Cycling "Sportives"

Mithras said:
If I was a regular "regular racing cyclist, I would hardly be doing sportives.

I am former GB triathlon age grouper, who will be doing another Ironman next year, and sincerely hope I manage to train on the appalling roads with the appalling drivers without dying. I also regularly hunt and am a pretty serious showjumper. I've also never owned a horse which is spooked by cyclists in groups and I've marshalled a triathlon and a local road race from horseback.

And yes, thankfully there is always one who isn't afraid to speak out amongst the herd. I simply cannot abide lazy people sitting behind the wheel of cars complaining about people who are actually moving under their own steam. Why not complain about joy riders, or drunk drivers, or people who regularly break the speed limit? Or start up a petition for better cycle provision? Or possibly rid yourselves of your pent up frustration by doing another sport as well as riding, and widening your perspective at the same time?

Alternatively, there is always sheep herding...
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I think this post just about sums up the problem with sportives! An arrogant 'I'm all right Jack' attitude. All anyone on this thread is asking for is some consideration just the same as the majority of riders will show to other road users. A horse is not a bicycle, it has a brain and reactions of its own. As for cycle provisions-it seems to me that cyclists are quite spoilt with a great deal of public money spent on cycle paths! If you are so into cycling and riding surely you should be advocating safety for all parties concerned not blowing your own trumpet about how wonderful you are for doing some exercise or how your horse isn't bothered about groups of cyclists - I wonder if you would have marshalled a triathlon on horseback if your horse was petrified ( I think not!).
 
These 'sportives' are racing in all but name. Perhaps those people that like to drive their trotters at speed could arrange a similar 'event' on the same day - going in the opposite direction. Against the clock of course, no racing....
 
Cyclists creep up behind walkers and riders without warning. Why should a walker take responsibility for someone who might unexpectedly pop up on a bike. That's like saying bikes should give way to lorries because there bigger.
 
cobgoblin said:
I think this post just about sums up the problem with sportives! An arrogant 'I'm all right Jack' attitude. All anyone on this thread is asking for is some consideration just the same as the majority of riders will show to other road users. A horse is not a bicycle, it has a brain and reactions of its own. As for cycle provisions-it seems to me that cyclists are quite spoilt with a great deal of public money spent on cycle paths! If you are so into cycling and riding surely you should be advocating safety for all parties concerned not blowing your own trumpet about how wonderful you are for doing some exercise or how your horse isn't bothered about groups of cyclists - I wonder if you would have marshalled a triathlon on horseback if your horse was petrified ( I think not!).
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Trying to translate this rant into a rational form of interest, and decipher what it is you are actually trying to say.

The "I'm all right Jack" attitude - you seriously expect people doing a hobby, ie one with no deliberate malice attached, to take extraordinary steps and indeed to avoid doing their hobby, to accommodate you, because you are quite incompetent in doing yours. If your horse cannot cope with what seems to be quite a common occurrence on the public roads, maybe you should avoid hacking? Or do some de-spooking? Or improve your riding skills? Or buy your own country estate so you don't have to put up with other members of the human race who don't share your particular choice of hobby? Or arrange to have the public roads closed all weekend, just because you might like to hack your horse at some point?

As for cycling provision in this country having a lot of money spent on it, I can only assume you have never visited another Northern European country, or if you have done, you have done it by car. Or if you have ever ventured onto two wheels, you can only go so slowly, you have no conception of doing any physical activity at any level of expertise.

Why on earth would I marshall a triathlon on a terrified horse? What a bizarre idea. The horse I actually used was my 5 year old, as it was excellent de-spooking for him. If he had been terrified, I would have removed him from the scene asap, and I had thought of how I might do that quickly in advance. As it was, he was delighted by the race.

I can really see why some horses get so nervous when their riders cannot remain calm and rational. What kind of message do you think you are sending to your horse? Yes, a horse is not a "bicycle" but equally, you are not a horse, and it is up to you to send the correct messages to your horse.

