War on the roads?

A bit of a better week, despite having lots on at home and at work I have managed to get into double figures for hours trained this week, the first time that's happened since the end of the TT season. Lots of commuting still, trying to vary what I do and trying to ensure that I don't batter myself too much every time as it just ends up wiping me out.

Commuting has not been much fun this week though. I try not to get drawn into the 'them and us' arguments between cyclists and drivers as I am 'one of us' and I am also 'one of them' but there seems to be a lot of hostility out there at the moment. I would have thought that the recent high profile deaths of commuters in London would have awakened both drivers and cyclists to the dangers but it seems not. I try to take real care when I am cycling; I'm a bit anal about stopping at reds, signalling, thanking those that see me and wait or move out the way for me. I genuinely feel I do what I can to be as safe as possible and also to show respect for other road users. Unfortunately that didn't stop me almost being t-boned at a roundabout and shouted at by a complete turd. I'm still not quite sure what it was that I did wrong and I doubt he does either, except for the fact I could filter through the stationary traffic and he couldn't. I did see it from the other side a couple of days later. I was driving down a very quiet  dark road when up ahead was a cyclist who was really well lit up; fluro vest, 2 lights, the works. I gave them plenty of space as I went round them to pass, for them to suddenly and without warning come right across the front of my bonnet. They didn't look or  signal at all. I found myself doing a full emergency stop with my heart rate through the roof while the cyclist merrily went into a side alley. I have also lost count of the numbers of cyclists I have seen cycling in the dark with dark clothing on and no lights at all. These people must really have a death wish.

I am wondering if with the cycling boom that we seem to be in at the moment that there is a massive influx of cyclists on our road who are not very aware of how to ride safely and this combined with intolerant drivers is making for a toxic mix. I think it would be very hard to legislate for this and the idea of a cyclists' tax I find rather absurd, but I don't think a high profile campaign to get newer cyclists thinking about road safety would go amiss.

It's a shame because usually I really enjoy commuting. It cannot help but give you a self satisfied smile at burning fat not fuel; training without having to put aside specific time; greatly reducing our household bills. It's all a win, win, win situation except for the potential to have an accident where I will always come off worse.

My Argon has stayed resolutely bolted to the turbo. I keep meaning to take it for a spin on the road but it's just been easier to get on the Van Nic instead. I did take the front wheel of the Argon for a ride when I discovered a puncture on my front wheel just as I was leaving for work (my 4th puncture in a week!) This week I will break my duck on it and report back. Promise.