A lot to learn...
Discussion
Phew. Near miss this morning. Thought I'd tell you guys about it.
I was following three vehicles along a rural B road this morning, two cars and a tanker lorry in front, so we were crawling along. The traffic clears, I have a good look round indicate and begin an overtake, mindful that both cars in front are itching to get by the lorry. So I move right out to make sure I can be seen. I get alongside the car immediately behind the tanker and he performs the 'maneuvre-indicate, dont look'. A quick squirt got me out of danger, but it scared the crap out of the driver, and me. He simply hadn't seen me.
Once I'd completed the move, I was quite angry - at first with the driver, but then thought that I should have sized up the possibility of it happening before making my move, and waited for the cars to get by the tanker first.
I've still got a lot to learn...
I was following three vehicles along a rural B road this morning, two cars and a tanker lorry in front, so we were crawling along. The traffic clears, I have a good look round indicate and begin an overtake, mindful that both cars in front are itching to get by the lorry. So I move right out to make sure I can be seen. I get alongside the car immediately behind the tanker and he performs the 'maneuvre-indicate, dont look'. A quick squirt got me out of danger, but it scared the crap out of the driver, and me. He simply hadn't seen me.
Once I'd completed the move, I was quite angry - at first with the driver, but then thought that I should have sized up the possibility of it happening before making my move, and waited for the cars to get by the tanker first.
I've still got a lot to learn...
I work on the basis of trying not to compete with other traffic for the same piece of road. As you've said you could feel they were itching to get by, so you need to heed your intuition and chill out. You're on a bike so there will always be plenty of other places for you to overtake, just take your time and pick your spot.
Steve.
Steve.
Yep, I'm really hard on myself if I maneuvre without 100% awareness. I'm very risk averse on the bike, and the old alarm bells were ringing on this occasion. I momentarily thought about backing off - at the very second the car began to move across the road towards me...too late!
I need to work on my cornering. I have no confidence cranking the bike over, always feeling that it's going to vanish from underneath me at any second!
Watched a chap on a Gixxer thou' or 600, at Burford Roundabout (A40) on Sunday carve a beautiful line. Looked just like a GP racer, hanging off one side, knee almost down, then smoothly flicking the bike over the other way to exit the roundabout. Not flustered or trying too hard. Magic!
I wanna ride like that. Where can I go to learn?
I need to work on my cornering. I have no confidence cranking the bike over, always feeling that it's going to vanish from underneath me at any second!
Watched a chap on a Gixxer thou' or 600, at Burford Roundabout (A40) on Sunday carve a beautiful line. Looked just like a GP racer, hanging off one side, knee almost down, then smoothly flicking the bike over the other way to exit the roundabout. Not flustered or trying too hard. Magic!
I wanna ride like that. Where can I go to learn?
On rural roads in particular I will often give a good blast of the headlight flasher before doing the overtake. This often catches the eye of the drivers in front at least drawing their attention to me. I tend to do the same in the TVR as well as I think most drivers/rider (me included) are occasionally guilty of getting too focused on trying to get passed the slow moving vehicle in front and not keeping ‘up to date’ with the changing situation behind them.
Julian
You say you want to "ride like that"... how long have you been riding?
I will hopefully have passed my test by this time next week and I'm resigned to the fact that it's just going to take time to become a "natural" rider in the same way I am a "natural" driver after 26 years!
That saying.... when I did my CBT on the 125 week before last it was the first time on a bike for about 20 years and it felt so natural .. as though I had ridden the day before. I had forgotten the wonderful feeling of freedom a bike provides though!!!
You say you want to "ride like that"... how long have you been riding?
I will hopefully have passed my test by this time next week and I'm resigned to the fact that it's just going to take time to become a "natural" rider in the same way I am a "natural" driver after 26 years!
That saying.... when I did my CBT on the 125 week before last it was the first time on a bike for about 20 years and it felt so natural .. as though I had ridden the day before. I had forgotten the wonderful feeling of freedom a bike provides though!!!
TRACK 
I was only answering to the part about the guy leaning from one side to the other both quickly & smoothly. This is best learn on track as surfaces are smooth & you ain't worrying about whats coming the other way (should the worst happen & you come off).
I admit that Roadcraft is an essential part of riding a bike, as it is a car although not many people seem to think so. However, that is more observational, ie looking around corners, positioning yourself on the road (whichever side of the road that may be), basically setting yourself up so you have the best view of the road ahead & so other can see you, etc, etc.
