Sir, – Having been born in the flatlands of Hull, I started cycling at a fairly tender age.When I was old enough to use public roads, my father told me very clearly that, if I were with someone else and there were any other vehicles on the road, we must always ride in single file.

This was particularly important when, in later years, I embarked upon cycling holidays at home and on the Continent.

Does this practice no longer hold?

On Sunday morning, we set off for church in Low Row but unfortunately our timing coincided with a cyclists’ rally from, I think, Darlington. In some parts of the journey, the cyclists occupied the whole carriageway, often being almost three abreast when overtaking.

The cars behind them were very considerate and, for quite long stretches, drove at 20mph.

On those winding, relatively narrow Swaledale roads, one is worried that, one day, a motorist will get frustrated and not give the cyclists a wide enough berth with serious, even fatal, consequences.

We were much relieved when the group of cyclists turned for Leyburn at the Downholme junction. One has no wish to make life difficult for cyclists but, fair’s fair, adopting single file on a busy road is surely not too much to ask.

DAPHNE CLARKE Frenchgate, Richmond.