This isn't exactly about training but it is related. I continue to be amazed at how unaware drivers are around cyclists. Now I'm not talking about everyone because there are lots of drivers who are very respectful and safe when passing cyclists, giving them the appropriate due respect, but there is a surprisingly large number of drivers who seem to be oblivious to cyclists and have no intention of sharing the road with cyclists.
I've had seen several examples of agressive drivers in the past few weeks. One honked at me when riding to a Y in the road (the road natually went to the left, with the right actually a turn), I was about 20 feet in front of them as far over on the road as I could be and signaled that I was going to the left and this guy layed on his horn because he was going right.... the best part of this whole story is that I was doing 28 mph at the time in a 25 mph zone.
Another on the same ride was a descent on a road which had no shoulder and I was hugging the edge of the road (probably should have been further out in the lane for safety) and going close to 40 mph in a 30 mph zone when these two pickups raced by me crossing the center line flipping me off and honking at me before pulling back into the lane and hitting his brakes. Apparently I was slowing them down.
I've become more hyperaware of cars and it's amazing how many people who are driving like this are talking on cell phones, texting, watching their GPS units or simply not paying attention.
The Cascade Bicycling Club has a program called "Give 3 feet" to promote sharing the road with cyclists after a number of auto/bike fatalities in the last few years in the area. I came across this video which is an awareness campaign in the UK which promotes sharing the road with cyclists.
Just be aware out there, slow down and expect the unexpected if your driving and if your on your bike signal give as much room as you can to the cars and wear blinkers anything to make you more visible even during daylight hours. Safe riding.
http://www.dothetest.co.uk/
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