mpmont

I am from Lancaster, PA and was recently on vacation on the Outer Banks of NC. Where I live, cars will actually "go around" me, giving me plenty of room to ride. This past week, I was amazed how close some NC people would get to me as they rode by. The work trucks that would go by would be no more than two feet awat from me. I never have that type of thing happen to me in PA.

Do you feel that cars give you enough room in your hometown?

LapDog

Dallas-Fort Worth area isn't too bad. For the most part people will give you decent room. Of course there is the occasional idiot who will purposely drive by closely to harass you. But we don't do too bad!

Baabs

I'm also from Lancaster and absolutely love the riding here. Everybody does give you a ton of space and once you're on those backroads, you and a buddy can just take the lane and still have people go around without fuss.

The only pain around here, of course, is all the dookie left by horse-and-buggies.

timmhaan

some do and some don't. most don't give you enough room, or come up way to fast and honk or exhibit other dumb behaviour. i take the lane when i don't feel safe with cars squeezing by me.

MsMittens

Hell no! I went on a tour in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and got better road room from the 3 (!) FULLY LOADED logging trucks that passed me than the stuff I get in Toronto. I bike early in the morning to avoid traffic (rush hour lasts for 3 hours here -- I fail to see where the rush is and where the hour is ). At 5:30 - 6:00 am I could be the only vehicle on a 3 lane road and the car coming from behind decides to come within inches of my left side. Who knows why? It's not like I'm taking a lot of room and he/she isn't turning.

Me thinks they just need more coffee in the morning to get some clues.

sailor

In Charlotte NC and Chapel Hill NC, the two places I ride, I have found that the traffic tends to be pretty understanding. You always have your token losers who seem to need to honk, yell, fly by you, and generally try to tick you off, but for the most part, I havent had any problem. I supposed it helps that I ride in areas that are heavily used by the riders around here--on any given ride at any time, I will see at least 4-5 other riders out, so I suppose the drivers are used to it.

jslopez

Here in LA I'd say that certain streets bring out the best and worst of people with regards to bike friendliness.

That being said there jsut times when aholes roam the streets with wild abandon. People screaming (like the really high pitched ones), throwing stuff, cutting you off, riding too close etc.

Obviously you try and do what you can (tail light, establishing proper position, consistent riding etc) and just hope the crazy people get what they deserve.

ctyler

I ride on the country roads of southern Wisconsin and the few cars that do pass give my plenty of room.

ch0mb0

in nyc sometimes you have about the width of a hand between you and vehicles.

usually, it's more though...you just have to make room, not many drivers are willing to give it up to you.

Dahon.Steve

Two feet is a lot of space in New York City. Seriously. The good thing is most of the cabbies are good drivers. It's not very often you get another driver get in the other lane to give me space. Mabe those NC folks are transpanted New Yorkers!

Trek Rider

2 feet is a lot of space where I ride. The cars have to be within 6-9 inches before I get annoyed.

Brillig

NC plates on a car mean "Watch out!!" (as do DE and Mass).

boyze

I've riden in many parts of the country and I find it pretty much the the same everywhere. On the back roads most will give plenty of room especially if there's very little traffic. On major roads it comes down to the amount of traffic and how much shoulder is available. For the deviates that like to crowd, shout, honk and pour drinks in your lap I've actually experienced most of that on the back roads. I suspect because there are no witnesses.

Regarding the outer banks - I've vacationed there many times and have inlined skated the entire section from Corolla to south of Nags Head. Even found a good section in Manteo. Of course, most of this has a separate path which helps. I can see where cycling would be tight south of Nags Head headed towards Hatteras. Fast, 2 lane highway with no shoulder and some traffic.

mpmont

Where do you ride?

cycleprincess

Where are you riding?? I'm from DFW also, and I'm always looking for a new place to ride. Preferably someplace safe . I ride a lot out north of Fort Worth (around the Boat Club Road area) and near Eagle Mt. Lake. I'm planning on riding in the MS ride in Keller on Oct. 2nd.

