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Disillusioned with (Road) Driving #1624087
18/08/2018 05:20
18/08/2018 05:20
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Cambridge & Cotswolds
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MeanRedSpider Offline OP
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Obviously not helped by my recent bump, I’m losing any enthusiasm for driving on England’s roads. I’m thinking about what I’d replace the SL with should it turn out to be beyond economic repair (two weeks after the accident, no one has so much as looked at it - a caution to anyone going through Adrian Flux).

I was losing my enthusiasm anyway. The reason, as I shared on here, that I got the SL at all is that many of the roads are no longer an enjoyable place to be. Earlier in the journey to Cambridge before the accident, I was thinking to myself how much I was looking forward to drastically reducing the amount of driving that I’m doing.

It hasn’t been helped by the journeys I did to and from Heathrow on my recent trip. Watching (more critically) from the back of the “taxi”, I was just horrified. The transfer drivers themselves were pretty poor. I’m sure there’s a couple of people who might be saying “Well, you can talk” - and you’d be right - though it was my first accident in about the last 25 years and I can’t remember when I so much as invoked the ABS on any car before that.

My plan is pretty simple: cut my “transport” expenditure and funnel the savings into racing/track.

From October, the vast majority of my driving will be my very short commute to work and I plan to do that journey by bicycle as often as I can. Then carve out the time to go racing as a priority and get to more track days.

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624096
18/08/2018 08:37
18/08/2018 08:37
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Scottish Borders
G_Man Offline
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Don't blame you to be honest frown Here in Warrington we're sandwiched between the M56, M6 and M62 and when it goes Pete Tong on any of these motorways it can be total gridlock. The M6 between here and Birmingham must have at least 30 miles worth of roadworks that makes the journey a chore. Overcrowded roads in the UK will never go away and hey we contribute to it. I tend to train it now mainly to Edinburgh, Birmingham and London and although I enjoy driving the train makes it soooo much easier smile


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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624098
18/08/2018 11:28
18/08/2018 11:28
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highlands
jimboy Offline
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Aye Mrs, you've went from the Highlands of Scotland to congested English Shire. We still have numpties up here, but a bit more road space to act if necessary..... driving


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624099
18/08/2018 11:35
18/08/2018 11:35
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Cambridge & Cotswolds
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MeanRedSpider Offline OP
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Yup - I think the M4 has got “smart” motorway mods going on until 2022 or something. The A14 works around Cambridge are going to take forever too. My heart sinks at the thought of it.

And, yes, you are right, Jim. The Highlands was generally a pretty good place to drive. England Shire is just getting nasty....

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624107
19/08/2018 08:11
19/08/2018 08:11
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Staffordshire
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Two thirds of my daily 70-mile round trip commute is on either dual carriageway or motorway. The rest is on A road, with just one medium size town to drive through

My average speed is 27mph..... an absolute waste of 2.5 hours a day

There’s the possibility of a career change coming up which will drop the daily commute to 3 miles driving or about 1.5 miles walking - I can’t wait...


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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: Nigel] #1624109
19/08/2018 09:32
19/08/2018 09:32
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South Cambs
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Career change... I'm thinking of following Joe and retiring to France shocked


Gone Audi mad!
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624114
19/08/2018 19:25
19/08/2018 19:25
Joined: Oct 2008
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In the coupe.
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Driving the country roads of France is a delight as long as one is aware of agricultural traffic.
I'm spoilt as I have a circuit just down the road,so I can get my speed fix easy enough.

The driving standards in this area are poor and defensive driving is advised. But I find driving here very relaxing and enjoyable.

Gill and I have had many driving holidays around France and plan to do more.
Work gets in the way of having more fun mind.



Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624121
20/08/2018 09:51
20/08/2018 09:51
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Staffordshire
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My son and I once got very lost on the way down to Le Mans in the Coupe - whilst it was a bit annoying to lose the time, the actual experience of driving on French country roads was quite enjoyable.

