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A3 cycling - Ready Brek motorist (24th Jun 2018 - 19:00:32) So I’m sure we’ve all experienced the cycling races on the A3. I can just about tolerate these events late in the evening when the road is relatively quiet. Yet this morning, on one of the hottest days of the year with hundreds of people heading to the coast, it is deemed sensible to hold another event. My wife witnessed one incident in which a car was forced to swerve out of the way of a cyclist. Is this really the best road for such events!?

Re: A3 cycling - Adrian (25th Jun 2018 - 03:27:19) Best name for these cyclist is "ROAD LICE"

Re: A3 cycling - liz (25th Jun 2018 - 08:24:03) You are not allowed to race cars on a public road so why should you be allowed to race bikes?

Re: A3 cycling - Mr Mason (25th Jun 2018 - 13:21:13) What a load of absolute narrow minded and opinionated rubbish by the O.P and everyone jumping on this band wagon. I too was out on the road on Sunday morning at about 08:15 and had to overtake them. My thoughts on it are as follows: 1. Surely to have a hobby that keeps people fit and healthy can only be a good thing. There are plenty of people on this site and social media platforms who rant and rave about the state of the NHS and how it's under staffed, under funded and over subscribed. Maybe we should all sit on our backsides watching TV or drinking down the pub for the sake of not wishing to questionably inconvenience others. If we all did this no doubt all the armchair politicians would have yet more to moan about with a higher strain on the NHS. 2. To suggest a car had to swerve to avoid on accident due to a cyclist actually suggests they were not paying attention or driving with due care. I could quite easily see the cyclists a good 1-2kms in the distance. It was really no issue to indicate at 08:20, pull out into the fast lane and sit there for 2-3 minutes as I passed them. 3. I'm sure that there a high percentage of people competing who cycle to work (like people I work with) to stay fit and healthy and use it as training / generally get about. This is a knock on effect of being involved in competitive sport. 4. O.P. and friends, if they were to give up their hobby for your improved convenience at widely spaced out intervals, maybe you could fire over some replacement ideas that wouldn't convenience you too much. I'd take some ideas myself, after all I sometimes run along the pavements and people have to move over for me. I'm sure the O.P. would be up in arms if everyone sold their bikes and added to the already ridiculous congestion issue in Liphook every morning and evening. My observation would be the O.P clearly has some bigger issues going on and feels the need to moan about a trivial issue on a public site without being open minded enough to think their comments through properly.

Re: A3 cycling - liz (25th Jun 2018 - 14:44:59) To put things in perspective: 1) Just because you don't race bikes on a busy main road does not mean you sit on the sofa all day etc. Believe it or not they are other sports. Also you do not need to race on busy A roads to cycle. 2) I have seen cyclists veer into the second carriageway with no warning to overtake a pack as they get carried away with a race. Also you cannot see 1-2km ahead on a bend. 3) It is only road racing people are objecting to not cycling in general 4) Road racing and commuting by bike are NOT the same thing. Racing on public roads should not be allowed in any vehicle.

Re: A3 cycling - Ann (25th Jun 2018 - 14:57:08) Mr Mason, it would help if the cyclists used the cycle path instead of the main road!

Re: A3 cycling - Rölli (25th Jun 2018 - 15:56:12) These lycra clad idiots are a menace!!! Wherever you go you are seeing increasing numbers of these nuisances on bikes showing scant regard for other road users. Just the other day driving from Lindford to Liphook I was in a huge tailback doing 10 - 15 miles an hour to eventually discover the hold up was two twerps riding side by side totally oblivious to the traffic behind them

Re: A3 cycling - Mr Mason (25th Jun 2018 - 15:57:51) Unfortunately due to the very poor state of B roads in the area it's increasingly dangerous and is in fact probably more difficult to be seen by motorists with narrow lanes, over hanging trees and so on. And road biking and the bikes are a completely different sport to mountain biking and thus unfortunately cycle paths are not suitable. It's not really a cyclists fault that the UK cannot cater for healthy activity in the same way as places like Australia. Everyone's too quick to jump on here and moan about everyone, cyclists, politicians, police offers and local businesses. If the majority of people were less stuck up and unnecessarily critical of everyone else's business and had a more pleasant accommodating attitude to each other the UK would be a much friendlier place.

