Plum last night going the wrong way down a one way street - I pointed this out to him so he went on the pavement instead. Brilliant.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Today's rubbish cycling
(4520 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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Short while ago, one of I presume tonight's contestants cycling the wrong way down Morrison Street through traffic. Didn't catch his team name but his uniform was green. His team mate had the decency to only use the pavement.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Had the same thing on a street that it happens on all the time (got a friend who lives on it) and got a 'thanks' from the first rider. The other two riding with him looked more sheepish.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@algo - yeah, just a bit bruised and grazed now. Hurt quite a lot at the time though.
I've also got a weird bruise on the opposite shin - I assume from hitting the frame? No recollection of it at the time, I guess the knee was more pressing.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@ECT Was it on the section of Morrison St closed for the (deep-frozen) SGN roadworks? In fairness, it wouldn't be exactly obvious to an out-of-towner how to avoid that bit if you had a route involving Haymarket in mind.
Anything else would be 'up' Morrison St...
Posted 8 years ago # -
Aye, it was that bit outside the conference centre.
It might not have been obvious how to get to Haymarket (or wherever they were going) but it would have been very obvious it was not that way if you were riding a bike.
Posted 8 years ago # -
On the approach to Gayfield Square from London road I must negotiate that dreaded roundabout this morning. Got my hand signal out to indicate a left turn from the end of London road and right around the roundabout while in the far right position at the beginning. I notice a small van with a bike rider undertaking on the left (of course it's hinted he'd be heading straight anyway) but I notice that while the van is slowing the rider is not even when I'm shouting that I'm turning left. He undercuts me despite the presence of a parked truck right in front of me as he does so and with my arm clearly out. Only gives me a minor glance when he undertakes me while not slowing down. Had earphones in too and no helmet but that's not relevant, the point is he should have held back regardless.
Posted 8 years ago # -
This morning I was heading round the bend at the north out of the Forth Bridge layby when I spotted an approaching cyclist. I was probably in the middle of the path due to the nature of coming round the corner but as I would pretty much always do I moved left and slowed a little. However he appeared convinced that he needed to be on the outside of the path (the right as he saw it).
I kept slowing and he seemed alarmed by my actions as if he expected me to move to the right. Eventually I stopped and he yelled some obscenity about learning to ride a bike while continuing on his way at speed.
I know there is no official my side/the other side on a shared use path but I thought convention was to stick to the left when passing other bikes. However I'll leave it up to you to decide whether it was him or me who was the rubbish cyclist.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@acsimpson - you did exactly as I have done 100s of times without incicent- always stay left to middle on cycle paths, slow down and move left when approaching someone moving in the opposite direction I only move right to overtake.
Disturbing behaviour from the other cyclist.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@acsimspon - even if he had been right, yelling obscenities and speeding off is proof that the guy is a dick.
And everyone knows to stick to the left.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I personally don't care where you ride on an empty shared path but if you want to stick on the right do so politely and be prepared to stop.
For instance going up the pavement* on Maybury Road, I will always stick to the left hand side of the road but some people insist on riding the right hand pavement*. If they want to keep moving they will need to go between me and the traffic and on the narrow bits I'll stop. However if they come to a halt and rest out the way on the verge I'll pass between the carriageway and them provided there is a suitable gap in the traffic that I wont be buzzed from behind while doing so.
*The pavements are just that so technically everyone is in the wrong but when it's a choice between cycling uphill in a 40 zone with 60mph+ traffic passing me or riding on the pavement (often with passengers) I'll break the law. Downhill I'll avoid the pavements unless I have passengers.
Posted 8 years ago # -
And everyone 'knows' to stick to the left.
Fixed that for you. Observe which side of a footway people prefer to walk along, next to the kerb and vehicles or a body of water or a cliff, or next to a wall or a garden? And when they step to one side, do they move to the left or to the right by preference?
There is a lot to suggest people walk on the side of a path that gives them the higher level of subjective safety. People also move left or right depending on whether they are left or right-handed. Knowing the rules of the shared segregated path doesn't guarantee a logical response from an individual.
[But yes, obscenities are not required.]
Posted 8 years ago # -
The nice weather also seems to have brought out the wheelsuckers on the NEPN. sigh
Posted 8 years ago # -
Just for my information, how close do you have to be to be categorised as a "wheelsucker"?
I have followed about 3 bike lengths behind people (too fast to overtake, too slow to hang right back), and I've been followed closer than that. It doesn't bother me to be followed; I hope I'm not upsetting people I'm following.
Posted 8 years ago # -
That is obviously a matter of personal interpretation: Three lengths is fine by me although there are one or two people on here seem to object to anyone being within about ten. It rather depends on the circumstances. Essentially I don't like anyone behind who hasn't made themselves known and who might affect my riding (as in, if I have to stop suddenly we aren't going to form an imropmtu tandem)
Posted 8 years ago # -
Meanwhile in China:
Posted 8 years ago # -
Dark bike, red rucksack, heading east on Seafield Road last night. Coming along past Seafield Street on the road (fair enough), taking a fairly solid primary (fair enough, especially with the gusty cross wind) and swerving a bit to avoid potholes (didn't look great but, given the primary, perfectly safe).
