Bike riders 40 in one bunch!!!!!

[Suechoccy]

BHS Sheila Hardy is also chairman of Cycling Time Trials (us lycra speed merchants). She has got a fullpage article in the CTT yearbook (each racing cyclist should have a copy) about How To Pass Horses Safely. I think she also got it into the British Cycling yearbook (covers bunch cycling road races).

With my cycling hat on, it's surprising when I speak to other cycle racers, how many them come from horsey backgrounds or still/also own horses, esp the women, but often if it's a cycling husband, I'll find the wife is horsey. So there's definitely a lot more shared interest and understanding than some HHO posters might think. And certainly those of us, like Sheila, who have a foot in both camps, spend a lot of time educating and explaining to either group, in order to create better understanding and harmony.

 

[AmyMay]

Op was on a private lane. I was on a non-vehicular lane.

Doesn't matter.

So many posts at the moment assuming that we have a God given right to be the only users of roads etc (public or otherwise). People just need to get on with it - and if they can't, don't ride.

 

[Capriole]

yes it matters.

If you are getting abuse from people who are basically trespassing as in the OP, it matters.

If you nearly get mown down on a track that shouldnt have traffic on it, it matters.

This thread wasnt started about the public roads and who is/isnt allowed on them.

 

[AmyMay]

This thread wasn't started about the public roads and who is/isnt allowed on them.

It may not have been.

But it's clear that there are quite a few riders who shouldn't be let loose on their own - and posts like this just reinforce that.

 

[OWLIE185]

This incident was reported by the poster to have occured on a Private Road where the cyclists apparently had no permission to be on. My advice would be to contact the cycling club concerned and make them aware that they did not have permission to be on this private road and also make them aware of how to pass or approach horses safely.

About 10 years ago a case went to court which involved a cycle road race causing a horse to bolt on a road. The judge made it quite clear that all cycle road races should be escorted by a vehicle in the front and rear and that the race should be halted so that horse riders could have time to get out of the way to allow the cycle race to pass. All cycle clubs involved in road racing should be aware of this ruling and if not should update their procedures to incorporate this within them.

 

[Cop-Pop]

I've always found motor cyclists to be very considerate - slowing down and killing their engines if they see the horses are spooking at their bikes I've only ever had a problem with one. Cyclists (on normal cycle bikes) on the other hand - don't get me started!!!

 

[Mithras]

You what amymay? You mean that other people are entitled to use the same space as horse riders.
According to HHO that's no possible

Whoever said about remaining calm about things and your horse is less likely to spook, that is very, very true.

Mithras - I must have really boring hacking too as I never seem to encounter these sorts of problems

LOL! To be fair, I have pretty bombproof horses, even my 5 year old. The problem seems to arise when the rider is spooky in a lot of cases, not the horse...

 

[AmyMay]

The problem seems to arise when the rider is spooky in a lot of cases, not the horse...

Exactly

 

[OWLIE185]

Quote from Hemel Cyclists web site:
'We have had incidents with a horse bolting. If horses are encountered, the race WILL be neutralized and if required stopped until the horses are cleared from the course or away from the race. Heed the instructions of the officials.
What must be clear is that there should be NO Shouting or other commotion made as that tends to make things worse and could cause injuries to horse, rider and cyclist'.

 

[stencilface]

LOL! To be fair, I have pretty bombproof horses, even my 5 year old. The problem seems to arise when the rider is spooky in a lot of cases, not the horse...

Exactly

Humph.

You mean when my bike spooks at something its MY fault?

 

[AmyMay]

Humph.

You mean when my bike spooks at something its MY fault?

It is!!!!!

 

[Marydoll]

Doesn't matter.

So many posts at the moment assuming that we have a God given right to be the only users of roads etc (public or otherwise). People just need to get on with it - and if they can't, don't ride.

No they dont think they have the god given right, unlike some of the cyclists, they just expect to be treated with the same respect they give to others.
What a shabby judjemental post " get on with ot or dont ride" its no wonder people think they can treat riders like sh it on the roads if riders like you show that attitude. Any horse can spook just ask the likes of clayton Fredericks, Tim Stockdale or john whitaker, or are they to be lauded as nervous spooky riders that caused the problem that got them a fall

 

[monkeybum13]

LOL! To be fair, I have pretty bombproof horses, even my 5 year old. The problem seems to arise when the rider is spooky in a lot of cases, not the horse...