My personal opinion is that the UK is turning into a very intolerant country, full of groups of people who get quite aggressive over defending their particular interest, but with very little experience outwith that interest. It has one of the highest rates of obesity in the world, and lifestyle diseases are rampant. It is an increasingly car centric culture, and cycling, in many other parts of the world, considered quite a desirable thing to do both from an exercise perspective and an environmental one, is seen as a target for criticism here. Or if one must cycle, one must do it very very slowly, with a full risk assessment of all the possible things that could go wrong done first.

The planning system is also terrible, in that it encourages the building of vast new build housing estates with little provision for new roads and in a way which encourages greater car use. The cycle paths that there are not the type you get in the Netherlands, or Belgium, or Germany, or Denmark, etc but are token gestures full of potholes and "cyclists dismount" signs which often peter out when you need them most.

Perhaps the way forwards is licensing for all - including those who hack out on public roads. Perhaps then we will see a risk assessment coming up with a solution - riders can only use public roads at certain times of the day, groups of cyclists at another. From reading this thread, it comes across to any rational person who is not obsessed with horses, that there are possibly quite a few dangerous people in charge of horses on here, who would probably benefit from being instructed in sharing roads with other users and then licensed.
 
Mithras said:
Trying to translate this rant into a rational form of interest, and decipher what it is you are actually trying to say.

The "I'm all right Jack" attitude - you seriously expect people doing a hobby, ie one with no deliberate malice attached, to take extraordinary steps and indeed to avoid doing their hobby, to accommodate you, because you are quite incompetent in doing yours. If your horse cannot cope with what seems to be quite a common occurrence on the public roads, maybe you should avoid hacking? Or do some de-spooking? Or improve your riding skills? Or buy your own country estate so you don't have to put up with other members of the human race who don't share your particular choice of hobby? Or arrange to have the public roads closed all weekend, just because you might like to hack your horse at some point?

As for cycling provision in this country having a lot of money spent on it, I can only assume you have never visited another Northern European country, or if you have done, you have done it by car. Or if you have ever ventured onto two wheels, you can only go so slowly, you have no conception of doing any physical activity at any level of expertise.

Why on earth would I marshall a triathlon on a terrified horse? What a bizarre idea. The horse I actually used was my 5 year old, as it was excellent de-spooking for him. If he had been terrified, I would have removed him from the scene asap, and I had thought of how I might do that quickly in advance. As it was, he was delighted by the race.

I can really see why some horses get so nervous when their riders cannot remain calm and rational. What kind of message do you think you are sending to your horse? Yes, a horse is not a "bicycle" but equally, you are not a horse, and it is up to you to send the correct messages to your horse.

My personal opinion is that the UK is turning into a very intolerant country, full of groups of people who get quite aggressive over defending their particular interest, but with very little experience outwith that interest. It has one of the highest rates of obesity in the world, and lifestyle diseases are rampant. It is an increasingly car centric culture, and cycling, in many other parts of the world, considered quite a desirable thing to do both from an exercise perspective and an environmental one, is seen as a target for criticism here. Or if one must cycle, one must do it very very slowly, with a full risk assessment of all the possible things that could go wrong done first.

The planning system is also terrible, in that it encourages the building of vast new build housing estates with little provision for new roads and in a way which encourages greater car use. The cycle paths that there are not the type you get in the Netherlands, or Belgium, or Germany, or Denmark, etc but are token gestures full of potholes and "cyclists dismount" signs which often peter out when you need them most.

Perhaps the way forwards is licensing for all - including those who hack out on public roads. Perhaps then we will see a risk assessment coming up with a solution - riders can only use public roads at certain times of the day, groups of cyclists at another. From reading this thread, it comes across to any rational person who is not obsessed with horses, that there are possibly quite a few dangerous people in charge of horses on here, who would probably benefit from being instructed in sharing roads with other users and then licensed.
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Err-what rant? Where did I ever say that my horses are scared of cyclists? In fact, where did I ever say that I wasn't a cyclist myself? There is a rant on here but I don't think it's mine.
 
There are lots of "sportives" around us, we bumped into the out hunting last week.

I tend to think that practical people who are able to apply themselves to a situation don't really have any difficulty accommodating other road users, I quite like seeing them all whizzing by in their fancy outfits, the horses find it even more fascinating.

