Spanners on the A272
Discussion
At the back of a big slow roadblock today heading towards Petersfield on the A272 around 9am.
Became evident that a good many cars and particularly heavies/artics were unable to overtake on this windy twisty road with lots of solid white lines because of a bunch of lycra clad TDF wannabes. One occassionally randomly overtaking the Peleton to take over the time trial baton, bloke at the back with a sanctimonous use of hand signals and wildly flashing tail light.
Now I am a MAMIL, lycra clad TDF wannabe etc etc but I dont go out on a road on a Friday morning where I know I am going to cause no end of grief and resentment of cyclists JUST BECAUSE I CAN. Go somewhere quiet!! NOT the A272...!!!
Why would you do that? tThere are very many roads in the area off the beaten track where you can train and race your mates and not inconvenience truck drivers and people going to work. You've got all weekend to play, you tools.
I am a cyclist, I love cycling. I'm also a motorist and a petrolhead and a commuter and sometimes I see things from cyclists which make me think the geezers on the bikes are deliberately and defiantly flicking the V at the car drivers and giving us all a bad name.
Became evident that a good many cars and particularly heavies/artics were unable to overtake on this windy twisty road with lots of solid white lines because of a bunch of lycra clad TDF wannabes. One occassionally randomly overtaking the Peleton to take over the time trial baton, bloke at the back with a sanctimonous use of hand signals and wildly flashing tail light.
Now I am a MAMIL, lycra clad TDF wannabe etc etc but I dont go out on a road on a Friday morning where I know I am going to cause no end of grief and resentment of cyclists JUST BECAUSE I CAN. Go somewhere quiet!! NOT the A272...!!!
Why would you do that? tThere are very many roads in the area off the beaten track where you can train and race your mates and not inconvenience truck drivers and people going to work. You've got all weekend to play, you tools.
I am a cyclist, I love cycling. I'm also a motorist and a petrolhead and a commuter and sometimes I see things from cyclists which make me think the geezers on the bikes are deliberately and defiantly flicking the V at the car drivers and giving us all a bad name.
Drives me loopy, I am a cyclist, motorcyclist & professional driver. Love my bike(s), but my god, the guys who take it upon themselves to ride busy NSL country roads at rush hour really need a slap, particularly when, like in your case, they appear to be out for enjoyment rather than riding to an actual destination.
I have the A814 near me, it has, an admittedly poor quality, cycle path all along it, which is frequently used, but it only takes 1 guy on the road to add 10 minutes on to a ~30minute journey. It's the attitude that bothers me, I've had it out with another local in the past, who said he never used any of the cycle lanes as he needed to slow down due to the quality of the lane (on his, expensive looking canyon road bike, with 20mm slicks, my halfords gravel bike on 40mm's will go along full pelt without worry). I'll never understand the mindset that it is acceptable to slow a few dozen people down by ~40mph or so for a whole stretch so you can add ~5mph to your own maximum speed.
It's one thing to say it's only 10minutes, but it's 10minutes 3 or 4 times a week, for dozens of people, I'm sure someone somewhere would be able to figure out the economic costs of that. Not to mention the safety hazard of a 30-40mph speed differential on a windy road, and the propensity frustration has to effect peoples judgment.
I have the A814 near me, it has, an admittedly poor quality, cycle path all along it, which is frequently used, but it only takes 1 guy on the road to add 10 minutes on to a ~30minute journey. It's the attitude that bothers me, I've had it out with another local in the past, who said he never used any of the cycle lanes as he needed to slow down due to the quality of the lane (on his, expensive looking canyon road bike, with 20mm slicks, my halfords gravel bike on 40mm's will go along full pelt without worry). I'll never understand the mindset that it is acceptable to slow a few dozen people down by ~40mph or so for a whole stretch so you can add ~5mph to your own maximum speed.
It's one thing to say it's only 10minutes, but it's 10minutes 3 or 4 times a week, for dozens of people, I'm sure someone somewhere would be able to figure out the economic costs of that. Not to mention the safety hazard of a 30-40mph speed differential on a windy road, and the propensity frustration has to effect peoples judgment.
