Bloody Cyclists
Discussion
Not Sure exactly why, but this article really pissed me off
And how an earth does she distinguish between a car going 105 and 120. Was she carrying a radar gun?
I don't mind cyclists, I have ridden several thousand kilometres so have probably annoyed my share of motorists, but I can't stand them whinging and moaning like this. If she wants peace and quiet she should go out to Woodhill Forest/ Hunua Ranges (where the scenery is also lovely and the roads are mostly closed to cars), or find a proper road to ride on, not a busy state highway.
It goes to show that this national cycleway is a silly idea. They should concentrate on some select areas and make nice tracks there (such as around the end of Corromandel), and work with car hire companies to perhaps offer bike racks for hire or tour companies to do cycle tours. This would be preferred by the majority of tourists rather than actually cycling the length of the country.
Crazy bike lady said:
The route - or something close to it - will one day form the western-most section of the Hauraki Plains cycleway, one of seven to be built this summer after Prime Minister John Key yesterday announced the $9 million first stage of the $50 million national network of tracks.
And last night the route was looking a treat.
To my right, the sun was just above the rolling green hills of the Hunua Ranges, while on my left could be seen the famous bird-nesting estuary waters of the Firth of Thames, and the far-off Coromandel Ranges.
Unfortunately, the mostly straight rural road I was negotiating was quite narrow - just two lanes wide - and it felt much narrower when cars passed by.
The surprisingly busy stretch started off quiet but didn't stay that way for long. Several cars that came flying up from behind me seemed to be doing well over the 100km/h speed limit.
Cars overtaking me veered to their right, needing both lanes to get by. I was grateful not to find out what would have happened if an oncoming car had arrived at the same time.
I would have pulled over further to my left but the edges of the road were cracked and bumpy and rubble was scattered along where the roadside sloped down into the grass.
The wind also made it rather difficult to hear anything. I did hear the odd bird chirping but then a speeding motorist would suddenly roar up behind me, shattering the relative peace. As a result, I spent a lot of the time turning my head sideways to listen out, hoping I would not hear a vehicle approaching.
Each time I did, my mind would wander to the driver's situation. What if they are texting and haven't seen me? What if they are drowsy? What if another car comes?
Though it had been several years since I was last on a bike, the most worrying thing was never really knowing if a driver had seen me.
The dirty orange stationwagon that flew past me, seemingly at about 120km/h, was the final straw.
If I end up back there, I'll be on four wheels.
The road to the Hauraki plains is a daft place to cycle, I have ridden around the Hunuas a few times before and it is very pleasant and quiet. This road links Auckland to Corromandel, of course it is going to be bloody busy.And last night the route was looking a treat.
To my right, the sun was just above the rolling green hills of the Hunua Ranges, while on my left could be seen the famous bird-nesting estuary waters of the Firth of Thames, and the far-off Coromandel Ranges.
Unfortunately, the mostly straight rural road I was negotiating was quite narrow - just two lanes wide - and it felt much narrower when cars passed by.
The surprisingly busy stretch started off quiet but didn't stay that way for long. Several cars that came flying up from behind me seemed to be doing well over the 100km/h speed limit.
Cars overtaking me veered to their right, needing both lanes to get by. I was grateful not to find out what would have happened if an oncoming car had arrived at the same time.
I would have pulled over further to my left but the edges of the road were cracked and bumpy and rubble was scattered along where the roadside sloped down into the grass.
The wind also made it rather difficult to hear anything. I did hear the odd bird chirping but then a speeding motorist would suddenly roar up behind me, shattering the relative peace. As a result, I spent a lot of the time turning my head sideways to listen out, hoping I would not hear a vehicle approaching.
Each time I did, my mind would wander to the driver's situation. What if they are texting and haven't seen me? What if they are drowsy? What if another car comes?
Though it had been several years since I was last on a bike, the most worrying thing was never really knowing if a driver had seen me.
The dirty orange stationwagon that flew past me, seemingly at about 120km/h, was the final straw.
If I end up back there, I'll be on four wheels.
Crazy bike lady said:
Cars overtaking me veered to their right, needing both lanes to get by. I was grateful not to find out what would have happened if an oncoming car had arrived at the same time.
They wouldn't bloody pull out then!And how an earth does she distinguish between a car going 105 and 120. Was she carrying a radar gun?
I don't mind cyclists, I have ridden several thousand kilometres so have probably annoyed my share of motorists, but I can't stand them whinging and moaning like this. If she wants peace and quiet she should go out to Woodhill Forest/ Hunua Ranges (where the scenery is also lovely and the roads are mostly closed to cars), or find a proper road to ride on, not a busy state highway.
It goes to show that this national cycleway is a silly idea. They should concentrate on some select areas and make nice tracks there (such as around the end of Corromandel), and work with car hire companies to perhaps offer bike racks for hire or tour companies to do cycle tours. This would be preferred by the majority of tourists rather than actually cycling the length of the country.
