Discussion
Hi all,
I'm quite a new rider, I passed my full test last June. I have a couple of 50's classic bikes and a 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 Reborn.
I live in North Essex which is obviously not a city but quite a busy area. Now it might be me - lacking confidence for the main part but I like to ride at around 40-50mph where conditions allow, mainly B roads but I find everyone seems to be in such a mad rush. It doesn't matter how fast I'm going, I can have a clear road behind me then, bam there's someone sitting on my tail ready to overtake and to be honest it takes some of the joy away from riding.
Is it the area in which I ride? Am I too slow? What is the experience of others?
I'm quite a new rider, I passed my full test last June. I have a couple of 50's classic bikes and a 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 Reborn.
I live in North Essex which is obviously not a city but quite a busy area. Now it might be me - lacking confidence for the main part but I like to ride at around 40-50mph where conditions allow, mainly B roads but I find everyone seems to be in such a mad rush. It doesn't matter how fast I'm going, I can have a clear road behind me then, bam there's someone sitting on my tail ready to overtake and to be honest it takes some of the joy away from riding.
Is it the area in which I ride? Am I too slow? What is the experience of others?
I'd say that as long as you're not going really slowly (which it sounds like you're not) and on sensible roads then try and not be intimidated. You're not going that slowly so don't tuck in too much, hold a decent steady pace and allow yourself plenty of space in your lane.
Loads of cars only do 50mph in an nsl so you're not doing anything cars don't, it's just it's easier for angry car drivers to hassle a bike than a car as they can try and sneak round you.
If people think they're intimidating you it'll just make them do it more.
Loads of cars only do 50mph in an nsl so you're not doing anything cars don't, it's just it's easier for angry car drivers to hassle a bike than a car as they can try and sneak round you.
If people think they're intimidating you it'll just make them do it more.
On your bike test you should have been demonstrating that when safe you can get upto the speed limit for the road.
In fairness in Oxfordshire, that's mostly 50mph max.
You are of course entitled to ride as fast or slow as you like, and others should make their own arrangements if that's not good enough. That being said, unless there's a reason it's not safe, I'd be trying to ride at the limit. Asking people to overtake is prone to all sorts of issues as they (not your fault) screw it up.
In fairness in Oxfordshire, that's mostly 50mph max.
You are of course entitled to ride as fast or slow as you like, and others should make their own arrangements if that's not good enough. That being said, unless there's a reason it's not safe, I'd be trying to ride at the limit. Asking people to overtake is prone to all sorts of issues as they (not your fault) screw it up.
phil4 said:
On your bike test you should have been demonstrating that when safe you can get upto the speed limit for the road.
In fairness in Oxfordshire, that's mostly 50mph max.
You are of course entitled to ride as fast or slow as you like, and others should make their own arrangements if that's not good enough. That being said, unless there's a reason it's not safe, I'd be trying to ride at the limit. Asking people to overtake is prone to all sorts of issues as they (not your fault) screw it up.
He said he’s riding classic bikes, which may not like sustained 60mph runs? I know some of our older bikes don’t. In fairness in Oxfordshire, that's mostly 50mph max.
You are of course entitled to ride as fast or slow as you like, and others should make their own arrangements if that's not good enough. That being said, unless there's a reason it's not safe, I'd be trying to ride at the limit. Asking people to overtake is prone to all sorts of issues as they (not your fault) screw it up.
Where are you guys based?
From what I've seen on youtube, it's much quieter further North.
Yes, the classics would probably struggle to maintain 60mph for any length of time, or rather I'd struggle to maintain it on them! The RE is fine at that speed, it just feels so quick, might be the upright position taking all the wind on your chest..
From what I've seen on youtube, it's much quieter further North.
Yes, the classics would probably struggle to maintain 60mph for any length of time, or rather I'd struggle to maintain it on them! The RE is fine at that speed, it just feels so quick, might be the upright position taking all the wind on your chest..
Bob_Defly said:
Also 40-50mph on NSL roads isn't very fast at all. If I was behind I'd be looking to overtake ASAP.
I'm south east based but I'd guess similar traffic to OP. Cars hardly crack 40mph on good NSL roads even with not much around.He won't really be holding anyone up doing 40 / 50 but I guess more people fancy overtaking a bike than a car. Hardly anyone in a car overtakes any more.
Dan17 said:
I was taught about dominating during my lessons, might be a bit close to the curb even though I know I shouldn't be, I will try to rectify this.
