h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The local 's tend to use the un patroled un cameraed country roads in the area as rally tracks. The average speed on the A518 Gnosall to Newport is 60 mph the council tryed to slow things down with the use of double white lines but thease are largly ignored. I still hold to my opinion its safer to cycle in a town (not a city) unless its Winchester Sailsbury can be ok but it is not as safe as it is the main artieral route to the west.

Yes keeping fit is a good point coped with by walking carry a big camera bag and there is plenty to do and see and loads of excuses to stop and stare, and you dont laeve stuff outside when you go into a pub.

Well I cycled over 7000 miles mostly on country roads this year and encountered very few problems.

The dangers are massively exaggerated, believe what you like. More pedestrians and drivers get killed on the roads than cyclists.
(more of them of course)

It comes down to there being too many idiots on the roads, whether they walk, ride a bike, drive a car, bus, van or lorry. Combine any two of those, and it's dangerous. You have to take care out there, not just of yourself, but of every other road user.

This says it well, if robustly - http://tinyurl.com/nyx9vaa

"Robustly", yeah

I've never had a problem cycling in Winchester (other than getting out of breath – who put the hospital at the top of the hill, eh?) but though I commute to Southampton by bicycle each day, I'm not particularly keen on cycling here (except on the Sky Ride day – that was good fun, and there were lots of cyclists wearing the hi vis that said 'POLITE' on the back.)

<BB<

That us brilliant SWL. And yes take the lane.

And Bob, if really is a dangerous road to cycle on, go another way - I'm sure alternative, more pleasant routes exist. Nothing would persuade me to try cycling the A4232 link road in Cardiff and I've done many duel carriageways.

Its not that its not enjoyable and its windy lanes that are the problem. I have noticed car drivers dont like it when you thump on the roof as they go by.

NB. if you can bang the roof they were to close

I loved that swl!

especially the summary:

Here are some tips to stop you cycling like a idiot…

Curbs, stay well clear
Unless you are sure, wait
Never switch off, stay alert
Take the lane!

And if you’re a motorist try these ones…

Take a chill pill, you’re waiting a few seconds
When in doubt, wait
Always give 3ft
Think before you act

>Its not that its not enjoyable and its windy lanes that are the problem. I have noticed car drivers dont like it when you thump on the roof as they go by.

NB. if you can bang the roof they were to close <

Fortunately for me I am not your typical 'weedy' cyclist if people in cars get angry with me, they get more than they bargained for.

Oddly I've never actually been attacked which is sadly not the case for some of the more weedy and elderly in the cycling community. It seems ****holes pick their victims most bravely.

I have never been attacked either, even though I am most definitely both weedy and elderly. There may be a connection with the fact that I always keep a very heavy spanner (far bigger than a bike normally requires) in the front pannier, and in any close call I always start to check that nothing on the bike has shaken loose.

It may just be coincidence of course.