CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting

Comments from fellow cyclists

(34 posts)
  • Started 13 years ago by riffian
  • Latest reply from ruggtomcat

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12

  1. riffian
    Member

    On my commute home last night, I stopped in a cycle lane with a line of stationary traffic due to a bus being ahead and slightly encroaching in this cycle lane. A fellow cyclist weaved around me making some unclear but, by his tone, angry/dismissive outburst about me stopping. When he reached the ASL he turned around and reiterated his displeasure.

    Not knowing the light sequence at this junction and my awareness of the dangers of undertaking large vehicles on the left I thought my stopping reasonable and found his ire surprising and a bit depressing.

    I guess I have this (naïve, idealistic?) belief that my fellow cyclists are friendly, supportive, kindred spirits - united in a love of cycling!

    He was clipless, so clearly not an occassional rider. I caught him as we descended Duddingston Park but thought a discussion, at relative high-speed in the close proximity of motor vehicles, unwise and turned off without overtaking.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. recombodna
    Member

    He probably got a fright when you stopped. It sounds like he was cycling too fast ant too close to you for the road conditions. There are unfortunately a lot of idiots out there who think that because they cycle all the time they can do no wrong and know it all better................ a bit like taxi drivers.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Much like driving a car, it's the responsibility of the cyclist behind you to be cycling in a way that means their in control if the cyclist ahead needs to stop. If he wasn't then it's his own fault. If he was annoyed that you didn't squeeze up the side of the bus then again that's his own problem.

    I guess I have this (naïve, idealistic?) belief that my fellow cyclists are friendly, supportive, kindred spirits - united in a love of cycling!

    Some. A lot. But of course, not all.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. Morningsider
    Member

    I've had the very occasional fellow cyclist bellow at me for stopping rather than scooting up the side of a bus type of thing, but it isn't a common occurance in my experience.

    I do find it expecially depressing/upsetting though, compared with the odd yell from a passing motorist. I suppose this is because I like to think of fellow cyclists as kindrid spirits who are happy to look out for each other. Disappointingly, they are just folk on bikes and that must include a few rude/impatient types.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. Dave
    Member

    "Disappointingly, they are just folk on bikes"

    Yes - would be nice if there was something about riding a bike that changed people, but it doesn't (IME anyway). You get just the same range of people on bikes as you do in cars.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. chdot
    Admin

    @Dave

    It's certainly true that merely riding a bike doesn't make people 'nice', but many people do change - for instance realising that there's much more to 'cycling' than just a (reluctantly used) means of transport.

    I remember trying (unsuccessfully) to persuade someone to get a bike. Didn't see him for a few years. Somehow he'd been transformed into an obsessive tourer/bore!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. crowriver
    Member

    It's been interesting the past few days with good weather, cycling around in Dundee and seeing a much larger number of (mostly male) cyclists out and about. The kinds of people that cycle in Dundee seem (subjectively to me) to be a bit different from cyclists in Edinburgh for example.

    What strikes me is that very few of them are commuters. Those that are tend to be in the full hi-viz and lycra gimp suit, aero helmet, wrap shades etc. Most of the 'leisure' type cyclists are riding what I would call 'sport' bikes: MTBs with suspension or fancy looking road bikes.

    Nothing wrong with any of this, of course, and the Dundonian cyclists seem a friendly bunch: many say hello as I pass on my wee folder, in flat cap with normal clothes and trouser legs in socks. It does however rather cement the impression that cycling has become almost exclusively a 'sport and fitness' activity for most people rather than a simple mode of transportation.

    It's great that folk are cycling but I can't help but feel we have lost something important.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. gembo
    Member

    also good to cycle somewhere other than Edinburgh to see what the 'real' world is like

    it remains unclear to me how kit designed to help with long road cycling has crossed over on the back of the upsurge in cycling kicked off by the 'mountain' bike craze

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. Nelly
    Member

    Interesting points about bike / non bike clothes - think this was covered in another post elewhere recently.

    There are a lot of commuters in my office - more this time of year - and some do try it in normal clothes at first.

    I reckon they find that if you are going any distance you will sweat, or if you need a suit or similar at the other end, its just not practical to use anything other than bike clothes and then shower/change.

    And thats not even touching the subject of shorts without decent padding/chamois in the nether regions......

    I stay near the meadows and there are a lot of students who cycle in entirely normal gear, probably financial reasons ?

    I quite like the bike gear actually, but agree that it would be nice to have alternatives that dont always look full on road warrior.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  10. Dave
    Member

    I ride around Edinburgh in normal clothes. I'm not aware that anyone in the office cycles in lycra at all (I'm the only one I've seen wearing it, when I do a long ride on the way into work - then I cycle home in normal stuff).

