Driving home from race today and about a four mile stretch included the Seattle to Portland route jam-packed with riders. This is a two-lane road, 55 mph, bout 3ft bike lane, and something I ride regularly. Appeared at least one person had been clipped by an RV, and at first I was a bit pissed that is was probably due to an inattentive or inexperienced RV driver. On the other had, over the next three miles, I witnessed no fewer than 15 cyclists pull out into the road to pass others with nary a look over a shoulder to see if a vehicle might be in, or about to be in, the space they were looking to enter.
While I’ve never ridden in a huge group ride, and not sure what instructions are given, but at what point does our sense of self preservation overtake the need to pass someone at 15mph on a two-day 200 mile ride?
Just some thoughts, not sure what others might think. Maybe someone has done this ride and can shed some light onto the safety instructions or motivation to some to act so irresponsibly…