stormox
Well-Known Member
I too think you just have to grit your teeth and kick on- dont hug the kerb, ride out in the carriageway a bit so you can be seen and vehicles have to manoeuvre round you. This slows them down.
Road Hacking ... So misserable!
- Thread starter Scotsbadboy
- Start date
I too think you just have to grit your teeth and kick on- dont hug the kerb, ride out in the carriageway a bit so you can be seen and vehicles have to manoeuvre round you. This slows them down.
Sir barnaby
Well-Known Member
I have a yellow jacket, with the hi vis polite notice waistcoat on top of that, so I’m all yellow, I’m on a pure black horse and am often asked if I’m a police woman, the traffic are not so considerate when I’m alone hacking but when my friend rides I hang back on my bike again with the same hi vis on and I have to say the traffic is much better they see me first and slow down respectfully maybe they think I have a young rider with me so show a bit more consideration. We also have a verge to get on to if I hear anything coming or approaching too fast. I am the only one that hacks out along the road for the sole reason of the traffic the others don’t feel safe, luckily Barney is 100% in traffic which helps but like you all say it just takes one useless idiot to cause a bad accident.
Pippity
Well-Known Member
I was about to ask if anyone had experience of the Ghost. I ordered the XL this morning (nine hours of battery life, apparently) and looking forward to playing with it. Reviews were a bit hit-or-miss, but at a quarter the price of a Cambox and that battery life, I thought it was worth trying.
scruffyponies
Well-Known Member
Some years ago now, but one of our local Tesco lorries cut me up badly enough to wind me up properly, so I rode my 12.2hh pony into Tescos and wouldn't leave until I got a complaint form.
Fastest I have ever been served in there.
soloequestrian
Well-Known Member
I used to have to negotiate a short section of road to get to hacking and I just led along it. It meant I could keep the horse tucked into the side of the road but take up a lot of space myself so we made more of a vehicle-sized obstacle. It also kept silent cyclists well away from the horse.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
The trouble is with these sort of operations in that it reaches so few people that it never really makes a difference to most people's experiences.
Spotherisk
Well-Known Member
What’s the speed limit on the road? Does your Parish Council have a VAS sign - you can search on their minutes for this. If so, ask for it to go on your road for a while.
canteron
Well-Known Member
I find that motorists are kinder if I am leading and riding - especially if you are obviously almost making a pantomime of patting and reassuring your horse.
Might be easier to put on every bit of hi viz you both own and leading to the good hacking. Well safer anyway?
Might be easier to put on every bit of hi viz you both own and leading to the good hacking. Well safer anyway?
Rowreach
Adjusting my sails
I was passed by three unmarked police cars (with uniformed occupants) on Saturday. Tbh they should have been giving themselves a talking to, never mind anyone else.
luckyoldme
Well-Known Member
I'm a trucker a cyclist and although I don't have horses now I did have them for ten years.
I can honestly say I've seen the full range of good and bad behaviour in all groups.
In an ideal world we would all behave with consideration towards other road users.
My truck has cameras that I can't access. If a complaint was made it would be looked into but ringing someone's boss after the fact won't be much good to you if you are already injured.
I agree with raising awareness in the hope of changing things but realistically the road itself may just be too dangerous to ride on.
It's like the a66 today. A busy main trunk road with a constant flow of hgvs one after the other today joined by all those newly released holiday makers.
The two cyclists causing a four mile tailback were perfectly legally within their rights to be there. It doesn't alter the fact that it was putting themselves in considerable danger.
I can honestly say I've seen the full range of good and bad behaviour in all groups.
In an ideal world we would all behave with consideration towards other road users.
My truck has cameras that I can't access. If a complaint was made it would be looked into but ringing someone's boss after the fact won't be much good to you if you are already injured.
I agree with raising awareness in the hope of changing things but realistically the road itself may just be too dangerous to ride on.
It's like the a66 today. A busy main trunk road with a constant flow of hgvs one after the other today joined by all those newly released holiday makers.
The two cyclists causing a four mile tailback were perfectly legally within their rights to be there. It doesn't alter the fact that it was putting themselves in considerable danger.
The Xmas Furry
🦄 🦄
No good if you dont have a peaked helmet tho.
However, that make looks better than the ones put on hats to the side ?
