Is anyone else finding it harder to drive for fun?
Discussion
nickfrog said:
velocemitch said:
Cyclists are the biggest worry, there has always been slow drivers, but the number of cyclists hunting in packs despite Covid restrictions is ridiculous now. They are even out after dark dazzling everyone with bright LED lights that would be illegal on a car.
Hunting in packs, ignoring COVID restrictions, going out at night, dazzling everyone. 
You'll tell us they don't even pay road tax in a minute.
I’m a bit further north but it’s still possible to get out for a good drive but you have to get up and out early because by 9am the dawdles are out in force.
motco said:
...
OP storming Aston Hill (the old A40) up to Stokenchurch from Lewknor is always fun if you get a clear run. Dodgy in the autumn with the wet dead leaves on the road though.
I do this most days in a variety of old heaps and sometimes on an old bike. Also, south Oxon in general has loads of very quiet roads, especially good if in a tiny car. For a mighty hoon, drive the road from Long Crendon to near Bicester. Mucho hoono.OP storming Aston Hill (the old A40) up to Stokenchurch from Lewknor is always fun if you get a clear run. Dodgy in the autumn with the wet dead leaves on the road though.
The A&B roads in my area are well surfaced and generally very quiet, but, I can guarantee that any drive at any time of day will be ruined because even though the roads are quiet it seems like literally every other driver around here is a fully paid up member of the 37 in an NSL society.
It's just not possible to travel more than a mile at any time in any direction without finding yourself stuck behind one and unfortunately as good as the roads are they are narrow and very twisty and there's very few safe well sighted overtaking opportunities
It's just not possible to travel more than a mile at any time in any direction without finding yourself stuck behind one and unfortunately as good as the roads are they are narrow and very twisty and there's very few safe well sighted overtaking opportunities
Breadvan72 said:
Yup. Sharing the road isn't really that hard, but the perpetually grumpy will always have a grump. "When I were a lad, all t' roads were just fields and we all drove at 200 mph and petrol was free" etc.
...tell the young people of today that, and they won't bloody believe you...they won't!!I agree in the last few years the roads just seem constantly busy and it can sap the fun out of driving.
Especially this year if going out in the car or on the motorbike for fun you need to be out of the house by 7am. I live right on the edge of the N York Moors and if it's a sunny weekend then by 10am the roads are just stupid busy.
Agree about speeding being considered as worse than murder as well. The police don't seem that interested in theft, asbo youths or property damage but good chance you will see 2 camera vans / traffic cops on one circuit of the Moors!
Especially this year if going out in the car or on the motorbike for fun you need to be out of the house by 7am. I live right on the edge of the N York Moors and if it's a sunny weekend then by 10am the roads are just stupid busy.
Agree about speeding being considered as worse than murder as well. The police don't seem that interested in theft, asbo youths or property damage but good chance you will see 2 camera vans / traffic cops on one circuit of the Moors!
motco said:
Doesn't the ghostly presence of Richard Brunstrom haunt the North Wales roads though?
OP storming Aston Hill (the old A40) up to Stokenchurch from Lewknor is always fun if you get a clear run. Dodgy in the autumn with the wet dead leaves on the road though.
Pay attention up there, deer, pheasants and cyclists. Not saying you can't hoof up there but.....OP storming Aston Hill (the old A40) up to Stokenchurch from Lewknor is always fun if you get a clear run. Dodgy in the autumn with the wet dead leaves on the road though.
OP, I know just what you mean. I live on Bucks/Oxon border. Crap roads, cars +++, crap drivers who won't do over 50. I don't want to go super-fast, just at my own pace without getting held up by dawdlers. Had some super drives during lockdown - just about the only benefit I noticed at the time.
Some great replies, thank you.
To be clear I have nothing against cyclists. I am one. Its just the large packs that seem to be everywhere over here especially early in the morning, thats why I went out driving later.
My main gripe is really the condition of the roads. They are so bad that it just takes away any confidence for me personally. Maybe something slower and more softly sprung. Something like a 1.5 MX5.
To be clear I have nothing against cyclists. I am one. Its just the large packs that seem to be everywhere over here especially early in the morning, thats why I went out driving later.
My main gripe is really the condition of the roads. They are so bad that it just takes away any confidence for me personally. Maybe something slower and more softly sprung. Something like a 1.5 MX5.
I’ve not noticed many northerners agreeing. Joking (slightly) aside it’s more about modern cars IMO. I recently exchanged an old school performance car for a modern one but road conditions and other modern ‘stuff’ just render the experience anodyne. Much more fun driving an old car at 9/10 than a new one at 5/10 as permitted by modern conditions and traffic densities. IMHO
Turning Japanese said:
My main gripe is really the condition of the roads. They are so bad that it just takes away any confidence for me personally. Maybe something slower and more softly sprung. Something like a 1.5 MX5.
I have just come out of owning a few hot hatches, Saxo VTS, Clio 182 and lastly a FiestaST2, and getting a 2018 MX-5ND. I'd just got bored of driving the same-old-thing really and wanted something different. I worked at a Mazda dealership between 2006-2012 demonstrating cars to customers and that's when I discovered the joy of this little roadster. It was about 3 months ago when I finally bought one. Is good fun, even on our "Less than perfect roads!"You might like the ND 1.5 - They are more softly sprung, but mine rides a lot better than my previous Fiesta ST!
Any excuse to put up a pic..!
Edited by rjfp1962 on Sunday 18th October 21:55
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