Edited by Jem Thompson on Monday 27th July 20:09
Crazy bike lady said:
Each time I did, my mind would wander to the driver's situation. What if they are texting and haven't seen me? What if they are drowsy? What if another car comes?
To say nothing of the car drivers wondering about the cyclist on the road ahead of them... What if they're texting? What if they're drowsy? What if they're not paying attention and haven't heard me? What if they swerve out right in front of me to avoid something on the road? What if they're a moron? Oh wait...Fraster said:
Sorry, Jem. Don't follow your logic there. I'm all for getting a separate system for bikes-and trucks-and loonies!-not sure how practical it all is though!
There isn't any logic, it was written in a pre-morning-coffee rage. I am just annoyed about a) An annoying article written by a women who expected peace and quiet on a main highway
b) The national cycleway will probably use main highways in order to cover the lenght of NZ, which means tourists cycling along amongst trucks and cars, most of which have somewhere important to go (business trips and whatnot). This will end up reflecting badly on NZ as well. Really they should put cycle tracks through some of our more scenic areas, and not just make one long track the length of the country.
I live on Great South Road in a rural area and the one thing that really annoys me is the lack of proper pavements. It is almost impossible to enjoy the NZ countryside any other way than in a car because you have to take your life in your hands walking on the edge of the road or riding on it. Forget a national cycle-way, how about some pavements which pedestrians and cyclists can share?
Oh, and for God's sake get rid of the right of cyclists to ride two-abreast! There's nothing more dangerous than two people cycling alongside each other, chatting, on a 100kp/h road that is full of blind bends.
Oh, and for God's sake get rid of the right of cyclists to ride two-abreast! There's nothing more dangerous than two people cycling alongside each other, chatting, on a 100kp/h road that is full of blind bends.
GravelBen said:
Crazy bike lady said:
Each time I did, my mind would wander to the driver's situation. What if they are texting and haven't seen me? What if they are drowsy? What if another car comes?
To say nothing of the car drivers wondering about the cyclist on the road ahead of them... What if they're texting? What if they're drowsy? What if they're not paying attention and haven't heard me? What if they swerve out right in front of me to avoid something on the road? What if they're a moron? Oh wait...
My pet hate is when they (not woman) cycle two abreast rather than single file. Or in a cycling lane rather than in the middle of the lane they cycle on the line closest to the vehicle. There is a rather narrow bridge in Manakau here that gets quite hairy crossing in a car when you meet a cyclist and truck halfway across
I've come around the corner sometimes with cyclist all over the place and one is waving his arm furiously telling me to slow down and I'm like its a bloody road!!! I'm supposed to be on here and I'm doing the speed limit or less
I agree with the textn issue, lack of attention etc. But the same can go with cyclists not paying attention etc. You'll get things like that in all things in life.
02:43 I live on Great South Road in a rural area and the one thing that really annoys me is the lack of proper pavements. It is almost impossible to enjoy the NZ countryside any other way than in a car because you have to take your life in your hands walking on the edge of the road or riding on it. Forget a national cycle-way, how about some pavements which pedestrians and cyclists can share?
Oh, and for God's sake get rid of the right of cyclists to ride two-abreast! There's nothing more dangerous than two people cycling alongside each other, chatting, on a 100kp/h road that is full of blind bends.
...totally agree about lack of paths. saw a distressing sight on our trip north on Sunday. Woman-ostensibly doing the right thing-had her puppy run over and killed while on its leash by someone presumably also ostensibly doing the right thing. pup probably got a bit exuberant and there was nowhere for the motorist to go. yuk!
Oh, and for God's sake get rid of the right of cyclists to ride two-abreast! There's nothing more dangerous than two people cycling alongside each other, chatting, on a 100kp/h road that is full of blind bends.
...totally agree about lack of paths. saw a distressing sight on our trip north on Sunday. Woman-ostensibly doing the right thing-had her puppy run over and killed while on its leash by someone presumably also ostensibly doing the right thing. pup probably got a bit exuberant and there was nowhere for the motorist to go. yuk!
Kiwi Carguy said:
I agree with the textn issue, lack of attention etc. But the same can go with cyclists not paying attention etc. You'll get things like that in all things in life.
I may text while riding my bike from time to time...
is that illegal yet? (eta: only when safe of course...cough cough)Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 28th July 07:17
GravelBen said:
Kiwi Carguy said:
I agree with the textn issue, lack of attention etc. But the same can go with cyclists not paying attention etc. You'll get things like that in all things in life.
I may text while riding my bike from time to time...
is that illegal yet? (eta: only when safe of course...cough cough)Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 28th July 07:17
Right then im off to ride my bike down the middle of the road txting, listening to music and giving the bird for anyone who dares to pass
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