A ride of two halves today. A filthy ride at that.
Heading out, I wanted to do a 20 minute max effort and then after that, take it easy.
Things started fine enough, albeit a bit rainy. Only light drizzle, not enough to make me put on my rain jacket.
As I got out on to the fast loop I was already flagging a bit. I guess that’s two previous fairly full on days in the legs.
I got held up today at a couple of pinch points, but nothing major. What finished the effort off was the wet, muddy, and scarily slippery roads about 10km in. I had to ease off, or I would have fallen off.
Shortly after this I realised I was absolutely filthy. I had specks of mud all over me, which I’m guessing wasn’t all mud either… some cow muck and whatever else farmers spray on their fields. Lovely stuff. I’ve still not had chance to clean my bike yet, either.
But it was the second half that … well, I don’t know. See what you think.
After the failed effort I carried on and had plans to ride a bit of the Guild Wheel, head down to Avenum Park then back up through town and home. Nothing major.
Part of this route involves a fairly steep hill – that descends to traffic lights.
As with most local roads, the surface is junk. Very pot hole marked.
I was first out of the junction and descended down to the lights, minding my own business. Bearing in mind, this is a Thursday lunch time so not overly busy. Not rush hour.
As I got to the lights I waited, not really paying much attention to anything out of the ordinary. If anything my thoughts were on safely clipping back in after setting off, what with having to navigate the pot holes and cracks in the road.
The lights went green and I heard this revving noise behind me, sounded close and then he jumped on his horn.
I slammed on, thinking he was warning me of something, but no.
He was right on my wheel, a large white lorry. I couldn’t even see up to the driver, he was that close.
I tried to push off, and cross the road safely, staying in the middle of the road to get across directly. My goal was to go right anyway, so I needed to be right as the roundabout comes quickly.
Well, that upset him.
So, he pulls around me. Only there’s nowhere to go.
No mind, he then violently swerved back at me.
Fortunately I had been keeping an eye on him and swerved myself… but that was that. He then motored on, as I fell in behind him, trembling.
I don’t know. I haven’t explained it very well. He came right at me. Frankly, it scared the absolute shit out of me. It was fully intentional and I have no solid explanation as to what I had even done wrong to warrant the reaction… I genuinely don’t think I had done anything. I think he was stressed / angry / hates cyclists, whatever, and just acted out of stupidity.
After that I got the hell off the roads but was near town so had to come back somehow. I came home as quickly, and safely as I could.
But it’s ruined it for me.
I don’t want to go back out.
It’s Zwift for me from now on. There’s just no need for that.
I really wish I had cameras on the bike. But for what? The police don’t even investigate burglaries. Would they give a rats about an accident that didn’t happen on the roads? I strongly suspect not.
So sorry to hear about this incident. But don’t let it force you off the roads. this kind of thing happens to me every few years.
To be honest, while I ride on the road at weekends, and race time trials, most of my real training is on the turbo using a mix of TrainerRoad, Zwift and FulGaz – it’s more productive than road riding with no distractions such as other road uses, junctions and variable gradients.
That’s how I feel regarding the productivity of the indoor workouts.
I won’t be put off forever, but it was inevitable most of my riding would shift back to the turbo over the autumn / winter months. I guess this just forced my hand. I’m thinking Sunday / quieter rides outdoors for the future, but I’ve had one too many incidents lately.
Sorry to hear that happened to you mate.
No better over here, I’ve had some close calls from people who are just plain sh-theads. I’d say your only crime is being out on a bike.
You’re right though, cameras don’t do anything, at least not in my experience. Good for looking at how badly you dropped ebikers and whatnot but not so good for getting the cops to do anything.
Get a gravel bike or MTB and enjoy a bit more offroad.
To be fair, it’s not just cyclists that suffer. I’ve just had my wing mirror knocked by another motorist as I drove round the back roads to visit my nan. I think some people just don’t care, and when you’re on the bike you’re a squishy target.
The best routes round here are up towards the fells. I’ve not had any issues up that way, but it does get a little boring keep going out that way. Also, sometimes I want the flatter routes, and that way is either up or down, very little flat.
I hear you regarding the gravel / MTB route, but as above, there’s not a huge amount of opportunity for that without first navigating the roads OR driving there first.
I’ve just come off a Zwift session though and am loving the improvements and am really looking forward to getting stuck back in to the indoor stuff. Every cloud…