Re: A3 cycling - liz (25th Jun 2018 - 16:26:04) Mr Mason Why you think it is being "stuck up" to be concerned about road safety I have absolutely no idea. But then, as you seem to think the only alternative to cycling is sitting on a sofa drinking beer that might suggest a rather narrow view of the world!

Re: A3 cycling - A (25th Jun 2018 - 17:07:41) I'm a regular cyclist, entering sportives and road races on a regular basis. The A3 where these activities take place is UTTERLY unsuitable for cycling, it's effectively the same as allowing cyclists on a motorway and the speed differential between two sets of road users is huge and asking for trouble. There's a reason why bicycles are not allowed on motorways in the first place and the A3 is effectively a 2 lane motoway. I'm genuinely baffled that these races keep getting allowed. It's absolute insanity in my opinion and I would never enter an event that involved cycling on a 2 lane. 70mph speed limit A road.

Re: A3 cycling - Godfather (25th Jun 2018 - 17:13:03) If u can't seen the cyclist maybe u either need to get your eye tested or stop driving

Re: A3 cycling - Mr Mason (25th Jun 2018 - 17:42:00) Liz I'm answering to comments like "road lice" and being able to "tolerate" a hobby that really causes minimal fuss. Road safety is obviously hugely important and number 1 but in response to A's comment, is it really any less safe than weaving in and out of potholes on a B road like the Liphook to Fernhurst road. Definitely not.

Re: A3 cycling - A (25th Jun 2018 - 18:28:23) Forget your own personal safety, Mr Mason, what about the safety of other road users? 70mph traffic and 20mph traffic (roughly) simply do not mix. You cannot legally ride a moped that can do 30mph on a motorway for that very reason. The dual carriageway A3 is effectively a motorway and i really do worry for the safety of both motorists having to react to what may be a very unexpected and sudden significant speed reduction as well as the cyclists. This hasn't been thought through properly, I'm genuinely surprised it's got past the health and safety zealots.

Re: A3 cycling - Mr Mason (25th Jun 2018 - 19:55:50) A, i think I'm right in saying you can't because moped riders are usually riders that don't have a full license unless I'm very much mistaken. There is a risk associated to anything sporty, I'd suggest if you can't avoid a cyclist on the road at 8am on a Sunday you don't drive anywhere.

Re: A3 cycling - oldie (25th Jun 2018 - 21:48:03) It's been a while, but I think mopeds are any motorbike under 50cc and a certain power output and top speed restricted to 30mph, irrespective of whether the rider has a full or provisional licence, but all riders must have at least a basic test pass for mopeds. The thing is that doing 30mph on a 70mph stretch of motorway is suicidal, it causes crashes and so is rightly banned, or at least mopeds are, also I don't think the police would be too impressed if you tried driving on the M25 at 30mph. Although the A3 has no such restrictions (although the tunnel does for safety reasons) this is mainly historical as the A3 used to follow what is now the Portsmouth Road and suchlike, in fact it went through most town centres along the way like Kingston and Guildford (bit of historical aside!) and never received motorway status (except to the south from around Waterlooville) so although the bikes are breaking no law per se, it's still very, very dangerous for all concerned. It's also worth noting that slow moving tractors, often doing 40mph down the A3 have large roof mounted flashing warning lights and you still have to brake hard when you see the queue of cars they gather in their wake, so I wouldn't fancy it on a bike, you have to be either very optimistic or a bit naïve.

