So I went out on a local tour, last Monday for 5 days, with my dog, on a road heading west out towards Bingara from Bundarra, to camp for 4 days on the Gwydir, with my dog in his trailer. Had no issues on the ride out, it took me a day and half to get to my spot, so camped on the way, as I left at 1pm Monday afternoon.
We, my dog and I really enjoyed the break, bit of fishing,( wasn't lucky), stayed until Thursday morning and left to come home. As I didn't want to ride up a 17% grade, 7km long hill on the return leg, I decided to go into Bingara, and ride to Delungra on a back road, then I would have to get onto the Gwydir Hwy, which I was not looking forward too. I got to Delungra at 2pm, had a very quick bite, then took off towards Inverell. I wanted to be off that road by 4 pm, due to cattle trucks dropping stock to the abbi's, just out of Inverell for the night shift.
Now this is where it get's interesting. On the hwy, I had one cattle truck only, and he gave me the whole lane when he went past, but the 14 or so, Grey Gonads, in their caravans, did not once give me the legal space of 1.5metres, that they are supposed to give a cyclist, where the speed is more then 60kmphr. Most of the time I was on the left side of the white line, but a few times their was no verge, so I had to ride on the road, now legally we are allowed to ride, within 1 metre of the white line, but you nomads don't think we should be there, you think you own the road, and cyclists should either be forced off the road, or run over. A fair few of the drivers thought even though their was no one coming in the other direction, you still decided not to give me space, and even blared your horn to give me a scare, that's why I call you Gonads today, because you are thinking with the wrong brain.
In the end, I had had enough, and decided to camp up at Inverell Lookout, a 2km 20% grade, to get off the road, and leave on Friday morning a 9am, and take the old Bundarra road, to avoid anymore dangerous vanners.
I don't know if it is worth complaining here because I am not sure, anyone actually understands the plight of cyclists, and especially cyclotourists like me, but I just want to get it off my chest, and try to drive home, that WE ARE legally allowed on the road, and NO DON"T tell me we should be registered to use the road. We were the first vehicle to be on the road 190 years ago, cars have only been on the road for 120.
I understand exactly what you are saying. I'm not a cyclist, although I was many years ago, many, in fact I rode a bike to school when I was a kid Sorry Ric. I do understand though because I see it a lot myself in my travels BUT can you guarantee they were all 'Grey Nomads'? In my travels I see all ages including young families so not all towing caravans are Grey Nomads.
I have no problem with one person on a bike (including with their best mate) on the road, I give the clearance you talk about with no hesitation BUT what does annoy me is 2 or maybe 3 on bikes casually riding along side by side taking up the full lane. They must know a car is approaching or worse behind them but refuse to go into single file making a very dangerous situation for a vehicle to get around them. SOME have even given me the finger as I have gone out and around and come back into the left lane.
So, like 99% of roads it's a two-way street. Courtesy both ways.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Hi Ric, understand your frustration but, as Doug has pointed out, there are a lot of younger people out there with vans these days and quite a lot of them drive as if the van does not exist!
I have been sitting on 90klms an hour and had blokes pass me as if I was stationary. Unfortunately these days the general attitude would appear to be "Bugger you Jack, I'm ok"
Sorry Ric. I do understand though because I see it a lot myself in my travels BUT can you guarantee they were all 'Grey Nomads'? In my travels I see all ages including young families so not all towing caravans are Grey Nomads.
