Passing Cars
11-03-20, 12:23 PM
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Passing Cars
Passing cars on a descent, probably not the safest maneuver, I'm not sure if it's even legal but would you make the move if the situation was deemed safe?
I'm ok with it but many friends won't do it and claim it's too risky and not legal.
I'm ok with it but many friends won't do it and claim it's too risky and not legal.
11-03-20, 12:28 PM
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11-03-20, 12:33 PM
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Two or more lanes going the same direction, no problem. Single lane, I'd tend to say don't pass. But I don't know exactly what your circumstance are. The only legal issue I could imagine is speeding. Which might very state to state depending on whether their law regarding observance of speed limits says specifically "motor vehicles" or just simply "vehicles".
But if you are only speeding just to complete the pass, then most states allow you to exceed the speed limit to pass.
But if you are only speeding just to complete the pass, then most states allow you to exceed the speed limit to pass.
11-03-20, 12:40 PM
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My Dad's youngest Brother was Killed doing THAT.
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11-03-20, 12:43 PM
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Depends.
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11-03-20, 01:20 PM
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I generally don’t want to be anywhere near a car when I’m descending fast
11-03-20, 01:21 PM
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I've only done it once. It was a descent of Slumgullion Pass in Colorado, near the top on the north side. A Jeep Wrangler pulled out of a dirt road and never really got up to any speed, and couldn't due to the curves. I passed on a straight section where I could see nothing coming up the hill, as I was able to move faster.
I'd likely never do it again, but it was not unsafe.
I'd likely never do it again, but it was not unsafe.
11-03-20, 01:25 PM
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Just to be passed back by said car somewhere down the road? I don't think so. Ask yourself this question. Would you rather have an irate driver(or any driver for that matter) behind you, or in front of you? Now if you are talking about a vehicle with a slow moving sign such as a tractor, that's a different situation.
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11-03-20, 01:42 PM
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I don't normally do it, although when descending Mt. Ventoux it seemed to be the custom so I made an exception.
11-03-20, 02:08 PM
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Not really possible on the descents around here. Cars sometimes pull over to let other cars through, and that's how I got ahead of one slowpoke last week. Mostly, if I'm lucky, the cars are going the other way.
But my favorite was years ago, coming down the twisty but not really technical Rt 84 here on the Peninsula. I was following a car most of the way, because they were going slower than I could have. At the bottom, the car suddenly pulled into a turnout and stoppet. The passenger side door opened quickly and a woman leaned out and barfed fairly explosively..
But my favorite was years ago, coming down the twisty but not really technical Rt 84 here on the Peninsula. I was following a car most of the way, because they were going slower than I could have. At the bottom, the car suddenly pulled into a turnout and stoppet. The passenger side door opened quickly and a woman leaned out and barfed fairly explosively..
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11-03-20, 02:10 PM
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i've done this a couple of times on Geiger Grade here in Reno. there is only one safe part of the descent to do this or two pullouts if the driver is kind. in both cases the driver was kind to me. the road is windy and i rarely come upon a vehicle that is really slow. it's not that i am excessively fast, it is that they are excessively slow. tailgating down a descent stinks.
11-03-20, 02:11 PM
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I've done it a few times when I had no qualms about the safety of the situation. Depends on lots of factors.
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11-03-20, 02:12 PM
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I'd rather have a slow driver behind me. Nothing worse than riding your brakes.
11-03-20, 08:59 PM
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Exactly. You'd rather have a slow driver behind you. Nothing worse than riding your brakes. Which is why that driver will be irate.(at least I would be) Because as soon as the descent ends, the cyclist will magically transform back into a slow moving vehicle/driver. The car/driver that got passed will become the one riding the brakes, getting anxious and looking for any chance to get around the cyclist that is now an irritant in front.
11-03-20, 11:35 PM
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I actually like having a car in front of me on long descents, because I can watch their brake lights to see where I need to slow down. Also, they alert oncoming cars much better than I can alone, so that when I pass people in the other direction, they will be moved over already by the time I get to them, and not taking up the whole road.
But sometimes, esp on weekends, people are sightseeing and taking it easy on hilly and mountain roads and will actually wave me past. And if they don't wave me past, and start holding up traffic, I will pass at some point (hopefully legally) and often have. A bicycle passing a car can be done much faster and safer than a car trying to pass another car. But the situations where I pass are pretty much the same ones I would pass had I been driving my car. Whether they pass me again later on, I don't worry about.
11-04-20, 05:05 PM
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A lot of male drivers think you're challenging their manhood if you pass them on your bike, no matter how safe / considerate you did the pass.
I've had drivers like these I passed and then they floor the pedal and make a dangerously close pass to me. If the speed difference is only around 10 kph, then I won't pass. I only pass if the speed difference is bigger OR other drivers are also passing that slow driver.
