I have cycled most of my life in a city. I’ve recently taken early retirement so now cycIe purely for pleasure. Last night I went for a ride which took me through some rural roads and also busy A roads.

On the narrow country roads the motorists, though much less in number, didn’t deem it necessary to slow down as they passed me. Also, there were some blind bends and I was concerned that drivers would cut corners not expecting to meet a cyclist.

The derestricted A roads were just as challenging because of the speed of passing vehicles.

I am well used to defensive riding on busy town roads where the vast majority of car drivers are expecting to negotiate cyclists. The speeds are lower which allows more thinking time for the cyclist and the motorist. Consequently, I felt much more at ease when I left the A roads and small rural roads and once again entered the city boundary. As poor as they are, cycle routes in the city feel safer and offer some protection.

I’m not convinced that drivers on smaller rural roads and fast A roads are expecting to see cyclists and they appear to be less careful. If a collision was to occur a cycle helmet would certainly be of no use due to the speeds involved.

I wonder if I will eventually feel at home on rural roads and faster A roads? Time will tell.