Bikers - can you explain?
Discussion
Bizarre.
Came off a dual carriageway on to a dualled slip road and was waiting at the lights at the roundabout. Three motorbikes come down the middle and we all wait for the lights to change. The lights change, I wait politely for the bikes to go first, then follow behind.
Turning off the roundabout onto another dual carriageway, the logical time arrives to accelerate past the slow stuff in the left hand lane. However, the bike in front of me doesn't go haring off, as one would expect, but stays plumb on 70. Eventually we get past the traffic and he (grudgingly) pulls over - just enough to let me through. So I go through, fine, but 200 yards up the road is his mate, who sees me coming and immediately starts to move over from the left hand lane to the centre and gesticulates. A speed trap I think? Nope, nothing. So I go past and get ahead a little and settle down at maybe 85 in the left lane mindingmy own business. Then biker 2 suddenly accelerates and comes zooming up alongside me. I ignore him; besides, I'm watching the road. After a bit he drops back and waves his fists around. I keep going and don't see them again.
What did I do to provoke this behaviour? Or do they think they can lord it over everyone else?
Came off a dual carriageway on to a dualled slip road and was waiting at the lights at the roundabout. Three motorbikes come down the middle and we all wait for the lights to change. The lights change, I wait politely for the bikes to go first, then follow behind.
Turning off the roundabout onto another dual carriageway, the logical time arrives to accelerate past the slow stuff in the left hand lane. However, the bike in front of me doesn't go haring off, as one would expect, but stays plumb on 70. Eventually we get past the traffic and he (grudgingly) pulls over - just enough to let me through. So I go through, fine, but 200 yards up the road is his mate, who sees me coming and immediately starts to move over from the left hand lane to the centre and gesticulates. A speed trap I think? Nope, nothing. So I go past and get ahead a little and settle down at maybe 85 in the left lane mindingmy own business. Then biker 2 suddenly accelerates and comes zooming up alongside me. I ignore him; besides, I'm watching the road. After a bit he drops back and waves his fists around. I keep going and don't see them again.
What did I do to provoke this behaviour? Or do they think they can lord it over everyone else?
Hmm. Another pair (the roads were crawling with bikes today) enjoyed alternating between 29 and 70... I keep my distance; they're like hi-speed tacking yachts, drifting all over the place, you never which side they're coming from. I reckon that at least if you keep a predictable speed and course, they will hopefully miss.
Maybe a gunner in a boot turret would do the trick???
Pride of place though goes to the nutter in a souped up yellow car that went hurtling past me towards a blind brow whilst overtaking several cars... he may deserve to die, it's just unfortunate about the people coming the other way.
Maybe a gunner in a boot turret would do the trick???
Pride of place though goes to the nutter in a souped up yellow car that went hurtling past me towards a blind brow whilst overtaking several cars... he may deserve to die, it's just unfortunate about the people coming the other way.
Hi Anna! I agree with most of what you say, you sound very sensible. But I'd like to make the following comments...
No problem with that - they are thinner! I'd do the same if I could!
Why is that? I don't have to look through a little slot in a crash-helmet: my peripheral vision is better. Or is it because unaware bikers are dead bikers?
I agree. But it took me a lot more concentration to deal safely/negotiate these guys than if they'd been riding in a roughly straight line at a roughly predictable speed! Surely, to avoid one's life being taken from you, it's best to proceed in a sensible fashion and if you want to do 70mph, keep over and let the TVR on your six that wants to get past, do so, without titting about and creating grief for everyone?
No problem with that; I'd do the same. But it would have been nice to have done something to warrant such gesticulations!
954 girlie said:
You should consider that often bikers filter to the front of stationary traffic to avoid the possibility of being rear ended!
No problem with that - they are thinner! I'd do the same if I could!
954 girlie said:
you should also consider that sometimes bikers may have spotted a hazard that a car driver has missed, simply because they are often more aware of their surroundings.
Why is that? I don't have to look through a little slot in a crash-helmet: my peripheral vision is better. Or is it because unaware bikers are dead bikers?
954 girlie said:
just bear in mind that when you are on 2 wheels your life may be taken from you very easily by someones momentary lapse of concentration
I agree. But it took me a lot more concentration to deal safely/negotiate these guys than if they'd been riding in a roughly straight line at a roughly predictable speed! Surely, to avoid one's life being taken from you, it's best to proceed in a sensible fashion and if you want to do 70mph, keep over and let the TVR on your six that wants to get past, do so, without titting about and creating grief for everyone?
954 girlie said:
however if someone does something stupid putting my life at risk, giving me a heart stopping moment, I may 'gesticulate'
No problem with that; I'd do the same. But it would have been nice to have done something to warrant such gesticulations!
954 girlie said:
I'm not going to come over to the car board & call you all a bunch of boring, pipe smoking, slipper wearing, old duffers with nodding dogs & panama hats on yer parcel shelves - well I might, you never know!! 
On the Griff forum? I'd like to see you try! But you're very welcome to say hello
Good natter - I like your style. I think mutual respect and awareness is the agreed order of the day. And plenty of loud pedal. Or right wrist, whatever you guys use (dunno, my last bike had three gears and pedals!)
veetwin said:
I seem to see more and more car drivers this summer moving over slightly so you can get a good view past. Obviously a biker will overtake in his own time, but getting a better view past and a little bit of room always will be rewarded with a hand or knee out in acknowlegdment.
I'm pleased to say that I do that (if I see you in time). I go at my own speed and if a bike wants to get past I'm happy to help. After all there's little point in trying to race one!
In fact once recently I did get an acknowledgement. Mutual respect is good.
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