Very quiet, nice scenery, but quite modest speed limits

My only real concern is that a large number of French cars appear to be completely devoid of straight body panels - not sure I'd want to get into a road-rage situation with anyone, as a bit of argy-bargy appears to be a common solution


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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624128
20/08/2018 12:37
20/08/2018 12:37
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Cambridge & Cotswolds
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MeanRedSpider Offline OP
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Cambridge & Cotswolds
Paris is quite remarkable from a body panel point of view. It’s not if your car will be hit but when. That mentality must spread to the regions. I love French roads.

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624136
20/08/2018 15:48
20/08/2018 15:48
Joined: Oct 2008
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In the coupe.
magooagain Offline
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I have French pal that uses his barn wall as a gauge. When he scraps up the side of the wall in his car he then knows his other side is off the road!

In the country areas a lot of older drivers are just not used to the increase in traffic.

There is a tiny mini roundabout as you enter our main village. So as I'm driving on the right,I then have to give way to traffic merging onto the roundabout from the left.
But the majority of French drivers still think it a junction like it used to be.
So they stop at the roundabout and want to use the old priority a droit rule.

So there you have it. Stalemate! I just leave them there and pull onto the roundabout .
Dangerous tailgating is rife in every type of scenario.



Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624137
20/08/2018 16:16
20/08/2018 16:16
Joined: Mar 2007
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Auld Reekie
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Off to Normandy in 10 days time driving so will be fully alert! shocked


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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624138
20/08/2018 16:19
20/08/2018 16:19
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highlands
jimboy Offline
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In my welding days towards the end, I worked in Holland & Belgium. Driving in Holland was a simple affair, Belgium was a different kettle of fish. I was given an old diesel Golf, the gear stick was like stirring porridge, this all added to the driving experience keeping out of the way of the mad drivers. Even the newish cars were riddled with scrapes & dents. Happy memories..... laugh


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624160
21/08/2018 09:16
21/08/2018 09:16
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I came back from Belgium over the weekend and noted the standard of driving was even worse than here, I hate driving in belgium. As soon as I got back in to england I recalled why I hate driving here... Road works.
I think I drove though 6 sets of roadworks, miles upon miles of coned off motorway with nothing going on, Random 50mph spots with no reason (it was 11pm) The motorway out of dover looked like it had actually been bombed.

Over an hour added because of road works with no sign of activity. If I travel for work, i take the train. I just do not understand how we can repair so badly and so slowly our road infrastructure.

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624161
21/08/2018 09:39
21/08/2018 09:39
Joined: Feb 2007
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West Berks
skinflint Offline
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What gets me on the roads is that we've all fallen out of love with each other - like we do in every situation where there's a scarce resource.

The only camaraderie out there is between cyclists. I regularly pair up with complete strangers to draft through a headwind, and almost everybody acknowledges you as you ride past in the opposite direction.

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: skinflint] #1624266
23/08/2018 19:02
23/08/2018 19:02
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,450
Scottish Borders
G_Man Offline
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Don't get me started on cyclists - most of them are a blight on the road and think they have this superiority that they're doing something for the environment. The camaraderie does not extend to other road users and twice this week whilst in London I've seen cyclists kick cars as they think they've got too close to them whilst moving slowly in traffic - what's all that about? Also why do some think they've got some sort of road traffic exemption that they can cycle through red lights then the cyclist lobby goes off on one with the lack of respect / awareness drivers have for cyclists. Anyway I'll get off my soap box .. coat Err no offence Skinflint wink

Last edited by G_Man; 23/08/2018 19:05.

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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: G_Man] #1624269
23/08/2018 19:10
23/08/2018 19:10
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,388
Caston, Norfolk
Blueboyracer Offline
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Originally Posted By G_Man
Don't get me started on cyclists . coat


OMG bicyclisters are moving hazards who have double standards I simply can’t understand.
They come past me in traffic either on the wrong side of the road, on the pavement or too close to my car, but when I don’t cross to the other carriageway to overtake they try to hunt me down to swear and threaten me about scaring them out their skin. And don’t even get me started on pelatons or even pairs of them cycling two abreast ...

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: Blueboyracer] #1624271
23/08/2018 19:29
23/08/2018 19:29
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Originally Posted By BBR
Originally Posted By G_Man
Don't get me started on cyclists . coat


...