Re: A3 cycling - k (26th Jun 2018 - 09:27:16) I am so sorry that motorists feel so inconvenienced by a cycle race on a Sunday Morning - I am of course assuming that the race has permissions required which I AM SURE it must. How are cyclists supposed to excel - bearing in mind our dominance in road racing in sport at present - Tour De France starts beginning of July Tour of Britain, Olympics - where would we be if French motorists decided cyclists couldn't have Road Racing - We cheer on our guys at the Olympics how are they supposed to get fit & practice you can't prepare for road races entirely in the gym & not in a velodrome. Maybe the answer would be to CLOSE the A3 DURING these races - then you might have something to complain about - I am concerned about the ability of many motorists to look ahead of their cars ( in general ) it was something my driving instructor was very keen to teach to LOOK BEYOND THE BONNET & beyond why should someone else dare be in the space I want to be in right now especially if I don't value them as a road use!!.

Re: A3 cycling - Mr Mason (26th Jun 2018 - 10:14:53) Oldie, whilst I agree with the points you make, we're talking about 8am on a Sunday. Queues of traffic are non existent. Some of the negative posters shooting people down need to lighten up. I went onto the website associated with the riders and it would appear they are one of the top clubs in the country. Maybe we should be congratulating the people who work hard in organising and taking part in these events rather than kicking off.

Re: A3 cycling - liz (26th Jun 2018 - 13:40:06) Mr Mason Not only on a Sunday. Very often busy weekday evenings. I think you should listen to 'A' who is obviously a keen cyclist but seems to have a sensible attitude.

Re: A3 cycling - wolfie smith (26th Jun 2018 - 13:54:15) agree with all the points against cyclists on the A3 ludicrous, dangerous and causes death i agree with other posters. there should be a minimum speed on the A3. so: no cyclists, no mopeds and no bloody tractors

Re: A3 cycling - helen (26th Jun 2018 - 15:29:58) There are other places to train for racing, the tour de france i believe does not take place where car drivers / road users would be at risk? How about racing on dunsfold aerodrome?

Re: A3 cycling - Godfather (26th Jun 2018 - 18:18:15) We should leave the cyclist alone and ban vehicle on the A3

Re: A3 cycling - Penny (27th Jun 2018 - 14:09:41) Mr Mason Reading your posts I assume you are a cyclist. If you are then IMO you fall into the category of those cyclists who are ignorant, inconsiderate and arrogant, think they own the road and are apparently unaware that they are exposing themselves and other road users to danger. I would add that I am NOT including all cyclists in this category just the majority. For the record I agree with the OP and all the other posts against cyclists racing on public roads be they A roads or country roads.

Re: A3 cycling - Richard (27th Jun 2018 - 15:21:35) There is one that runs from Bentley to the Wrecclesham round about, and apparently for this one the racing cyclists have automatic right of way around the roundabout, regardless of traffic conditions!

Re: A3 cycling - Willo (27th Jun 2018 - 16:56:52) Not sure about the A3 but I cycle a little bit on the roads round Passfield/Standford to help keep myself physically and mentally fit. I try my best to share the road nicely with cars etc and the majority are equally considerate. A few close calls mostly with cars not anticipating a bike as they come round a corner and one motorbike who flew past me at a rediculous speed. Hopefully we can all be careful on whatever mode of transport we are using, it's really not a big ask.

Re: A3 cycling - Alibingo (27th Jun 2018 - 17:18:19) Road 'time trials' have a significant history in UK road cycling going back many decades. They originally came about because group cycle races in the UK were banned and these weren't classed as races. Certain courses are very popular because they are fast and also because they are busy. Fast traffic can cause a drafting effect which means they can be 'fast courses' the A3 being one such course. You may have gathered that I am a keen cyclist but even I agree that times trials on the A3 are complete madness even on a Sunday morning. It genuinely surprises me that there hasn't been a death reported as a result of one of these events. It only take someone texting at 70mph and this could so easily happen. Having said this, drivers (me being one) a little more patience and thought could go a long way to making the roads we share a safer place in general.

