Obstacles on the Road

Spot the obstacles.

• Parked Car
• Road narrowing scheme with no space for cyclists to pass
• Traffic congestion

Last Thursday, I cycled 70 miles to Chipping Norton. Often on these long rides,  it is quite peaceful and there are no incidents ‘close shaves’ until the last mile home cycling up Cowley Road in Oxford in which time I can usually guarantee to have at least two near death experiences – courtesy of the impatience of Oxford drivers.

That day there were no cars pulling out into your path, they weren’t even squeezing past with 3 cm spare. But, as I was nearing home, a plastic wheel cover came flying off from a car on the other side of the road. I tried to swerve to miss its path, but like a heat seeking missile it just continued it’s trajectory into my path. The plastic wheel hit my bike, but fortunately, didn’t knock me off. As is often the case, the driver was probably unaware of the problem he had caused. (I’m sure many drivers are oblivious to the  danger they often cause. Anyway it was certainly a new obstacle on the road. These are some other great obstacles on the road.

The Crazy Cycle Paths

A lovely 30mph descent and then this. Ostensibly to slow car drivers down going through a village. The town planners thoughtfully provided this cycle lane – which if navigated at 5 mph on a mountain bike is ideal.

Mud

Mud is quite dangerous and slippy. It also creates a real mess on your bike and clothes. It suddenly appears around a country lane, and there’s nothing to do apart from carefully negotiate the lovely brown slime.

Potholes.

Well, talk about stating the obvious. Some roads are worse than others, but, they are potentially very dangerous, especially, if you do any cycling in the dark. Be wary on descents and the likelyhood cars often do not give necessary room to swerve out to avoid holes in the road. Sometimes it really feels like you are between a rock and a hard place. – Pothole or into the path of fast moving car!

Pedestrians

Pedestrians have caused me to be knocked off the bike more than anything else. The problem is that they often don’t look, only listen for cars. Therefore, they are quite surprised when a cyclist comes along. This is particularly a problem on so called shared bike lanes. Young children have a habit of running into the path  of bikes; in a way you can’t really blame them. But, it does mean you have to be ready to slam on the brakes.

Tacks

Yes, there are people who are so distraught at the idea of being unable to drive on a road for a 3 hour period, they will drop tacks to irritate cyclists (link Daily Record). Amongst other things, opponents of the road closure claimed people wouldn’t be able to get to church with the road closed to cars. – It’s surprising Jesus Christ was able to deliver the Gospel given all the rolling road closures in Palestine during 30 AD.

Metal Grates / Painted Lines.

When cycling you are much more conscious of the road surface than driving. In the wet, a metal grate can mean you will hit the deck if you hit it at the wrong angle. Also, these days there are so much painted lines, that it can be pretty testing at the best of times.

Parked Cars.

The biggest nuisance on small roads is often parked cars, this can make roads into slalem courses, particularly dangerous when cars are forcing their way through.