SYD: bicycles on the Old Road

Long shot, this being melb.bicycles and all, but is there anyone
reading who rides a bicycle on the Old Road?

Reason I ask is that the Motor Cycle Council has heard disquieting rumours
about how some cyclists are planning to try and baulk motorcycles by
spreading wide as the bike approaches, and some motorcyclists plan to
kybosh this by riding between the cyclists and "scaring them by
swerving".

You can imagine what a bloody stupid idea it is on both sides....

So the MCC of NSW (www.mccofnsw.org.au), being interested in everyone's
road safety, and defnitely not wanting powered or unpowered two wheelers
going rubberside up, wants to talk to cyclists, recreational and training,
who use the Old Pacific Hwy and other popular motorcycle hooning roads.

So we can work with cyclists and educate cyclists about motorcycles and
motorcyclists about cycles. So we can share the road and not interfere
with each other's fun anymore than we have to.

What the MCC is after is finding out why cyclists behave as they do,
what effect motorcycles have, how they deal with it, what changes they
would like to see, what education they think motorcyclists need, what
changes they can make in their own behaviour, and what road safety ideas
they have for the road and other similar roads.

For example, both powered and unpowered two wheelers would probably
benefit from better road sweeping! And better maintainance of the
shoulder generally. IF the shoulder was usable for cyclists, then there's
more room for cyclists and motorcyclists in the same lane. If it's not
then the cyclist has to be further out and then the motorcyclist has
to go even further out. And motorcyclists don't like **** all over the
apex of left handers anymore than cyclists do...

Another idea that occurred is Bobbin Head Road. The surface is
disgusting now, but if it was resurfaced, would it be a preferable
training track for masochists, I mean road racers who train on hills,
than the Old Road? Motorised vehicles have to pay to enter the park,
cyclists don't. If it was resurfaced, would cyclists prefer it to the
Old Road seeing as it's motorcycle-free and mostly car-free?

I'd like to chat in person to cyclists who use the Old Road. I'm planning
to take a cruise there on a weekend to chat to the bods at Pie in
the Sky, but also track any training bunches and chat when they stop.
But be nice to arrange some talking so I'm not accused of stalking

Of course input from other riders is useful too. i

Why do you ride on the Old Road? Or other hilly twisty roads? Because
it's nearby? BEcause you need the work on hills? Because it's fun?
Because there's nowhere else without traffic lights? The view is good
and the hard work's good for you?

When you hear a vehicle coming up behind, can you tell it's a motorcycle
reliably?

If it is, what's your reaction to it? Does that change if it's a
straight or a corner, right hander or left hander?

Does it make a difference if you are just out for a ride, or seriously
in a training mindset?

When you are out on a twisty bit of road, do you like to ride in a
bunch (law or no law) or singlefile wheelsucking all the way? Do you
prefer to ride 2 abreast? How do you decide to pick a particular
configuration?

Do you find that when you are hammering and a motorcycle's coming
doing the same thing that you have to pull in and it disrupts you?
Or do you just figure "the one behind has to pass" and keep your line?
Do you usually get enough time to think about a reaction?

Do they pass too close? How close is too close? Have you been cut
off in a corner? Have you been sprayed with bluemetal as someone
apexes in front of you?

What good experiences have you had with motorcycles out for a fang?
What bad ones?

Who has had the patience to read this far?

Zebee