Try living near Cambridge grr


Gone Audi mad!
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624272
23/08/2018 19:30
23/08/2018 19:30
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Cambridge & Cotswolds
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MeanRedSpider Offline OP
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I think we’ll probably fall out over cycling. Few motorised vehicle drivers (who need to be licensed to be on the road) have died due to cyclists. Thousands of cyclists (who have a right to be on the road) have been killed by motorised vehicles.

That probably explains why cyclists get upset when they feel their lives threatened.

Drivers get upset because cyclists hold them up for a few seconds.

There are some dickhead cyclists out there who are inconsiderate and do stupid things like jump red lights - I’ll be the first to shout at them (when I’m on my bike) because they give cyclists a bad name.

But there are a fraction of the number of cyclists out there compared to other motor vehicles.

If you can’t understand cyclists, borrow a bike and ride around for a few hours. You’ll soon get it.

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624274
23/08/2018 20:05
23/08/2018 20:05
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In the coupe.
magooagain Offline
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The cycling issue is very fragile amongst motorists and cyclists. And to be fair it won't get any better until cyclists are taken off the road onto thier own sort of highway.
There is no place for them on the modern highway when cars weighing over two tons with the drivers brains only weighing two grams.

Cyclists are way to aggressive to be on a vehicle highway and drivers don't know any different.
Separate them I say and let's save lives.



Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624277
23/08/2018 20:12
23/08/2018 20:12
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Good luck finding a cyclist that follows any rules in Cambridge. You'll likely find more cyclists riding on the wrong side of the road and on pavements than stopping at red lights!

But I guarantee they'll be calling the new hotline to report other road users from getting too close to them, despite it being them that rode alongside the bus / truck / car placing themselves in danger.

Considering how close I live to the city I avoid Cambridge as much as possible, I visit just once or twice a year now!


Gone Audi mad!
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624280
23/08/2018 20:38
23/08/2018 20:38
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barnacle Offline
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Of course, there are still one or two drivers out there who will wait until the oncoming traffic is clear so that an overtaking manoeuvre on the adjacent lane is possible.

But I think I'm in a minority...


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Don't get no respect! Coupe Fiat 1994-2000 - an owner's guide <-- clicky!
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: Barmybob] #1624281
24/08/2018 04:20
24/08/2018 04:20
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Cambridge & Cotswolds
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MeanRedSpider Offline OP
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Originally Posted By Barmybob
Good luck finding a cyclist that follows any rules in Cambridge.


I’ve spent much of the last two years in Cambridge and driving across from Chesterton to Addenbrooke’s. The only real gripe I’ve had is how many cyclists don’t use lights at night. Many of Cambridge’s cyclists are foreign.

The problems with driving in Cambridge are rarely anything to do with cyclists. There’s just far too many cars in too little space with roads that have hardly changed in the 50 years that I’ve been living in Cambridge on and off. The cyclists have always been there - it’s the cars and lorries that have got worse.

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624282
24/08/2018 06:34
24/08/2018 06:34
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highlands
jimboy Offline
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Isn't it when your driving a vehicle. driving ...bloody cyclists & when your cycling. curse ...bloody drivers... yes


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624289
24/08/2018 08:32
24/08/2018 08:32
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Caston, Norfolk
Blueboyracer Offline
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You would not catch me driving a bicycle on a road

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624293
24/08/2018 11:48
24/08/2018 11:48
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Posts: 2,388
Caston, Norfolk
Blueboyracer Offline
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And this pops up on facebook today lol

click to enlarge

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: Blueboyracer] #1624295
24/08/2018 12:49
24/08/2018 12:49
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Cambridge & Cotswolds
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MeanRedSpider Offline OP
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Originally Posted By BBR
And this pops up on facebook today lol

click to enlarge


He has every right to be there. Whether it’s selfish or not is another question.

I’ve avoided cycle paths in the past. Often because they can be terribly designed and suddenly dump you into the road at some crazy point. Also, pedestrians on shared/divided paths can be a nightmare. If you’re cycling at 20mph if often much safer to ride in the road.