I get the feeling that I am in the minority here, but I'll go anyway. When I go onto the road with my horses I expect to bump into tractors, cars, lorries, joggers, bikes (motorised or other) and all manner of uncontrollable wildlife... If I had horses that had a titfit every time they saw a cyclist, I wouldn't be going on the road, really, because it is likely to cause an accident. In the very rare occasion that 15 odd cyclists don't yell "bike please" unless you are deaf/ have your earphones in you should be able to hear them coming from quite a distance.
 
As much as I find bikes a PIA at times I do actually agree with much of Cobgoblins words. As horse riders we do of course have a responsibility to be able to manage our mounts and deal with issues as they occur. My old boy is a complete menace on busy roads and built up areas and at 18 I doubt he'll change. So I lead him the short ways to the bridleways and just ride on small roads. I certainly don't proceed up the road on two legs and expect the traffic to stop for him.

I do however think that these Sportive events are thinly disguised races, with all the hazards that comes with racing on a public road. If cars, lorries, horses and motorbikes all gathered in huge groups for speed trails there'd be carnage.

Lone bikes are so very vulnerable and IMO should be given proper cycle tracks on the pavements, so they aren't getting flattened by lorrys or mowing pedestrians down. That won't happen because, despite what Boris says - car use generates huge tax income so they would rather we all had cars.

Finally. There's no excuse for a grown man to be wearing lycra in public :-P
 
cobalobM said:
round here they dont even use the cycle paths!!! there is a main road 2 mins from my house with a foot path and cycle path next to it (clearly signed) yet those (not all!!) in lycra think they are too good to use the cycle path so stay on the road. Have also seen videos on fb/youtube of cyclists cycling NEXT to a cycle lane on a main road in london.. I really do not get it
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I've seen that too, on a really busy narrow road so no one could get past him. Selfish git.
 
RunToEarth said:
There are lots of "sportives" around us, we bumped into the out hunting last week.

I tend to think that practical people who are able to apply themselves to a situation don't really have any difficulty accommodating other road users, I quite like seeing them all whizzing by in their fancy outfits, the horses find it even more fascinating.

I get the feeling that I am in the minority here, but I'll go anyway. When I go onto the road with my horses I expect to bump into tractors, cars, lorries, joggers, bikes (motorised or other) and all manner of uncontrollable wildlife... If I had horses that had a titfit every time they saw a cyclist, I wouldn't be going on the road, really, because it is likely to cause an accident. In the very rare occasion that 15 odd cyclists don't yell "bike please" unless you are deaf/ have your earphones in you should be able to hear them coming from quite a distance.
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In a minority, possibly, but you are not alone ;)
 
lastchancer said:
Cyclists creep up behind walkers and riders without warning. Why should a walker take responsibility for someone who might unexpectedly pop up on a bike. That's like saying bikes should give way to lorries because there bigger.
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If that's in response to my 'why cyclists don't like using the cycle paths post' then the problem is that often cycle paths and footpaths are right next to each other, there is often a line in the middle of the path showing walkers on one side and cyclists on the other. In my experience the cyclists keep to their 'side' but the walkers don't. If people kept to their designated path then all would be fine - but they don't.
It's comparable with drivers complaining that cyclists hold them up on the roads, the cyclist get equally fed up with walkers holding them up on the cycle paths. So it's ok for drivers to complain, but not the cyclists?

And what's all this with judging people by what they wear (the 'lycra lovelies' used as a put down). My OH wears lycra because it's comfortable to cycle in, not because he's participating in a race. Likewise we tend to wear breeches / jodhpurs when riding because it's comfortable - not because we are off out on a days hunting.

I really am disappointed by the level of venom frequently aimed at another group of vulnerable road users by horse riders.

And just a thought - how many of you have been on fun rides? Has any part of that ride been on a public road? Do you know whether people were notified in advance of the likely disruption in the area?

