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Supreme Being
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 15th July 2009 14:41
Posts: 377,
Visits: 2,187
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| Do I live in France? Am I riding on the wrong side of the road unwittingly and am just fortunate not to have been nicked yet? No I'm bloody not. Why do the majority of the tin box pilots on the road drive on the right whilst travelling on dual carraigeways when the left hand lane is completely empty? The other day I had to undertake just under a mile of traffic because they just would not get out the way. I realise it's illegal and am not boasting about it but the drivers in front of me knew I was there because I saw them checking their mirrors. But would they move, would they bollox! I drive a car and Im always checking my rear view mirror for approaching traffic especially fast moving bikes and I get out of their way. Is it just a symptom of the crowded South East or does it happen where you are?
Sideways through time
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 21st May 2009 15:43
Posts: 445,
Visits: 814
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I share your anger!  I too drive cars and I was taught your natural driving position is on the left side of the road. Why on earth some 'tin box pilots' think it's better to slow everybody down by driving on the right is beyond me.  You know what else grinds my gears.... middle lane hoggers. That pi$$es me off even more! Riding a 125 means a very limited power range so when I approach a car doing 50mph in the middle lane and won't move over, I have to skip to the outside to go around them. Having a max speed of about 60, and not much in the way of acceleration means it's bloody dangerous! So sod it, I'll undertake them. Personally I don't care if it's against the law, it'll be dangerous for me to do anything else. 
Yamaha FZS 600 Fazer ... in gold! Ride safe, and look out for the Rainbow of Death! There're only 3 kinds of people in the world, those who can count, and those that can't. Roses are red, Violets are Blue, I'm a schizophrenic ..... and so am I! Take pity on the man who invented the drawing board, when he screwed up, he had nothing to fall back on. Stuff everything, I've always got my bike.
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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 20th April 2007 08:19
Posts: 7,
Visits: 23
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Your first word in the post says it all - IGNORANT.
The average car driver thought processes go something like this...
"If I get into this 'fast' lane, I'll get there quicker. Outta my way a$$hole...!"
"If I move over for this clown behind me, I'll be stuck in this 'slow' lane for ever"
And so on ad finitum. Add your own.
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Nobody is perfect. I am nobody.
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Supreme Being
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 15th July 2009 14:41
Posts: 377,
Visits: 2,187
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I think if only they knew how quick and manouverable a bike is they would geddout of the way, but like you say its all so processional no one wants to give any ground. The best you usually get is a slight veer to the left but remaining in the overtaking lane, not good enough in my book, they should shift lanes completely.
Sideways through time
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Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4th September 2008 09:43
Posts: 25,
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On the subject of traffic induced rage:
The endless and irritating procession of cars, vans, lorries, caravans, motorhomes, buses, taxis, Volvo XC90 drivers (what is the point of an XC90, huh?) is all a goddamn plot to upset my normally tranquil demeanour. They force me into making manouvres I don't want to make, and generally impede my progress. They destroy what little motoring satisfaction there is left to be had in my over-crowded, poorly maintained and ultimately dangerous little corner of the South East.
But it's not only morons in slower vehicles occupying the middle or outside lanes of dual-carriageways and motorways that upset me (surprise, surprise). It could be just about any vehicle occupying any space in close proximity to where I happen to be that makes my blood boil.
Drivers moving too slowly; drivers pulling up too fast at junctions that I am approaching; drivers tailgating me when I am in no position to move out the way; drivers with fog lights on (can you honestly think of a time when you really need them - even over the past few days?); drivers that leave fog lights on, long after the air has cleared; oncoming drivers that swerve towards me because they've dropped the CD case for whatever sterile strain of processed pap they happen to be listening to; drivers that think it's okay to guzzle a skinful of ale before taking to the roads (go on - argue it's okay, you rowdy rebels who don't care about the rules. On a bike you're more likely to do yourself in, but is that okay? Is that okay for the people who have to clear up the mess? Is that okay for your family? Hmm? Don't feckin' do it. It's simple.); drivers of veeeery sloooow vehicles (tractors etc) that cause a massive tailback and still don't pull over; oh the list is almost endless; drivers with red noses on their cars; drivers with 'baby on board' stickers; drivers with any variation on this theme - Princess, Little Terrors, Bebe a bord (feckin' pretentious, or what?) - the list just keeps on growing on a daily basis. And it makes me cross.
By the way, I haven't ridden a bike for about a decade, having done so for many years, in all conditions, in numerous countries, with the throttle nailed to full opposite lock most of the time and the scars/arthritic knees etc to prove it. I now drive a Suzuki Ignis Sport - you know, the JWRC-based rally car lookalike that screams pikey, but is really the cheapest, most fun tool for scratching down the lanes that isn't a bike, if only the other feckers on the road would let me enjoy it.
Rant over. For now. Anyone disagree - with anything?
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I'm only trying to help you, Roland.
