Filtering...Use ya mirrors....but don't panic!!
Discussion
Coming home last night raised two issues about filtering.
One - Caught up some guy who was plodding along. No problem there, but it would have been nice had he used his mirror just once, to see me and move over, but no. Inconsiderate biker...Haven't seen it offen, but did last night.
And on the other hand, I had a guy on a, well..kind of a big scooter (125 or something)was so, so worried and in a hurry to pull over he almost came off. I wasn't hastling(?) him or anything, but he was in such a hurry to move over, he was looking this way and that, wobbling, and slamming on his brakes.
Felt p!ssed off with the bloke for neglect of his mirrors snd his consideration, but felt really sorry for the other guy.....just gotta ride your own ride I guess.
One - Caught up some guy who was plodding along. No problem there, but it would have been nice had he used his mirror just once, to see me and move over, but no. Inconsiderate biker...Haven't seen it offen, but did last night.
And on the other hand, I had a guy on a, well..kind of a big scooter (125 or something)was so, so worried and in a hurry to pull over he almost came off. I wasn't hastling(?) him or anything, but he was in such a hurry to move over, he was looking this way and that, wobbling, and slamming on his brakes.
Felt p!ssed off with the bloke for neglect of his mirrors snd his consideration, but felt really sorry for the other guy.....just gotta ride your own ride I guess.
chilli said:
Coming home last night raised two issues about filtering.
One - Caught up some guy who was plodding along. No problem there, but it would have been nice had he used his mirror just once, to see me and move over, but no. Inconsiderate biker...Haven't seen it offen, but did last night.
.
One - Caught up some guy who was plodding along. No problem there, but it would have been nice had he used his mirror just once, to see me and move over, but no. Inconsiderate biker...Haven't seen it offen, but did last night.
.
Your horn broken Chilli?
Carrera2 said:
chilli said:
Coming home last night raised two issues about filtering.
One - Caught up some guy who was plodding along. No problem there, but it would have been nice had he used his mirror just once, to see me and move over, but no. Inconsiderate biker...Haven't seen it offen, but did last night.
.
One - Caught up some guy who was plodding along. No problem there, but it would have been nice had he used his mirror just once, to see me and move over, but no. Inconsiderate biker...Haven't seen it offen, but did last night.
.
Your horn broken Chilli?
Nothing wrong with the "Horn of Plenty" mate
, but don't like to hasstle people!chilli said:
Carrera2 said:
chilli said:
Coming home last night raised two issues about filtering.
One - Caught up some guy who was plodding along. No problem there, but it would have been nice had he used his mirror just once, to see me and move over, but no. Inconsiderate biker...Haven't seen it offen, but did last night.
.
One - Caught up some guy who was plodding along. No problem there, but it would have been nice had he used his mirror just once, to see me and move over, but no. Inconsiderate biker...Haven't seen it offen, but did last night.
.
Your horn broken Chilli?
Nothing wrong with the "Horn of Plenty" mate
, but don't like to hasstle people!If he's not using his mirrors then it's not hassling imo. 2 friendlyish toots and you're off.
Where were you - it might have been me!!!
I made a right meal of a situation like that last night. I was following a builders flat-bed, doing about fifty. Still running the bike in so don't like stressing things by dropping a couple of cogs and getting past quick smart. Nasty country road and all that...
Anyway, so I'm plodding along, and spot a biker passing a few cars about 150 yards behind. The van slows a bit so I consider getting by as I'm getting a little close. I check my mirror again and it's full of Crowtree bedecked Grand Prix wannabe, with his Sport Pilot almost up the crack of my arse. So I do the newbie wobble, panic a little, back off and wave him by.
Must have thought I was a complete t
t!!!
I'll get the hang of it eventually...
I made a right meal of a situation like that last night. I was following a builders flat-bed, doing about fifty. Still running the bike in so don't like stressing things by dropping a couple of cogs and getting past quick smart. Nasty country road and all that...
Anyway, so I'm plodding along, and spot a biker passing a few cars about 150 yards behind. The van slows a bit so I consider getting by as I'm getting a little close. I check my mirror again and it's full of Crowtree bedecked Grand Prix wannabe, with his Sport Pilot almost up the crack of my arse. So I do the newbie wobble, panic a little, back off and wave him by.
Must have thought I was a complete t
t!!! I'll get the hang of it eventually...
Very difficult situation and it's amazing how many people won't let you filter past them.
I followed one guy who would not pull over, stop or even acknowledge me on a motorway near Southampton. Then I started flashing him and he studiously ignored me. Eventually I was able to get past him and was able to tell him that his panniers were resting on his exhaust and were smoking.
I followed one guy who would not pull over, stop or even acknowledge me on a motorway near Southampton. Then I started flashing him and he studiously ignored me. Eventually I was able to get past him and was able to tell him that his panniers were resting on his exhaust and were smoking.
A few similar regularly encountered situations in London.
