As a former member of the relevant club and having raced and trained with the 3 cyclists in this incident, and for whom I carry no brief, I make contribution to this unfortunate situation as follows: 1. I have personal experience of and would vouch for their road ettiquette. 2. I would say it highly unlikely that they would be found in the middle of the road AT ANY POINT. 3. If they were descending, their speed would likely be 45 - 60kmh, certainly not an obstruction to a law-abiding driver at 06h21 in my opinion. 4. The club concerned takes great care in ensuring that their groups cycle in manageable bunches with no more than 2 abreast - the slower groups being marshalled (as I have done) to ride 2 abreast and be warned of traffic from the rear for safety and out of consideration for motorists wanting to pass. 5. I have also been a victim of 'buzzing' in the area by high-speeding and aggressive motorists. 6. I believe that cyclists are merely a microcosm of society in general and cannot be lumped together as certain cradle residents seem prone to do. Participants in this forum would in the main be experienced, considerate, and responsible road users who are the converted. It is no wonder they take umbrage at the behaviour and threats of those who claim that constitutionally protected public property belongs to them, which amounts to vigilantism in my opinion. The cyclists who unfortunately cause the headaches ARE GENERALLY NOT PART OF THE CLUB RIDES although some may wear club kit. These are typically less experienced "funriders" getting fit for the 94.7 (in Spring when this debate first arose), and then died down, and for the Argus (and surprise surprise the issue flares up again). After the Argus this problem will go away as the numbers dwindle. It happens every year. 7. The disruption happens on the weekends from about 06h30 till about 09h30 and then the cyclists go home. This is for about 10 weeks before the 2 big races, or about 20 weeks per year, 3 hours for 2 weekend days per week - probably at worst 120 hours per year. (A year has 8760 hours), making this a challenge to the residents for 1,36% of their year. Assuming the residents work during the week, they should instead of driving around at law-breaking speeds early in the morning looking to vent their frustrations, enjoy the morning tranquility of their privileged circumstance and stay at home. If they need to go into town, they should plan their weekend trips for a decent hour. Easy - compromise, everybody happy. 8. I suspect that the vociferous threatening few are in the minority, as typically extremists would be. I suspect that they see ALL cyclists as your atypical aggressive lawbreaker who need to be taught a lesson and choose not to distinguish between those who are a menace and those who are not. Tha t unsociuiablegroup of cyclists are also a minority who probably belong in the same group of personality traits as the residents and who don't participate in cycling forums such as this. 9. I believe these cyclists need educating by interested parties as to; a) the health risks of their behaviour b) the fact that the roads are also for the use of others, and c) that riding in a responsible way makes for good neighbourliness. 10. Some of the posters on this thread should be barred in the interests of promoting good relations and that the rule of " If you have nothing positive to say, say nothing" should be implemented by administrators. This issue is far too important for people to get personal. Indeed, are the administrators watching this thread? 11. I like to cycle in the cradle (haven't done so for some time) and would like to return there to cycle in safety. 12. I would appeal to those (and directly to the law) who are affected by the unsociable behaviour of riders, motorcyclists and drivers to petition those who are employed to protect and serve, to patrol and to fine offenders, who ride where they shouldn't, speed or drive recklessly. Their presence would be welcome in the interests of safety, I'm sure.
