NC500 and Single Track Roads
Discussion
Just back from an abridged solo NC500 and I'm feeling a bit sad tbh. I don't think I'll ever have so much fun in a car ever again! I drove my 1.2 Suzuki Swift as a last hurrah before it gets p/exd for something bigger and more sensible. I can't think of anything I've ever driven that would handle the bumps,ruts,twists and turns with such aplomb. I never exceeded the speed limit but on the twisties kept the pace up. Sure, my old BRZ would have been faster but more difficult to hustle along, I think the Swift pipped it as a NC500 delight.
Thoughts on single track road etiquette:
Most slower cars immediately pulled over to let me pass. Some would then stay put as if to say "I didn't pull over for you, but to take a photo..".
Campervans not so. I developed a technique of having my lights on and sitting back but over to the right so I was clearly in the driver's side mirror view. After 3-4 passing places went by, I put my right indicator on. That usually worked and they pulled over. Twice I had to wait 6-8 passing places and then I bipped my horn twice, every time we went past a passing place. Worked after 2-3 repetitions. Ironically the worst blocker drove past the blue Police "allow overtaking" sign....!
Too aggressive? What do you do with a single track road hogger?
Good stuff - there is satisfaction to be had by timing an oncoming pass so that neither of you need to stop. There were a couple of cars that stopped too soon on the entrance to a passing place thereby forcing me to halt until they drove forward. Possibly may have been a passive aggressive way of slowing me down as I was probably being "progressive". I think I stopped for more people than the other way round, and reversed back a few times too, but with the brakes and visibility in the Swift it was no hardship.
Cyclists on the NC500 are nails so I always stopped for them and gave a wide berth overtaking slowly.
In future I'll do it again but hopefully in something faster, stiffer and more stylish, however I doubt it will be anything like as fun. Especially as most new cars have electric power steering. Perhaps I might even go to the dark side and do it in a campervan....(I'll get my coat!)
Thoughts on single track road etiquette:
Most slower cars immediately pulled over to let me pass. Some would then stay put as if to say "I didn't pull over for you, but to take a photo..".
Campervans not so. I developed a technique of having my lights on and sitting back but over to the right so I was clearly in the driver's side mirror view. After 3-4 passing places went by, I put my right indicator on. That usually worked and they pulled over. Twice I had to wait 6-8 passing places and then I bipped my horn twice, every time we went past a passing place. Worked after 2-3 repetitions. Ironically the worst blocker drove past the blue Police "allow overtaking" sign....!
Too aggressive? What do you do with a single track road hogger?
Good stuff - there is satisfaction to be had by timing an oncoming pass so that neither of you need to stop. There were a couple of cars that stopped too soon on the entrance to a passing place thereby forcing me to halt until they drove forward. Possibly may have been a passive aggressive way of slowing me down as I was probably being "progressive". I think I stopped for more people than the other way round, and reversed back a few times too, but with the brakes and visibility in the Swift it was no hardship.
Cyclists on the NC500 are nails so I always stopped for them and gave a wide berth overtaking slowly.
In future I'll do it again but hopefully in something faster, stiffer and more stylish, however I doubt it will be anything like as fun. Especially as most new cars have electric power steering. Perhaps I might even go to the dark side and do it in a campervan....(I'll get my coat!)
Locals in pickup trucks and Royal Mail vans were the fastest and most adept at timing the passing. Can't imagine what closing time must be like!
I think much of the enjoyment with the Swift was the softer suspension in the boggo 1.2. I've never driven a Swift Sport and I'm sure the extra power would be welcome but stiffer suspension might not have been as compliant on the bumps. Got me thinking what old stuff would be good - 205 1.6 GTI, AX GT. Light, soft suspension and fwd. Which is odd coming from me as a RWD fan...
Z4M, Caterham, BBR MX5, a BRZ or GT86 with a supercharger, epic but too much power? Academic Q for me as the Swift replacement is probably going going to be a Honda Civic 1.5T which seems to get good reviews. Practicality calls...
I think much of the enjoyment with the Swift was the softer suspension in the boggo 1.2. I've never driven a Swift Sport and I'm sure the extra power would be welcome but stiffer suspension might not have been as compliant on the bumps. Got me thinking what old stuff would be good - 205 1.6 GTI, AX GT. Light, soft suspension and fwd. Which is odd coming from me as a RWD fan...
Z4M, Caterham, BBR MX5, a BRZ or GT86 with a supercharger, epic but too much power? Academic Q for me as the Swift replacement is probably going going to be a Honda Civic 1.5T which seems to get good reviews. Practicality calls...
Lotobear said:
That was me but I am actually very easy to please - it's a poorly made, potholed, sinuous single track road which seems to go on forever that is difficult to make even moderate progress on. The views are lovely of course but cannot be appreciated when focussing on the task of driving and avoiding potholes and oncoming vehicles on unsighted bends.
I think this highlights my experience with the Swift and why it made the single track roads less of a burden than they would have been in something lower, stiffer, wider and more powerful.The Swift is relatively high, narrow, soft suspension, good visibility and low mass so abrupt direction changes or braking is all part of the fun.
I do agree that too long a stretch of single track can become tiring and repetitive. The flowing two lane sections, especially north and south of the Kylesku Bridge were exquisite and if I had of been in a BRZ/GT86/Lotus etc I would probably have stopped, driven back the way I came and repeated that bit till I was sated.....
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