Quote Originally Posted by GLC1968 View Post
Ok...I have a question about this.

For whatever reason, my commute this morning was much harrier than usual. I am on this one road for about 2 miles. It is extremely hilly (big rollers), two lanes, no sidewalk for most of it, and there are residential, commercial and industrial areas on my 2 mile stretch. The posted speed limit is 45 mph but cars will do 65mph+...especially at 6:30 am when traffic is fairly light.

Normally, I stay to the right but I'm definitely IN the lane for visibility and 90% of the cars move into the other lane for me. Every once in a while, a car will stay in my lane, but most of them slow way down when they do. There is usually 1 scary fast driver in my lane about every other day...so not all that common. Today, there were MANY. I was there at the same time as usual, but the traffic was not only a little heavier, but everyone was driving MUCH faster than usual. I had about 5 cars pass way too close (and too fast) for my comfort, so I tried to tell myself to just take the lane. I couldn't. At those speeds...I just couldn't bring myself to be that bold. I figure that getting clipped by a car going 65 mph is going to cause less damage than getting full on hit..right? I think that if it weren't so hilly, it would be easier to see me from a distance and I'd be ok with it. I drive this road in my car often enough and I know that at those speeds, over those hills, you just don't have time to react if there is someone/thing in your lane until it is too late. Do I have any other options as a cyclist? Am I being too wimpy for my own good?

What I need to do, is find an alternate route but unfortunately, the only other option is currently closed for construction.


it's a mixed bag. I would do the same thing you are doing. One thing; if you take the lane, They HAVE to slow down. Then the guy behind the car slowing down will either pass him or have enough time to realize SOMETHING is slowing down traffic, so now he's moving slower too. This pisses some of them off, but better pissed off than run over by someone who didn't even see you!

and the good news is that your situation is temporary, once they fix the other road, you'll have alternatives.
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