Bockman

Dude, I was just there also-- we probably passed each other daily if you were on Route 12. I agree, the roads there can be a challenge when the shoulder thins to a foot or so. I only had one obnoxious comment the entire 10 days I was there, from a local who felt strongly that he had right-of-way on the shoulder. Otherwise, I just chalk it up to the motorists being very used to seeing cyclists and not worrying about getting too close.

Dave

fujiacerider

Give 'em a squirt from your bottle. I love the sight of my pink Accelerade splattered all over the white car of a d!ckhead driver. This goes for the shouters/weavers especially. You'd be amazed how brave they aren't when you throw your bottle at them, then dismount and beckon them. They just press the gas and leave. It seems they aren't willing to fight if they don't have a 3000lb advantage.

Cole

skiahh

One of these days, one of those drivers is going to call your bluff and kick the snot out of you. What are you going to do when a 6'6", 250# construction worker climbs out of his truck and starts towards you? Or better yet, the Diminutive 5'5", 130# black belt...?

Or are you selective in the cars you squirt?

cycleprincess

Lancaster Country Ride...my very first organized ride in April (10th to be exact) earlier this year. Memories...I stopped at this one rest stop and was talking to one of the SAG guys, basically told him this was my first ride etc, and I was going for the whole 100K. He then told me, well the 100 K is typically for those "true athletes" who train throughout the year. Oh yeah...well **** you (yeah the f word) my a55 is on this bicycle riding in the wind and the rain so I am a true athlete you stupid prick. Crossed the finish line too. So there! Furthest I had gone prior to that was 17 miles! Baptisim by fire (or rather rain that day)

ManBearPig

I find people commonly give too MUCH room. People swerve waaaayyyyy into the other lane, giving like 6 feet or more. I appreciate they are concerned about not hitting me (even if just concern for their own liability), but it's kinda scary -- makes you realize how little people know their cars, how poor their distance judgement is. Sometimes when passing a bike in my car, I will make a point of not being so drastic.

Straws

On the streets of richmond there is often no room to have cars go around you but when there is I've noticed every single car has moved over when there was room. I was very happy as being a new rider is scary as hell on city streets.

Baz

Anybody ever reverse the situation? I was commuting home through downtown Calgary a few days ago and made a right turn next to an SUV going through the intersection. I had about 12 inches clearance, and when I pulled in I was about even with his rear door. He honked his horn, slammed on the brakes, and cut me off into the curb.

I admit that it was a jackass move of myself to pull in so close to him (a judgement error I don't intend to repeat), but what did trying to make me crash accomplish for him? I can't believe I pay the same road maintenance taxes as a 3000 lb SUV driver.

Sorry, ranting...

SDS

Lone Star Randonneurs (search on that) is having a 100-miler (160K) this weekend out of the Joe Pool Lake Marina in Grand Prairie. Skinny country back roads all the way to Italy, Tx, and back. If you want some new roads, you'll get them.

I was doing laps past Cleburne State Park and the lime kiln last weekend with six other people. We had trouble with the humidity.

Next year you can do the Leakey Death Ride with FWBA. In the old days sometimes we wouldn't see any cars outside of town on Day 2, Century day. Not many cars down there, but now there are motorcycle and Porsche and BMW and Miata tours at the same time, which is why you couldn't do it this year. You probably can't get reservations for lodging this late.

SkiNut

I thought these were called road apples. I live in Chester County, PA, and I'd take these over heavy traffic any day!

wfin2004

I give them the whole lane in my car not because I do not know distances,etc. It is because I can tell by the sound of tires on pavement WHERE the cars are at in relation to my position on the roadway. Now here where I ride it is a country road and quiet except for the car in question. So I have gone a step further and assume these riders can "hear" my location when I am in my car. So I give all I can.