Racing lines and overtaking

This has been covered before, but I would like to post a reminder to all riders that:

• the responsibility of safe overtaking resides with the faster rider.

• the rider being overtaken is not obliged to adjust their line when a faster rider approaches from behind.

additionally, can I please ask:

• everyone to use their mirrors please.

• all riders to take predictable lines.  No last minute swerving.

As far as I'm concerned, taking the longer path around a slow rider is no inconvenience.  And nobody need to adjust their line for a faster rider when riding up a straight road - it seems obvious, but some can be a little too keen to dive into the brush out of my way these days.


I hope this is helpful.  It is writen for everyone's safety and enjoyment while racing.

Well said, Howard. I would add that, except very rarely, the faster rider should always go round the outside on a bend and the slower rider is entitled to expect that's what will happen. If there appears to be a gap on the inside then assume the rider in front wants it that way and doesn't want it filling with someone trying to pass.

Yowie wrote: some can be a little too keen to dive into the brush out of my way these days.

Did you notice this after you started riding a bike with huge shark's teeth on the front??

I have to hold my hand up to trying on the inside!  Believe me it is a learning experience going from a sedate trike to a fully faired and fairly fast roller skate! I don't think it was me was it Heather, I don't remember any dodgy passing of you?  Although I did get caught at fowlmead where a train of slower riders broke up in front of me coming into the bends before the long up hill straight, i was committed to the RHS after passing some of the train on the LH bend, but then i was stuck closing fast on the inside of train leader going into the RH bend, a quick blast on brakes slowed me down ok, but it easy to get caught out! In Hindsight i should have slowed and waited to pass everybody on the straight.