Hogging the road

[XMcShiftersonX]

Whoa! That is super creepy... not that you were able to search a little bit and get that information... but that you guys actually care so much about this particular woman, and this particular hill. Just let people be. It really doesn't matter. I think this thread went too far two pages ago.

[featuretile]

This whole thing got way out of hand. I feel really attacked and like I should give up on this forum. Yes, all these comments made me feel very defensive and I would not put something up like this again.

Two people understood what I was saying - PamNY and JenK13.

I was surprised that I felt upset with a cyclist since I am one and I am super conscious and respectful of cyclists when I drive a car. I did not expect her to move over into a shoulder (full of debris or not) - there is no shoulder. On most of the road she needs to be in the middle. The pull outs are for cars and they are paved. She was riding a bike that had straight handlebars. The speedometer on my car read 15mph going down the hill behind her, so given the steepness, I assumed she was riding her brakes. I was not close enough to see her hands.

I certainly don't mind driving down a road after a fast cyclist. I don't need to be in front of a bike and I'm not worried about being 30 seconds late. I was worried about her safety. And yes, I was annoyed (my bad). There are blind corners and cars who will be ascending that won't see her. There have been times when a car going up and a car going down meet on a blind corner, and it's pretty close (there have been a few car to car accidents), so no one is driving that road faster than 25mph. I would not want to be in the middle on a bike in that situation. Why is it so incorrect for me to say what I would do?

As for people looking at my house, that's pretty weird.

[csr1210]

I understood where you were coming from. A lot of people had really great points about bike safety, and I'm a huge proponent of taking the lane, but in my opinion, the criticisms posted didn't really match what YOU described in your original post.

Anyway, I mostly lurk, but I wanted to say that I'm sorry you felt beat up and hope you don't give up on the forum!

-Christy

[Crankin]

Owlie, I pretty much hate descents, too, and I have been riding for 10 years.
Oak, I am the one you would hate to be behind on a ride. This is why I do very few group rides. The one group I ride with knows how I ride and gives me space. Since I pretty much drop all of them on the climbs, I lose no respect. Because as soon as I feel the momentum get going, I have the automatic urge to squeeze the brakes so I feel in control. Otherwise, I feel like my head is spinning off and who knows where the bike will end up. I won't belabor the point, as I have discussed this before. Yea, I have a problem with this. It doesn't matter if I am on a road bike or a hybrid, although the wider tires help a little (not much).
I would not ride on that road.

[OakLeaf]

Oak, I am the one you would hate to be behind on a ride.

Naw, on a ride I'd just pass you. I'd go into the left half of the road to do it, too, when it was clear. And I wouldn't try to hold you up on the climbs, promise.

I ride with several people who aren't confident descenders. All women, which is a little bit distressing. Honestly, as I've said before many times, it was riding a moto that taught me how to see when I'm on a bici at speed, and that made all the difference in the world.

I might hate to be behind your bike if I were in a car, but I'd deal with it, I promise.

Featuretile, I'm sorry if I said anything that made you feel attacked. I think it was the thread title more than anything that got people's dander up. In spite of the digs - which I do wish hadn't happened - I think we've had a good discussion about safety here.

[smilingcat]

I was surprised that I felt upset with a cyclist since I am one and I am super conscious and respectful of cyclists when I drive a car. I did not expect her to move over into a shoulder (full of debris or not) - there is no shoulder. On most of the road she needs to be in the middle. The pull outs are for cars and they are paved. She was riding a bike that had straight handlebars. The speedometer on my car read 15mph going down the hill behind her, so given the steepness, I assumed she was riding her brakes. I was not close enough to see her hands.

I certainly don't mind driving down a road after a fast cyclist. I don't need to be in front of a bike and I'm not worried about being 30 seconds late. I was worried about her safety. And yes, I was annoyed (my bad). There are blind corners and cars who will be ascending that won't see her. There have been times when a car going up and a car going down meet on a blind corner, and it's pretty close (there have been a few car to car accidents), so no one is driving that road faster than 25mph. I would not want to be in the middle on a bike in that situation. Why is it so incorrect for me to say what I would do?

As for people looking at my house, that's pretty weird.

I assumed too much when I posted my vitrolic remark. And my sincere apology to featuretile for my remarks against her. Also please read Eden's thread on what it means to share the road. It's great post.

peace to all,