Cycling Tourettes

Im better…well hopefully!

Which is good news as the ride is fast approaching; in fact I shall be tucked up in bed (not in the bar, honest) in a French hotel in exactly two weeks time having completed the first day of the challenge.

After taking a few days off training due to being sick and bed/sofa bound at the tail end of last week, I had planned to return to the bike on the Bank Holiday Monday. However after spending the morning tidying the house (no cleaning when sick) and a few beers at a friends BBQ, this idea was curtailed fairly quickly

and I wisely took the decision to have a doze on the sofa rather than wobble about the Sussex country lanes.

 In retrospect, the extra day recovery probably actually helped, and I returned to the bike on the daily commute on Tuesday morning.

Despite the overcast start to the day, the sunshine appeared briefly in the afternoon and was timed perfectly for a longer ride home. So instead of the normal route home, I chose to seek a few hills rather than a flatter course and headed for the South Downs and coastal views before heading inwards and homewards on the country lanes.

I have been commuting to work for just over 4 years now, and 2 years ago the decision to move out of town resulted in an increase in the distance from a very nice- get out of bed at 8 - 1.5 miles to a 11 mile cycle lycra clad blast.

I’m fortunate in that my commute is mostly through minor roads and the country, there is in fact an alternative route which is shorter but involves a dual carriage way and I actively avoid it.

Despite this avoidance of the main road (which is lovely and smooth due to recent road works), I do encounter the odd car driver who obviously decides that they own the road and like to beep/ cut corners/ gesture at me for have the audacity to cycle to work.

Sadly it would appear that these incidents are becoming more frequent. Notable incidents include a pick up truck just beeped at me, for no obvious reason than that I was on the bike!? And a lady who decided to undertake me…on a roundabout ….when I was turning right – wonderful driving.

Normally I try to not be confrontational and just ignore these idiot drivers, however there is the odd occasion that I am shocked enough that a few remarks might slip out. One such incident was the man in the van who decided to cut across my path on my commute home today.

For some reason he had waited until the road was clear and I was about 10m away before he pulled across my path. Almost instantaneously I let rip with a short tirade that would have not been out of place in a Tarentino film. Complete with arm gestures.

Im not sure if he noticed my reaction, or my presence at all. But it made me feel better. And that’s what matters!

NB: For all the car drivers out there, I also drive a car, and I am aware that there are a number of idiot cyclists, in fact I gave a bit of ‘advice’ to a guy who decided to cycle the wrong way round a roundabout outside work just the other day!