    On the other hand SWMBO changes into cycling stuff just to go five minutes into town.

    @chdot - what I was angling at is that, say, if you spied on the driving habits of cyclists you'd find just the same violations as the general populace (except perhaps some more patience for cyclists!). It always amuses me when people moan about cyclists jumping red lights - "we" are trying to get people out of their cars, where they speed past primary schools, use the phone while driving etc. and then expect them to become paragons of virtue when they get on a bike. No, until no driver ever speeds it's unrealistic to think that when they get on a bike they will obey all laws by magic.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  11. Nelly
    Member

    @Dave, thats interesting, definitely the oppo of our place at edinburgh park.

    I am sure there are a lot of variables - including length of commute, and importantly perhaps also facilities at the workplace.
    My work has decent facilities, so make it easy for me to crawl out of bed, chuck on the bike gear, cycle the 6 miles or so, shave, shower and change into 'work' gear.

    I actually find that easier than doing all the shave/shower/suit stuff at home !

    Posted 13 years ago #

  12. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I stay near the meadows and there are a lot of students who cycle in entirely normal gear, probably financial reasons ?

    Or possibly because they go very short distances at low speed and/or more than likely the university doesn't offer changing / showering / lockers at lecture theaters?

    I actually find that easier than doing all the shave/shower/suit stuff at home !

    I find it definitely cheaper to use the work's hot water, gratis :)

    I'm also amused somewhat when we talk about "cycling clothes" that we always come round to first lycra and then perhaps second dayglo yellow. My observation of a lot of cyclists is that they are in "cycling clothes" that are neither lycra or dayglo yellow! You don't have to look like the stereotypical cyclist to be in cycling gear.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  13. chdot
    Admin

    @Dave

    Don't think we are disagreeing at all.

    You are making a narrower (valid) point.

    You are talking about 'motorists' bringing their driving habits to riding.

    I was more referring to a general benefit that cycling can bring - a greater degree of self control/freedom - not waiting for the bus/car in front. Greater ability to change pace/route, taking more notice of surroundings/wildlife etc.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  14. SRD
    Moderator

    I stay near the meadows and there are a lot of students who cycle in entirely normal gear, probably financial reasons ?

    I see very few cyclists at Uni in 'cycling' kit, students or otherwise, although the cycle racks getting LOTs of use in recent months.

    K'nik right about students (well, UGs). We have showers in my building for staff/PGs but I've never seen another cyclist using them in the morning. Some use around noon, I think, for people who run etc at lunch? I only use them now because I can actually carry a change of clothes on the Helios, and because like others have discovered it is much easier to get out of the house faster w/out a shower. But I still don't cycle in 'cycling kit' - just something lightweight, if possible.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  15. chdot
    Admin

    "like others have discovered it is much easier to get out of the house faster w/out a shower"

    So?

    Unless you are showering in work time or had previously showered at home and work I don't see where "faster" comes in.

    Cycling clothes (or not), changing (or not) washing (or not) - think main factors are distance (suspect most EU students don't travel more than 2 miles) and whether cycling is used as exercise/work out or 'just' transport.

    Dayglo is a separate issue.

    Some of the above also relates to why 'ordinary' people don't/won't cycle.

    We've probably discussed on other threads.

    New thread??

    Posted 13 years ago #

  16. Dave
    Member

    We don't have to dress up at work, which is probably mainly responsible for people riding in normal clothes. I don't think many would try to ride in a suit!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  17. SRD
    Moderator

    Unless you are showering in work time or had previously showered at home and work I don't see where "faster" comes in.

    I think maybe this is a mother thing. Trust me, it is faster and easier to shower when there is no one interrupting you and no one else wanting to use the bathroom. Not to mention people just generally not wanting you to go to work and/or understanding why you do have to leave them at home. Speaking of which, I am off to the office!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  18. chdot
    Admin

    "no one else wanting to use the bathroom"

    So that slows you down...

    (or not, if you see what I mean)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  19. Nelly
    Member

    "New thread??"

    Agreed - although I have to go out in a bit - might use my bike in non-cycle clothing to see what happens !!!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  20. chdot
    Admin

    Also

    Forget to mention -

    Part of change/shower thing is smell.

    There have been previous references on here to cyclists at work that others 'notice'.

    New new thread??