I couldn't consider strapping one to my hat for safety reasons (they are banned on helmets in 2 other sports we do), is there a good button one that can be fixed to a jacket?
cremedemonthe
Well-Known Member
If you are already in this group, join, there's over 22,000 members now and rapidly growing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/passwideandslow
Oz
https://www.facebook.com/groups/passwideandslow
Oz
Debbie25670
Active Member
Hi All
I need to vent please. I am so unbelievably sick and tired of hacking on a short piece of road from my yard to private road hacking down to the bridleway. We are currently in the thick of East West Rail and HS2 traffic and the trucks are unbelievable! The amount, the speed, the lack of awareness, its just horrendous right now and coupled with the blind bend i have to ride on and the usual numpty drivers I'm feeling very low today.
To top it all off i tried to hack yesterday, got caught in some weird, dark and moody snow storm type weather so turned round and headed back. The boy was on his toes anyway and then some cyclist comes up behind us and passes close and deathly quiet ... well it put him over the edge and im ashamed to say i lost the plot with the cyclist! She was swearing at me, i was swearing at her, my sensitive horse was obviously upset at my shouting but i was just so angry, im ANGRY and im UPSET, what is wrong with these people!!
I know its about education and tolerance but for gods sake i am sick to death of these cyclists which have just multiplied since lockdowns began! For that split second when his bum went down and he spooked, for that split second i thought it was a car hitting us and i think that's why im still so upset this morning
Im so lucky, i have my horse at home, i have great hacking a stones throw from my yard and yet i feel trapped and scared after too many near misses recently and the dread i feel when i hear the traffic as im tacking up! Do i really have to resort to loading up and driving to the top of the private road? It would take me longer to hitch up, load up and unload than it would to ride the few hundred yards!!!
I try and report all near misses to the BHS and im thinking of writing an article for the local 'news mag' that comes out to the local area as they are always looking for articles (I'm not sure they'd appreciate what i have to say, lol!) and currently writing a letter to the local MP so no real point to this thread other than a rant and a moan! I try so hard to be positive, i literally train my brain to ignore the sound of the cars and trucks whilst i tack up, i generally dont think about that road but yesterday shook me up and yes, i am ashamed i lost the plot at this stupid cyclist!
Debbie25670
Active Member
Hello, I am sorry to hear this, it is very upsetting and you shouldn't feel bad for losing it, when you worried, or scared you feel vulnerable. I run pass wide and slow campaign on Facebook, we are organising awareness are organising awareness rides all over the uk. We want every postcode covered , they are all leaving the same day in September it really helps raise awareness in your area. Please join and help us help you. I also advice a camera, they need reporting to the police, the bus use them for statistics only, please feel free to contact me passwideandslow1@gmail.com glad you are safe, DebbieHi All
I need to vent please. I am so unbelievably sick and tired of hacking on a short piece of road from my yard to private road hacking down to the bridleway. We are currently in the thick of East West Rail and HS2 traffic and the trucks are unbelievable! The amount, the speed, the lack of awareness, its just horrendous right now and coupled with the blind bend i have to ride on and the usual numpty drivers I'm feeling very low today.
To top it all off i tried to hack yesterday, got caught in some weird, dark and moody snow storm type weather so turned round and headed back. The boy was on his toes anyway and then some cyclist comes up behind us and passes close and deathly quiet ... well it put him over the edge and im ashamed to say i lost the plot with the cyclist! She was swearing at me, i was swearing at her, my sensitive horse was obviously upset at my shouting but i was just so angry, im ANGRY and im UPSET, what is wrong with these people!!
I know its about education and tolerance but for gods sake i am sick to death of these cyclists which have just multiplied since lockdowns began! For that split second when his bum went down and he spooked, for that split second i thought it was a car hitting us and i think that's why im still so upset this morning
Im so lucky, i have my horse at home, i have great hacking a stones throw from my yard and yet i feel trapped and scared after too many near misses recently and the dread i feel when i hear the traffic as im tacking up! Do i really have to resort to loading up and driving to the top of the private road? It would take me longer to hitch up, load up and unload than it would to ride the few hundred yards!!!
I try and report all near misses to the BHS and im thinking of writing an article for the local 'news mag' that comes out to the local area as they are always looking for articles (I'm not sure they'd appreciate what i have to say, lol!) and currently writing a letter to the local MP so no real point to this thread other than a rant and a moan! I try so hard to be positive, i literally train my brain to ignore the sound of the cars and trucks whilst i tack up, i generally dont think about that road but yesterday shook me up and yes, i am ashamed i lost the plot at this stupid cyclist!