As a country, we should want to see more people on bikes not fewer. We’ll get like the Yanks where everyone just drives everywhere.

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: Blueboyracer] #1624296
24/08/2018 13:39
24/08/2018 13:39
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jimboy Offline
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Originally Posted By BBR
You would not catch me driving a bicycle on a road


Aye Rich, my cycling days are pretty much over as well. Up here it's not too bad compared to down south, but still dodgy on a bicycle for various reasons.


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: jimboy] #1624299
24/08/2018 15:59
24/08/2018 15:59
Joined: Mar 2006
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Cambridge & Cotswolds
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MeanRedSpider Offline OP
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Cambridge & Cotswolds
Originally Posted By jimboy
Originally Posted By BBR
You would not catch me driving a bicycle on a road


Aye Rich, my cycling days are pretty much over as well. Up here it's not too bad compared to down south, but still dodgy on a bicycle for various reasons.


Ha - yes. I spoke the the police inspector in Dingwall after a BMW X6, overtaking at a junction, nearly had me (I was turning left at the time at the junction - the overtaking X6 was blaring his horn at me). The inspector said that, if I didn’t feel safe on the road, I shouldn’t cycle. What a w@nker!

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624303
24/08/2018 17:53
24/08/2018 17:53
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West Berks
skinflint Offline
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Originally Posted By MeanRedSpider

As a country, we should want to see more people on bikes not fewer. We’ll get like the Yanks where everyone just drives everywhere.


I totally agree.

As a lover of both modes of transport it is a shame that opinion has turned against cyclists so much over a couple of years.

I am barely ever held up by cyclists, but I do feel jealous of them when I'm in the car, particularly when the traffic isn't moving.

Cars have a 2 abreast configuration.
My car weighs 200 times more than my bicycle, but is only twice as fast for average speed on the commute.
The nerve to call a cyclist "selfish"...

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624304
24/08/2018 18:38
24/08/2018 18:38
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In the coupe.
magooagain Offline
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Originally Posted By MeanRedSpider
Originally Posted By jimboy
Originally Posted By BBR
You would not catch me driving a bicycle on a road


Aye Rich, my cycling days are pretty much over as well. Up here it's not too bad compared to down south, but still dodgy on a bicycle for various reasons.


Ha - yes. I spoke the the police inspector in Dingwall after a BMW X6, overtaking at a junction, nearly had me (I was turning left at the time at the junction - the overtaking X6 was blaring his horn at me). The inspector said that, if I didn’t feel safe on the road, I shouldn’t cycle. What a w@nker!







Sorry mrs I make the copper right.



Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: magooagain] #1624314
25/08/2018 05:05
25/08/2018 05:05
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MeanRedSpider Offline OP
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Originally Posted By magooagain
Originally Posted By MeanRedSpider
Originally Posted By jimboy
Originally Posted By BBR
You would not catch me driving a bicycle on a road


Aye Rich, my cycling days are pretty much over as well. Up here it's not too bad compared to down south, but still dodgy on a bicycle for various reasons.


Ha - yes. I spoke the the police inspector in Dingwall after a BMW X6, overtaking at a junction, nearly had me (I was turning left at the time at the junction - the overtaking X6 was blaring his horn at me). The inspector said that, if I didn’t feel safe on the road, I shouldn’t cycle. What a w@nker!







Sorry mrs I make the copper right.


By that principle, if your partner/wife/daughter/mother is threatened on a dark night and is therefore scared to go out, she just shouldn’t go out???

The copper is basically saying: “ we can’t maintain the law so it’s up to you to take the risk”

And you think that’s right???

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624316
25/08/2018 05:34
25/08/2018 05:34
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There is something about being in a car, particularly on your own, that makes some otherwise perfectly normal, likeable, sociable people into raving psychopaths. It's perhaps similar to the mild-mannered Clark Kent -> Keyboard Warrior transformation... I can't explain it, but it happens.

And for some reason, cyclists in particular seem to get the brunt of their aggressive behaviour. I'm not at all surprised that cyclists respond in a similar way.

Using the road when there is a 'perfectly good' cycle path is legal, and given the condition of cycle paths, usually safer. Riding two abreast on the highway is also legal - and has the advantage that any vehicle wishing to overtake *can't* squeeze past; it has to move to another lane.

