Cycling For All

Out on the open road

What is all that noise.  Oh! It is a huge truck that has caught up with us.  But with our wide tricycles it cannot get past. We go left at a roundabout.  Good.  The truck has turned onto the roundabout.  But what is this.  The truck is behind us again!  It has gone right round the roundabout because the direct left turn was too tight for such a large vehicle.  Then I spot a gap in the parked cars and pull everyone off.  The truck cruises though giving us a cheery salute.Not a typical incident.  We have been riding on the quiet roads around the velodrome for some months and have been tailed by such a large vehicle only once.  But typical in one sense.  When drivers see tricycle riders they do behave very well.  This truck driver did not drive too close to us and showed considerable patience.  At junctions I notice more cars stopping and letting us across than I am used to.It has been very interesting for me.  Our small group of 3-4 riders, several on trikes, do travel slowly.  This does require other road users to make allowances.  And with very rare exceptions they do this and often smile or wave.On our typical trips lasting a bit over an hour we have reached Dulwich Park, Bel Air Park and right up to the summit of Brockwell Park.  We would love to have more riders join us.  So anyone who feels like a different challenge, speak to Abigail Trip, at Wheels for Wellbeing, and perhaps you too can get out on the open road!Bruce Lynn (led ride leader, Southwark Cyclists)