overtaking bikes on single track roads?

[vanordinaire]

Looking for some advice from a cyclist's point of view.
I used to be a keen road cyclist but now only ever cycle off road so would like an answer from a modern road cyclist's point of view.
I live in a remote valley, surrounded by lots of lovely single track roads. Every weekend we see cyclists having a run up and down our valley(nice wee 25 mile up and down run from the nearest town. The road is single track(about 3m wide) with passing places every few hundred yards.
I often catch up with cyclists in the car and I'm not sure what to do. Some stop in the next passing place to let me past (as I do if I'm in a tractor or in a slower car than the one behind). Some pull right into the edge of the road as if inviting me to pass but carry on cycling. Some carry on head down, a@@e up, middle of the road for miles.
The ones going into passing places are fine, I overtake slowly , give them a friendly toot and a wave and carry on.
I'm reluctant to pass the ones who pull over but carry on, I'm often in a 4x4 or van and there isn't much room for the cyclist if I squeeze past. Should I?
The ones who don't pull over tend to be in clusters, 'racing' each other, not sure if they're aware I'm there or whether they think they are going fast enough for me not to need past? Should I give them a wee toot to let them know I'm there and want past? Highway code says you should pull into passing places and let faster vehicles past but some never do this, I've followed groups for the full 12 miles on a few occasions. I know they are approaching 30mph (especially going down the valley) but I normally average about 50mph so there is a 20mph differential. I'd pull in straight away if someone was behind me. I've even pulled in in the tractor (25mph) to let cyclists past on occasion and expect the same courtesy in return.
Advice from cyclists please?

[anonymous-user]

Be very wary of those who pull in to the left to let you pass, it only takes a wobble from them, either to avoid a pothole or a bit of protruding hedge and there could be under your wheels, whilst it might not be your fault, its not what you want on your conscience. I'd suggest waiting until you are on a road such that they could maintain their road position and exptend thieir right arm without touching your van.

As for the others, they do have a right to be there and whilst that might not make them correct in their actions, its extremely hard on the muslces to keep slowing down/stopping and restarting and still maintain a good pace. They should yield to faster moving vehilces to keep the karma of the world spinning round but then I'm sure you can see whay they dont. Sadly to race on the roads you have to train on the roads, thats just life.

I'd guess tooting will only rile them. Think of them like the militant "I'm doing 70 in the outside lane and thats the speed limit and you are not getting past me" types on the motorway. Yes they are in the right, but its not the correct action.

Obvious answer is to get back on the road bike and join them!

[FunkyNige]

That's the one thing that frustrates me about the cyclists I come across on narrow lanes, we're all sharing the same roads and the highway code applies to us all, saying "Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass." which seems fair enough and is something I always do when I'm out cycling as I turn into a bit of a hippy (be nice to people and the karma will be returned).

I've only ever had a few that seemed oblivious to me following in the car

[DeuxCentCinq]

Whenever I've been on a bike in the same situation, I will usually motion for a car to pass when I think it is safe, obviously as early as I can.

If I was driving I would wait until I saw some sort of consent from the cyclist, I think.

I was stuck behind a group descending in the Scottish Highlands a couple of years ago. They were flat out racing each other, using both sides of the road. I hung back as I didn't want to run any of them over if they took a tumble, but I don't think that's on when a car could easily do twice their speed down there.

[rockandrollmark]

In my opinion pretty rude of the cyclists not to acknowledge your presence and allow you to pass when safe. It's a public road, not a private race track.

I know a lot of people celebrate the recent boom in cycling, but I think it's bought with it a new type of arrogant cyclist that personally I can't wait to see the back of. The sooner Squash or some other such sport gives these bozos an excuse to spend more than they need to on equipment the better.

[snowdude2910]

I always move over and wave people to pass but never pull in unless I've waved and a driver still doesn't seem confident enough to pass while I'm moving if I've waved and you end up running me over through my own fault that'd be on me but generally I've checked far enough ahead for me to keep my line and if there was a bit approaching where I might have to move out I'd be in the middle of the road as soon as I saw it. I wouldn't take offence at a toot toot to indicate you'd like to pass but I'd imagine it wouldn't go down well with a lot of people, there's some nutters out there.