Does it really matter if you spend ten or fifteen seconds waiting for a gap in oncoming traffic for a space to overtake a cyclist?

I hold no brief for the cyclists who behave like idiots; the ones who ride in the dark dressed in black and with no lights, or lights like anemic fireflies; the ones who seem unaware of the purpose of traffic lights or pedestrian crossings; the ones who assume that you will be responsible for their mistakes or ignoring the road laws. But for the sensible majority? No problem... and if my drive is fifteen seconds longer? So what...


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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624318
25/08/2018 05:57
25/08/2018 05:57
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magooagain Offline
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If law can't be maintained then why would threatened people go out?

In the cyclist case then why put themselves in such a dangerous environment ?

It's everyone's right (in general) to use the highway ,but why would you put yourselves in danger when being vunerable on a bike,in a soft squidgy kind of way.

Some motorists and cyclists behave out of character when on the road and do the strangest things at stressful and pivotal times.



Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624320
25/08/2018 06:46
25/08/2018 06:46
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highlands
jimboy Offline
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Drivers,cyclists,pedestrians are obviously human, & because of this all possess characteristics that are good, bad & indifferent. Let's face it, you venture forth on your chosen mode of transport & you put your trust/safety in the hands of other road users. Driving a car for instance, quite simply you hope that the vehicles coming towards you don't veer into you for any reason. A simplistic view perhaps but you do this every time you are driving.


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: magooagain] #1624322
25/08/2018 09:25
25/08/2018 09:25
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Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline OP
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Originally Posted By magooagain

It's everyone's right (in general) to use the highway


That’s not (in general) true. Pedestrians, horses, carts and cycles have the right to use the highways (excluding motorways). Everybody else uses it under licence which can be taken away.

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624323
25/08/2018 09:53
25/08/2018 09:53
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Lightwater, Surrey
DaveG Offline
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Originally Posted By magooagain
Originally Posted By MeanRedSpider
I spoke the the police inspector in Dingwall after a BMW X6, overtaking at a junction, nearly had me (I was turning left at the time at the junction - the overtaking X6 was blaring his horn at me). The inspector said that, if I didn’t feel safe on the road, I shouldn’t cycle. What a w@nker!

Sorry mrs I make the copper right.

But not right in terms of the rules of the road, see Highway Code


1996 Portofino 20vt & 2000 Pearl White Plus
1985½ & 2016 2017 Fiat 124 Spider + XF Sportbrake
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624325
25/08/2018 11:52
25/08/2018 11:52
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magooagain Offline
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Originally Posted By MeanRedSpider
Originally Posted By magooagain

It's everyone's right (in general) to use the highway


That’s not (in general) true. Pedestrians, horses, carts and cycles have the right to use the highways (excluding motorways). Everybody else uses it under licence which can be taken away.








Point taken. It's a shame cyclists are not under license.
Mind you that might make them feel even more aggrieved .



Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: DaveG] #1624326
25/08/2018 11:55
25/08/2018 11:55
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magooagain Offline
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But we're not talking about the rules Dave in this instance.
We're talking about what a wan@er copper said to mrs,and I was just generalizing.



Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624328
25/08/2018 12:25
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jimboy Offline
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This the thing, in my last post simply put... when you factor in a human being especially in situations like this you are always going to have exchanges one way or another. Society these days does seem to throw up the badness/nasty in individuals in many ways & we seem to be wrapt up in our little bubble & dare anyone who tries to enter with a different point of view.


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: magooagain] #1624334
25/08/2018 14:06
25/08/2018 14:06
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DaveG Offline
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Originally Posted By magooagain
But we're not talking about the rules Dave in this instance.
We're talking about what a wan@er copper said to mrs,and I was just generalizing.

No problem, I was just checking that we were in agreement here thumb


1996 Portofino 20vt & 2000 Pearl White Plus
1985½ & 2016 2017 Fiat 124 Spider + XF Sportbrake
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: magooagain] #1624340
25/08/2018 18:47
25/08/2018 18:47
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Posts: 3,275
West Berks
skinflint Offline
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Originally Posted By magooagain
why would you put yourselves in danger when being vunerable on a bike,in a soft squidgy kind of way.