1. The dawdling bimbling along type (usually on a small cc bike or scooter) riding in the middle of the lane approaching slowing or stopped traffic. Experience tells you they arn't going to use their mirror let alone observe before pulling into your path as you are moving a little quicker than them and have already positioned yourself to filter past the traffic.
2. The riders usually scooter rider or bigger bikes with wide panniers/top boxes who are either nervous newbies or know that there bike won't fit through a narrow gap who basically block the way for those of us who might like to get on with it. Mirrors are generally not used or even if spotted no attempt will be made to move over to let you pass. Generally those of us with a little intellegence would think.. oh this other biker has caught me up for a reason i.e. I'm not making progress as quickly as them or they have a narrower bike I'll move over for them.
3. Similar to 2 but sport bike rider like myself. They are not making good progress you catch them up, they spot you and then won't let you pass in fact then speed up to such an extent that they are then riding way above their ability. Generally these bikers are p*ss poor and v slow at filtering but if the road clears they gun it down the road at least double the 30 limit.
Lots of number 3s over the summer months unsuprisingly.
Don't you just love london LOL.
1. The dawdling bimbling along type (usually on a small cc bike or scooter) riding in the middle of the lane approaching slowing or stopped traffic. Experience tells you they arn't going to use their mirror let alone observe before pulling into your path as you are moving a little quicker than them and have already positioned yourself to filter past the traffic.
2. The riders usually scooter rider or bigger bikes with wide panniers/top boxes who are either nervous newbies or know that there bike won't fit through a narrow gap who basically block the way for those of us who might like to get on with it. Mirrors are generally not used or even if spotted no attempt will be made to move over to let you pass. Generally those of us with a little intellegence would think.. oh this other biker has caught me up for a reason i.e. I'm not making progress as quickly as them or they have a narrower bike I'll move over for them.
3. Similar to 2 but sport bike rider like myself. They are not making good progress you catch them up, they spot you and then won't let you pass in fact then speed up to such an extent that they are then riding way above their ability. Generally these bikers are p*ss poor and v slow at filtering but if the road clears they gun it down the road at least double the 30 limit.
Lots of number 3s over the summer months unsuprisingly.
Don't you just love london LOL.
I often let faster filterers through when there is a suitable opportunity - I am usually happier following somebody else when the traffic is slow moving rather than stationary as the first bike will hopefully remind the traffic to 'Think Bike' just before I get there.
if the bike behind has caught very slowly and hangs back, I do not move over. If they catch fast and get close, then I let them past. I think you can usually tell whether the bike behind is happy to sit there, or would rather make progress. Most bikers like to make progress and understand that other bikers want to as well, and on my commute at least, most are happy to give and take, and show appreciation afterwards.
What really iritates are the people with the wide panniers who just sit there for ages blocking a gap that you can easily get through.
Of course, anybody filtering faster than me is clearly a nutter, and anybody slower is a girl.
if the bike behind has caught very slowly and hangs back, I do not move over. If they catch fast and get close, then I let them past. I think you can usually tell whether the bike behind is happy to sit there, or would rather make progress. Most bikers like to make progress and understand that other bikers want to as well, and on my commute at least, most are happy to give and take, and show appreciation afterwards.
What really iritates are the people with the wide panniers who just sit there for ages blocking a gap that you can easily get through.
Of course, anybody filtering faster than me is clearly a nutter, and anybody slower is a girl.
Exige46 said:
I often let faster filterers through when there is a suitable opportunity - I am usually happier following somebody else when the traffic is slow moving rather than stationary as the first bike will hopefully remind the traffic to 'Think Bike' just before I get there.
if the bike behind has caught very slowly and hangs back, I do not move over. If they catch fast and get close, then I let them past. I think you can usually tell whether the bike behind is happy to sit there, or would rather make progress. Most bikers like to make progress and understand that other bikers want to as well, and on my commute at least, most are happy to give and take, and show appreciation afterwards.
What really iritates are the people with the wide panniers who just sit there for ages blocking a gap that you can easily get through.
Of course, anybody filtering faster than me is clearly a nutter, and anybody slower is a girl.
if the bike behind has caught very slowly and hangs back, I do not move over. If they catch fast and get close, then I let them past. I think you can usually tell whether the bike behind is happy to sit there, or would rather make progress. Most bikers like to make progress and understand that other bikers want to as well, and on my commute at least, most are happy to give and take, and show appreciation afterwards.
What really iritates are the people with the wide panniers who just sit there for ages blocking a gap that you can easily get through.
Of course, anybody filtering faster than me is clearly a nutter, and anybody slower is a girl.
Totally agree!! I left work at about 16:30 the other day, just to get ahead of the rush, and must have bumped into "the nutters" Half a dozen bikers absolutely nailing it through the traffic. Didn't even try to keep up....