Debbie25670
Active Member
Cameras do work, I have no issues anymore with drivers, all locals know I have it
alibali
Well-Known Member
Echo Peters advice about long sleeved hi-vis. Really helps drivers see your hand signals.
Also learn to ride defensively, too many riders hug the gutter as if apologising for being on a road. The more of an 'obstacle' or 'hazard' you present the more drivers react to you. So by riding at least 2 foot from the kerb I dissuade drivers from trying to squeeze past if there is something coming from in front. By riding more to the centre of the road you are also further away from the plastic bags/pheasants/leaves/scary blades of grass that can start a spook into passing traffic. Plus if you're riding in the centre of the lane you have more options to manouvre out of trouble, you can move left as well as right whereas if you are in the gutter at the side of the road you can only move right, into traffic. If I'm approaching a blind bend and can hear a vehicle coming up behind me I might ride near the centre line, until I can see its safe for traffic to pass, then I move over to facilitate overtaking. I will always pull into the side or a gateway as soon as it's safe and practical to do so, do my best not to hold drivers up and thank every driver that has to take action to slow etc due to my presence.
Own the road, you have equal right to be there, use your positioning on the road to influence driver behaviour and keep everyone safer.
Also learn to ride defensively, too many riders hug the gutter as if apologising for being on a road. The more of an 'obstacle' or 'hazard' you present the more drivers react to you. So by riding at least 2 foot from the kerb I dissuade drivers from trying to squeeze past if there is something coming from in front. By riding more to the centre of the road you are also further away from the plastic bags/pheasants/leaves/scary blades of grass that can start a spook into passing traffic. Plus if you're riding in the centre of the lane you have more options to manouvre out of trouble, you can move left as well as right whereas if you are in the gutter at the side of the road you can only move right, into traffic. If I'm approaching a blind bend and can hear a vehicle coming up behind me I might ride near the centre line, until I can see its safe for traffic to pass, then I move over to facilitate overtaking. I will always pull into the side or a gateway as soon as it's safe and practical to do so, do my best not to hold drivers up and thank every driver that has to take action to slow etc due to my presence.
Own the road, you have equal right to be there, use your positioning on the road to influence driver behaviour and keep everyone safer.
Gingerwitch
Well-Known Member
Sorry to hear of your issues, I hate roadvhacking too especially after a car decided to take the back legs from under my old mare. She tried to pass me on a very narrow lane which was impossible and we ended up on her car bonnet and roof.
As far as I know vehicles on the HS2 have to be FORS silver. Put a complaint into FORS as they are always looking for ways of getting money out of hauliers, but it is a direct way of getting pretty good action to a wide audience.
I feel sorry for the good vehicle operators but the bad ones deserve the extra hoops FORS will make them jump through.
As far as I know vehicles on the HS2 have to be FORS silver. Put a complaint into FORS as they are always looking for ways of getting money out of hauliers, but it is a direct way of getting pretty good action to a wide audience.
I feel sorry for the good vehicle operators but the bad ones deserve the extra hoops FORS will make them jump through.
Pedantic
Well-Known Member
All this traffic and continual building of roads houses commercial parks etc etc and extra walkers/cyclists, it's like dogshit, IT'S EVERYWHERE, we have had this for the last 18 years where I am, there are no magic answers, except desensitize your horse to as much as possible.
Other problems all the above brings is, dog poo bags lager cans fag packets etc etc in your field, people feeding your horse fly tipping etc, list is endless, country full of morons, just look at the news.
Other problems all the above brings is, dog poo bags lager cans fag packets etc etc in your field, people feeding your horse fly tipping etc, list is endless, country full of morons, just look at the news.
Gloi
Too little time, too much to read.
Be careful buying the cheapo hat cameras from eBay. I got one and when I went to set it up on the laptop it blew something on the motherboard so the usb ports no longer work. Took ages to sort anything out with the Chinese seller and laptop can't be fixed ?
Debbie25670
Active Member
Even hi viz doesn't work I am afraid , if you join pass wide and slow Facebook group you will see 80%of horses hit we're all wearing hi viz as riders were, most were from behind also
Scotsbadboy
Well-Known Member
Thanks all, some invaluable advise and its good to know im not alone. The road is a 60! God knows why there was ever a decision to make these small country roads a 60 but there you go, you cant educate pork!