Because the benefits massively outweigh the risks.
There's a Govt paper on it here.

It boils down to a small chance that you'll get killed on the road vs. a very significant one of a miserable and sickly old age.

The paper strongly suggests that we need new cyclists and we need cycling to replace car travel for maximum benefit.

click to enlarge

Last edited by skinflint; 25/08/2018 19:14. Reason: useful graph
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: skinflint] #1624341
25/08/2018 19:01
25/08/2018 19:01
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magooagain Offline
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That's fine for folks that feel the need,and I know cycling is an extremely healthy past time for some. But not if you are going to get mashed etc.

In my case I carry out very heavy phyisical hard work on a daily basis and have done since before I was 16 years old(now 60).
I walk a lot also maybe over 10 klm a day.so I don't need or want to ride a bike. But surprise surprise I hire them when on holiday in places that have completely isolated bike tracks and ways from other forms of transport.

You may know I live in France and therefore I see many cyclists most days,In fact I think there are about three clubs in my local town.

But what they all have in common is lots and lots of empty roads.

So guess what,there is not so many injuries and less road rage from both cyclists or drivers.
But then again the French people are very polite and courteous . Apart from isle de France of course.



Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624343
25/08/2018 19:24
25/08/2018 19:24
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skinflint Offline
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That's fair but it comes down to working out a safe route for the commute and being visible.

I totally agree about French roads. Bliss.

Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624353
26/08/2018 06:08
26/08/2018 06:08
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An excellent discussion of the rights and responsibilities of both cyclists and drivers can be found here: http://www.bikehub.co.uk/featured-articles/cycling-and-the-law/


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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624402
27/08/2018 15:04
27/08/2018 15:04
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Posts: 1,462
Kent
Submariner Offline
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Originally Posted By MeanRedSpider
Obviously not helped by my recent bump, I’m losing any enthusiasm for driving on England’s roads. I’m thinking about what I’d replace the SL with should it turn out to be beyond economic repair (two weeks after the accident, no one has so much as looked at it - a caution to anyone going through Adrian Flux).

I was losing my enthusiasm anyway. The reason, as I shared on here, that I got the SL at all is that many of the roads are no longer an enjoyable place to be. Earlier in the journey to Cambridge before the accident, I was thinking to myself how much I was looking forward to drastically reducing the amount of driving that I’m doing.

It hasn’t been helped by the journeys I did to and from Heathrow on my recent trip. Watching (more critically) from the back of the “taxi”, I was just horrified. The transfer drivers themselves were pretty poor. I’m sure there’s a couple of people who might be saying “Well, you can talk” - and you’d be right - though it was my first accident in about the last 25 years and I can’t remember when I so much as invoked the ABS on any car before that.

My plan is pretty simple: cut my “transport” expenditure and funnel the savings into racing/track.

From October, the vast majority of my driving will be my very short commute to work and I plan to do that journey by bicycle as often as I can. Then carve out the time to go racing as a priority and get to more track days.


I agree, I don't commute at all thankfully but I do MTB and road bike 5+ times a week. I still enjoy B road drives/blasts early in the morning or later in the evening especially on a Sunday; roads in Kent and Sussex are relatively quiet where I live and a low powered car such as my TF is good fun and far more involving than the 20vt to drive. There is obviously the difference of necessity to drive and the ability to choose to drive just for the sake of a drive, visit a new place, have a coffee and a cake etc, enjoy the sun.

Week before last I had a solo trip on the motorcycle to the Loire Valley and racked up 1200 beautiful miles on French roads, even with the lower speed limit on N roads etc (honest).

Just got back today from a trip in the Bongo with my daughter wild camping in Suffolk and the Norfolk coast for 4 days, 550miles of bliss, cruising at 55mph max, we had a fantastic time bimbling about. Pace of life was slow and the people appeared far more courteous on the roads than the SE.