In a single lane, you want to be to the right of the centre of the lane. It's really case of "give them an inch and they'll take a yard", so if you're riding to the left of the centre, some giant floppy donkey penis in an Audi will think that's enough of a hint to pass. Exasperated said:
In a single lane, you want to be to the right of the centre of the lane. It's really case of "give them an inch and they'll take a yard", so if you're riding to the left of the centre, some giant floppy donkey penis in an Audi will think that's enough of a hint to pass.
lol, always an Audi!!!Thanks
When I first started riding I deliberately went out early to avoid holding cars up
I'm a fast car driver and I'll overtake at the first opportunity but many drivers don't and just tailgate
If that happened, I'd slow down and even stop, to let them pass
In my case it only lasted a couple of weeks before I gained confidence and was hassling the cars
Although I still do similar if fast bikes catch me up, the last thing I want is someone to take me out so I'd rather slow, move over and let them go and get on with my ride
I'm a fast car driver and I'll overtake at the first opportunity but many drivers don't and just tailgate
If that happened, I'd slow down and even stop, to let them pass
In my case it only lasted a couple of weeks before I gained confidence and was hassling the cars
Although I still do similar if fast bikes catch me up, the last thing I want is someone to take me out so I'd rather slow, move over and let them go and get on with my ride
You learn a lot when you're learning to ride, but the one thing that takes time is learning what I (and maybe some others?) call 'flow'. Flow is when you've built enough experience to assess and evaluate everything that's going on around you without it disturbing your ride, and your adjustments become instinctual and second nature, making it feel like you've developed some sort of sixth sense for danger. It just takes time to develop.
It's possible I'm entirely alone in thinking that, but I'm sure most experienced riders will know what I'm talking about.
It's possible I'm entirely alone in thinking that, but I'm sure most experienced riders will know what I'm talking about.
Nobody should ride beyond what they feel comfortable or safe with, or feel pressured by other road users to do so. That said, I ride with someone that is lacking in confidence on a bike and sometimes finds it hard to keep up with the flow of traffic in NSLs. If I’m behind them I notice cars tailgating me, so I understand how unnerving this can be.
I think that we as bikers should be able to keep up with other traffic up to the NSL, if the conditions allow. I’m encouraging my riding buddy to take further training. Bikesafe as a start.
I think that we as bikers should be able to keep up with other traffic up to the NSL, if the conditions allow. I’m encouraging my riding buddy to take further training. Bikesafe as a start.
I think part of the issue is simply the bikes you are riding and the type of riding you do.
50s bikes are not fast, and more importantly they do not stop very well.
So you are out for a lovely Bimble at the speeds those bikes are comfortable at, which is, say 45-50 mph.
You are sharing the roads with people in cars, who are trying to get home, or to work, or to a friends and are just wanting to get there asap.
At the same time very few people will make allowances now for an older vehicle, or even understand its limitations.
So what’s the answer, simple, find quieter roads, or go out very early in the morning, or later in the evening.
50s bikes are not fast, and more importantly they do not stop very well.
So you are out for a lovely Bimble at the speeds those bikes are comfortable at, which is, say 45-50 mph.
You are sharing the roads with people in cars, who are trying to get home, or to work, or to a friends and are just wanting to get there asap.
At the same time very few people will make allowances now for an older vehicle, or even understand its limitations.
So what’s the answer, simple, find quieter roads, or go out very early in the morning, or later in the evening.
Lots of things are legal on our road which are not going to be moving at or anywhere near the limit. I find it frustrating to dribble along behind a push bike or group of them but I need to remind myself that they are a right to be there and not to show my frustration. Tractors, horse boxes, horses, little old ladies in whatever they drive, learners, a Citroen Ami or even a bike just bumbling along, they all have a right to be there and to not be hassled by other road users.
OP, ride in whatever way you feel most comfortable and safe. If someone behind you is being a t
t let them pass, life is to short. That said the confidence comes with familiarity and practice. It will develop for you, give it time...
Edited to add, I have a veteran car which is not going to be going faster than maybe 35, if it annoys someone behind me im sorry but I have a right to be there ... not that its on the road very often...
OP, ride in whatever way you feel most comfortable and safe. If someone behind you is being a t
t let them pass, life is to short. That said the confidence comes with familiarity and practice. It will develop for you, give it time...Edited to add, I have a veteran car which is not going to be going faster than maybe 35, if it annoys someone behind me im sorry but I have a right to be there ... not that its on the road very often...
Edited by nute on Friday 6th September 18:58
I was driving home tonight and saw 2 small (500cc) tourer bikes on the inside lane of a dual carriageway. Tight up behind them for no reason other than it’s was obviously driven by a complete idiot was a Vauxhall Mokka.
I often notice cars on the motorway not go vintage enough rooms to bikes. There’s some really awful thick drivers out there.
I often notice cars on the motorway not go vintage enough rooms to bikes. There’s some really awful thick drivers out there.
I was driving home tonight and saw 2 small (500cc) tourer bikes on the inside lane of a dual carriageway. Tight up behind them for no reason other than it’s was obviously driven by a complete idiot was a Vauxhall Mokka.
I often notice cars on the motorway not go vintage enough rooms to bikes. There’s some really awful thick drivers out there.
I often notice cars on the motorway not go vintage enough rooms to bikes. There’s some really awful thick drivers out there.
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