I've had two good experiences recently. Last week my mate and I were riding through Constantia (we were not single file) anda taxi drove up behind us and politely blipped his hooter (believe it or not) so we moved across in single file. As he came past I waved and got a flick of the hazards from him! This morning I was on my way back home, approaching a traffic circle. I could hear a car behind me. The driver seemed reluctant to pass me, so I waved him past. He drove round me with smiles and waves all round. As I've said on one of these threads - if each of us makes small gestures we can only improve the driver-cyclist relationship.
While there is an element of "preaching to the choir" with this thread, I agree with S2l and CS for two reasons: 1: Every one motorist whom we influence positively is one less threat to cyclists on the road. Hopefully, he will also tell his mates about the good experience. 2: I believe in karma. Do the right thing by some-one else and have faith that the reverse will also occur. Let's ensure that our clubs continue to emphasise safety in newsletters, ride briefings etc. It doesn't cover all riders, but it certainly helps.
Tarmac, this is a superb piece. I'm defintely sending to our club secretary to publish in the weekly newsletter. Thanks to all the other contributors who have made this such a positive and thought-provoking thread.
Obeying the rules of the road is the first step in getting more acceptance from cyclists. I try and make a point of thanking a motorist that has waited behind me on a narrow stretch (esp thru the road-works on Main Rd Muizenberg). My hope is that he will happily continue to be curteous and help reverse the vicious circle of cyclists hating motorists and vice versa.
It's a sad fact in SA that we are an intolerant bunch - cyclists and motorists. We need to be ambassadors for our sport and be prepared to apologise if we've done something inconsiderate, rather than simply pulling zaps when someone hoots. I can already see people shooting this idea down, but the more tolerant we are, the more likely we are to receive more tolerance from motorists.
RIP Colin, and condolences to his wife and daughter. As a number of people have already stated, we need to do what we can to keep ourselves safe. (Captain S, I thought your thread was a good one) The problem we all face is that most road users are oblivious of cyclists, or just don't care. I'm not sure what can be done in this regard, but the dumb-asses that Poison Ivy spotted do NOTHING to help our cause. Farm Gate2009-02-16 01:30:43
I'm more concerned about Chappies being closed than the Main Rd v Boyes Drive debate. If Chappies is not open in time, then it means Ou Kaapse, Wynberg Hill and Hospital Bend instead of Chappies and Suikerbossie. That's going to add time and make the route much less attractive. Oh well, what will be will be...
I think 5 minutes is a little on the optimistic side, as it is quite a bit longer than Main Road. It can also become a bit of a "wind tunnel" if the SEaster starts blowing - just ask anyone who rode the Cobra last week-end!
It could well be ITB, as some of the symptoms sound conisistent, eg pain going away when easing up. Try http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/0168-knee-injuries.htm for more info on the injury. It could well be caused by an incorrect bike set up. Well worth getting that checked as well.Farm Gate2009-01-15 08:30:15