Precisely. When I see something 'spooky' I think, oh good that's a good experience not 'oh $hit it is all going to go wrong'.
Might explain when my horse as a 4yo ended up nannying the older horse when we were out in company

 

[AmyMay]

No they dont think they have the god given right, unlike some of the cyclists, they just expect to be treated with the same respect they give to others.
What a shabby judjemental post " get on with ot or dont ride" its no wonder people think they can treat riders like sh it on the roads if riders like you show that attitude. Any horse can spook just ask the likes of clayton Fredericks, Tim Stockdale or john whitaker, or are they to be lauded as nervous spooky riders that caused the problem that got them a fall

I've often met cyclists - never had a problem with them, either in my horses attitude or the cyclists.

And if you read the number of posts on here over the past few years about people getting upset at meeting a dog, a pram, a cyclist, a car, a walker, a cow, a sheep, another horse, when they are out riding you'll understand that it's not judgemental - but observational.

And of course any horse and spook. They key is not to get hysterical about it

 

[ROMANY 1959]

I think I would like to close this discussion now, it has sort of got out of hand, I was only posting about what happened, don't want anyone getting angry or mad at the post.
Thanks for the views and discussions.

 

[stencilface]

My horse spooks at things I didn't even know were spookable - ie I'm on a longer rein and just enjoying myself, when all of a sudden we get the fire breathing dragon act. The monster? Tall dark patches of cocksfoot in amongst the grasses - honestly!

 

[Mithras]

No they dont think they have the god given right, unlike some of the cyclists, they just expect to be treated with the same respect they give to others.
What a shabby judjemental post " get on with ot or dont ride" its no wonder people think they can treat riders like sh it on the roads if riders like you show that attitude. Any horse can spook just ask the likes of clayton Fredericks, Tim Stockdale or john whitaker, or are they to be lauded as nervous spooky riders that caused the problem that got them a fall

I see you live in Central Scotland. You see I hacked one of my horses across Sheriffhall roundabout when I lived in that part, in search of better hacking, and nothing at all happened. It was really very dull. The cars gave me plenty of space, I waited at all the traffic lights, and that was that. Where on earth do all these things happen? I even took my horse to watch my husband in a triathlon once, right next to the bike to run transition zone, and have to admit to leaving him in the horsebox while I did a 5k in order to go hacking afterwards in the park. And STILL NOTHING HAPPENED! No-one even treated me like ***** either. Obviously, I've fallen off, everyone does, but I don't go around blaming other people when it happens.

 

[JFTDWS]

Marydoll = They may be ignorant but how do they learn? Have a look at this thread posted on a cycling forum;
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/hello-and-a-plea-from-us-horse-riders.102911/

I always say hello, ask if it's OK to pass, and talk to the horse too. . A little warning from me costs nothing and might well prevent me from getting squashed. And I get to talk to ladies in jodpuhrs.

And that is my only unhelpful contribution to this thread

 

[ester]

lol JFTD.

we are doing lots of bunting practice atm..

hopefully I managed to embarrass Frank this morning when, while on long reins he did a four footed leap because he spotted himself flick his tail in his shadow on the floor.. I can rub it in more when I'm not sat on top.. along the lines of you do know what you just did and how stupid you look don't you!

 

[Marydoll]

I've often met cyclists - never had a problem with them, either in my horses attitude or the cyclists.

And if you read the number of posts on here over the past few years about people getting upset at meeting a dog, a pram, a cyclist, a car, a walker, a cow, a sheep, another horse, when they are out riding you'll understand that it's not judgemental - but observational.

And of course any horse and spook. They key is not to get hysterical about it

No ones getting hysterical, you just have a stinking attitude, the im alright Jack so dont give a stuff about how others fare. Mabe youve never had to ride just backed beasts that are getting used to traffic and other sights.
Your comments are at best derogatory or at worst nasty
Sorry i forgot to put in the smart arse roll eyes, for effect

 

[AmyMay]

No ones getting hysterical, you just have a stinking attitude, the im alright Jack so dont give a stuff about how others fare. Mabe youve never had to ride just backed beasts that are getting used to traffic and other sights.
Your comments are at best derogatory or at worst nasty

You may just not have read the posts where people are getting hysterical. There was a very good one some months ago about someone's indignation in having met a walker on a bridle path who had the temerity to have a young child in a sling on his back.....

I've had some wonderful years with newly backed horses, introducing them to the wider world of roads and traffic and everything else you may meet out on a hack - so feel more than qualified to comment about what I perceive as lack of skill and confidence exhibited by some posters.

It's not a case of 'I'm all right Jack' at all - quite the opposite, because I do know how important it is to have a very good, safe horse to ride on the roads these days - because of my experience in bringing youngsters on, and the fact that calm rider usually results in calm horse.

