The Good Guys

meanredspider

With all the threads about poor driving standards, I just wanted to add one about great driving. I've just written the following to my local Forestry Commission office which, I hope, says it all:

Hi there,

Not quite sure who to address this to but I wanted to pass on my thanks.

I commute by bicycle 3 or 4 times a week from Culbokie to Inverness and most mornings, on the Knockbain road, I pass 1 or 2 Forestry Commission vehicles coming the other way. Without exception they are the most considerate drivers I meet on my entire commute, always pulling in early to passing spots and giving me plenty of room.

I wanted to pass on my sincere thanks to the drivers - it's a pleasure to share the road with you!

Please would you make an effort to ensure the drivers get this note.

Thanks again & seasonal wishes

walkingbootweather

So what you are trying to say is "He's a lumberjack and he's okay"

meanredspider

walkingbootweather wrote:

So what you are trying to say is "He's a lumberjack and he's okay"

LMAO.

In all seriousness, these guys are great. I don't know if they are cyclists, well-trained or just nice people but if a car pulls over really early and with ultra-consideration, it's invariably one or other of the FC vehicles.

Origamist

Good work.

I send out a thank you letter approx every 2-3 months to companies (usually drivers of HGVs and occasionally buses). It only takes 10 mins or so and positive reinforcement goes down well, IME.

bompington

Having lived, worked and holidayed in quite a few foresty bits of Scotland and elsewhere, I would say that I have found FC staff are almost always among the good guys in many respects.
I once met a timber lorry on this road when I was towing a caravan, the feat of reversing and folding his artic into a gateway to let me past was stunning, followed by a cheery wave where he had every right to be grumpy at the ******* tourist getting in the way of his working day.

Mind you, when you're riding up a hill and a car pulls in 400m ahead for you it does put a bit of pressure on...

EDIT: +1 to you for the letter, we're quick to moan but positive reinforcement always works better

dhope

bompington wrote:

Mind you, when you're riding up a hill and a car pulls in 400m ahead for you it does put a bit of pressure on...

Hah, very much this.

meanredspider

dhope wrote:

bompington wrote:

Mind you, when you're riding up a hill and a car pulls in 400m ahead for you it does put a bit of pressure on...

Hah, very much this.

PMSL - we had a bit of a "courtesy stand off" yesterday morning - he was coming down the hill and I was going up. We both pulled over and flashed our lights. I stubbornly stayed put for exactly this reason - last thing I need at the beginning of an Ice Spiker week is a sprint up the steepest hill! :shock:

Applespider

I wrote to Thurrock Tankers last week after one of their petrol tenders was particularly considerate coming along the South Circular. Got a nice email back with the name of the driver and letting me know that they'd thank him on my behalf.

I had a chap in a car pull up next to me this evening, roll his window down and offer me a tow up the road. That was a first especially when on a hybrid in commuting gear

kelsen

Idiot me didn't anticipate car in front braking during commute home tonight. Grabbed a handful of brakes but still collided with the car's bumper. Bike does an endo and I just manage to jump off unhurt. Car pulls up and I go over. The driver, an indian/asian chap in his 60s, gets out and first thing he says to me "Are you alright?". I say yes but not sure about his bumper. We check and there's a small but definite scratch where my left lever must have scraped against it. I was prepared to give him my details to pay for repairs but he just smiles and says "Don't worry about it, as long as you're ok", pats my shoulder and drives off. Really grateful he was so understanding but still feel bad about the scratch on his bumper

ETA: Got home to discover left lever isn't shifting between the chainrings anymore. Haven't checked it properly yet but hoping it can be easily fixed. Dammit! Should have got his details to make him pay for repairs...