15/02/2009
Well after an aborted attemp at a ride yesterday in the early morning, it was so cold after the stinking hot weather we have had that I couldn’t get warmed up and had chattering teeth by the 2km mark so it was back home to some warm clothes and a cup of coffee.
Anyway as I was about to say today was the RATS beginner bunch ride at 0900 so after sleeping in I chucked my bike and gear in the car and made it to town just in time. Only 5 of us turned up today, all with a reasonable ability so we headed out around the lake via Ngongotaha to the Okere Falls Store for the obligatory coffee stop (its what our beginners bunch ride is all about).
After the coffee stop 2 of our group headed back to town by the S.H 33 route with a detour out S.H 30 to Ruato Bay then back into town, whilst the rest of us headed back the same way we came out.
56.55km, 2hrs 13mins 14secs, Avg 25.4km/h, Max 60.5km/h
A great ride had by all and I am looking forward to the next bunch ride.
So when you say “bunch” ride are you those annoying pains in the arse that hog the road by riding 3 abreast and then have the cheek to flip me the bird when I nearly kill you?
Please let me say first that I in no way either agree with or endorse riding 3 abreast at any time on the road, 2 abreast is ok in circumstances that allow, ie clear straight road or provision of a cycle lane. In a word the answer to your question is “YES” but please consider this what do you do when you approach any other vehicle that is traveling slower than you from behind? I would venture to say that you would wait until it is safe for you to pass, would this be correct? Why is it then that most motorists seem to be of the opinion that they can pass cyclists at will as though they have no right to be on the road?
It would seem to me that motorists are safe in their cars if they have to jump back into the lane and skittle the cyclists they are passing, the reality is that cyclists do have a right to be on the road and should be treated just as any vehicle on the road!!! Food for thought!!!
Thanks pa.