I drove again today - help!

DonDaddyD

There was a reason for this, that I won't bore you with.

Anyway, I drove to work. First I had to get petrol.... The whole journey, including the dreaded 'find somewhere to park' took me 1hr and 30 mins. This is nearly twice as long as it takes me to ride by bike along the same identical route. I never knew how much filtering to the front and simply through traffic helps speed up the journey - I was stuck at several lights for multiple reds, this isn't a problem when on the bike.

Saw a cyclist RLJ and can firmly say that from the motorists point of view, such a thing is dangerous and stupid. I could have easily crashed into him, purely because of the position and situation he (the cyclist) put himself in.

I'd also say, if you haven't got lights GET SOME F*CKING LIGHTS YOU CHEAPSKATE. Its not clever its not safe! If you have lights check that the flaming battery works and isn't running out thereby making your lights dim and almost usless.

Also weirdly, don't ride in the gutter, this allows cars to (i) not notice you as much (ii) get too close or pass you at speed. Ride futher out in the road, become a potential obsitcle to pass (not a hazard), I found cyclist riding slightly further out into the road were a lot more visible becuase I was simply more aware of them.

ChrisLS

...me to ...after lasts weeks spill on ice I'm not taking chances...plus energy levels seem low at the moment so some "active recovery" won't hurt me...

...great to meet you Friday DonDaddyD... 8)

il_principe

DonDaddyD wrote:

Also weirdly, don't ride in the gutter, this allows cars to (i) not notice you as much (ii) get too close or pass you at speed. Ride futher out in the road, become a potential obsitcle to pass (not a hazard), I found cyclist riding slightly further out into the road were a lot more visible becuase I was simply more aware of them.

This is called riding in Primary and is well worth doing. Reminds drivers you have a right to be on the road, makes you visible, stops you from getting doored and means you aren't riding over the usual gutter debris.

Recommend having a gander at this:


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyclecraft-Skilled-Cycling-Techniques-Adults/dp/0117020516/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228220918&sr=8-2

lost_in_thought

Agreed 100% on the 'don't ride in the gutter'. I try to position myself where drivers would expect to see a car, but am also careful not to be in the way as far as possible.

I got my licence when I was still at boarding school in Cambridge and freely admit that at the time I was not a good driver, although I hasten to point out that I am not implying the same about you DDD.

I used to be regularly taken by surprise by cyclists who had been 'hiding' in the gutter, who had been obscured from my view for whatever reason, probably partially by my not looking. Fortunately, cycling at the time myself, I was aware that Cambridge is a pretty cyclist-heavy city, and was always quick enough on the brakes to avoid them. They annoyed me slightly, leaping out of 'nowhere'.

Conversely, I never minded slowing down for a cyclist who had positioned themselves where I could see them as I approached because they were in the middle of the road.

linsen

DonDaddyD wrote:

Saw a cyclist RLJ and can firmly say that from the motorists point of view, such a thing is dangerous and stupid. I could have easily crashed into him, purely because of the position and situation he (the cyclist) put himself in.

I'd also say, if you haven't got lights GET SOME F*CKING LIGHTS YOU CHEAPSKATE. Its not clever its not safe! If you have lights check that the flaming battery works and isn't running out thereby making your lights dim and almost usless.

Also weirdly, don't ride in the gutter, this allows cars to (i) not notice you as much (ii) get too close or pass you at speed. Ride futher out in the road, become a potential obsitcle to pass (not a hazard), I found cyclist riding slightly further out into the road were a lot more visible becuase I was simply more aware of them.

+1 for all that, DDD. I drove today too (60 milles too much over two days for my little legs) and I find I am so much more aware of cyclists now than I used to be. The ones that puzzle me are those in their hi-viz and Christmas lights ON THE PAVEMENT!!

DonDaddyD

Thank Linsen

lost_in_thought wrote:

I got my licence when I was still at boarding school in Cambridge and freely admit that at the time I was not a good driver, although I hasten to point out that I am not implying the same about you DDD.

I am a nervous wreck when I drive, I swear constantly, talk to myself (my car has no stereo :shock: - oh the shame of it all!) and generally a complete stress head. Reverse parking is my nightmare at the mo.

But I still maintain that cycling has made me a better motorist and driving has made me a better cyclist.

fonty1978

Me too, although i aim to be back on the bike as soon as the weather has bucked up and my bike has thawed out. We had a fair bit of snow in N Manchester this morning and didn't fancy caars sliding about potentially into me !!

biondino

DonDaddyD wrote:

Reverse parking is my nightmare at the mo.

Pull up at least 6 feet IN FRONT of the space you want to park in. Start reversing slowly, and after the rear of your car has passed the rear of the car next to you, turn the wheel so you're pointing towards the curb at an angle of about 20-25 degrees. DO NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL while moving - the manoeuvre should be as close to three straight lines as possible (i.e. reverse - turn - reverse - turn other way - straighten up).

Reverse until the outside corner of your car is level with the car behind you (you should already be clear of the car in front - if not, your angle was too steep and you'll have to pull back out and try again), then turn the wheel the other way so that when you next reverse you will be heading parallel to the curve. Then simply reverse into position. If necessary, straighten up and find the best place to stop.

cee

jashburnham wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

Also weirdly, don't ride in the gutter, this allows cars to (i) not notice you as much (ii) get too close or pass you at speed. Ride futher out in the road, become a potential obsitcle to pass (not a hazard), I found cyclist riding slightly further out into the road were a lot more visible becuase I was simply more aware of them.

