Get a wheel-off trainer. Problem solved, no wheel to jump on.
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If I shout ‘car up’/‘tail’ I wouldn’t expect folk to go single file, merely be aware that there’s a driver there. Often it can be safer to stay two abreast anyway (a shorter to overtake (when its clear) and more visible block). I actually refrain from using it myself but here there is usually a shout of ‘single out’ if folk want you to go single file.
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Seems a lot of us recognize this, but the thing we CAN control in these situations is our reaction. Almost invariably, I feel WORSE if I lose my temper on someone when riding than if I’m more kind and explain something (if that opportunity arises) or just let it go. Then I don’t feel like an a-hole on top of already being upset.
Im still working on it. 
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I’ve learned long ago not to get angry about these events anymore. I just play the village idiot, wave with a smile, and go on. The alternative leaves me angry at best, and can results in a physical altercation that can leave me angry and injured at the very worse.
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Conversely, when someone does the right thing or waits for me when they don’t have to, I always make sure to wave or acknowledge it now. Always, especially with cars.
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Fully agree - you have to thank them for not mowing you down. Positive reinforcement. Works with dogs, children, employees - even with bad car drivers.
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Yeah, with drivers especially I have a very well-practiced and friendly “Thank you for not killing me.” wave. Positive reinforcement is important!
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Absolutely! It’s just very hard not to react when the lizard part of your brain gets sent into fight or flight. There’s no argument from me though, you’re 100% right that not reacting is so much better over-all. Cheers to the more level-headed of the bunch!
I was doing a lunch ride for a couple of years with co-workers, from the office. Some good roads nearby but required to be on some busier roads to get there. My co-worker is/was a 2 abreast at all times guy, and it earned us a hot coffee to our chests. The least they could have thrown a decent cup of joe at us… we all smelled like amaretto creamer for the rest of the ride! That was the ride that made me rethink my “damn the torpedoes” I’m riding road today approach…
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I chased a driver down the other day, we were on a secondary street among neighborhoods and she didn’t move over at all, nearly clipped me with her mirror. I gestured angrily (to no one) then saw she was turning to a neighborhood. I rode after her, and when she stopped at her destination pulled up to talk. I had calmed, and I just asked her, “Did you see me back there?” She was startled and nodded. I said, “I would appreciate it if you would give me space when you can.” She looked at her male passenger and asked in Spanish if she passed close, and he nodded. She then apologized and seemed to genuinely feel bad. I said, “It’s OK, just scary for me. Give us some room when you can. Thanks!”
Initially I was angry, and it’s dangerous to go after people like that… also if it’s a solo female probably handle it differently too… but if I could control the lizard brain initially I’d feel a lot better. But I felt OK after that interaction, even though my initial reaction was to flail around like an idiot to no one in particular.
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I have done that with a truck driver but after the conversation was over I was thinking. Sure glad he didn’t pull a gun out. I’m getting more mellow with time. However I occasionally have a camera on front and back and have take a video up the sheriff. Not sure of the outcome they never got back to me.
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Yeah, it’s probably way safer these days to just let it go.
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Not really, passing a row of riders two a breast takes half as long. All about context of road and above all ensuring vulnerable road users aren’t put in danger by impatient drivers.
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Unfortunately, this is all too true.
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When I’m in my Tuesday group ride and the group comes up to a light that’s just changing and the riders up front try to beat the light change with no mind to how large the group is (usually 20-30 riders)
The ride I go is a faster paced ride so the guys like to keep the pace going if possible. Competitive juices start flowing and you have half the group follow the lead guys while cars that have the green (or arrow) have to wait for the group to pass through. I just find it so freaking inconsiderate because the guys blowing the light are usually relegating the most risk to the riders in the back; either from a car wanting to blow through the yellow as well… or an angry driver that has the green (or arrow) having to wait for the group to pass.
My ride usually extends through the beginning of morning rush hour with people going to work/school and folks are usually more on edge.
It just freaking drives me crazy that we can’t hold off for 2 minutes and not risk the group. I’m starting to figure out who the bigger knuckleheads are and just ignore their ass-hattery… steams me up.
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+1…I see this often. Inconsiderate and dangerous to all. It’s no wonder why drivers think we are a problem. We are, in a way, creating our own problems.
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Outside rides are few and somewhat far between right now with 2 small kids, so I usually hit the mountain bike trails at popular parks close to me. And usually I want to go pretty fast to keep the skills sharp. And inevitably there’s a boomer who wants to speed up and try to race after I’ve politely called out to pass.
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General rule of dog training: reward the behaviour you want to see. Ignore the behaviour you don’t.
I expect this works 90% of the time with people. 0% with cats.
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There is no excuse for this these days: buy some frickin’ airpods!
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Someone else mentioned GCN+, which reminded me: the GCN+ Apple TV app user interface is horrendous. You can’t high speed scrub the video – you can only advance it in 5 second increments. I’ve started watching the Giro on my laptop, so I can have more control over the video.
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I’m not a confrontational type so I tend to let things go with drivers most of the time. It’s all about intention though. Sometimes they didn’t read the situation well and it didn’t work out as they wanted to. Passing a cyclist can be tricky sometimes, especially in a larger group which is why I don’t prefer my group rides to be too large. It can be scary out there, which I think explains why I always prefer riding indoors with my cats.