Now I do agree that the organisers of sportives and other cycling events should post advance warning of the route (maybe not specifically seek out every horse in a 50 mile radius - but post notification in the local press and put up signs). And maybe there should be some sort of quota so popular areas aren't swamped every weekend.
But please don't be so judgemental about all cyclists - I've not met a nasty one yet.....however my OH has met some very unplesent horse riders (and yes, he does know how to approach and pass a horse nicely)
 
Another update from the New Forest area. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/10843217.Drastic_action_to_ease__tensions__in_cycling_row/. Having looked at the website I think the organiser needs to remove the awards (gold / silver /bronze) as this does encourage "racing" and although it is'nt meant to be it all becomes very competative. In general I have no problem with cyclists and find most to be horse rider friendly and polite. It is the number of cyclists unleashed on to routes already busy with holiday makers, day trippers and forest livestock that become an intolerable mix.
 
Just a few questions that I might be able to answer, as there seem to be some misunderstandings.

Sportives definitely aren't racing - road racing on a bike is pretty hard, and sportives are far easier and at a far lower level. Some racing cyclists use them for training, others will be using them because they aren't fast enough to do a road race.

There might be some racing at the upper end, but how to distinguish that from the situation where you see someone ahead and try to race them? Or when you go out cycling with a small group and it turns into a "race". Those in the middle and the back will just be trying to hang onto a bunch, because if you get dropped, then you have no protection from the wind, and its much harder to ride on your own.

Cycle paths in this country are mainly hopeless and only designed for people going very slowly.

I kind of loved the accusation that I was a "regular road racer" as if it were some kind of anti-social offence. The only two times I've done a road race, I got dropped. Its very specialised, and very hard.

Women are allowed to do them too and also to wear lycra. This goes for some equestrian clothing - I'm pretty sure my Animo gear has quite a high proportion of lycra, spandex and elastine in it.

Far from not paying road tax, a survey of triathletes at least indicated an average salary of £45,000, which in fact puts them firmly in the higher tax rate bracket. Sportives are quite popular with triathletes for training as they give an organised route over a certain distance with some pressure on time so that you don't donder around in a daze. Cyclists tend to be of quite a similar demographic, and they don't cycle to the start of their races, hence the vast majority have cars. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23928730

Cycle sport in the UK is far more heavily regulated than in many countries and sees very little road closures, even for the biggest races (the Tour of Britain operates only rolling road closures and even it has been hit by motorists ignoring these and driving onto the course and causing mayhem). In Holland and Germany at least, its far more possible to close roads and even town centres, and the police tend to hand over responsibility to the organiser, which is often the local triathlon or cycling club. It becomes more of a community thing, with stalls selling food, etc and people spectating. But this is only in the same way that there are far more local festivals, funfairs, markets, etc taking over the town centres and requiring road closures. I'm not sure why people in the UK get so frantic when confronted with a tiny delay to their car journey or a road closure for a sporting or festival type event - most journeys are hardly life and death and the benefit such road closures bring to the community as a whole tend to outweight any mild inconvenience.
 
Mithras said:
Just a few questions that I might be able to answer, as there seem to be some misunderstandings.

Sportives definitely aren't racing - road racing on a bike is pretty hard, and sportives are far easier and at a far lower level. Some racing cyclists use them for training, others will be using them because they aren't fast enough to do a road race.

There might be some racing at the upper end, but how to distinguish that from the situation where you see someone ahead and try to race them? Or when you go out cycling with a small group and it turns into a "race". Those in the middle and the back will just be trying to hang onto a bunch, because if you get dropped, then you have no protection from the wind, and its much harder to ride on your own.

Cycle paths in this country are mainly hopeless and only designed for people going very slowly.

I kind of loved the accusation that I was a "regular road racer" as if it were some kind of anti-social offence. The only two times I've done a road race, I got dropped. Its very specialised, and very hard.

Women are allowed to do them too and also to wear lycra. This goes for some equestrian clothing - I'm pretty sure my Animo gear has quite a high proportion of lycra, spandex and elastine in it.