This is called riding in Primary and is well worth doing. Reminds drivers you have a right to be on the road, makes you visible, stops you from getting doored and means you aren't riding over the usual gutter debris.

Recommend having a gander at this:


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyclecraft-Skilled-Cycling-Techniques-Adults/dp/0117020516/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228220918&sr=8-2

I absolutley agree. what surprises me is the number of car drivers that think we should be in the gutter, and when we adopt primary bemoan the fact that we take up the whole road!

Bassjunkieuk

Totally agree cee, I'm in the LiT school of riding here - I'll generally ride in position where I feel safe. I won't intentionally hold up the car behind me (unless I can hear them revving their engine!) as I have just as much right to be on the road as them and wish to be treated as such. There have been many times when out, in either my car or on the bike, when I've wanted to shout at other cyclist who are riding in such a "submissive" fashion - it really worries me!

Anyhow sorry to hear about needing to use the car DDD, my heart really goes out for you! As I'm up in town this evening I could even go home via the drag strip to Balham and wave as I go past :-D

DonDaddyD

Pull up at least 6 feet IN FRONT of the space you want to park in. Start reversing slowly, and after the rear of your car has passed the rear of the car next to you, turn the wheel so you're pointing towards the curb at an angle of about 20-25 degrees. DO NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL while moving - the manoeuvre should be as close to three straight lines as possible (i.e. reverse - turn - reverse - turn other way - straighten up).

Reverse until the outside corner of your car is level with the car behind you (you should already be clear of the car in front - if not, your angle was too steep and you'll have to pull back out and try again), then turn the wheel the other way so that when you next reverse you will be heading parallel to the curve. Then simply reverse into position. If necessary, straighten up and find the best place to stop.

Thanks, its a nightmare now because I could do it in my learner car, but now I'm driving a slightly smaller, crappier car with an astronomical excess (its like £1200) I'm just a bag of nerves. Will remember what you wrote tonight as I attempt to park between an Audi and BMW...

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

Anyhow sorry to hear about needing to use the car DDD, my heart really goes out for you! As I'm up in town this evening I could even go home via the drag strip to Balham and wave as I go past :-D

<< Shakes fist frustratingly at the air >>

!!!!NO!!!!!

:evil:

Bassjunkieuk

DonDaddyD wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

Anyhow sorry to hear about needing to use the car DDD, my heart really goes out for you! As I'm up in town this evening I could even go home via the drag strip to Balham and wave as I go past :-D

<< Shakes fist frustratingly at the air >>

!!!!NO!!!!!

:evil:

I got caught by a workmate once at the bottom end of Brixton by the lights at the Ritzy, heading towards Streatham. TBH all I heard was a car horn and thought "a55hat driver" but they beeped again and he waved as he went past. Knowing he lived near me so I knew he'd head roughly the same way I am. He disappeared towards Streatham as expected but I knew I'd catch him once I get to the High Street as the traffic is gridlock normally!

Imagine my immense satisfaction as I rolled past in the bus lane and gave a cheeky wave near the bingo hall :-) I texted him when I got in and got a reply back 25 minutes later saying he'd only just got in!

The morale of this story is: In city traffic 1/2 the wheels = 1/2 the time - Although I'm not too sure if this rule works when going from a normal bike to a unicycle :-D

lost_in_thought

DonDaddyD wrote:

Thanks, its a nightmare now because I could do it in my learner car, but now I'm driving a slightly smaller, crappier car with an astronomical excess (its like £1200) I'm just a bag of nerves. Will remember what you wrote tonight as I attempt to park between an Audi and BMW...

Your excess is HOW MUCH? :shock:

Blimey. You know it might be worth upping your premium to bring that down. Go on the glass's guide site or similar and find out how much your car is really worth and base your premiums and excess on that.

You're in risk management, aren't you?

spen666

I didn't know REGINALD MOLEHUSBAND posted on here

Bassjunkieuk

Like most skills it gets easier with practice! I had plenty whilst doing field engineering as I was in my car for probably 50% of my day! Great fun once as I had to REVERSE my way our of one London car park as they had it so tightly filled there wasn't room to turn around :-)
I only ever used that one once (a rather dodgy looking patch of open land near Clerkenwell) as I preferred multi-storey car parks.

As you get used to the dimensions of your own car you'll soon find you'll be able to slot it into parking bays with no problem!

As for the insurace, young men always get royally screwed as they think we are all un-safe drivers! One of the few perks of marriage is that I can get the family bus insured with the wife as primary driver making the premium a bit cheaper

roger_merriman

Does get easier with time and relax. I can parelle park motorhomes in my street which my wife thinks is magic.

DonDaddyD

ChrisLS wrote:

...me to ...after lasts weeks spill on ice I'm not taking chances...plus energy levels seem low at the moment so some "active recovery" won't hurt me...

...great to meet you Friday DonDaddyD... 8)

It was my pleasure to meet you sir!

The Chingford Skinhead

The advice from the driver's perspective was very interesting DDD. Cheers for that.

Having read yesterday's thread about the death of a regular BR poster I was a bit apprehensive about cycling in today. Simply because he was noted for the amount of miles he put in - and was therefore v experienced and yet that wasn't enough to save the poor guy

Btw - good to meet you on Friday. I'm still sulking about watching Arsenal beat Chelsea on Sunday. I've been to four home games this season and seen us lose our first two home games for about four years!!!!