Rearview screen

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11 Feb 2011
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It's around 10 miles each way to work and after 3 years I'm starting to think I'm pushing my luck.

Aside from the occasional disgruntled pedestrian/jogger, I can fortunately cycle most of this way on the rural pathways, but 30% I have to do on the road. That's fine in town, but the country roads are a problem and there's one stretch of road in particular where last week alone I had two vans get way too close. The second one was really close, and I was a bit shocked when I suddenly had a van hurtling past me mere inches away nearly blowing me into the ditch. I also walked one of those days on the verge it was so damn windy.

And I can't really get much closer to the verge, so I don't know if it's just tossers on their phones or just some kind of early morning anti-cyclist ego thing going on. Probably that latter given the speed they're going. The lack of cameras makes it a racetrack to those familiar with it.

The road is also uphill, potholes everywhere and as mentioned the wind is often a battle. Not forgetting a few blind bends, one of which goes under a bridge which I hate going under. Given all that it's more dangerous trying to look over my shoulder than not. But I do think a rearview screen could help better position myself when I see a maniac coming up the road.

Anyone use one?
 
Is there an alternative route?

A mate of mine mentioned it about a year ago. I didn't think he knew what I was on about so I never checked it out. But I had a look last night and there does appear to be an ill-suited alternative, best I could make out that is.

So I decided to try it on the way home tonight. Not the best start, took a wrong turn into the sewage plant. Cycled on for a bit and wound up overlooking those huge sewage vats. I found it quite terrifying to be honest so out I went.

Onto the right path. Not really suited for a hybrid :)

7UwEUSO.jpg

It's in the wrong direction and like this for a few miles, until there's a few miles of dirt road which lead back near the road I have been using. Pretty decent alternative to being face down in a ditch or squashed by a tractor tyre, so thanks for the reminder.

Do you live in Essex by any chance?

No, not me.
 
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