Unsatisfactory Ride
Discussion
I guess this happens to us all, do we all get home and analyse how a particular ride panned out? Sometimes it's not necessarily always positive.
Just a bit of a tootle around this morning. Single track section of a typical hedge lined country lane, I slowed right down and kept to the left on a blind left bend, turns out that in the middle of the road was a stationary horse transporter, I managed to squeeze past between it and the hedge. So, I guess you could say that actually went quite well considering the other possibilities.
Later on a wider section of the same road another left hander but hidden in the bank at the apex is a side road, car pulls out sees me (I see him) and he thankfully stops. I did have to take slight avoiding action - maybe I could have been going a bit slower. Bit of a lucky one - can't really blame the car driver.
And; national speed limit A road - a decent straight bit. Overtaking two cars doing about 50, second car speeds up when he's aware of me coming past, I speed up - end up going somewhat quicker to get past him. Now I could have backed off and thought sod it but I didn't -my thoughts were "what a cock" and that made me go faster. That's a pretty stupid thought process - what am I trying to prove? I'm annoyed with myself for not just backing off.
I really enjoy my time on the bike and will absolutely continue to do so; but occasionally stuff happens that make you think..
Just a bit of a tootle around this morning. Single track section of a typical hedge lined country lane, I slowed right down and kept to the left on a blind left bend, turns out that in the middle of the road was a stationary horse transporter, I managed to squeeze past between it and the hedge. So, I guess you could say that actually went quite well considering the other possibilities.
Later on a wider section of the same road another left hander but hidden in the bank at the apex is a side road, car pulls out sees me (I see him) and he thankfully stops. I did have to take slight avoiding action - maybe I could have been going a bit slower. Bit of a lucky one - can't really blame the car driver.
And; national speed limit A road - a decent straight bit. Overtaking two cars doing about 50, second car speeds up when he's aware of me coming past, I speed up - end up going somewhat quicker to get past him. Now I could have backed off and thought sod it but I didn't -my thoughts were "what a cock" and that made me go faster. That's a pretty stupid thought process - what am I trying to prove? I'm annoyed with myself for not just backing off.
I really enjoy my time on the bike and will absolutely continue to do so; but occasionally stuff happens that make you think..
I still consider myself a noob for road riding and on the whole I'm pleasantly surprised by how considerate a lot of drivers are, it's usually vans who will pass with only a few cm of space between.
I have had a few people (again, majority vans) nearly pull out of a junction in front of me, or ubers overtake then turn left across my path. Usually they are pretty apologetic but it's a bit off putting.. I find my next few rides out then end up being gravel paths.
It's reassuring to hear more experienced riders still make mistakes, so thanks for sharing.
I have had a few people (again, majority vans) nearly pull out of a junction in front of me, or ubers overtake then turn left across my path. Usually they are pretty apologetic but it's a bit off putting.. I find my next few rides out then end up being gravel paths.
It's reassuring to hear more experienced riders still make mistakes, so thanks for sharing.
We all have bad rides and bad days. I find the way to make the most of such situations is, after they've happened, to think about alternative ways I could have approached and dealt with them and see if I can change my riding so I'm better prepared for next time. It doesn't make that day any better but I like to think it helps reduce the chances of another bad day.
epicfail said:
And; national speed limit A road - a decent straight bit. Overtaking two cars doing about 50, second car speeds up when he's aware of me coming past, I speed up - end up going somewhat quicker to get past him. Now I could have backed off and thought sod it but I didn't -my thoughts were "what a cock" and that made me go faster. That's a pretty stupid thought process - what am I trying to prove? I'm annoyed with myself for not just backing off.
Don’t be annoyed at yourself; what if the cock in the car then slowed down as you tried to fall back, leaving you hanging out on the wrong side? You did the right thing in safely speeding up and putting the p*n!s behind you.Tribal Chestnut said:
Don’t be annoyed at yourself; what if the cock in the car then slowed down as you tried to fall back, leaving you hanging out on the wrong side? You did the right thing in safely speeding up and putting the p*n!s behind you.
Although we should remember that putting one of those right behind you isn't always the right course of action... ahem./me gets coat
Don't fret about it, it's just "stuff happens", you didn't have an accident and avoided all the hazards so you're doing it right.
