What a great week, everything is back to normal and I feel like I am in control again. I managed to get back into my gym routine and it’s amazing how busy the gym is! I bumped into people I haven’t seen for years, starting their New Years resolutions, long may it continue.
Yesterday, I did my first long ride of the year which was a challenge, it was a nice day but a little bit windy. We set off at 08:30 to complete a 75 mile ride and the event was popular so quite a few cyclists gathered at the start. I was with a small group of people that I normally cycle with and, I have to admit, if it wasn’t for them, the ride would have taken much longer to complete.
We had a couple of, what I call ‘real cyclists’ with us, and they really looked after the group. They took the lead so we could draft behind them and it made a big difference in terms of the effort required by me. I knew that if I went to the front and took the lead, the pace would have reduced and I would have probably tired my legs out too early.
I know cyclists get a hard time from other road users but, as I do both, I can see the differing perspectives and understand the frustrations from both sides. As a cyclist, you just want to ride your bike and get home alive, and it does feel very risky at times! As a driver (of any vehicle) you just want to get from A to B without any restrictions or delays.
The reality is, we can all get what we want if we are sensible when we ride, and patient when we drive. The time drivers make up by squeezing through tight spaces, is marginal and not worth the risk, and, cyclists need to be respectful of other road users by going into single file when the roads are busy or it’s a single track.
It is quite simple!
What other examples of potential conflict can be reduced with simple fixes? The problem is that we are human and have emotions. Sometimes the emotions get the better of us and we lose our tempers, we do stupid things and it gets out of hand.
5 quick tips to make sure negative conflict is not in your year, this year:
- Pause before you act and ask yourself “Is it really necessary?”
- See things from the other persons perspective, how would you feel?
- Do the right thing
- Be a nice person
- Take advice from a neutral person
Simple stuff!