 

[Marydoll]

I see you live in Central Scotland. You see I hacked one of my horses across Sheriffhall roundabout when I lived in that part, in search of better hacking, and nothing at all happened. It was really very dull. The cars gave me plenty of space, I waited at all the traffic lights, and that was that. Where on earth do all these things happen? I even took my horse to watch my husband in a triathlon once, right next to the bike to run transition zone, and have to admit to leaving him in the horsebox while I did a 5k in order to go hacking afterwards in the park. And STILL NOTHING HAPPENED! No-one even treated me like ***** either. Obviously, I've fallen off, everyone does, but I don't go around blaming other people when it happens.

Yep i agree, and ive ridden up through the centre of grangemouth over the varous roundabouts at the petrochemical places with lorries, buses and god knows what around me with no issues, but ive also had about 30 cyclists go by whooping and hollering for me to get off the road for them, i coped but i have friends who would have died with their leg up if it had happened to them.
And id like it if they would aknowledge the signals from riders should they ever come accross the likes of my less confident friends as the highway code sttes they should

 

[Marydoll]

You may just not have read the posts where people are getting hysterical. There was a very good one some months ago about someone's indignation in having met a walker on a bridle path who had the temerity to have a young child in a sling on his back.....

I've had some wonderful years with newly backed horses, introducing them to the wider world of roads and traffic and everything else you may meet out on a hack - so feel more than qualified to comment about what I perceive as lack of skill and confidence exhibited by some posters.

It's not a case of 'I'm all right Jack' at all - quite the opposite, because I do know how important it is to have a very good, safe horse to ride on the roads these days - because of my experience in bringing youngsters on, and the fact that calm rider usually results in calm horse.

I agree a calm rider does usually make a calm horse, but not all riders are when theyre learning to deal with traffic and a horse theyre unsure of, its them i feel sorry for if they ask for some consideration and get none.
I think we all know the importance of having a confident safe horse, but equally have to aknowledge, some take more work than others to build their confidence and that can be shot to hell by inconsiderate road users.

 

[Kat]

LOL! To be fair, I have pretty bombproof horses, even my 5 year old. The problem seems to arise when the rider is spooky in a lot of cases, not the horse...

This ^^

How many time do you hear the rider hyperventilating because a tractor/motorbike/caravan is approaching and then the horse barely even looks at it? That is what causes horses to get spooky, they start believing that the tractor/motorbike/caravan is dangerous because "mum" is scared of it.

Precisely. When I see something 'spooky' I think, oh good that's a good experience not 'oh $hit it is all going to go wrong'.
Might explain when my horse as a 4yo ended up nannying the older horse when we were out in company

Yep, mine also plays nanny to older horses, she's just turned five and has been doing so for over a year. She just doesn't know that such things are scary. She isn't perfect, or brain dead, but is generally pretty bombproof on rides. It actually makes me a bit cross if people want to avoid going out for a hack due to tractors silaging, it being a bit windy or whatever, it is a good opportunity to do some bombproofing.

I've often met cyclists - never had a problem with them, either in my horses attitude or the cyclists.

And if you read the number of posts on here over the past few years about people getting upset at meeting a dog, a pram, a cyclist, a car, a walker, a cow, a sheep, another horse, when they are out riding you'll understand that it's not judgemental - but observational.

And of course any horse and spook. They key is not to get hysterical about it

Again agree, and you can do a lot to teach your horse to react more calmly in future in the way you behave.

 

[Hippona]

Lets swap things around.....

40+ horse riders galloping down a (private) single track lane swearing at a handfull of cyclists and not stopping/slowing down?

Would that be acceptable to anyone?


You simply cannot expose a horse to absolutely everything....and they are unpredicatble creatures. Mine was fine with a police helicopter hovering directly over head...then went and spooked at a dandelion. I kid you not.

Common sense and a bit of consideration usually works best.....from the OP I think its the attitude of the cyclists in question that inflammed things.....

 

[Marydoll]

Lets swap things around.....

40+ horse riders galloping down a (private) single track lane swearing at a handfull of cyclists and not stopping/slowing down?

Would that be acceptable to anyone?


You simply cannot expose a horse to absolutely everything....and they are unpredicatble creatures. Mine was fine with a police helicopter hovering directly over head...then went and spooked at a dandelion. I kid you not.

Common sense and a bit of consideration usually works best.....from the OP I think its the attitude of the cyclists in question that inflammed things.....

Pushes like button

 

[mandyl]

Ooops I assumed when your said bikes you were referring to motorbikes - they have always been really considerate in my experience.

Cyclists however in general I fine totally self centered and inconsiderate be they road racers, or mountain bikers on bridleways. I have to say it is not all, but most (there has to be an exception to every rule).

I came to two riders up sides on country road. shouted to let them know and then passed as wide as i could. I was on a road bike and am a racer as u put it!