Reply to Cyclists -- Why do you hog the road even with a large shoulder?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here.

Just got home from my errands.  While out, I encountered a pack of cyclists.  They were taking a left turn from Falls Road (heading North) onto River Road in Potomac.  There were several cars behind them also taking a left and others who were heading south on Falls taking a right onto River.  There had to be at least five or six cars right behind the pack of cyclists after they completed their turn and were heading down River.  You would think a decent cyclist would eventually pull over to the right to let motorists pass.  I watched.  They continued to ride in their pack taking up the entire road for several minutes, forcing cars to have to pass in lane of oncoming traffic.  This is so dangerous.  Isn't there a law that requires cyclists to not take up the whole road?  I want to hear from you jerks who do this and understand why it is you do it![/quote]

This is different from a single person on a bike, who I agree should stay on the shoulder IF doing so is safe (that's a big "if.").

A "pack" of cyclists on the road you describe are road racers out for an organized ride which a large part of the point is to stay close together and "draft" off each other. That's part of the sport. (https://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/aerodynamics2.html) So, no, they are not going to pull over to let you pass them, or go single-file. But, they also biking at about 25 mph, so it's not going to kill you to wait for them to turn.

I will say that reading these "I hate bikers" threads on DCUM is one of the reasons I have become more aggressive about taking the whole lane when bike commuting to work. So many people say "I almost think they deserve to get hit" that it confirms the feeling I have when trying to stay to the right side of the road that many drivers don't give a fuck if they come WAY too close to me and nearly hit me. Staying in the middle of the lane is the more defensive position because it would take a real psychopath to actually run me over directly, but I can see plenty of you evil commenters "innocently" side-swiping me and feeling kind of smug while you left me to die in the street. :(  
[/quote]

Ive got news for you, I'm not risking a head on collision that takes all of us out because you want the middle of the lane. If I come "way too close" when passing then that is for my protection as well. [/quote]

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