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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 |
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SYD: bicycles on the Old Road
Zebee Johnstone Wrote: Long shot, this being melb.bicycles and all, but is there anyone reading who rides a bicycle on the Old Road? I heard that. Zebee Johnstone Wrote: Who has had the patience to read this far? I did. Seriously though, have you posted this request out to other cycling forums? Can forward it to the Syd CM list, BFA or Farkin if you wish. For what it's worth I've recently subscribed to the netrider forum as I maybe getting a moto in the future. And a little birdy told me you were in the market for a 'bent? -- cfsmtb |
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SYD: bicycles on the Old Road
In aus.bicycle on Sun, 26 Feb 2006 20:54:56 +1100
cfsmtb wrote: I did. Seriously though, have you posted this request out to other cycling forums? Can forward it to the Syd CM list, BFA or Farkin if you wish. For what it's worth I've recently subscribed to the netrider forum as I maybe getting a moto in the future. Yes, if you like, although it would need to be clear I'm not subscribed to them, so people would have to contact me directly. And a little birdy told me you were in the market for a 'bent? *grin* I wasn't going to say anything till it was in my hot little hands, but there's a Giro 20 on its way to me as we speak. Well not quite, as the cranks are at GreenSpeed getting shortened, so I won't see it till next weekend. Then I get to work up to riding it from Campsie to North Sydney without a) knackering myself so much I find reasons not to do it again and b) without meeting immovable objects. Zebee |
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SYD: bicycles on the Old Road
On Sun, 26 Feb 2006 20:54:56 +1100, cfsmtb wrote:
Farkin Farkin? About road riding? Eeeep! -- Dave Hughes | "There are some benefits to high blood pressure", Bob mused as another mosquito exploded. -- unknown, Bulwer-Lytton entry |
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bicycles on the Old Road
Zebee Johnstone wrote - 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... The old pacific hwy is the preferred route north after Hornsby for cyclists. The alternative is the shoulder of the F3 and that's not much fun although I have found it quicker on the couple of times I have tried it (riding up to Cessnock and back). Boring noisy and full of crap on the shoulder. In addition there is pretty frequently used time trial course up on Peats Rdige Road near Calga used monthly by the ATTA folk and less frequently but in greater numbers for State open cycling races and time trials. In addition, Northern Sydney Cycling Club use an industrial road off the old highway called Beaumont Rd as a criterium road race course most Sundays and the bunchs that ride out of Turramurra Cycling would regard riding up to Calga and back as their "block". All of that means that its a very popular road for cyclists. I'd like to chat in person to cyclists who use the Old Road. Best contact I can think of is Mark Rowling who owns Turramurra Cycling and who indidentally races motorcycles - much loved by his cycling customers who despair at his occasional off on the motor race tracks. 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? For mine as an occasional user of the road I don't think the bunchs generally behave any differently for motorcycles - and some of us do or have ridden both so I would not assume hostility; mutual curiousity would be a better description. Riding 2 side by side in a lane is lawful for cyclists throughout Australia. I have never seen a cycling bunch try to get agressive accross the road - who do you think would win that confrontation in terms of mass and velocity? The bunch will hold their lane and their lines and call motorcycles front or back as they would a car. Some links that may be useful to you - http://www.northernsydneycyclingclub...15&Itemi d=29 and http://www.turramurracyclery.com.au/ best, Andrew (who used to own a vfr 750) |
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bicycles on the Old Road
"Zebee Johnstone" wrote in message .. . Long shot, this being melb.bicycles and all, but is there anyone reading who rides a bicycle on the Old Road? Well I ride in Melbourne, but I'd guess the sitiation in Sydney is pretty much the same as on the Kinglake Rd or Reefton Spur on any Sunday. snip When you hear a vehicle coming up behind, can you tell it's a motorcycle reliably? Yes. 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? Usually ride predictably following my line. Usually not enough time to make any changes anyhow. Does it make a difference if you are just out for a ride, or seriously in a training mindset? No. 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? Usually ride single file on winding roads, unless it is a quiet minor road. Then with friends we might ride in a small 2 abreast bunch. 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? Keep the line Do you usually get enough time to think about a reaction? No 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? When you get GT-wannabes careering past with less than a metre to spare, at 80-120kmh leaned over in the apex of a left hander, with a sudden cracking roar of a race-tuned illegal exhaust, it trully sucks. I hurl volumes of silent abuse, and thank God I never took up such a socially obnoxious pursuit as motorbiking. Get my drift? What good experiences have you had with motorcycles out for a fang? None Cheers Peter |
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bicycles on the Old Road
Peter Signorini wrote:
I hurl volumes of silent abuse, and thank God I never took up such a socially obnoxious pursuit as motorbiking. Get my drift? Yes Peter, I do. Do you really think all motorcyclists are socially obnoxious? I don't believe I am, I don't believe Zebee is, or Bleve. Do you think I become non-obnoxious when I get on one of my bicycles? Theo |
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bicycles on the Old Road
In article ,
"Theo Bekkers" wrote: Do you think I become non-obnoxious when I get on one of my bicycles? Theo sticks out chin... ;-) -- Shane Stanley |
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bicycles on the Old Road
"Theo Bekkers" wrote: Peter Signorini wrote: I hurl volumes of silent abuse, and thank God I never took up such a socially obnoxious pursuit as motorbiking. Get my drift? Yes Peter, I do. Do you really think all motorcyclists are socially obnoxious? No reflection on you personally Zebee, I'm sure you're a responsible rider, but any who behave as I described certainly are socially obnoxoius. On the Reefton Spur Rd on a typical Sunday that's an awful lot of them. Yes the behaviour of a few may be colouring my opinion, but those few behave damn dangerously towards me on the roads. Go up the Reefton Spur one day - you'll see frequent little memorial crosses and flowers on the roadside to ex-motorcyclists. Cheers Peter |
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bicycles on the Old Road
Peter Signorini wrote: "Theo Bekkers" wrote: Peter Signorini wrote: I hurl volumes of silent abuse, and thank God I never took up such a socially obnoxious pursuit as motorbiking. Get my drift? Yes Peter, I do. Do you really think all motorcyclists are socially obnoxious? No reflection on you personally Zebee, I'm sure you're a responsible rider, but any who behave as I described certainly are socially obnoxoius. On the Reefton Spur Rd on a typical Sunday that's an awful lot of them. No more obnoxious than the Hell Ride riders who play at road racing on Beach Rd! There's dickheads in every group, no matter what they have as a common factor, beit motorcycling, bike riding, driving landbarges ... For what it's worth, I use a motorbike as my other transport (mainly pushbike, the MB gets a run every week or so when necessary to cover long distances faster than my pushy can go!). I don't endanger any cyclists when I ride it, and your calling motorbiking socially obnoxious is one I take offence to. I ride a motorbike because it's a lot less damaging to the environment than a car, but it's my compromise to practicality. It's *more* responsible (or less irresponsible!) than a car. All generalisations are wrong, remember? |
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