Far from not paying road tax, a survey of triathletes at least indicated an average salary of £45,000, which in fact puts them firmly in the higher tax rate bracket. Sportives are quite popular with triathletes for training as they give an organised route over a certain distance with some pressure on time so that you don't donder around in a daze. Cyclists tend to be of quite a similar demographic, and they don't cycle to the start of their races, hence the vast majority have cars. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23928730

Cycle sport in the UK is far more heavily regulated than in many countries and sees very little road closures, even for the biggest races (the Tour of Britain operates only rolling road closures and even it has been hit by motorists ignoring these and driving onto the course and causing mayhem). In Holland and Germany at least, its far more possible to close roads and even town centres, and the police tend to hand over responsibility to the organiser, which is often the local triathlon or cycling club. It becomes more of a community thing, with stalls selling food, etc and people spectating. But this is only in the same way that there are far more local festivals, funfairs, markets, etc taking over the town centres and requiring road closures. I'm not sure why people in the UK get so frantic when confronted with a tiny delay to their car journey or a road closure for a sporting or festival type event - most journeys are hardly life and death and the benefit such road closures bring to the community as a whole tend to outweight any mild inconvenience.
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I am sorry that militants from both ends of the spectrum seem to have hijacked this thread and that it has been diverted from its original purpose. For those who are interested, it might be worth reading posts 1 and 55 to see why the thread is here. It is not about restricting people in pursuing their hobbies, but allowing us all to pursue our different ways of life safely and with as little conflict as possible.
 
I suspect that those defending the wanabee road racers have not actualy experienced the heights of their arrogance. Those "cyclists" who hurtle around blind bends completely unable to stop in the distance they can see.Screaming abuse at other road users for having the temerity to slow them down . The ultimate for me was the lycra clad **** who I met the other day . I was riding down the road (resplendant in high viv )when a motorist coming the other way stopped to ask me somthing. The aforesaid **** hurtled down the road screaming for me to get my horse out of his way .went through the 1 metre gap betwean my horse and the car and hurtled off. He was lucky,Bob the nota cob is a keen cyclist (if only in spirit) he watche the olympic mens road race and hapily hacked back home in a tight peleton of 50 good cyclists .Absolutely no problem .Bob was mildly shocked at this bad manners from a fellow cyclist ,but let it go. Had I been riding my old point to pointer however , the cyclist hould have simply been dead,with one well aimed hoofprint straight in his face.
 
Kentphil said:
I am sorry that militants from both ends of the spectrum seem to have hijacked this thread and that it has been diverted from its original purpose. For those who are interested, it might be worth reading posts 1 and 55 to see why the thread is here. It is not about restricting people in pursuing their hobbies, but allowing us all to pursue our different ways of life safely and with as little conflict as possible.
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I sincerely hope that you are not referring to me as a militant. I think its an awful thread, and agree with the OP on that one, but I see nothing wrong in presenting another side to a discussion.

I'm sure people can decide for themselves which posts to read without your direction.
 
No need to be quite so defensive about the lycra comments, jeez it was tongue in cheek. A bit like the comments about whips and leather boots that we riders have to put with.
I don't care if people cycle down the road naked. Just don't upset the horses...

I still fail to see why everyone is expected to get out of the way of these (not) racing cyclists when they are going flat out down the road. Surely thats just as reckless as galloping flat out and expecting people to move? People can still be charged with cycling/riding furiously, can they not.
Yes they should have their own cycle lane, and if some plonker is walking in it, then yeah - tell 'em to shift.
 
My horse isn't scared of cyclists so on that point I'm not too bothered. What annoys me is when I spend 10 mins on a country lane sitting behind a group of them, passing them when it's safe with plenty of room and not one of them acknowledges me. I would always thank a car driver if I am on my horse. They tend to come across as rude tbh.
 
Could I ask Mithras how her horse became so good in its behaviour? Someone, maybe Mithras, has trained it. If it is good on roads it has been taken on roads. If it is perfect on bridleways it has been taken on them to gain experience. You cannot teach a horse to be good on roads/tracks by riding 100% in a manege or on your own land.

I breed and produce horses and have done for nearly 50 years. If I ride out on a track near my home that is usually very quiet and suddenly meet up with several hundred bikes what do I do about that if noone has had the courtesy to notify people that the event is happening? I am very happy to stay at home when an event is occuring but I cannot do so if I do not know and since the organsing cycle club is based 25 miles from me that is pretty difficult to monitor.

If I organised a sponsored ride with 100 horses and it crossed a public footpath it would be reasonable to expect me to put signs up a week or so before to warn people.

I only hope your next horse is as well behaved, Mithras, as it seems it will only be trained in a school, so you may be in for a bit of a surprise!
 
I too have no problem with cyclists per se, it is the idiots who travel all across the road, apparently racing, with scant regard for other road users. If the roads are not closed for the event, then surely the rules of the road continue to apply. If we have a group ride with our RC, then we apply strict rules about how people behave on the road and people are asked to leave the ride if they do not abide by these, I would have thought that cycle clubs or organisation could have done the same. My horses are fine with even large groups of cyclists, however I am not keen on them (or the cars 'marshelling' them) passing so closely that I have to hope that the mare doesn't breath out as they pass!
 
I haven't read all the thread so sorry if repeating but why are these events timed? It is bound to encourage people to race, even if they are trying to beat their personal best. I think I read on this forum a while ago that someone's OH couldn't wait for the times to go up so he could see what he had done. So timed event on public roads, particularly with such large numbers should not be allowed. There are plenty of motor racing tracks around they could hire and race in complete safety.

Cars doing similar on the roads would not be tolerated so why should cyclists.

I meet cyclists on a lot, some on a regular basis and I never have had problems with individuals or groups of 2 or 3.

And I have been on sponsored rides but all have been on private land and when we were on a public road it was only to cross, not to ride along. There were stewards to make sure it was done safely.
 
Incidentally, the sportive in this area does not have marshalls even where the route goes from tracks to roads and the cyclists do not even pause when they come out of the tracks onto the roads so several car drivers have been forced to take emergency measures.

Yes, cyclists do have the right to be on the roads and on bridleways, BUT they do share those rights with other users and they do not have right to cause accidents.
 
Mithras said:
If your horse cannot cope with what seems to be quite a common occurrence on the public roads, maybe you should avoid hacking? Or do some de-spooking? .
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Have now started to read the thread.

I live on a bridleway, we have one road to cross at the top and then plenty of riding around the local National Trust. I took my friends horse out for his first ride on what we thought we be a quiet Sunday. 200m from home we met three of the cyclists (see previous thread) riding 3 abreast down a steep gravelled bending drive. They tried frantically to brake and one fell off. He gave us a load of verbal abuse! We didn't know that they were the first of an organised ride that went on all day. There were arrows up but I hadn't been out so didn't see them. Anyway there are always arrows around that only get taken down when another ride takes place.

Why should I avoid hacking when I bought a house on a bridleway? I am interested in how you would suggest I set about getting a horse used to things without going onto a road - there is a limit as to what you can have in a school if you are lucky enough to have one. And how do you know your horse doesn't like things until you meet them? My horse is 19 but has never ever accepted tractors - I just find a convenient drive to go into and the tractor drivers around here are good with horses.
 
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sport horse said:
Could I ask Mithras how her horse became so good in its behaviour? Someone, maybe Mithras, has trained it. If it is good on roads it has been taken on roads. If it is perfect on bridleways it has been taken on them to gain experience. You cannot teach a horse to be good on roads/tracks by riding 100% in a manege or on your own land.
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Yes, I trained him since I got him at 4. And I saw it as my responsibility to do so, with him being a young horse. We don't actually have any bridleways at all where I live and we have to share all tracks with other users, such as mountain bikers and dog walkers. There is a footpath near me which is separated from the road by a wall which is quite useful for training but tbh most of my horses don't usually need it because I ride forwards and keep them moving off my legs and don't tolerate farting about.

sport horse said:
I only hope your next horse is as well behaved, Mithras, as it seems it will only be trained in a school, so you may be in for a bit of a surprise!
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Well, considering all 3 of mine are all good on roads, I doubt I'll get that much of a surprise. So have the last two been, and I remember as a kid riding my ponies on the roads without major trauma. Its possible I could buy a horse which doesn't hack out of course, if its a very good showjumper, but since that hasn't actually happened yet, I'm unable to share your gloat. Since I got the horse I mentioned as a 4 year old, I don't see why it isn't possible to train horses to be good on roads. I don't wish to tempt fate, as an idiot driver could come round a bend too fast, of course.

I got a new one a month ago and there came a point on our first hack, in the woods actually, not on the roads, but the lesson he learned was the same - he must go forwards when I ask and not spin, whip round or nap. He hasn't done it since.

Its not exactly difficult though, is it? These are very basic riding skills. My horses have to compete next to bouncy castles, mini motorbike rally tracks, an airport runway and be ridden through tractors, ornamental floats and countless horseboxes just to get to the rings, so roads seem quite peaceful in comparison!
 
Just one little question: if you don't want cyclists going at any speed on the road....where would you like our Tour de France winning and Olympic medal winning cyclists to train?
 
little_critter said:
Just one little question: if you don't want cyclists going at any speed on the road....where would you like our Tour de France winning and Olympic medal winning cyclists to train?
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Haven't read all the threads, but I think the gist of the post is that there are large numbers of cyclists all in a bunch and going very fast, and that people who live and work in the areas this is happening are getting no advanced notice that these events are taking place. I don't think most people here think that cyclists shouldn't be on the roads, but they would appreciate having the opportunity to plan their lives around the vast numbers that descend on their roads from time to time.

Your question mentions Olympic and Tour de France winners. Can we deduce from this that you believe that a certain level of sporting achievement obviates one's responsibilities in terms of following the rules of the road and giving due consideration to other users?
 
Mike007 said:
I was riding down the road (resplendant in high viv )when a motorist coming the other way stopped to ask me somthing. The aforesaid **** hurtled down the road screaming for me to get my horse out of his way .went through the 1 metre gap betwean my horse and the car and hurtled off. He was lucky,Bob the nota cob is a keen cyclist (if only in spirit) he watche the olympic mens road race and hapily hacked back home in a tight peleton of 50 good cyclists .Absolutely no problem .Bob was mildly shocked at this bad manners from a fellow cyclist ,but let it go. Had I been riding my old point to pointer however , the cyclist hould have simply been dead,with one well aimed hoofprint straight in his face.
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Hi Mike. Whilst I don't condone the language or behaviour used by the cyclist, it was probably prompted by you stopping on a public highway and holding up traffic. Might I suggest local pub may be a better place to exchange conversation with motorists, not in the middle of the road?
 
The safe way to pass horses on the road is wide and slow, that's stated in the highway code and it applies to groups of cyclists the same as it does to cars, trucks, etc. Plenty seem to ignore it the same way they ignore giving way to traffic coming from the right on roundabouts, red traffic lights, etc when they're competing. I'm sure its not all of them, but many seem to ignore the rules of the road.
 
little_critter said:
Just one little question: if you don't want cyclists going at any speed on the road....where would you like our Tour de France winning and Olympic medal winning cyclists to train?
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I don't think that's the issue - it's the numbers of cyclists in a sportive and the fact it is a timed event which must encourage speed.

Someone mentioned about the small amount of inconvenience that locals suffer from larger events. Some years ago the Tour de France passed right by a friends house - they weren't allowed to get to or from their house by car for something like 8 hours because we wondered at the time what would happen if her horse needed a vet!
 
Mike007 said:
I suspect that those defending the wanabee road racers have not actualy experienced the heights of their arrogance. Those "cyclists" who hurtle around blind bends completely unable to stop in the distance they can see.Screaming abuse at other road users for having the temerity to slow them down . The ultimate for me was the lycra clad **** who I met the other day . I was riding down the road (resplendant in high viv )when a motorist coming the other way stopped to ask me somthing. The aforesaid **** hurtled down the road screaming for me to get my horse out of his way .went through the 1 metre gap betwean my horse and the car and hurtled off. He was lucky,Bob the nota cob is a keen cyclist (if only in spirit) he watche the olympic mens road race and hapily hacked back home in a tight peleton of 50 good cyclists .Absolutely no problem .Bob was mildly shocked at this bad manners from a fellow cyclist ,but let it go. Had I been riding my old point to pointer however , the cyclist hould have simply been dead,with one well aimed hoofprint straight in his face.
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It's no surprise to hear that some cyclists are ********s. Some riders are, and cars drivers, and pedestrians. At least the life the cyclist is endangering is principally their own.

The other week a porsche overtook the car who was overtaking my carriage. He was doing at least 70 in a 30 zone, and nearly mounted the opposite pavement. I'm sure the driver would be a liability on a bike too... but you can't generalise his behaviour to all car drivers or tar all cyclists because of the actions of a small minority.
 
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