Exige46 said:
I often let faster filterers through when there is a suitable opportunity - I am usually happier following somebody else when the traffic is slow moving rather than stationary as the first bike will hopefully remind the traffic to 'Think Bike' just before I get there.
if the bike behind has caught very slowly and hangs back, I do not move over. If they catch fast and get close, then I let them past. I think you can usually tell whether the bike behind is happy to sit there, or would rather make progress. Most bikers like to make progress and understand that other bikers want to as well, and on my commute at least, most are happy to give and take, and show appreciation afterwards.
What really iritates are the people with the wide panniers who just sit there for ages blocking a gap that you can easily get through.
Of course, anybody filtering faster than me is clearly a nutter, and anybody slower is a girl.
if the bike behind has caught very slowly and hangs back, I do not move over. If they catch fast and get close, then I let them past. I think you can usually tell whether the bike behind is happy to sit there, or would rather make progress. Most bikers like to make progress and understand that other bikers want to as well, and on my commute at least, most are happy to give and take, and show appreciation afterwards.
What really iritates are the people with the wide panniers who just sit there for ages blocking a gap that you can easily get through.
Of course, anybody filtering faster than me is clearly a nutter, and anybody slower is a girl.
Works exactly the same for me. If someone is quicker, I move over to let them by as soon as I can. Those who are quicker either have more skill and/or are confident to take greater risk than I am.
Steve.
I’m on a 125 trail bike that is very narrow and very light so I can it through gaps that most big bikes cant, so I filter past them. Most just accept that my bike is smaller than theirs and let me get on with it but some obviously feel embarrassed at being ‘overtaken’ by a learner and take stupid risks in getting past me again, often getting very close alongside me. This is very silly as although I consider myself to be reasonably proficient (will be putting in for test soon) I am still CLEARLY displaying ‘L’ plates so surely people should assume I’m useless and give me lots of space in case I wobble into them or something.
From a wannabe biker (who just reads usually), its interesting to hear that within biker ranks you have problems with bike 'lane-hoggers'! 
It took me a while to work out you were talking of other bikers, not car drivers.
I find it also interesting that traits usually found in car drivers (i.e. those that want to overtake but can't so booger everyone else up, those in a faster or "superior" car that get caught up by a lesser one so gun it down the road at earliest oppurtunity just to show you 'how it is done', etc) are also found in bike riders!!
I guess it just shows that its not a factor of what you are on or in, its the type of person you are and how comfortable you are with your choices...!
Best to keep seperate from it i suspect!
Cheers ~PHIL
It took me a while to work out you were talking of other bikers, not car drivers. I find it also interesting that traits usually found in car drivers (i.e. those that want to overtake but can't so booger everyone else up, those in a faster or "superior" car that get caught up by a lesser one so gun it down the road at earliest oppurtunity just to show you 'how it is done', etc) are also found in bike riders!!
I guess it just shows that its not a factor of what you are on or in, its the type of person you are and how comfortable you are with your choices...!
Best to keep seperate from it i suspect!
Cheers ~PHIL
Buffalo said:
From a wannabe biker (who just reads usually), its interesting to hear that within biker ranks you have problems with bike 'lane-hoggers'! It took me a while to work out you were talking of other bikers, not car drivers.
I find it also interesting that traits usually found in car drivers (i.e. those that want to overtake but can't so booger everyone else up, those in a faster or "superior" car that get caught up by a lesser one so gun it down the road at earliest oppurtunity just to show you 'how it is done', etc) are also found in bike riders!!
I guess it just shows that its not a factor of what you are on or in, its the type of person you are and how comfortable you are with your choices...!
Best to keep seperate from it i suspect!
Cheers ~PHIL
It took me a while to work out you were talking of other bikers, not car drivers. I find it also interesting that traits usually found in car drivers (i.e. those that want to overtake but can't so booger everyone else up, those in a faster or "superior" car that get caught up by a lesser one so gun it down the road at earliest oppurtunity just to show you 'how it is done', etc) are also found in bike riders!!
I guess it just shows that its not a factor of what you are on or in, its the type of person you are and how comfortable you are with your choices...!
Best to keep seperate from it i suspect!
Cheers ~PHIL
The basis of riding a bike in a busy city such as London is to make 'progress'. If you are sat blocking a gap with a queue of bikes behind you knowing full well that they are there I think we know what type of biker you are. If someone catches someone up they must be making 'better' progress than you again the same unwritten rule applies to the slower rider who does not move over.
The main difference is that there are bikers (despite the thread) who do move over for you, wave to say hello, chat to you at the traffic lights. For me there is also an unwritten rule regarding head to head filtering (i.e. you are in the middle of the road and have a bike coming towards you in the opposite direction) The basic rule (again seems to apply to observant polite riders only) whoevers side of the road has stationary or slower moving traffic has priority. I always give way to bikers if the opposite side of the road is stationary and more oftern than not I get the same if its stationary on my side of the road.
Bikers generally don't cut each other up pull a stupid worthless moves to get 10 feet in front of another cos we don't need to. (Does not apply to the little L-plate s*its on their scooters - we all know the type)
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