Edited by caelite on Saturday 24th August 02:48
caelite said:
Drives me loopy, I am a cyclist, motorcyclist & professional driver. Love my bike(s), but my god, the guys who take it upon themselves to ride busy NSL country roads at rush hour really need a slap, particularly when, like in your case, they appear to be out for enjoyment rather than riding to an actual destination.
I ended up on an NSL DC (the A34) at rush hour. I was out for a jolly, but google maps went crazy for "back to start" navigation. As soon as I came off at an exit that it told me to, it would route me right back on. I'd looked at the route before I started it, and it basically avoided the A34. Then it went crazy.For those wondering, it was Bicester-Oxford, so about 10 miles like that.
TT training is good on A roads like the A272. Long straight sections of wide road. I did once ride on the A34, between Winchester and Oxford. That was just taking the pee. I’ve never bricked it riding a bike that much in my life. What’s really funny is that it’s actually got designated cycle lane bits on it. That’s really not terribly bright of whoever planned that one out. At the end of the day though, the cyclists have every right to be there, it’s not their fault that the drivers can’t drive properly, or get all ‘blood pressure-ey’ because they can’t overtake properly, or wait until the double white sections end.
Jimbo. said:
Share the roads 
Plus, could all those (drivers) grumbling actually be at fault for choosing to use a mode of transport that needs all that space and so prone to being held up?
Exactly this. If I’m on my bike and approach a slow cyclist or group of cyclists, I just ride straight past them. If I’m in my car it takes longer to pass safely, but that’s my fault for being a lazy bPlus, could all those (drivers) grumbling actually be at fault for choosing to use a mode of transport that needs all that space and so prone to being held up?
d and opting to take my 1.5 ton metal box to work. 
The roads aren’t exclusively for HGVs (“roads weren’t built for cars” and all that ) If they use those size vehicles in those roads, then they run the risk of behind “held up” behind others using the roads as they’ve a right to do so.
If it’s a problem, either accept it or find another means.
Really can’t grasp what’s so difficult about this.
) If they use those size vehicles in those roads, then they run the risk of behind “held up” behind others using the roads as they’ve a right to do so.If it’s a problem, either accept it or find another means.
Really can’t grasp what’s so difficult about this.
GOATever said:
What’s really funny is that it’s actually got designated cycle lane bits on it. That’s really not terribly bright of whoever planned that one out.
I think those are painted so that if a novice/unwitting cyclist does end up on the road they are directed to ride in the safest way for them, eg. taking every exit and crossing over the slip road, rather than riding across the exit.GOATever said:
or get all ‘blood pressure-ey’ because they can’t overtake properly, or wait until the double white sections end.
Around here, the solid white lines are almost always completely ignored by people passing me on the bike. I think people remember that there's an exemption for overtaking cyclists, but forget the cyclist must be travelling under 10mph (I'm ususally doing nearly twice that).Gareth79 said:
GOATever said:
What’s really funny is that it’s actually got designated cycle lane bits on it. That’s really not terribly bright of whoever planned that one out.
I think those are painted so that if a novice/unwitting cyclist does end up on the road they are directed to ride in the safest way for them, eg. taking every exit and crossing over the slip road, rather than riding across the exit.GOATever said:
or get all ‘blood pressure-ey’ because they can’t overtake properly, or wait until the double white sections end.
Around here, the solid white lines are almost always completely ignored by people passing me on the bike. I think people remember that there's an exemption for overtaking cyclists, but forget the cyclist must be travelling under 10mph (I'm ususally doing nearly twice that).Bloody country councils not thinking about minority road users, and all that.
Exactly that Master Bean.
Why fling yourself out in the middle of the lane to take the lead at the front of the Peleton thus increasing the mobile roadblock to the HGVs trying to overtake behind? Better to tuck in, wave the roadblock past and carry on "sharing the road". Would show a bit more respect and empathy non? Some people would have been trying to get to work/deiiver stuff etc etc on the last day ahead of the BHW.
Bizarre behaviour...
Why fling yourself out in the middle of the lane to take the lead at the front of the Peleton thus increasing the mobile roadblock to the HGVs trying to overtake behind? Better to tuck in, wave the roadblock past and carry on "sharing the road". Would show a bit more respect and empathy non? Some people would have been trying to get to work/deiiver stuff etc etc on the last day ahead of the BHW.
Bizarre behaviour...
