE the number of fairly new (or still under construction) subdivisions I was looking at that didn’t have basic details like kerb ramps for the lovely off-road paths they built. How exactly do they think pedestrians and cyclists are going to access them?
I tell you what I don’t like, is the amount of broken beer bottles on the side of the road, especially around west Auckland (where I’ve been riding recently) I think they need to do it like south Australia and do a rebate on the bottles!
Also the people who think it’s ok to throw rubbish out of their cars onto the norwest cycleway!
But I do like the fact there seems to be more courteous people out there, when riding on roads like Scenic Drive who give me room or patience, I think this is due to more cyclists on the road so people think its more ” normal” now?
“I don’t like it when people say “there is a cycle path … but more ‘confident’ cyclists can ride on the roadâ€.”
Fair point, Unity. I have written a few submissions in my time for CAA using such terminology, and while I never wanted to imply what you are seeing in these words, I can understand how they could be read that way. I generally use them in situations where, for example, cyclists are forced to share with buses. Only confident cyclist WILL do that.
Using the terminology in such situations in my opinion does not imply even confident cyclists LIKE doing it… and I generally bookend my comments in that regard with one or two sentences that clarify such conditions are cheap and nasty way of “providing” for cycling.
As I said, fair point though, and I will have a bit of a look at how I use those terms in future submissions…
The sight of “men-of-a-certain-age†shoehorned into white or yellow lycra shorts can be terrifying, even worse than an asymmetric budgie-smuggler down at the beach. These horrors can never be unseen.
I don’t like it when blog admins delete people’s posts that they consider ” ignorant”. If one makes a public blog website, presumably discussing issues that effect the public (everyone), then why delete one half of an argument if is perceived as ignorant. That person has presumably taken the time to read the issue, and then formulate their response. Unless it is openly offensive or hostile, why not leave it be, so that readers can see what we (cyclists) are up against, and help bring some balance? Perhaps I am being ignorant, in which case this post will get deleted, and my time would have been wasted.
@ Alan – I agree with you and if you look at the comments that have appeared on this website, you will see that there has been plenty of robust discussion in the past. I was referring to an openly hostile and offensive comment and the cyclist hate mail that I receive sometimes.
@Alan,
A website such as this is the property of the “owner” (admin), and like any property, they can pretty much do as they see fit (as long as it is not illegal). Some have definite conditions and rules for posting which we tacitly agree to by posting (most often without even reading them).
However, at least on here (and most places I post), as long as we’re not being a complete smegheads (like me), our posts don’t get deleted.
I like:
sneaking out for a ride at lunch time
Auckland City Bike Gang rides
how many cyclists and drivers in Auckland smile when you give them a salute
My tired old holey lycra
I don’t like:
Cyclists who don’t give way to pedestrians
Grumpy drivers who MUST push by me so they can sit at the next red light
the old lady who yelled “get a job and buy a car!” when I was riding to work a while ago (i do actually quite like her)
I like Bryce.