Debbie25670
Active Member
We have to keep campaigning on how we as riders can be safe,
Rowreach
Adjusting my sails
Of course hi viz helps!! How many accidents have been avoided because people have used it?
There’s no such thing as too much hi viz, and I would be horrified if statements like this make anyone think “oh there’s no point it doesn’t work” ?
Hanno Verian
Well-Known Member
Sorry to hear about your bad experience - I appreciate that it happened some time ago, what I would say is that if you get a poor response take it higher - You can google and find out who the CEO /COO is or their PR/Community Relations people are, if you cant get an email address write to them snail mail via recorded delivery and explain to them how their vehicles, drivers and safety culture is putting you and other riders at risk, tell them that you've had the brush off at local level and that you are going to Social Media / Press, even more powerfull if you have video.
With company directors personally liable for Corporate Manslaughter, they are very twitchy about safety culture and will usually be all over it, at lower management level you will sometimes find people who dont understand their responsibilities and personal liabilities, but at senior level they are all too aware of it
DirectorFury
Well-Known Member
Just to show the usefulness of cameras, I reported 2 incidents from the last time I was out. One to the police, and one to a major company (as it was in a sign written van). The police are moving forward with a penalty notice for the one I reported to them, and the company have issued their driver with a written warning and will be sending him on a driving course. Without my footage I highly doubt anything would have happened in either of these cases.
TotalMadgeness
Well-Known Member
I agree with the above. I wear long sleeved hi viz (with SLOW DOWN written on the right arm) plus hi viz gloves so folks can see my arms and hand signals. I also carry a long hi viz schooling whip plus I ride in the middle of the road if I see someone coming at me too fast. Thank goodness my horse is a saint.
Debbie25670
Active Member
I wear hi-viz and have never said not to wear it but we cannot rely on just hi-viz keeping us safe. It is sensible yes but doesn't stop people getting killed
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ester
Not slacking multitasking
Did anyone say they were relying on hi viz to keep them safe?
You blanket said it doesn't work
You blanket said it doesn't work
Scotsbadboy
Well-Known Member
I do have a tendency to hug the kerb, i am always trying to be polite, too polite i think! Dont get me wrong i am always up for the fight (not sure why this incident has affected me so much, i love a good scrap normally, lol!) and im the type who acknoledges and thanks people and even wave people past if i see the road is clear ahead ... I know this isn't to everyone's taste...... So i will start to ride further from the kerb (i.e Ditch) and position myself in a more prominent position which, as suggested, gives you room to move over should you need to.
I love my high viz, i have long sleeves on both tops and a tabard with flashing white lights on the front of the shoulders and a line of red flashing lights across the waist AND high viz gloves. Im that annoying person that winds my window down and mentions to riders without high viz that i couldnt see them until the last second (Ok i exaggerate to prove my point in the hope the message sinks in)
I love my high viz, i have long sleeves on both tops and a tabard with flashing white lights on the front of the shoulders and a line of red flashing lights across the waist AND high viz gloves. Im that annoying person that winds my window down and mentions to riders without high viz that i couldnt see them until the last second (Ok i exaggerate to prove my point in the hope the message sinks in)
Rowreach
Adjusting my sails
I joined the pass wide and slow Facebook group, and the first thing I saw was a video of a horse (with apparently two others behind it) being ridden along a pavement while a tractor coming towards them passed them far too fast.
The question was about riding on a pavement for safety, despite the legalities. My reply would have been (if comments hadn’t been turned off) that I would happily go on the pavement or anywhere else in an emergency, but in this instance, had the three horses been positioned correctly in the road, slightly defensively away from the kerb, there would have been no room for the tractor and it would have had to slow down or stop, as it would for an oncoming vehicle. By riding on the pavement these riders made it possible for any vehicle to whizz past, and give the horses no consideration at all.
The question was about riding on a pavement for safety, despite the legalities. My reply would have been (if comments hadn’t been turned off) that I would happily go on the pavement or anywhere else in an emergency, but in this instance, had the three horses been positioned correctly in the road, slightly defensively away from the kerb, there would have been no room for the tractor and it would have had to slow down or stop, as it would for an oncoming vehicle. By riding on the pavement these riders made it possible for any vehicle to whizz past, and give the horses no consideration at all.