Last edited by Submariner; 27/08/2018 15:10.
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: Submariner] #1624441
28/08/2018 11:10
28/08/2018 11:10
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Gripped Offline
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Originally Posted By Submariner\
Week before last I had a solo trip on the motorcycle to the Loire Valley and racked up 1200 beautiful miles on French roads, even with the lower speed limit on N roads etc (honest).

Just got back today from a trip in the Bongo with my daughter wild camping in Suffolk and the Norfolk coast for 4 days, 550miles of bliss, cruising at 55mph max, we had a fantastic time bimbling about. Pace of life was slow and the people appeared far more courteous on the roads than the SE.


What bike have you got Sub?

We've got a Bongo too... for us the 55mph bit is more of a necessity for fuel economy, as they love to drink (regardless of fuel type) ! But as an auto, they are a very chilled out vehicle to drive. We often feel the nice "Bongo vibes" when we're off somewhere.

We've looked at "upgrading" to a larger van, but something is preventing me from parting with the Bongo... it's part of the family.

Last edited by Gripped; 28/08/2018 11:12.
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: Gripped] #1624451
28/08/2018 14:46
28/08/2018 14:46
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Originally Posted By Gripped
Originally Posted By Submariner\
Week before last I had a solo trip on the motorcycle to the Loire Valley and racked up 1200 beautiful miles on French roads, even with the lower speed limit on N roads etc (honest).

Just got back today from a trip in the Bongo with my daughter wild camping in Suffolk and the Norfolk coast for 4 days, 550miles of bliss, cruising at 55mph max, we had a fantastic time bimbling about. Pace of life was slow and the people appeared far more courteous on the roads than the SE.


What bike have you got Sub?

We've got a Bongo too... for us the 55mph bit is more of a necessity for fuel economy, as they love to drink (regardless of fuel type) ! But as an auto, they are a very chilled out vehicle to drive. We often feel the nice "Bongo vibes" when we're off somewhere.

We've looked at "upgrading" to a larger van, but something is preventing me from parting with the Bongo... it's part of the family.


Gripped - your are clearly bongers! laugh


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: Gripped] #1624503
29/08/2018 11:56
29/08/2018 11:56
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,462
Kent
Submariner Offline
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Kent
Originally Posted By Gripped
Originally Posted By Submariner\
Week before last I had a solo trip on the motorcycle to the Loire Valley and racked up 1200 beautiful miles on French roads, even with the lower speed limit on N roads etc (honest).

Just got back today from a trip in the Bongo with my daughter wild camping in Suffolk and the Norfolk coast for 4 days, 550miles of bliss, cruising at 55mph max, we had a fantastic time bimbling about. Pace of life was slow and the people appeared far more courteous on the roads than the SE.




What bike have you got Sub?

We've got a Bongo too... for us the 55mph bit is more of a necessity for fuel economy, as they love to drink (regardless of fuel type) ! But as an auto, they are a very chilled out vehicle to drive. We often feel the nice "Bongo vibes" when we're off somewhere.

We've looked at "upgrading" to a larger van, but something is preventing me from parting with the Bongo... it's part of the family.


I have sold my sports bikes...now just have a VStrom 1000 which I really like, had a GS12 before a few year's ago and had nothing but issues with it, not so with the 'Strom, it has been bulletproof.

I know what you mean about the Bongo, it really is a great van, compromised in many ways but utterly brilliant as an all rounder and relatively cheap to buy and run in 'camper' terms. My daughter says the Bongo is like a Snail, slow, lumbering and has it's house on it's back. There is something amazing about driving your 'home' about and being able to stop have lunch and a cup of tea etc in the back and then later park up and sleep for the night. I love it!

Last edited by Submariner; 29/08/2018 12:00.
Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1624507
29/08/2018 16:26
29/08/2018 16:26
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S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
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Like the Vstrom. Nearly got the 650, but ended up with a Kwak Versys 650. Had two in a row. Great bikes, but I'm getting bored now.... Tempted to get a VFR again.. just love the V4 sound.

Still loving the Bongo. Off to Shropshire for the next trip ! Also find it great for mountain bike trips (with bike rack) towing trailers to the tip and carting furniture about!

Last edited by Gripped; 29/08/2018 16:27.
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