This is why I prefer to ride during busy hours, more traffic so these irate drivers will have less opprortunity to do something crazy on the road like harass you.
I've had drivers like these I passed and then they floor the pedal and make a dangerously close pass to me. If the speed difference is only around 10 kph, then I won't pass. I only pass if the speed difference is bigger OR other drivers are also passing that slow driver.
This is why I prefer to ride during busy hours, more traffic so these irate drivers will have less opprortunity to do something crazy on the road like harass you.
11-04-20, 09:34 PM
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A bicycle is considered a vehicle under most state laws, so as long as you follow the rules of the road, passing should be good. Your state no doubt has bicycle laws you can look up online.
I have only passed one vehicle, an RV, going down a pass with excellent forward visibility. Was competing in a one day 156 mile 10,000’ gain event, on a tandem racing bike. We were doing 62 and he was doing the 55 limit. So yes, we were speeding, but would have gladly accepted the ticket. Since we were competing and didn’t want to be slowed for the next two miles (a very long pass) we went for it. Frankly it was frightening and fun at the same time. That was 35 years ago. Won’t do it again especially at that speed. Sold the tandem this last summer.
I have only passed one vehicle, an RV, going down a pass with excellent forward visibility. Was competing in a one day 156 mile 10,000’ gain event, on a tandem racing bike. We were doing 62 and he was doing the 55 limit. So yes, we were speeding, but would have gladly accepted the ticket. Since we were competing and didn’t want to be slowed for the next two miles (a very long pass) we went for it. Frankly it was frightening and fun at the same time. That was 35 years ago. Won’t do it again especially at that speed. Sold the tandem this last summer.
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So you think this is a reason not to pass a slow-moving car on a descent (any time)?
11-05-20, 05:32 AM
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I don't know if it's legal in the USA. In Europe, as long as you follow the traffic rules, you can do it.
I've done it several times. Just make sure that:
1. You will be able to hold a higher speed until finishing the pass.
2. You have enough time / visibility to brake and get on your lane if the car driver decides to accelerate during the maneuver. Had that happen a few times.
Sometimes, I find drivers who can't drive around curves at a decent speed, but when there's a straight suddenly have the urge to floor the car. They're extremely irritating as you can't really pass them, and if you try when you have enough visibility, you can end up trying to pass when they accelerate unexpectedly putting you in a dangerous situation.
I've done it several times. Just make sure that:
1. You will be able to hold a higher speed until finishing the pass.
2. You have enough time / visibility to brake and get on your lane if the car driver decides to accelerate during the maneuver. Had that happen a few times.
Sometimes, I find drivers who can't drive around curves at a decent speed, but when there's a straight suddenly have the urge to floor the car. They're extremely irritating as you can't really pass them, and if you try when you have enough visibility, you can end up trying to pass when they accelerate unexpectedly putting you in a dangerous situation.
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11-05-20, 08:26 PM
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I didn't say you can never pass a slower car in front of you. Did you read my post #18 ?
Yeah, didn't make much sense.
You apparently think you ride in the middle of a potential war zone, so again, not particularly relevant to my post.
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11-06-20, 06:28 AM
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I'm also speaking from a utility driver's perspective.
If the vehicle is only slightly slower than you, you make a pass and when the gradient gets a bit more level or positive, you slow down, now that driver has to pass you. Annoying in narrow mountain roads with plenty of no-passing segments and with traffic present.
What could make that more annoying? You pass that driver more than once. I personally found it annoying as a driver having to pass the same cyclist multiple times. Not the most relaxing move in narrow mountain roads.
So as a cyclist, that's another reason why I don't pass a vehicle if it's only slightly slower than me, except in a wider 3 lane road or more.
I know you'll have to scrub your brakes more - in relation to your post but that's a small price to pay for improving safety on the road. Avoid making drivers angry. An angry driver is more likely to make mistakes which is not good.
If the vehicle is only slightly slower than you, you make a pass and when the gradient gets a bit more level or positive, you slow down, now that driver has to pass you. Annoying in narrow mountain roads with plenty of no-passing segments and with traffic present.
What could make that more annoying? You pass that driver more than once. I personally found it annoying as a driver having to pass the same cyclist multiple times. Not the most relaxing move in narrow mountain roads.
So as a cyclist, that's another reason why I don't pass a vehicle if it's only slightly slower than me, except in a wider 3 lane road or more.
I know you'll have to scrub your brakes more - in relation to your post but that's a small price to pay for improving safety on the road. Avoid making drivers angry. An angry driver is more likely to make mistakes which is not good.
None of what you're writing has anything to do with what's being discussed.