Cycling UK Forum

You'll like this one........

About a month ago I was cycling to work when a car overtook me so closely that the door mirror brushed my elbow. Not content with this, the driver also gave a loud blast on his horn for good measure. A little shaken but sadly used to this treatment from time to time, I carried on only to catch up with the car further up the road at a railway crossing. Pulling alongside and with as much restraint as I could muster, I tapped on his window to give him the third degree. I could see that he was clearly terrified (I'm 6ft 4ins, weigh 17st and don't look too pretty in the morning!) and kept his eyes fixed ahead at which point the barrier went up and he sped off.

I arrived at work still in a vexed state of mind but got myself together as I had some job interviews to carry out first thing. I got changed, sat down and after interviewing the first two applicants, asked for the third and final one to be shown in. You've guessed haven't you - it was the angry motorist!

The flash of recognition between us meant that it was pointless for him to deny that it was him and I proceeded to tear a strip off him for being so careless with my life that morning and in fairness he did show genuine remorse for what he had done so we carried on with the interview.

The upshot of all this was that I offered him the job as he was the best qualified, despite his angry lapse seemed a decent person in general, and he agreed that as he only lived 6 miles from the office that he would try cycling to work (on my suggestion).

My hunch proved right as he is a model employee and is now an enthusiastic cycle commuter.

All of this begs the question: Does driving alter our behaviour to such an extent that a normally decent and placid person turns into a homicidal maniac when they get behind the wheel?

Many thanks for the advice. I take your point about the second-hand machine James. I've actually never had a new bike before and as I'm already heavily 'accessorised' I thought that on this occasion i might just have to see my man at the LBS (the excellent Church Street Cycles in Gainsborough) and go for a new one.

Thanks also for the link, Kev. The aforementioned shop has said they can do me a similar deal on the 2007 Dalesman and I think that is what I'll go for.

Hi All,
After 4 years slogging away on my 40 mile round commute on my battered old mountain bike, I have taken the plunge and decided that I need a tourer in my life! My budget has an upper limit of around £800 for the bike itself and after much research and deliberation I have narrowed it down to the Dalesman and the Galaxy. I have recently joined a cycling club and the opinion among fellow club members seems to favour the Dalesman as being the marginally better ride and perhaps better value.
I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences of these two bikes and possibly suggest any alternatives that I might not have thought of.

Many Thanks

P.S: The bike would also be used for the weekly sunday run and extensive touring during the warmer months.

Hi Cote! I would say that 16mph is in the upper range of speed for your average club run. In my own club (Gainsborough Aegir) we have a choice of sunday rides i.e: An 'Experienced cyclists' ride which is ridden mainly by the racing folk and maintains an average of around 18mph and the leisure run which caters to those who prefer a more sedate pace that is usually around the 10-15mph mark. The latter is only a guideline as the clubs philosophy is that you would only serve to discouarge new members by charging around with your head down and your bum in the air and leaving people behind!