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Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
#1624087
18/08/2018 05:20
18/08/2018 05:20
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852 Cambridge & Cotswolds
MeanRedSpider
OP
Je suis un Coupé
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Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
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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.
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: MeanRedSpider]
#1624114
19/08/2018 19:25
19/08/2018 19:25
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783 In the coupe.
magooagain
Club Member 259
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Club Member 259
Forum is my life
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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.
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: MeanRedSpider]
#1624136
20/08/2018 15:48
20/08/2018 15:48
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783 In the coupe.
magooagain
Club Member 259
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Club Member 259
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In the coupe.
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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.
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: skinflint]
#1624266
23/08/2018 19:02
23/08/2018 19:02
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,450 Scottish Borders
G_Man
Club member 1656
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Club member 1656
My job on the forum
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,450
Scottish Borders
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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 .. Err no offence Skinflint
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
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,388 Caston, Norfolk
Blueboyracer
Competition Level
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Competition Level
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,388
Caston, Norfolk
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Don't get me started on cyclists . 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 ...
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: Blueboyracer]
#1624271
23/08/2018 19:29
23/08/2018 19:29
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,051 South Cambs
Barmybob
Hon Club Member: 003
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Hon Club Member: 003
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,051
South Cambs
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Don't get me started on cyclists . ... Try living near Cambridge
Gone Audi mad!
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: MeanRedSpider]
#1624274
23/08/2018 20:05
23/08/2018 20:05
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783 In the coupe.
magooagain
Club Member 259
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Club Member 259
Forum is my life
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
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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.
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: MeanRedSpider]
#1624277
23/08/2018 20:12
23/08/2018 20:12
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,051 South Cambs
Barmybob
Hon Club Member: 003
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Hon Club Member: 003
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,051
South Cambs
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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!
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: Barmybob]
#1624281
24/08/2018 04:20
24/08/2018 04:20
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852 Cambridge & Cotswolds
MeanRedSpider
OP
Je suis un Coupé
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OP
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
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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.
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: MeanRedSpider]
#1624282
24/08/2018 06:34
24/08/2018 06:34
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090 highlands
jimboy
Club Member 857
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Club Member 857
Forum is my life
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Isn't it when your driving a vehicle. ...bloody cyclists & when your cycling. ...bloody drivers...
I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: Blueboyracer]
#1624295
24/08/2018 12:49
24/08/2018 12:49
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852 Cambridge & Cotswolds
MeanRedSpider
OP
Je suis un Coupé
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OP
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
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And this pops up on facebook today lol 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.
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: Blueboyracer]
#1624296
24/08/2018 13:39
24/08/2018 13:39
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090 highlands
jimboy
Club Member 857
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Club Member 857
Forum is my life
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
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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
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: jimboy]
#1624299
24/08/2018 15:59
24/08/2018 15:59
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852 Cambridge & Cotswolds
MeanRedSpider
OP
Je suis un Coupé
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OP
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
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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!
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: MeanRedSpider]
#1624303
24/08/2018 17:53
24/08/2018 17:53
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,275 West Berks
skinflint
I need some sleep
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I need some sleep
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,275
West Berks
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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"...
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: MeanRedSpider]
#1624304
24/08/2018 18:38
24/08/2018 18:38
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783 In the coupe.
magooagain
Club Member 259
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Club Member 259
Forum is my life
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
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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.
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: magooagain]
#1624314
25/08/2018 05:05
25/08/2018 05:05
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852 Cambridge & Cotswolds
MeanRedSpider
OP
Je suis un Coupé
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OP
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
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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???
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: MeanRedSpider]
#1624316
25/08/2018 05:34
25/08/2018 05:34
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 33,521 Berlin
barnacle
Club Member 18 - ex-Minister without Portfolio
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Club Member 18 - ex-Minister without Portfolio
Forum Demigod
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 33,521
Berlin
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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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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783 In the coupe.
magooagain
Club Member 259
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Club Member 259
Forum is my life
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
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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.
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: MeanRedSpider]
#1624320
25/08/2018 06:46
25/08/2018 06:46
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090 highlands
jimboy
Club Member 857
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Club Member 857
Forum is my life
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Posts: 5,090
highlands
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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
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: magooagain]
#1624322
25/08/2018 09:25
25/08/2018 09:25
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852 Cambridge & Cotswolds
MeanRedSpider
OP
Je suis un Coupé
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OP
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
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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.
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: MeanRedSpider]
#1624323
25/08/2018 09:53
25/08/2018 09:53
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,385 Lightwater, Surrey
DaveG
Club Treasurer Member 311
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Club Treasurer Member 311
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,385
Lightwater, Surrey
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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
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: MeanRedSpider]
#1624325
25/08/2018 11:52
25/08/2018 11:52
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783 In the coupe.
magooagain
Club Member 259
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Club Member 259
Forum is my life
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
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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 .
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: DaveG]
#1624326
25/08/2018 11:55
25/08/2018 11:55
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783 In the coupe.
magooagain
Club Member 259
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Club Member 259
Forum is my life
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
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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.
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: MeanRedSpider]
#1624328
25/08/2018 12:25
25/08/2018 12:25
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090 highlands
jimboy
Club Member 857
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Club Member 857
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highlands
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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
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: magooagain]
#1624334
25/08/2018 14:06
25/08/2018 14:06
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,385 Lightwater, Surrey
DaveG
Club Treasurer Member 311
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Club Treasurer Member 311
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,385
Lightwater, Surrey
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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. No problem, I was just checking that we were in agreement here
1996 Portofino 20vt & 2000 Pearl White Plus 1985½ & 2016 2017 Fiat 124 Spider + XF Sportbrake
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: magooagain]
#1624340
25/08/2018 18:47
25/08/2018 18:47
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,275 West Berks
skinflint
I need some sleep
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I need some sleep
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,275
West Berks
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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.
Last edited by skinflint; 25/08/2018 19:14. Reason: useful graph
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: skinflint]
#1624341
25/08/2018 19:01
25/08/2018 19:01
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783 In the coupe.
magooagain
Club Member 259
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Club Member 259
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In the coupe.
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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.
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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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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,462 Kent
Submariner
My job on the forum
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My job on the forum
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,462
Kent
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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. 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.
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: Submariner]
#1624441
28/08/2018 11:10
28/08/2018 11:10
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609 S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped
Club member 1924
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Club member 1924
Forum is my job
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Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
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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.
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: Gripped]
#1624451
28/08/2018 14:46
28/08/2018 14:46
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162 Glos
Brilly1uk
Club member 1034
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Club member 1034
Competition Level
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
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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!
Fiat Coupe 20VT Alfa Romeo Spider BMW X3
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: Gripped]
#1624503
29/08/2018 11:56
29/08/2018 11:56
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,462 Kent
Submariner
My job on the forum
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My job on the forum
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,462
Kent
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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.
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Re: Disillusioned with (Road) Driving
[Re: MeanRedSpider]
#1624507
29/08/2018 16:26
29/08/2018 16:26
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609 S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped
Club member 1924
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Club member 1924
Forum is my job
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
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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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