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Running on country roads
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as with most others, i would say run on the right (facing traffic), except where there are blind corners, wear high viz clothing (my theory on this is if they still can't see me they probably shouldn't be driving...), if you use an ipod please keep it down so you can hear traffic approaching
and thank the nice drivers who move over (and those that stop if it isn't safe to pass) - i tend to find lorry and tractor drivers are very considerate! (and if you're like me scowl and shake your head at those that drive over the speed limit and/or don't move over!)
i love running in the country. i'll be moving to a city soon and don't think i'll enjoy the running quite as much, but it does mean i can run outside in the winter as there will be streetlights (i'm not brave enough to attempt it round here with no pavements or streetlights)
Old Timer: Highway code says use the RH of the road if you are on your own and LH if you are part of a large group. I'll assume a bunch of runners constitues a large group
BTW as many have said above you should run on the right but cross over to the left on blind RH bends to increase your view, and to give any cars more chance to see you.
As for moonlight running - its absolutely ace
Hi Running_Scamp,
I live in Lenamore area outside Derry, not far from the Stables. There are plenty of country roads to run along with some great views to keep you going. During the week I usually run along the river or around the bridges but don't enjoy it as much.
Always ran on the right and cross over on blind corners.
Totally agree. As i've said before when this subject has come up. Although if it's a blind bend i'll cross over.
A runner has the same 'face on' profile as a cyclist, yet no one would expect you to ride head first at cars coming in other direction, so why should i run at them? And it isn't about speed, because some cyclists are slower than some runners, i'm crap, and yet even i have passed cyclists going uphill before.
saying all that - I like to run on the left when there isn't any traffic issues as the camber helps even up the fact that my left leg is longer!!
I don't use country roads too often. But when I do I tend to run on the right but also zig-zag at the bends. If I am on the left and there is a car behind me and one approaching from the front as well, I stop and wait at the side till they pass. Then carry on. This is a bit of a hassle but safer. At my speed (slowly!) this hardly makes too much difference.
I've just remembered why I tend not to use the narrow roads for running!
Guys, put it like this - I run on the right (except bends etc....). The day somebody came towards me using their mobile, I could SEE they were on the phone, and I could SEE that hadn't noticed me, so I was able to step onto the verge.
If I had my back to them it could well have been curtains.
I don't know why pedestrians are considered differently from cyclists, but I run on the right because that's what the Highway Code says - if there were an accident, then (small consolation though it might be), I'd be in the right!
Hi all, I run on country lanes all the time at the moment. I have done both LH and RH of road and have found that most drivers will slow down or stop until they can pass safely whichever side you are on. However, I do agree with MF that being able to SEE what is coming can sometimes feel safer. It all boils down with what makes you feel better. I agree with Z that it shouldn't matter if you are runner or cyclist....but we dont live in a perfect world.
Just because they are unfit to drive doesn't mean they aren't out there.
Also, generally, cyclists are moving faster than pedestrians (be they runners or not) so the closing speed of a vehicle aproaching from behind less (if you are doing 15 on a bike, and the car behind is doing 30, then he is catching you at 15 mph, if you are on the right the closing speed is 45 which would give both of you much less time to react).
and while we're at it - mow down the cyclists on the pavements as well.....
I've been thinking of the road runs I do where I don't run on pavements - the bulk of these are on very quiet, very narrow (won't fit 2 cars side by side) country roads where is see so little traffic that it's just as easy to run in the middle.
I think they're more likely to mow me down. I encountered several this morning inc beside roads where there were cycle paths and in v quiet areas where there was no traffic. What are these people? Chickensh*t? Thoughtless? Illegal? I'm a cyclist too and I've been knocked off a coupla times but I still get back out on the roads. Grrrrr. As for those ones with a beer can in one hand, gangster leaning on their handlebars, but still on the pavements. Utter t*ssers! I feel strongly about this - can you tell?
No, because anyone who has done their driving test and read the highway code would NOT expect to see a cyclist on their side of the road coming towards them. And if that was the rule then at what speed would you stop being a slow cyclist and become a fast one? Its better to have a single general rule.
You have to remember that this advice comes from the Highway code which has to deal with general situations, that cover everything from small children on bikes to time trial races and grannies out for a walk to runners.
You choose which side you want to run, I'm going to stick to the right.
BR2. The Highway code says groups of pedestrians (that is people on foot) should be on the right if there is a small number, but on the left if there is a large number. The reason being that traffic can follow the group and (slowly) work their way up the convoy.
ZZ: when I started running 20 years ago I used to run around a 5 mile loop, on the right, and mentioned to my wife that the camber was causing me problems. She suggested I ran around the loop in the other direction.