Cycle North Carolina -> -> Thanks for the great ride, CNC
Post Info TOPIC: Thanks for the great ride, CNC
CNC veteran

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Thanks for the great ride, CNC
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Thanks for another great ride, CNC staff. It was a nice route and you got us reasonable weather 


Here are two comments about the ride:


I rode the whole route, including the century, and found every driver courteous with the embarassing exception of those in my home county of Wake and nearby Chatham. As ambassadors for the Great North State, these drivers do not do justice to our cycling guests.


And as cyclists, I thought we could treat one another better. While pacelines are oh so tempting, they should be banned from CNC. I've ridden CNC five years, and have seen at least three serious (that is, involving an ambulance) accidents involving pacelines. And this year I had words with one rider in a line which blew by me, inches from my shoulder. There's no call for hotdogging it like that in a paceline. Just like you wouldn't want a car passing that close, neither should a bike.


But other than these incidents, it was a great ride. Thanks again for the hard work of the CNC staff in putting on a great carnival again this year!



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Scooter

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Are you the one that was threatening to put someone in the ditch as we went by or just a rider who feels like it's ok to ride two abreast with the rider on the left all the way over on the yellow line? As the group I was with rode the entire week pretty much in pace line and kept to ourselves, as most were unable to stay on. We continuously called on your left and said good morning to most we passed. Those who decided they owned the road and after calling "ON YOUR LEFT" multiple times, we would then pass close as to stay out of the oncoming lane of traffic.

There is nothing wrong with pace lines. The problem comes with inconsiderate riders who feel like they own the roads and their way of biking is the way everyone else should ride. Pace lines do not cause accidents, inexperience and inconsiderate riders do.

So before you get on your high horse about pace lines take a look at yourself first.

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Mark

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I have to agree with the reply.Some riders I observed don't even move over for cars giving us all a bad name.

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Cannon

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The most dangerous and idiotic thing I observed was cyclists rolling right through red traffic lights at intersections.  I observed a man doing that 2 times at larger intersections.  If we are to be respected as vehicles on the roads, we HAVE to respect the laws of the road.

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CNC Veteran

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No, Scooter. That wasn't me...but apparently just another rider tired of the boorish behavior of pacelines.


And in case you didn't realize it, it's incumbent on the PASSING vehicle to pass safely. (Hint: a bicycle is a vehicle under the laws of North Carolina). It's not incumbent on the bike ahead of you to move over in any fashion (legally at least). While it's a courtesy, obviously not everyone on CNC rides in this offensive hotdogging fashion you advocate.


I'd suggest you pick up (and read) a copy of _Effective Cycling_ or take the League's safe cycling course, and then commute to work like I do, and then let's see if you still argue for riding pacelines around a bunch of retirees and people out for a generally relaxing time on the bike.


Pacelines have NO place on a ride like CNC. Repeat: NO place. Let your rage out somewhere else (like this message board if you must) but not on CNC. We cyclists have enough to worry about from inconsiderate drivers--surely we can treat one another better.



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Another "veteran"

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Something tells me that this is a debate not to get involved with....but...


I have always wondered why riders wanted to ride pacelines....yes..I know that it is "easier....20 to 30 percent savings in energy" and that it is faster...ie meaning you get to camp sooner...I agree with all this, but when I consider why I enjoy bike touring then (at least for me)..neither of these factors is important.  I simply enjoy being active and outside and enjoying nature and getting some healthy exercise...why would I want to make the ride easier...why would I want to get to camp by 11 am...this never made any sense to me.  I understand that it makes sense to the many that ride pacelines;  I have even asked a few paceline riders over the years why...don't remember all the answers, but one told me that he was afraid that he wasn't in good enough shape physically to crank out 65 miles/day for seven straight days all by himself;  another told me that his knee was bothering him and he needed "a little help";  others I don't recall.   My position is that pacelines are not for me....what you do of course is up to you...please pass me WIDE on the left...I ride close to the white line and use my mirror constantly...I won't be in your way...you don't need to speak other than to say ON YOUR LEFT....when you kiss the tire in front of you I'll stop and help if I can ....that's just how I feel.....I am surprised CNC allows pacelines in this type of ride,  but that is not up to me....CNC VET (4)....



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Scooter

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Ok CNC Veteran atleast have the fortitude to put your name on your posts like it do. Your helping to prove my point. Never once did I advocate "offensive hotdogging fashion". If the line passed you safely on the left what makes that boorish behavior? The rules of the road were never in question nor did I say otherwise, just your hatred for pacelines. Your trying to impose your own selfish way of riding on all others around you. Riding to work and a group ride are two completly different things.

This is about cycling courtesy on rides. True not all pacelines are polite and considerate, but neither is everyone in life or these rides. On group, week long rides everyone has to be considerate of everyone else, be it fast or slow. Just because you don't like or enjoy pacelines doesn't mean that others shouldn't be allowed to do what they enjoy.

There were by far too many times when either cars or cyclists were coming up on slower riders and little action was taken on the part of the slow cycllists to make room for passing cars or bikes. Don't start hiding behind road rules and such as that's not the issue here. Some common courtesy goes along way in not provoking cars and keeping ourselves a little safer on the road.

To: Another "veteran"

Why do we ride in pacelines? It's different for everyone but for me it's actually harder and I like it that way. Cycling is a relaxing outlet and as funny as it sounds I can be relaxed riding by my self at home or in a pace line running 20 plus. I enjoy the speed, the concentration, and the time with my riding friends. For me when a route goes through a flat boring stretch of road, give me a paceline, but in the mountains I want to spend more time looking at the scenery and enjoying the climb. Thanks for your comments, and we'll still say a polite good morning as we go by :)

As for CNC Veteran go take some Gerital and relax and remember cycling is for everyone, not just your slow paced left lane riding.

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