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Supreme Being
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 15th July 2009 14:41
Posts: 377,
Visits: 2,187
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| Excellent I am not alone, a kindred spirit, despite the bikeless decade. Lorries. Stick the bloody freight in a re-invested railway system, get the pool of out of work lorry drivers to re-train working for the railway, less congestion straight away.thus more room on the roads for us. Caravans make them drive at night. Bikers have priority in the fast lane, er I mean overtaking lane.And another thing, camera's in the wrong place, kerching revenue earners. Outside schools, hospitals etc good thing I agree but halfway down a dual cariageway which has no turn offs or pedestrian area's what's that all about? Harrumph! Very true, tyres do not lie!
Sideways through time
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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 20th April 2007 08:19
Posts: 7,
Visits: 23
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Will you two guys PM me when you're going out, so I can be nowhere near either of you.
You don't own the road, and other road users are not there simply to get out of your way.
We all pay to use the road. It ain't perfect but it's the best we're gonna get. Unless you know different.......!
Learn to chill, both of ya's.....
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Nobody is perfect. I am nobody.
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Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4th September 2008 09:43
Posts: 25,
Visits: 48
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Learn to chill? It's a battle zone out there, old boy, and the price for a serious lapse in defensive riding/driving is too steep for me. Are you seriously saying you can and do tolerate any form of motoring transgression?
Bimbling along admiring butterflies/rare hedgerow creatures is all well and good if you're in walking mode, but not when you're in charge of a potentially lethal weapon. Anyone that seeks to encroach on my space (yes, my space), whether deliberately or through lack of concentration, deserves flak (note extended war metaphor here). Don't try and defend the indefensible - unless of course you exist in some karmic state and know what lies ahead.
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I'm only trying to help you, Roland.
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 21st May 2009 15:43
Posts: 445,
Visits: 814
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| I'll tell you what, I'f you can keep calm out there on the roads, publish a book and get lots of money. There isn't a day that goes past that I'll scream at some idiotic prepubescent driver with acne for not indicating. Sounds soooo pedantic I know but those little orange flashing bulbs can save my life, and yours. How many times have you been sitting at a roundabout, looking for the gap to move out into. Round the corner comes a car with no indication. I followed a lorry home from work before Christmas, he nearly smashed into a car because they thought he was going to turn off before them... he didn't. He bimbled around and very nearly took the front end off a car. The little dear driving (another rant about old people later) was shocked! (I was shocked she stopped in time!) Use your indicators... so simple it hurts! Old people... now I'm not sure on the general age of poeple on the forum but I'm assuming that most of us, if not all, are under 70. Now, I'm not saying at 70 you should stop driving, don't get me wrong here, but I feel older citizens should be made to retake thier test or take a freshers course or something so that way we can be sure that they know what they're doing!! Mobile Phones..... Death to anyone I see talking on one of those things whilst driving! Especially if they nearly take me off! Nearly happened once, the guy mouthed sorry (as I flipped him the bird) and pi$$ed off. Grr.... You could be the safest, momst defensive and placid driver in the world but one mistake by someone else could see you in the central reservation on the M25 at 70mph and WHAM... game over. 
Yamaha FZS 600 Fazer ... in gold! Ride safe, and look out for the Rainbow of Death! There're only 3 kinds of people in the world, those who can count, and those that can't. Roses are red, Violets are Blue, I'm a schizophrenic ..... and so am I! Take pity on the man who invented the drawing board, when he screwed up, he had nothing to fall back on. Stuff everything, I've always got my bike.
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 21st May 2009 15:43
Posts: 445,
Visits: 814
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| Here's another one for you... On my way home yesterday I was overtaken by a a rather inpatient driver. He over took me on a roundabout when we were both going for the same exit. He gunned it, threw it down my inside and cut straight across in front of me, narrowly avoiding the center Island. I was fuming! What if I'd've had to swerve to avoid something? Or, it being a particaularly wet day yesterday, I had come off? I wouldn't have stood a chance. And this wasn't just some teenager that's just passed, this was an Audi A4 with a bloke in a suit driving. It was dark, but that's how sodding close he was to me. To make it worse, he got about another 20 meters in front of me because a car was just ahead of me. I was so furious I followed him back to his house, hell bent on giving him a damn good talking to... I didn't. I followed him for a little bit but gave up, knowing it probably won't sink in. Would I have been right to have followed him and spoken to him? I'm no Police officer, just someone who cares for his safety and others around me. What if he does it to a someone else and they panic and loose it? I would put money on the fact he wouldn't've stopped to help.
Yamaha FZS 600 Fazer ... in gold! Ride safe, and look out for the Rainbow of Death! There're only 3 kinds of people in the world, those who can count, and those that can't. Roses are red, Violets are Blue, I'm a schizophrenic ..... and so am I! Take pity on the man who invented the drawing board, when he screwed up, he had nothing to fall back on. Stuff everything, I've always got my bike.
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