Regarding the difference between the uk as opposed to France/Italy….its the culture. Both countries are hallowed grounds for cycling. There is a love and passion for the sport similar to college football in the United States. When i moved to Geneva i was shocked how many people who do not even ride bikes, religiously following the sport.
On rare occasions, very rare, will i have a problem with a motorist. When i do they are typically foreigners (i.e. british tourists or expats).
My previous cycling experience was growing up and living in the nyc area so maybe anywhere seems more polite.
I will say in my first few weeks of cycling after moving here….i had a revelation.
A small white box truck came a bit too close when passing me so i chased it down to where it was stopped at a light. I loaded off on the guy in New Jersey English and then i pedaled away. The light turned for him and he raced to catch up with me. With his passenger window down he was shouting “désolé désolé désolé “…..and i realized “oh, in this country I am the Asshole”
As with the old podcast….i love the cycling content.
The cultural differences are indeed unique and fascinating. During my first visits to Europe as a climber I marveled at how accepted the sport and its participants were compared to the US where, at the time, the activity was marginalized at best. The topic of the essay would be good fodder for a podcast conversation with a cyclist or two. I'll try to make that happen.
I have experienced all sides of this. On my bicycle, I was once clocked at 70 mph down a long hill in Atlanta, by a motorist driving next to me. (speed limit was 45). I was pulled over by police woman (in a car) for doing 55 in a 35 speed zone.
I was punched in the mouth by a motorist who pulled over, and jumped out of his car, sucker punched me as I was still clipped into my pedals, jumped in his car and drove away. I was in his way, and he had to drive around me on a road with no shoulder.
I stopped riding on the road after being hit by a car for the second time. They won.
I was not innocent. I got away with whatever I could. Younger, fitter, dumber. (much).
But your article is wrong. It isn't and never will be war. Road cyclists exist at the whim of drivers.
I have a friend that was riding his handcycle (because he is a paraplegic) up Mount Ventoux in France, and a motorist jumped out of his car, ran over and flipped him over, got back in his car and drove away. Can you imagine?
According to him, France is far worse than America, and he is French.
I appreciate this distinction, "it isn't war ... road cyclists exist at the whim of drivers." In the essay I did not advocate for going armed because it's a thorny topic that deserves more than passing mention and investigation, however, I do. And I recall that (after his wife had been run off the road and hospitalized) a cyclist friend in New Hampshire started riding with a .44 hog leg strapped to his lower back, and quite visible. Cars approaching from behind slowed right down and often passed giving him more than ample space. Yes, it's an N of 1 but does suggest that Frederick the Great's statement holds some water. And still, the drivers have won and will; we quit, we choose different terrain, we mourn the riders targeted by aggressive drivers, we write letters or sign petitions when those drivers are gently hand-slapped instead of bearing actual consequences ... they have won.
I actually rode my mountain bike up to crystal lake outside of Bozeman, several years ago. The ride down was amazing. I call it the ten mile smile. Of course, I was also wondering if I was going to go screaming around a curve and run into a grizzly. This took some of the joy out of it, but not enough to put my brakes on.
Regarding the difference between the uk as opposed to France/Italy….its the culture. Both countries are hallowed grounds for cycling. There is a love and passion for the sport similar to college football in the United States. When i moved to Geneva i was shocked how many people who do not even ride bikes, religiously following the sport.
On rare occasions, very rare, will i have a problem with a motorist. When i do they are typically foreigners (i.e. british tourists or expats).
My previous cycling experience was growing up and living in the nyc area so maybe anywhere seems more polite.
I will say in my first few weeks of cycling after moving here….i had a revelation.
A small white box truck came a bit too close when passing me so i chased it down to where it was stopped at a light. I loaded off on the guy in New Jersey English and then i pedaled away. The light turned for him and he raced to catch up with me. With his passenger window down he was shouting “désolé désolé désolé “…..and i realized “oh, in this country I am the Asshole”
As with the old podcast….i love the cycling content.
The cultural differences are indeed unique and fascinating. During my first visits to Europe as a climber I marveled at how accepted the sport and its participants were compared to the US where, at the time, the activity was marginalized at best. The topic of the essay would be good fodder for a podcast conversation with a cyclist or two. I'll try to make that happen.
Merry Christmas, Sir.
Thank you! I hope yours was quiet and calm, surrounded by loved ones.
Merry Christmas and HAPPY NEW YEAR
I have experienced all sides of this. On my bicycle, I was once clocked at 70 mph down a long hill in Atlanta, by a motorist driving next to me. (speed limit was 45). I was pulled over by police woman (in a car) for doing 55 in a 35 speed zone.
I was punched in the mouth by a motorist who pulled over, and jumped out of his car, sucker punched me as I was still clipped into my pedals, jumped in his car and drove away. I was in his way, and he had to drive around me on a road with no shoulder.
I stopped riding on the road after being hit by a car for the second time. They won.
I was not innocent. I got away with whatever I could. Younger, fitter, dumber. (much).
But your article is wrong. It isn't and never will be war. Road cyclists exist at the whim of drivers.
I have a friend that was riding his handcycle (because he is a paraplegic) up Mount Ventoux in France, and a motorist jumped out of his car, ran over and flipped him over, got back in his car and drove away. Can you imagine?
According to him, France is far worse than America, and he is French.
I appreciate this distinction, "it isn't war ... road cyclists exist at the whim of drivers." In the essay I did not advocate for going armed because it's a thorny topic that deserves more than passing mention and investigation, however, I do. And I recall that (after his wife had been run off the road and hospitalized) a cyclist friend in New Hampshire started riding with a .44 hog leg strapped to his lower back, and quite visible. Cars approaching from behind slowed right down and often passed giving him more than ample space. Yes, it's an N of 1 but does suggest that Frederick the Great's statement holds some water. And still, the drivers have won and will; we quit, we choose different terrain, we mourn the riders targeted by aggressive drivers, we write letters or sign petitions when those drivers are gently hand-slapped instead of bearing actual consequences ... they have won.
obviously your friend is not a gram weenie!
I can’t even imagine firing a .44. I would lose my arm.
according to something I saw on your sub, you are located in Bozeman. You might as well be packing in MT, because almost everyone else is.
75mph speed limits on 2 lane roads. I think I have seen that in MT.
Some roads in MT are indeed two-lane, narrow, with no shoulder. Best avoided. But the gravel riding opportunities here are close to endless.
I actually rode my mountain bike up to crystal lake outside of Bozeman, several years ago. The ride down was amazing. I call it the ten mile smile. Of course, I was also wondering if I was going to go screaming around a curve and run into a grizzly. This took some of the joy out of it, but not enough to put my brakes on.
Hi