Re: A3 cycling - dave (27th Jun 2018 - 20:47:01) wolfie smith: I think you will find that cars cause more deaths than cyclists.

Re: A3 cycling - Mr (28th Jun 2018 - 16:06:14) Penny, I am not arrogant or think I own the road. I am not a keen cyclist but I do like to keep fit and will cycle on the road at quieter times for the convenience of other road users and my overall safety. My general gripe on this thread is that there are far too many miserable, narrow minded motorists who have nothing better to do than throw cheap shots at cyclists. It's boring to see it on facebook, it's boring to hear about it, it's boring to read it, it is what it is. If people made a little more effort to be accommodating to each other the world would be a much better place. Having formed and aired your harsh opinion of me based on me having an opinion that you do not share I feel truly sorry for you attitude to others. It's a thread that the OP started that was clearly going to generate a debate of which I am entitled to voice my opinions. I have agreed with parts of the argument for it being dangerous. Your comments have certainly made me chuckle, get a life

Re: A3 cycling - A (28th Jun 2018 - 17:18:30) Count yourselves lucky you don't live in Rogate !! You'll be stuck in your own home in September. Roads closed facebook.com/... velosouth

Re: A3 cycling - Rölli (28th Jun 2018 - 17:22:43) Oh Mr Mason, don't think anyone is going to change their viewpoint on this so the post could just run on and on if you keep feeling the need to have the last word; as you say, get a life

Re: A3 cycling - B Wiggins (28th Jun 2018 - 17:26:25) Isn't about time this country embraced cycling, thousands of people now cycle getting fit or just have a nice ride with the family. Its now become a major way of life, I love it. Also l was on the A3 early Sunday morning, no problem what's so ever!

Re: A3 cycling - liz (29th Jun 2018 - 10:14:05) This post is not anti-cycling!!

Re: A3 cycling - Penny (29th Jun 2018 - 11:59:46) Mr Mason I said that I assumed you were a keen cyclist not that you are and that if you were then you epitomised the arrogant attitude that I have personally encountered on the roads from inconsiderate cyclists who appear to think they are in an impregnable bubble and seem totally unaware of the danger in which they are placing not only themselves but other road users. I went on to say that not all cyclists behave like this but in my own experience the majority do. I echo Liz’s sentiments – this is not about being anti cycling. It is about the irresponsible cyclists who get everyone a bad name. Racing anything should not be allowed on public roads unless they are closed to other road users for that specific event. If you find the subject so boring why do you read it – as Rolli said it is you who needs to get a life.

Re: A3 cycling - A (29th Jun 2018 - 13:29:54) Penny - you give a very confused message calling cyclists "inconsiderate" and a danger to themselves and other road users. You then say not all cyclists are like this but the majority are. Sounds very anti-cyclist to me. Cyclists do often need to swerve to avoid potholes or drains and sometimes ride wider in a road, or side by side, to "defend" their road position. Unless you cycle, you will not understand this. Alongside this, some drivers are appaling at overtaking cyclists, either giving them very little room or waiting to pass completely on the opposite side of the road. Both of these are dangerous in different ways - you need to give 2 to 2.5 meters clearance ideally. Anyway, I do agree with you entirely when you say that roads should be closed for these road races. I think this applies particularly to 70mph roads like the A3, other 30, 40 or even 60mph single carriageway roads perhaps not. Mr Mason does sound like a bit of a cycling zealot, if you cannot comprehend that 70mph traffic and 20-25mph traffic do not mix on a dual carriageway road then I don't want to be in a car anywhere near you, let alone a bike. It's just like the Audi drivers who bat along 2 inches from your bumper in the outside lane as if they're immortal - try and explain to them the madness of what they're doing and they simply don't get it.