The only naughty one was accelerating to pass the accelerating nob head, the law calls that racing on the road and will throw the book at you for it. That's not to say I wouldn't have made the same decision on the wrong day.
The only naughty one was accelerating to pass the accelerating nob head, the law calls that racing on the road and will throw the book at you for it. That's not to say I wouldn't have made the same decision on the wrong day.
Steve_H80 said:
Don't fret about it, it's just "stuff happens", you didn't have an accident and avoided all the hazards so you're doing it right.
The only naughty one was accelerating to pass the accelerating nob head, the law calls that racing on the road and will throw the book at you for it. That's not to say I wouldn't have made the same decision on the wrong day.
Exactly this...The only naughty one was accelerating to pass the accelerating nob head, the law calls that racing on the road and will throw the book at you for it. That's not to say I wouldn't have made the same decision on the wrong day.
In my biking experience if its safe to do so then do just that..
No bad thing in the scheme of things
Edited by nismo48 on Wednesday 27th September 18:21
Did I read this correctly position on the left around a left hand bend?
This will give you the most restricted view. If you position to the right your view through the bend will extend further, and vice versa . So you will see any hazard sooner and they can see you. Both have more time to react. Obviously if there is an oncoming traffic hazard you have to give up your position, but the view is obtained. Also most of us forget this but you need to stop in the distance you can see. Your local IAM group will be more than happy to help.
This will give you the most restricted view. If you position to the right your view through the bend will extend further, and vice versa . So you will see any hazard sooner and they can see you. Both have more time to react. Obviously if there is an oncoming traffic hazard you have to give up your position, but the view is obtained. Also most of us forget this but you need to stop in the distance you can see. Your local IAM group will be more than happy to help.
Ynysfach said:
Did I read this correctly position on the left around a left hand bend?
This will give you the most restricted view. If you position to the right your view through the bend will extend further, and vice versa . So you will see any hazard sooner and they can see you. Both have more time to react. Obviously if there is an oncoming traffic hazard you have to give up your position, but the view is obtained. Also most of us forget this but you need to stop in the distance you can see. Your local IAM group will be more than happy to help.
He was on a single lane road, I was taught it was correct to keep left on a single track lane on my bike safe course by the officer following me, I was riding how you suggest but he said on blind bends it's best to forgo sight lines to be able to ditch in to a hedge instead of a car. It's saved me a few times since.This will give you the most restricted view. If you position to the right your view through the bend will extend further, and vice versa . So you will see any hazard sooner and they can see you. Both have more time to react. Obviously if there is an oncoming traffic hazard you have to give up your position, but the view is obtained. Also most of us forget this but you need to stop in the distance you can see. Your local IAM group will be more than happy to help.
GreaseNipple said:
He was on a single lane road, I was taught it was correct to keep left on a single track lane on my bike safe course by the officer following me, I was riding how you suggest but he said on blind bends it's best to forgo sight lines to be able to ditch in to a hedge instead of a car. It's saved me a few times since.
I can’t think of a situation where seeing less later is better than seeing more sooner. But it does depend on the situation. My view is based on Roadcraft. But every situation is different. And i wasnt there so I can’t say any more.Thank you, interesting thoughts regarding my position on the single track road. I can see that being over to the right may have enabled me to see further around the bend. Perhaps I should have taken this position in good time before the turn, rather than instinctively not wanting to be on what feels to be the wrong side. It wasn't a major issue as my speed was low, situations like this are always likely on single track lane.
On single track you need to be able to stop in half the distance you can see to be clear. On left hand corners with restricted view consider how much benefit is coming from extending the view: if it's only fractions of a second then position to the nearside away from anticipated hazards.
hiccy18 said:
On single track you need to be able to stop in half the distance you can see to be clear. On left hand corners with restricted view consider how much benefit is coming from extending the view: if it's only fractions of a second then position to the nearside away from anticipated hazards.
Exactly this. Every single situation is different and there are no rules that can dictate the best thing to do ahead of the situation. While you are riding anywhere you should be thinking
What can I see?
What can't I see?
What can other road users see?
Can I be better positioned to see and/or be seen?
And over arching all of that is
Am I as safe as I can be?
