Idiot cyclist (rant warning!)

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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Yesterday a friend's little girl, aged 9, came to ride my boy. She'd come out to my yard simply because she's been riding at riding schools but needs a bit of confidence just handling a horse, being around horses etc etc. My boy is a gentle giant, 15hh and round with it, but a real darling who just thrives and comes into his own as a Nanny.

Anyway, we'd done a lot of preening and primping in the yard, then as she felt confident to hop up, we decided to go along for a little leading-rein hack just along our front road.

OK so I know some people may shake their heads and say that 15hh is too big for a 9 yo, BUT she's quite a leggy child and she wanted to get up on him, and her mum and gran were there and were quite happy with it.

Anyway, out we toddled onto the road; then in literally two minutes flat, a pr@t on a bicycle went whizzing past us at high speed. He didn't shout to announce he was passing through, nothing as sensible as that ..... just came past us really fast and also very close.

WTF is the matter with cyclists? Do they throw their brains overboard as soon as they get on their bikes?

He had a friend with him, a guy I've seen before and who I get on OK with when we've talked about road safety, how to pass horses/riders safely etc., and he WAS passing really slowly and sensibly, so I slowed him down and asked if he would ask his friend who'd gone by so fast, how he'd feel if it was his little girl up top.

Thank god my boy was fine, absolutely rock-solid. Didn't flinch at all, bless him, or turn a hair, but it could have been so very different with some horses I know.

Blimmin cyclists!!!
 
Well I've come across this too - a cyclist passed in silence and my dead steady boy spooked a little.

On the other hand I have had many cyclists pass me who have called out beforehand and I have had time to turn my horse's head a little so that he can see what's coming more clearly.

Luckily nothing awful happened to the girl riding your horse so breath a sigh of relief today.

By the way - I love your forum name!
 
Well done to your lad for being so calm! We seem to have different breeds of cyclists around here. Mountain bikers/average joes on bikes generally slow down and call out when they pass. However the brightly coloured lycra clad idiots with their go faster helmets aren't so curteous! We have a cycle race through the village each year and that's always a lost cause of a day!
 
this happened to be few years back with my friend going down quite a steep hill both ponys spooked a little but could have been much worse anyways we met up with the cyclists later sat at a ford childish i know (i was only 13) but we sent a bit tidal wave over them and soaked them :o
 
I've had this before when they come up so silently - I have a heart attack let alone the horses!!
Sometimes I think some people just really don't understand and think that quickly and quietly is the best way; other times its just people being plain stupid and showing off.
K x
 
cloball said:
this happened to be few years back with my friend going down quite a steep hill both ponys spooked a little but could have been much worse anyways we met up with the cyclists later sat at a ford childish i know (i was only 13) but we sent a bit tidal wave over them and soaked them :o
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lol, BET that made you feel better!
Oz :)
 
cloball said:
this happened to be few years back with my friend going down quite a steep hill both ponys spooked a little but could have been much worse anyways we met up with the cyclists later sat at a ford childish i know (i was only 13) but we sent a bit tidal wave over them and soaked them :o
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Hmmn I had trouble at a ford - too deep for most cars, definitely a no-no for cyclists but fine for ponies, the plastic 'road closed' barriers were out and a cyclist tried to squeeze on my inside between me and the barrier (all of 2ft max, whereas there was about 5-6ft the other side of me), naturally this spooked the pony, so I was able to sooth the pony with a loud comment 'it's all right, only a silly cyclist overtaking on the inside and I don't think he's going to want to go through 2ft of water with us so I can't think why he's ignoreing the road closed barrier, and you'll just have to brace yourself when he comes back'. Pratt, but at least he knew what I felt about it!
 
KellysHeroes said:
I've had this before when they come up so silently - I have a heart attack let alone the horses!!
Sometimes I think some people just really don't understand and think that quickly and quietly is the best way; other times its just people being plain stupid and showing off.
K x
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I think this too. Used to have a long ride down a steep road too/ from the yard with share horse. Cyclists love it (not sure, why can't be very good for getting fit?) and almost every time at least one came whizzing past us on our way home, scaring the bejeezus out of us both. I genuinely think they a) don't understand, and b) don't care to try. They don't half get up some speed with their lycra and a steep hill. Usually gone before you get a single word out too.
 
I too had a silent cyclist try and speed past me.
My youngster however wanted to try and tell him to slow down so span and double barrelled in his direction and missed his face by an inch. He flew himself off his bike onto the road, he-he, and started yelling. 'Ooooo' I replied 'now you notice me! that will teach you not to slow down won't it' ;)
 
We have a cycling "rally/race" in the village every Wednesday. All come in their bright lycra swervering all over the place. They are a nightmare to drive by, let alone meet out riding
 
Muchadoaboutnothing said:
I too had a silent cyclist try and speed past me.
My youngster however wanted to try and tell him to slow down so span and double barrelled in his direction and missed his face by an inch. He flew himself off his bike onto the road, he-he, and started yelling. 'Ooooo' I replied 'now you notice me! that will teach you not to slow down won't it' ;)
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Too right!! I often ride on a right of way used by a lot of cyclists and normally have no problem with them, but every now and then I get a complete numpty who either shouts when right behind the horse or speeds past - bloody dangerous!!
 
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