Master Bean said:
I cycled down the A48 between Gloucester and Chepstow on Friday. I pulled over to let big lorries overtake but I'm on my own so it's easy to do and I'm not a wker. There lies the problem. Some people I cycle with in a group could be described as wkers.
Ah, whatever. "Held up by cyclists"? There were absolutely hoards of them out today on a lovely Bank Holiday Monday in the New Forest. A small family group on a narrow road held me up for all of about 45 seconds, right up until the next passing place.ker. There lies the problem. Some people I cycle with in a group could be described as wkers.But the horsebox? Yup, the one that snail-paced it's way through forest roads at about 20 mph with an ever-growing queue behind it. Well that didn't pull over to let anyone past. Not once. Half speed for 15 minutes? That probably cost me eons, and in the end I took a turn off and a longer route to avoid the frustration of being just that one too many cars back to make a multiple overtake a viable option. Because it was a two-lane road, with opportunities, but the dummy-sucking throbbers tucked up under each others bumpers behind the 'box had no chance of overtaking because they couldn't see around the 'box to plan an overtake.
And I'd taken to New Forest roads to avoid motor vehicle traffic that was at a virtual standstill at the end of the M27, and according to traffic news reports, that standstill extended to Ringwood. And not a cyclist in sight on the A31, either.
Honestly now. I can't remember the last time I was "held up" by a cyclist long enough for it to register on my event-ometer. But being held up by motor vehicles? Almost every single time i need to go somewhere in my car. To the point where I don't take the car out very much anymore, unless it's a long journey or I need to take passengers. Mostly because going by bicycle is quicker, and a LOT less frustrating.
As for there being "plenty of quieter alternatives" on/around the A272? Petition your local authority to signpost some suitable alternatives then. Because if you are going from point A to point B on a bicycle, and are following road signs, they'll all point you to the largest, fastest, most direct routes, with only local intermediate villages on road signs pointing down smaller, quieter roads. It's done deliberately to keep the bulk of the traffic on 'A' roads and out of the villages, but it would help everyone, both cyclists and drivers, if cyclist-specific signs pointed them down the quickest alternative route to the main 'A' road. Because I've been there, on the A272, and been faced with a steep climb on every left turn that I was tempted to take. And not knowing if the road would go left, right, or straight on over the crest of the hill meant I stayed on the A272 because at least I knew where I would end up by following it, based on many years of driving it in my car. Long story short? Don't blame cyclists when any suitable alternative routes are kept a closely guarded secret. I don't have navigation apps on my phone, my GPS watch doesn't have maps, and on my longer rides I don't have enough pocket space to carry all the OS maps I'd need to cover my route, so I depend largely on good, clear road signs for directions. Even Sustrans NCN routes seldom have intermediate towns/villages on them, just the route number. Which is great if you're local, or have researched the network, but if not, all you have is the info that it's a route suitable for cycling, but no idea where you might end up by following it.
yellowjack said:
As for there being "plenty of quieter alternatives" on/around the A272? Petition your local authority to signpost some suitable alternatives then. Because if you are going from point A to point B on a bicycle, and are following road signs, they'll all point you to the largest, fastest, most direct routes, with only local intermediate villages on road signs pointing down smaller, quieter roads. It's done deliberately to keep the bulk of the traffic on 'A' roads and out of the villages, but it would help everyone, both cyclists and drivers, if cyclist-specific signs pointed them down the quickest alternative route to the main 'A' road. Because I've been there, on the A272, and been faced with a steep climb on every left turn that I was tempted to take. And not knowing if the road would go left, right, or straight on over the crest of the hill meant I stayed on the A272 because at least I knew where I would end up by following it, based on many years of driving it in my car. Long story short? Don't blame cyclists when any suitable alternative routes are kept a closely guarded secret. I don't have navigation apps on my phone, my GPS watch doesn't have maps, and on my longer rides I don't have enough pocket space to carry all the OS maps I'd need to cover my route, so I depend largely on good, clear road signs for directions. Even Sustrans NCN routes seldom have intermediate towns/villages on them, just the route number. Which is great if you're local, or have researched the network, but if not, all you have is the info that it's a route suitable for cycling, but no idea where you might end up by following it.
Yep. It was precisely that problem which landed me on the A40 Westway at Royal Oak. Plus, NCN routes are sketchy on a road bike.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff