First long ride.

[Desmostro]

But under CA law cyclists are also allowed to "take the lane" if riding far to the right is unsafe. They just need to give a hand signal, and cars are required to yield. That's not to say that some of them aren't just oblivious or arrogant about it, riding 2-3 abreast.

+1 the arrogant thing is annoying no matter who it is. Giving other cyclists a bad time feels a little wrong to me. I have a hard time with sending the hate down stream.

"Donut" (a famously really fat cop) loves to bust our chops for riding 3 abreast in Marin as often as posible. When you're in the saddle for 6 - 8 hours with a bunch of guys and there aren't any cars for 20 minutes, people clump desperate for a little wind protections. Then the cars come fast 'out of no-where,' and everyone is in the way.  oops. A little patients works. The same we ask, when we're passing everyone and making a lot of noise doing it.

[ducleaner]

But under CA law cyclists are also allowed to "take the lane" if riding far to the right is unsafe.

The verbiage is actually just like this (from my earlier post)... "They are legally required to ride as far to the right of the road as safely possible". The concept of "as safely possible" is covered but it doesn't say anything about "taking the lane." The rule is really often misunderstood and misquoted but it's really simple. If the shoulder is unsafe to ride on, ride in the lane. If you are approaching something crazy like a huge pothole or broken glass or a bobcat, move over to the left and go around it. There is never a reason to or justification for holding up the entire lane. Case in point.. Suppose the right edge of the lane is so effed that the cyclist needs to ride 2 ft into the lane. Okay, do that. Then at 2ft into the lane, the cars need to move over 6" over the yellow line. Oncoming cars can still fit. Passing cars can still pass. Cyclists can still avoid the stuff in the road and all 3 people "share" the freaking rode. If the cyclist instead misunderstands the rule as "I can take this lane because I don't feel comfortable being passed closely." Then the cars get effed. The cyclist starts animosity and hostility. Tempers flare. Nobody gets along. And it's all because that cyclist is afraid to ride next to traffic.

[ducleaner]

there aren't any cars for 20 minutes, people clump desperate for a little wind protections. Then the cars come fast 'out of no-where,' and everyone is in the way.   oops. A little patients works.

I raced for years and I rode with a large team on long training rides. We were mindful of traffic until we got into the "woods" and then we rode in a pack. The person on the back was in charge of keeping an ear and eye out for approaching cars and hollering "Car back" when someone approached. We all moved over into a single file as quickly as possible and most cars could see that we were considerate and appreciated it. Some did not. I will never forget the douche in a pickup that tossed a balloon full of catsup on one of our riders. His well planned attack backfired as we caught up with him and swarmed his truck pounding on his windows at 35mph and scaring the bejeezus out of him.

But in general, yes, I agree. Hate and anger suck. I'm just venting some bad experiences I've had. Here's another. I had a Porsche and I drove fast. I was skilled and pushed it around corners like a biker with a knee on the ground. It's just how it is. Whatev. Anyway, one day I was driving on a favorite road and the car in front of me finally turned so I took off. The cyclist on the side of the road moved into the center of my lane. Nobody was coming from the other direction so I went into oncoming lane and passed him with a *ton* of room and proceeded to have my fun. Later I caught up with traffic and settled in to behave. I don't endanger others with my fun. Since it was a downhill, the cyclist eventually caught up with me and proceeded to yell obscenities and give me the finger. I can only assume he thought I was being hateful by passing him but really, it's just that I wanted to drive my drive and let  him ride his ride. I wanted to share. He wanted to own and control. That's the sh** I hate.

FWIW though, I never make negative assumptions about people. I give every bike, car, truck, and bicycle the chance to be considerate and friendly on the road.

[somegirl]

There is never a reason to or justification for holding up the entire lane.

Sorry but I take the lane on twisty descents.  I frequently get up to 35-45 mph, and sometimes end up stuck behind cars and SUVs.  I don't really want anyone trying to pass me in a corner at that speed.  If there's a long enough straight to pass then I'll move over if someone is behind me.

When I am significantly slower than traffic than I do try to stick as much to the right as possible.

[ducleaner]

Sorry but I take the lane on twisty descents. 

I'm with you on this. In most cases, you are exceeding the speed limit when descending. You have the right to the lane. Put another way, it would be "unsafe" to ride down hill at high speeds on the edge of the road. It's all good.

But what if the road was wide enough and visibility good enough that a car went around your 45 at 60 while giving you plenty of room to ride your line unimpeded?

[somegirl]

But what if the road was wide enough and visibility good enough that a car went around your 45 at 60 while giving you plenty of room to ride your line unimpeded?

I have no problem with that.

[Michael Moore]

I have no problem sharing the road with bicyclists - I pretty much am in favor of anything with two wheels. The only times I do have a problem is when they're being unpredictable, like swinging out suddenly to pass another cyclist.

[sroberts152]

Try Arastradero into Portola Valley (off 280) any weekend or 84 on any given day and you will get a row of bicycles thinking you, in the car or on the motorcycle, gets to drive at their speed.  

[TCK!]

Ben Hur never had any issues with people sharing his lane

[somegirl]

Try Arastradero into Portola Valley (off 280) any weekend or 84 on any given day and you will get a row of bicycles thinking you, in the car or on the motorcycle, gets to drive at their speed.  

Yes, Portola Valley and Woodside are terrible.  One time there was a large group of bicyclists stopped waiting for their buddies, in the middle of the lane, right around a blind corner at a major intersection (right-hand U-turn from 84 onto Portola).

Once you get up into the hills it's usually much better.

[Desmostro]

Yes, Portola Valley and Woodside are terrible.  One time there was a large group of bicyclists stopped waiting for their buddies, in the middle of the lane, right around a blind corner at a major intersection (right-hand U-turn from 84 onto Portola).

Once you get up into the hills it's usually much better.

Just like "us," "they" are a bunch of individuals. Ever have a cop start pregnant doging at you beginning with "you people...'? 

Those are the types of cyclists that get s yelled at even by other cyclists. That's just sthdoopid.
The serious bicyclist can't stand bad behavior that reflects on them and makes life even more difficult.
Let's face it, the bicyclist has it the worst out of everyone. The little things make a huge difference.
A little wind, a little hill, a lame driver - it all means your hide when you're half naked on a bike.