    Posted 13 years ago #

  21. wingpig
    Member

    New threads in locker. Smell stays downstairs.
    I sometimes notice an unpleasant stale sweat smell on me at work and then remember that it's the strap of my watch, which can be swiftly cleansed in the dino in the bog.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  22. chdot
    Admin

    "might use my bike in non-cycle clothing to see what happens !!!"

    Your bike might think it's got a new owner (good, bad??)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  23. chdot
    Admin

    "New threads in locker."

    Different usage!

    Technically this forum has "topics" but that doesn't seem to be a user friendly word!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  24. Nelly
    Member

    "Your bike might think it's got a new owner"

    That one is already confused due to the mudguards instaled at kaputniks recommendation - so this might tip it over the edge...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  25. gembo
    Member

    I have a colleague who cycles in a suit. He is built like a whippet and looks a bit like Bernard Hinault. He buys lots of suits from Leckies of Falkirk, he is like 36 chest 28 waist so they always have plenty. It is stock from businesses that have gone into liquidation. I have an old Crombie suit from before the children so it has lasted but is being worn out by me cycling in it. It was from Frasers not Leckies. Woolen suits absorb sweat/smell well. I was buying some flannel slacks [oh yes, it has come to that] in Marks and Spencers, a wool blend they claim you can wash in the machine. I was sceptical and asking how often you could wash them in a machine. They claimed same as you would get them dry cleaned. I said oh well might be good for cycling in, they found this hysterical

    Having said all that we both get lycra-ed up too.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  26. splitshift
    Member

    Leckies, in falkirk are good for all sorts, got a pair brasher hillwalking boots, about17 years ago for £20....my sons wearing them now ! 4 season sleeping bag. £15. Some waterproof, breatheable goretex type stuff is usually available,just get in and rummage !
    My cycling gear gets stuffed into a locker, my trucks generally smell worse than me ! Our lockers are in the warehouse so manual labour is prevellant ! Fruity , i think is the best description of the general smell !
    My helmet stinks all the time now ! nice .

    Posted 13 years ago #

  27. crowriver
    Member

    @gembo Woolen suits absorb sweat/smell well.

    I'm sure Yehuda Moon would agree. I wear woolen hats and 'base layers' and they very rarely smell bad. My man-made fabric running tops, on the other hand...oh dear!

    I don't have to wear a suit for my job, but a shirt and jacket is usually advisable. It's not really a problem to cycle in work clothes as long as I keep the pace moderate. I've found linen mix shirts quite good to cycle in when the weather has been warmish, I seem to hardly sweat in them. If it's really hot (quite rare in Scotland), a simple cotton t-shirt usually suffices, or if I need to smarter, a short sleeved shirt is great.

    On recent runs from Dundee to Leuchars after sitting in a conference room all day, I found that cotton twill jeans or dark chinos tucked into the socks works fine. On longer runs, in the past I've put on padded lycra undershorts to ease the effect of bumps in the road. RecentlyI've found these not to be necessary, instead adding a gel saddle cover.

    I said oh well might be good for cycling in, they found this hysterical.

    Just goes to show they too are probably thinking cycling = sport.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  28. MeepMeep
    Member

    I tend to cycle about in shorts or tracksuit bottoms and a long-sleeve compression top. No other reason than comfort, utility and mindfulness of the unpredictable nature of Scottish weather (and the fact I wear a skirt to work most days!).

    I cycled home from work in jeans last night and found my legs knackered long before I hit any inclines. I think it probably had something to do with how women's jeans are cut.

    As I don't commute far (about two miles either way), I very rarely work up enough of a sweat to warrant a shower at work. I normally just change into my suit.

    To digress back to the initial post: when I see a cyclist, I usually try to smile, say hi and - if we chat a bit more - wish them a safe journey.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  29. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    MeepMeep: "I usually try to smile, say hi and - if we chat a bit more - wish them a safe journey"

    Gosh I hope I meet you when I'm out cycling. I never know what to do when it gets hilly. Do you try - gasp - to - pant - keep - puff - talking? I've been in some pretty one-sided conversations.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  30. spytefear
    Member

    That reminds me of a conversation I had with an older lady who cycled alongside me at a set of lights while I was out of breath at the top of Dundas/George St, we were both aiming at the mound and she said "you go first, you'll be faster than me anyway" to which I replied "maybe but I will still get stuck at red lights and you will catch me up" which she then did, twice until she nearly caught me again at the High Street but the lights changed back to green again. We were giving each other big smiles all the way up the hill though and I waved goodbye as I took off onto George IV bridge.
    Haven't had as pleasant an encounter as that for a while though.
    Then again my commute these days is stupidly short.

    Posted 13 years ago #

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