Re: A3 cycling - liz (29th Jun 2018 - 13:45:58) I think Mr Mason has found himself in a corner - even some of the keen cyclists don't agree with him. Every bit of it is "boring" according to him and yet if still made him chuckle!

Re: A3 cycling - Penny (29th Jun 2018 - 14:37:55) A: My post was clear – I am not anti cyclists or anti cycling. I am anti irresponsible cyclists not the responsible ones. Sorry if this very clear statement confused you. Unfortunately as I said previously from my own personal experience the majority of cyclists are irresponsible in that they seem totally unaware of other road users and behave as though they own the road. For example some months ago I was driving through Bramshott very slowly because of the narrow winding lanes and on a blind corner 5 cyclists came towards me on my side of the road very fast. Because I was driving slowly I was able to swerve into the side of road safely. The cyclists just flew by oblivious. It could have been a lorry and they would have hit it head on!

Re: A3 cycling - A (29th Jun 2018 - 15:47:01) Penny. I don't think you were clear, unfortunately. You have very clearly stated that you feel the majority of cyclists are inconsiderate and dangerous and I would challenge that. Most cyclists are careful and sensible and are aware of their own mortality and I think you're confusing inconsiderate and dangerous with frustrating because of their slower speed and it sometimes being difficult to pass them. Of course, there are exceptions and there are some appalingly behaved cyclists out there, just as there are appalingly behaved drivers. I don't want to get into a silly argument with you on here but I think you came across in your post as anti-cyclist in general. If you say you're not, then fair enough.

Re: A3 cycling - liz (29th Jun 2018 - 16:01:45) I think Penny's post was very clear. She is anti inconsiderate cyclists not ALL of them. We all have our own ideas as to how many fall into the inconsiderate category! Slow cyclists by the way are never a problem - much easier to get past.

Re: A3 cycling - wolfie smith (30th Jun 2018 - 17:28:03) dave: i would go further and arrest anyone on a cycle dressed in lycra pretending they are in the tour de france - when actually they're on the headley road weird and a lot of them are really angry angry, in lycra and weird arrest. then straight to prison. then they can prove there innocence. if indeed they are.

Re: A3 cycling - Anon (2nd Jul 2018 - 16:02:32) Firstly, I don't wish to give my full name - with apologies, I am a pro-am cyclist who lives locally and I don't want my opinion on this to reflect on my race team. I am not a time triallist. I can't understand why the A3 is used for time trialling as an open-road circuit. It's staggering. Last year, I saw a 40 foot truck having to move out of the inside lane to avoid a rider. It was in heavy evening traffic, and as the outside lane drivers hadn't spotted the riders the whole thing was dangerous, fast changing, and let's be honest caused by the cyclist travelling at around 25mph on a road where cars regularly do 70mph. I just can't believe no-one has been killed doing this course. Mind you, in my races (closed road) there was a death last year so I will accept that the local TT club has - on paper - a good safety record. I think it comes down to this, however. A3, busy road (any day of the week), main artery to the south, traffic entitled to drive at up to 70mph on sections. Why would you willingly get your TT bike out on the inside lane? Do they really believe there are no other suitable courses locally (which there are). Just because they can TT on the A3 doesn't meant that they should.

Re: A3 cycling - Fez (2nd Jul 2018 - 19:39:50) Oh my days, just get over it. People cycle, they like to do time trials on the A3, the highways authorities and police are cool with it. It only happens in the summer and for a couple of hours each time at most. Has it ever actually affected you in a negative way?

Re: A3 cycling - Penny (3rd Jul 2018 - 14:16:36) Fez If a cyclist is killed whoever is at fault, the chances are that the motorist will be blamed, but still in your own words all parties involved will just have to "get over it".

Re: A3 cycling - Rölli (3rd Jul 2018 - 14:23:48) Fez, I wonder if you will be so flippant when there is a fatality or serious life changing injury, or will you just tell those affected to "get over it"

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