Hi Mr Green 'Aged' Freelander driver's husband. ;o)
Thankyou for taking the time to register and respond. I also admit to not being overly grateful when climbing the Burnshot drive hill on my way into Edinburgh, where the first incident occured, which caused me to complain and write the original thread. I do think/hope I thank most drivers who show me courtecy, but if I have offended I appologise! Sorry. :o(
I am very greatful that we are allowed to travel through the estate as its a breath of fresh air compared to some routes through Edinburgh we have to pass through. I tend to travel through along the diversion on my way in but then hug the coast along the N76 on my way home.
From my own perspective, whilst riding on UK's roads, I have been shouted at, run into, run off the road, beeped at from behind with no warning, left hooked forcing me to take a left turn off the road I was traveling on, to avoid being run over and finally left hooked by a lorry who ran over my bike and squashed it, and but for me spotting this happening and jumping off, I'd have been squashed too! I hope you accept that I'm slightly apprehensive when I see 1.5 - 2 tonnes of steel barreling down on me and usually just want to get out of the way, as some drivers are not actively looking for cyclists! And I hope you'll appreciate if I were to run into your vehicle, I'll perhaps dent/scratch your wing/bodywork. If you run into me I'll come off a lot worse! This is not an excuse for rude or ignorant behavour, which I do not condone. Its an attempt to explain what some cyclists go through and why the first reaction to approaching a large vehicle is not to smile and wave.
I'll continue to acknowledge courtesous drivers where I can (like when we smiled and waved thanks to your wife who very kindly mounted the grass verge to give us room), but if I'm struggling up some hill I hope you'll forgive me. I'm just trying to get home to see my young children, and this is what it just boils down to, we're all brothers, fathers, hubands, etc.. just trying to get to and from work in the most safest and convenient way.
Dave Crampton