Some riders are asking for trouble

grandmaweloveyou

grandmaweloveyou

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I know that sounds harsh but I just got really cross driving home in a country road in twilight with 2 riders riding double abreast in the dark with no reflectives on. Honestly, I nearly wound down the window to have a word. We have all been caught out I am sure at one stage or another but surely a) go single file on a pretty much single file track b) wear the right attire. Exasperated.
 
I have seen so many lately!!!

The other evening a girl( no reflectives, dark clothing) was riding a chestnut horse. I didn't see her ahead at all, OH did thank god!! as she blended in with the brick wall she was riding past!!
shocked.gif
 
Hmm, we ride two abreast down the lane behind the yard - if not, car drivers drive so far up that there is literally nowhere to go but back the way you came - by going two abrest they tend to wait, and we can trot on to a passing place.
 
I never ever ever ride single file as it courses drivers round here to drive like idiots and it is in the highway code that we can take up as much room as a car, 2 abreast is far safer in my oppinion...
 
I prefer abreast on a narrow road too for the reasons stated by others. BUT, we ALWAYS wear hi viz (rider and horse) and I absolutely hate it when others don't. Sadly, far too many people don't :-(
 
I agree with Ali2, with hi viz being the key. My other pet hate is that those that don't wear hi viz don't even thank you for slowing down, thus getting other riders a bad reputation!
 
It really winds me up, especially when they carry on their conversation, not even acknowledging you.
talking about asking for trouble, who rides while talking on the mobile phone!
and another thing is it sensible to let under 17s to ride out alone or in same age and under company. i dont htink it is. also riding with your dogs walking loose beside, its hard enough to control you horse at times, let alone a dog, never mind how well trained it might be.
 
I have allways riden single file, but I am beggining to think that maybe 2 a breast is better, this is because in single file some idiot drivers either speed past or sqeeze past, if you are 2 a breast they have to slow down or wait, however I wouldn't condone plodding along deliberately ignoring that drivers are waiting, if there is a passing place further on I will trot on and pull in for them to pass, having said all that if a friend had been riding with me last saturday and we were riding 2 a beast the arsehole who pulled straight out onto my side of the road overtaking a bus would have hit one of us.

I did "deliberately" hold Postman Pratt up a few weeks ago and plodded all the way to the end of the bridleway, he illegally use's our bridleway to cut through to two houses at the end and then drives back again, when it's dry weather it leaves you in clouds of dust, he doesnt go that slow either, I have complained to the council public rights of way officer to which he said, they are monitering the situation, yea right, that'll be till someone gets hurt then I suppose, either a dog walker cyclist horse rider, complaints have been made which made him slow down, but he is back to speeding along again, he should use the proper route even it would take him longer, how would it be if we "all" used it as as shortcut in our vehicles.
 
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and another thing is it sensible to let under 17s to ride out alone or in same age and under company. i dont htink it is.

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As a 17 year old that rides in hi vis and always aknowledges drivers (having done so when I was 13) I think that statement is a bit broad. I quite often ride in groups and the whole group is always polite. We ride 2 or even 3 abreast but will go down to single file as soon as we see another car, with the exception of when cars are going dangerously fast or we have a nervous youngster (horse) with us.

Just as many adult riders are bad as younger riders...
 
i have a youngster and i went out single file and ended up having an accident because someone decided he cud fit through where he couldn't now i always ride two abreast. i also always wear hi viz
 
The trick to it....

Always wear hi vis, and where possible... wear a high vis reflective hat band on you, brow band on gee gee!!!

There is no definitive right or wrong when road riding...
Alll riders need to adapt to the conditions they encounter.

Two abreast is great for increasing visibility and increasing your safety... in the correct setting!
However to ride 2 abreast in order to slow or hold up traffic is an offence!!!

Be aware, look well ahead, take advantage that you as a rider from your vantage point should in all circumstances be aware of traffic approaching, before a vehicle driver is aware of you!
Therefore it makes sense to take the initiative and respond accordingly to the situation, ensuring your visibility and safety, as well as that of the approaching traffic.

Be safe, be alert, be sensible...

Most of all PLEASE wear the hi vis, there is NO excuse whatsoever for taking risks with safety!!!
 
OP, you should have told them, sometimes people are totally oblivious (insert "thick" if you choose...!) and if they realised they were endangering their horses and themselves (and other road users) they'd do something about it.

fwiw i've now stuck a big L sticker on the back of my hi-viz waistcoat and it's the most effective thing yet for slowing everyone down... it's for my 4 yr old, but tbh i don't care if the drivers think i'm the learner, as long as they slow down!
 
so continuing the talk about hi vis (and i wont go out without one and lets not even go down the hat debate) having seen the post about the vis saying L on it, is it right that there are some stupid rules with insurance companies that you could possibly not be covered for warning drivers you are on a nervous or dangerous horse?
yes i would have stopped to tell them but it was on a dangerous bend and almost dark and no doubt, my luck, i would be the one to get smashed into thus smashing into the side of one of the horses
frown.gif
ever the pessimist!
 
My daughter has a Hi Viz vest with 'L' printed on it, I forget where we got it from (a couple of years ago now) but it does work, people DO slow down.
 
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