CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh

Worst ever ride

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  1. jamesire
    Member

    Just came home from worst ever ride

    Was coming home from Heriot Watt, just passed through traffic-lighted roundabout onto calder road and cycling along the bus lane. Then seemingly out of nowhere an 18-wheeler with a Euro numberplate passed me with approximately a yard to spare, nearly forcing me onto the grass at the roadside. I honestly think he can't have seen me - I was just aware of disappearing under the lorry's shadow, and feeling the heat coming off the thing as it went past.

    As if that wasn't enough, I was then cut off on two separate roundabouts, once in Sighthill by a black cab then in Stenhouse by an older woman in a Corsa. On both occasions I shouted at them and they seemed to be shouting back angrily at me. The cabby was right up my bum before passing. Both times I was in lane and heading straight ahead. Am I missing something here? I passed my driving test about 10 years ago, and without checking I'm fairly certain that you can't overtake a cyclist on a roundabout. I was clearly in lane both times.

    I'm astonished by these events - all in one day! I've been doing this commute (Stockbridge to Riccarton) since the beginning of summer and have never had anything as bad as this. When I got home I felt like crying.

    I got the numberplate of the 18-wheeler and took a note of the logo on the back of the trailer (Hendricksx), does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do with these details?

    Posted 11 years ago #
  2. algo
    Member

    Hello,

    really sorry to hear about this. I went this way for a few years and it can be a nightmare. It sounds like really bad luck to me. At those roundabouts primary is key and it requires some courage sometimes, but unfortunately you'll always get idiots who think you should be somewhere else - flying above them perhaps?

    Was it this hauliers?

    Hendricks Transport

    If so I'd send them a message and see where it gets you - there is also the Road Haulage Association if you need it - I really don't know how much good they'll be I'm afraid.

    I never liked the canal - too many dogs and bridges for my liking, but do you know about this route?

    alternative route

    it's very scenic and apart from having to get off for the level crossing is really quite ok for traffic. No good if you're in a hurry though.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  3. My Commute is Mountcastle to Gyle, and whilt it maybe adds 10 minutes each way (max) to my commute the Tow Path is a real pleasure (when you are not constantly encountering speedsters) and worth considering as a cross town route. When my commute was to Gorgie, the WOL path was ideal especially in the summer.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  4. spytfyre
    Member

    I had a rotten run home too. Vetoed beeped at unnecessarily and before that was approaching another driver to let him know he was running without a brake light only to catch him playing candy crush saga as he drove along George street. Cops didn't care.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  5. gembo
    Member

    That is a very bad one, I would go from Heriot watt down bike lane to hermiston then in the towpath too. It is fine until aqueduct and you can come off just before and use slateford road?

    Traffic snarled today at various spots but this meant long stretches very clear.

    Tonight at 7.30 roads were empty

    Not advocating a 12 hour day but at least I had two good runs

    Posted 11 years ago #

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