If you want to learn about your bike, get to a track.
I admit that Roadcraft is an essential part of riding a bike, as it is a car although not many people seem to think so. However, that is more observational, ie looking around corners, positioning yourself on the road (whichever side of the road that may be), basically setting yourself up so you have the best view of the road ahead & so other can see you, etc, etc.
If you want to learn about your bike, get to a track.
garyhun said:
Julian
You say you want to "ride like that"... how long have you been riding?
I will hopefully have passed my test by this time next week and I'm resigned to the fact that it's just going to take time to become a "natural" rider in the same way I am a "natural" driver after 26 years!
That saying.... when I did my CBT on the 125 week before last it was the first time on a bike for about 20 years and it felt so natural .. as though I had ridden the day before. I had forgotten the wonderful feeling of freedom a bike provides though!!!
You say you want to "ride like that"... how long have you been riding?
I will hopefully have passed my test by this time next week and I'm resigned to the fact that it's just going to take time to become a "natural" rider in the same way I am a "natural" driver after 26 years!
That saying.... when I did my CBT on the 125 week before last it was the first time on a bike for about 20 years and it felt so natural .. as though I had ridden the day before. I had forgotten the wonderful feeling of freedom a bike provides though!!!
Hi,
well I've raced motocross since I was a wee lad, but never did the road bike thing until June this year. Some of it translates, but leaning over with the bike is totally alien. I keep wanting to stick a leg out!!! LOL!!!
I think I'll book myself some advanced training, to see where I'm at and where I can improve.
Edited by julianb on Tuesday 19th September 14:28
Edited by julianb on Tuesday 19th September 14:28
Edited by julianb on Tuesday 19th September 14:29
julianb said:
garyhun said:
Julian
You say you want to "ride like that"... how long have you been riding?
I will hopefully have passed my test by this time next week and I'm resigned to the fact that it's just going to take time to become a "natural" rider in the same way I am a "natural" driver after 26 years!
That saying.... when I did my CBT on the 125 week before last it was the first time on a bike for about 20 years and it felt so natural .. as though I had ridden the day before. I had forgotten the wonderful feeling of freedom a bike provides though!!!
You say you want to "ride like that"... how long have you been riding?
I will hopefully have passed my test by this time next week and I'm resigned to the fact that it's just going to take time to become a "natural" rider in the same way I am a "natural" driver after 26 years!
That saying.... when I did my CBT on the 125 week before last it was the first time on a bike for about 20 years and it felt so natural .. as though I had ridden the day before. I had forgotten the wonderful feeling of freedom a bike provides though!!!
Hi,
well I've raced motocross since I was a wee lad, but never did the road bike thing until June this year. Some of it translates, but leaning over with the bike is totally alien. I kepp wanting to stick a leg out!!! LOL!!!
Edited by julianb on Tuesday 19th September 14:28
Do you find yourself merging with the undergrowth at the side of roads without thinking?
hobo said:
I was only answering to the part about the guy leaning from one side to the other both quickly & smoothly. This is best learn on track as surfaces are smooth & you ain't worrying about whats coming the other way (should the worst happen & you come off).
I admit that Roadcraft is an essential part of riding a bike, as it is a car although not many people seem to think so. However, that is more observational, ie looking around corners, positioning yourself on the road (whichever side of the road that may be), basically setting yourself up so you have the best view of the road ahead & so other can see you, etc, etc.
If you want to learn about your bike, get to a track.
I admit that Roadcraft is an essential part of riding a bike, as it is a car although not many people seem to think so. However, that is more observational, ie looking around corners, positioning yourself on the road (whichever side of the road that may be), basically setting yourself up so you have the best view of the road ahead & so other can see you, etc, etc.
If you want to learn about your bike, get to a track.
Track days are great fun and a good place to hone your bike control skills but road training will not only teach you how to ride your bike quickly and smoothly, it will also save your life! In my view there is no completion when it comes to where you should spend your money in order to improve you riding and track days come a distant second!
black-k1 said:
On rural roads in particular I will often give a good blast of the headlight flasher before doing the overtake. This often catches the eye of the drivers in front at least drawing their attention to me. I tend to do the same in the TVR as well as I think most drivers/rider (me included) are occasionally guilty of getting too focused on trying to get passed the slow moving vehicle in front and not keeping ‘up to date’ with the changing situation behind them.
IF you flash your lights, don't car drivers associate it with giving way?
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