As I said above, no one gets it right all the time. Just try to understand what you could have done better and learn from it.
As a new rider I think I’m more dissatisfied than satisfied most of the time.
I’m trying to improve my down shifting in preparation for corners, rev matching etc but not finding it easy unless plodding along. My bike has up and down QS but trying to do it myself too
Sometimes it works ok but I have definitely a lot to improve on
Would be easier I think if I rode every day,the way you do when you pass a car test. But not going to happen for me with the bike.
I’ve done 850 miles on the Aprilia now plus whatever I did during learning. So not much really.
I’m trying to improve my down shifting in preparation for corners, rev matching etc but not finding it easy unless plodding along. My bike has up and down QS but trying to do it myself too
Sometimes it works ok but I have definitely a lot to improve on
Would be easier I think if I rode every day,the way you do when you pass a car test. But not going to happen for me with the bike.
I’ve done 850 miles on the Aprilia now plus whatever I did during learning. So not much really.
GriffoDP said:
Tribal Chestnut said:
Don’t be annoyed at yourself; what if the cock in the car then slowed down as you tried to fall back, leaving you hanging out on the wrong side? You did the right thing in safely speeding up and putting the p*n!s behind you.
Although we should remember that putting one of those right behind you isn't always the right course of action... ahem./me gets coat
A point that I did overlook was what bike the OP might have been riding - i.e. my course of action might have been quite different on the T7 to the XR.
Was in the R8 recently on a sublime Devon road. Stuck behind a lorry. 3 superbikes further behind me obviously having a great day out. Got my chance to pass the lorry and as I was accelerating full chat I noticed one of them beside me, WOT, as I pulled back in (I had no idea they were behind me until I overtook the lorry - they'd been sat a couple of cars behind me quietly waiting for the same opportunity). Long straight road so I pinned it and he pinned it. I backed off in the end for safety reasons (his) and he slotted in in front, and I eased off more and his mates passed to join him. He had plenty of time to back off, as did I. We both chose to have fun. All were happy. I kept up for a while after then eased off as I was enjoying a more sporty drive rather then mental :-)
I may have nailed it on an NSL two lanes about to come one section last week. I just got to the end of the queue for the awkwardly angled junction a few hundred yards down the road a bit quicker and with one less car in front of me. I'd not been out for a while and the weather was nice and semi-bright, but still not a good enough reason to do it.
The flipside is I managed to do some filtering.
The flipside is I managed to do some filtering.
I was riding an SV650, so clearly not a quick bike but sufficient to get past most traffic. The road was totally clear in the opposite direction, I guess the thing that I need to consider is the decision making process. Perhaps next time I would like to think that the "what a cock" feeling does not cloud my judgement.
There's always unsatisfactory bits, I try to think about them and try to correct them for the next ride
I love single track roads but I rarely ride them unless I'm on my Enduro heading for a green lane:
Poor visibility if you keep left and the typical gravel / moss in the middle means changing "sides" can be problematic on corners
I know how I drove around them as a kid - imagine a 17 yr old coming towards you in a Mk2 Escort at typically 60+ how safe do you feel on a bike ?
People just don't think about bikes and park / pull out without thinking
The 20mph brigade and you can't overtake them
So I just avoid them whenever possible
I know it's boring but I try to plan my rides out as much as possible, I've tried the riding apps and they just don't work for me
Recent trips I didn't enjoy as I was wet with sweat and or rain - RST gear doesn't breathe despite what the label says so better gear is next on the list
I love single track roads but I rarely ride them unless I'm on my Enduro heading for a green lane:
Poor visibility if you keep left and the typical gravel / moss in the middle means changing "sides" can be problematic on corners
I know how I drove around them as a kid - imagine a 17 yr old coming towards you in a Mk2 Escort at typically 60+ how safe do you feel on a bike ?
People just don't think about bikes and park / pull out without thinking
The 20mph brigade and you can't overtake them
So I just avoid them whenever possible
I know it's boring but I try to plan my rides out as much as possible, I've tried the riding apps and they just don't work for me
Recent trips I didn't enjoy as I was wet with sweat and or rain - RST gear doesn't breathe despite what the label says so better gear is next on the list
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff