Interesting observations from lockdown

This is not a new phenomenon, I guess just more novice cyclists about without the confidence or knowledge to use their right of way when turning right etc.

It's terrific to see the new cyclists out there. Long may they continue. I hope the lockdown gives them time to develop the roadcraft necessary for successful cycling in the UK.

One thing I've started doing is going for daily rides with my 6 and 8 year old. Our neighbourhood is reasonably quiet, but previously we had always stuck to pavements. We have started using the roads now, as they are much quieter. The main thing I've noticed is how differently drivers behave when I'm out there with small kids. Loads of patience, loads of room. No close passes or aggression. Long may it continue.

would a visit from the sweat monster prompt a change of heart  part of your employer?

God, the noisy chains one is a killer. On the ears anyway. Sometimes it's even some guy on an expensive bike which grinds my gears more. OK, I sometimes have a dirty chain but it's a dirty oiled chain!

There was a kid that worked at a McDonald's we used to stop at and his chain looked almost seized up. Kept meaning to spray it with Teflon as I'm sure he'd have gone twice as fast.

I expect some of the new riders will just go back to their cars and tbh some aren't safe/confident enough to be out in regular traffic. Lots of getting on and then pedalling out to the right and wobbling about. It has been an ideal time to get my son out on the roads though as he's got zero road sense. He can win a battle royale though.....

I heartily encourage all of our new bretherin.

I have noticed-

A lack of helmets, and gloves.  And Hi Viz.  Or badly worn helmets and brand new clean Hi Viz.  Still no gloves.  Very little happy medium.

Overdressing when a bit warm, which will be followed by underdressing when cold and wet.

Noisy chains.  For what must have been weeks now, the noise must be driving them mad.

No shoulder checking or hearing noisy little me, until I greet.  They might learn as the traffic increases, as it has.

A lot of classic early 90s MTBs, with canti brakes, which I know require near perfect set up to be any good, I'm guessing they have awful brakes.  And probably gears.

But they do all seem happy.

Good to be out and the weather has been lovely.

I do wonder how many of them will get beyond the sore arse phase?

Yes, but mostly with family groups on country lanes. Also seeing a lot of family cyclists using the pavements rather than the roads despite there being naff all traffic around. I guess they'll get more confident

As a driver I'd prefer they didn't try to wave me past because I'm in a mahoosive Volvo 940 that doesn't lend itself to (a) acceleration or (b) being thin

Something else I've noticed whilst riding is that you need to be careful when overtaking returning/new cyclists. I'm hardly the fittest or most committed rider but I'm noticeably faster than them. It's almost like driving a car and needing to hang back to choose my moment to overtake, particularly on descents. They can be pretty unpredictable/wobbly and aren't familiar with spoken warnings (e.g. passing right). Fortunately so little traffic around I can usually go beyonnd the white line to overtake whilst maintaining the required 2 metres.