The result was the car behind couldn't safely pass and so waited. The lights at Halfords went red as they approached. The cyclist carried on through the red and I wouldn't say there was any doubt to have the benefit of in this case; they should have stopped. The car did stop, and as I passed (on the path) I could see how irate the driver was at this perceived injustice.
So, the cyclist jumped a red light (fairly safely) and the car didn't get to the back of the next queue as quickly as it might have - no bid deal?
Except... I'm not sure that driver quite so likely to be so patient next time.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Me :(
Took newish mountain bike thing out for a nice loop (Inverleith-Roslin-Flotterstone-Green Cleuch-Balerno Gala Day then home). Only, zooming down past the SSPCA into Balerno, I forgot there's an epic set of potholes there. Was already braking in case of traffic coming up the hill in the middle of the road, but not soon enough (the easy ride over the rough bits compared to my usual bike deceived me a bit about my speed, I think) - and realised I was going to wipe out big style just in time to hammer on the brakes some. Superman mode, two ruined items of clothing (top & tights), blood!
So, my nice afternoon of Gala, inc. banana hoopla, live owls and lots of cake, then a ride home in the sun, turned into a shredded elbow (thankfully not broken but &*!#!! it hurt when I hit, road rash everywhere, wrenched everything (can hardly move at the minute). 30minutes lying in mud by the side of the road being para-medic'd then put in an ambulance (didn't REALLY hit my head, but my neck hurt, so), and a nice bout of shock. Two hours of teeth chattering inability to get warm, much hanging about the Western in bare feet and an NHS blanket (shoes removed in ambulance & couldn't bend enough to get them back on!), x-ray and OW. Ow. Ow!
(I might ask CEC to please repair the most monstrous of those potholes.) (And track down and thank saviour lady from local school who called an ambulance when it was clear I couldn't get up or make any sense. Italians who insited on putting a coat over me sadly unlikely to be traceable. I hope they had a better afternoon afterwards!)
Posted 8 years ago # -
And worst of all, you are going to have to change your name now!
Seriously, that sounds really awful. I am sorry you missed the owls and cake (sounds like a perfect afternoon to me) but I am glad you are sort-of okay. It may well hurt worse in the morning. Take it easy on yourself.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Thanks! I know I'm lucky not to have dislocated or broken anything but the mother was running the banana hoopla (you won bananas, apparently?), and I managed to crash just as the sun was coming out!
My brother reports that the bike seems to be okay - also a relief! But not sure I'll be managing Ride to the Sun as I don't know I'll be back on two wheels for at least a week (and I needed to get some proper miles in before the 12th or so). I will be a lot more careful downhill from now on I suspect...
Posted 8 years ago # -
At least you are alive - and well enough to type!
Wisdom on CCE is 'fine wine in a bath'
That might be a paraphrase (and against H&S).
Posted 8 years ago # -
I don't have a bath - but I might limp round to a friend's place tomorrow and use hers!
A glass of wine has already been applied (not in the shower though, that's not very effective).
Posted 8 years ago # -
But was it "fine"?
Apparently they have exceptional properties.
Posted 8 years ago # -
It was acceptable - but possibly not fine enough to have all the necessary healing properties. I might have to try taking more tomorrow when in bath.
Posted 8 years ago # -
In case you (or anyone else) is unaware, you can report potholes here: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20089/roads_and_pavements/1070/report_a_problem_with_a_pavement_or_road
I've found that they're fixed fairly quickly once reported.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@unhurt, what a shame. I always avoid that road because of risk of what has happened to you, by taking the left at thriepmuir. That road is also very rough in patches but is due for new Tarmac. Rigg road. The descent at the far end is more gradual, also in the correct season allows me to check on how my brambles are progressing, they take longer as higher up.
As for the gala, the clan were there doing bike stunts which was good. The Citroen coffee van came along and the beer and pimms tent was busy.
Post gala Barbies, we sit on a roundabout up crosswood way which is the end of a cul de sac. The kids tank round this roundabout on their bikes all night long. Risky getting back to the house for a pee.
Bath will be good as probably going to seize up more in next few days. Hope you are ok for Pantani movie
Posted 8 years ago # -
I feel like these descriptions of Gala bliss may be salting the wound! Pantini poss, but not sure I'll manage the miles I need before RttS so now wondering about Ed Night Ride instead. If not at that I shall definitely Pantani.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Walked down the road this afternoon, potholes, grit, small river and mud all on tight corners.
Friends of mine have a number of items of clothing that were put on top of you, they are sharing on Facebook to try to return to the passersby
Posted 8 years ago # -
I know just seen that. I'm afraid the jacket and possibly hat belonged to some nice walkers who I think might be on holiday here. Italian possibly? I was sure they had taken their jacket back when the paramedic arrived with tinfoil blanket & wee brother with the dog blanket out the car. I am sorry they seem to have lost a coat to me!
Posted 8 years ago # -
Ouch ouch ouch! Glad to hear the damage is 'relatively' superficial. But by eck you don't half ache after something like that :(
Posted 8 years ago #
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