Is anyone else finding it harder to drive for fun?
Discussion
I was out I the GT86 yesterday between Ross on Wye and Abergavenny. Great roads but awful because of Sunday drivers combined with every motorbike in the country getting in the last dry Sunday ride out before the bike goes away from the winter and is SORNed for November.
You need to move to somewhere with lower population density. The SE is horrid in that regard.
You need to move to somewhere with lower population density. The SE is horrid in that regard.
If you're going out specifically for a hoon then you'll become frustrated if you can't enjoy it and there'll be constant pressure to push harder. As other said you need to get up early.
I find it more relaxing to go out for other reasons and just take the opportunities when a good road and no traffic present themselves.
Really, track days are there for the scheduled fun, if you don't go overboard and have a car set up for road driving it won't even matter what weather you get.
I find it more relaxing to go out for other reasons and just take the opportunities when a good road and no traffic present themselves.
Really, track days are there for the scheduled fun, if you don't go overboard and have a car set up for road driving it won't even matter what weather you get.
Chuck328 said:
I suppose it depends on where you live and what's readily accessible...
Follow that road a a few miles down and it takes you into a glen that had some scenes shot from James Bond Skyfall. The bit where 'M' dies IRRC.
Anyway, epic place for good cars.
I'm lucky.
But aren't the roads covered in salt for half of the year which will be eating away at that Evo?Follow that road a a few miles down and it takes you into a glen that had some scenes shot from James Bond Skyfall. The bit where 'M' dies IRRC.
Anyway, epic place for good cars.
I'm lucky.
I’m just back from a week in Fort William and I was surprised how quiet the roads were.
I went to Inverness, Skye, Mallaig and generally all over and overall the roads were quietish and in lovely condition. This surprised me as I was expecting them still to be rammed with holidaymakers. A few motorhomes and caravans but not as many as you’d expect.
Choose a spring or autumn holiday outside of the school breaks and I reckon if you went out early you’d have the roads mostly to yourself.
Some Gump said:
Yep, but it might be age.
Too many dashcams
Too many potholes.
Too many cyclists.
Not enough time.
Bit when i was younger - f
k it, take my chance. Potholes can be avoided. cyclists are just a moving chicane, plenty of time.
The roads have always been gash, the main change IMO is that dashcam man means that police by proxy is an issue, and cars in general have got a load better meaning that you have to push more into "deep water" territory to get any thrill. Your best bet? Get a caterham or similar, keep it on narrow tyres and have fun at a lower speed. Although you said gt86 so obv point and squirt wasnt your bag to start with! Honestly though, the only thing thwt makes you appreciate speed more than a 7 is a classic (but thats because pushing on in an xk120 isnt fun its terrifying and awful, at the same time!)
I agree with the above, but the main problem imo is the dash cam brigade. Too many dashcams
Too many potholes.
Too many cyclists.
Not enough time.
Bit when i was younger - f
k it, take my chance. Potholes can be avoided. cyclists are just a moving chicane, plenty of time.The roads have always been gash, the main change IMO is that dashcam man means that police by proxy is an issue, and cars in general have got a load better meaning that you have to push more into "deep water" territory to get any thrill. Your best bet? Get a caterham or similar, keep it on narrow tyres and have fun at a lower speed. Although you said gt86 so obv point and squirt wasnt your bag to start with! Honestly though, the only thing thwt makes you appreciate speed more than a 7 is a classic (but thats because pushing on in an xk120 isnt fun its terrifying and awful, at the same time!)
If you watch a lot of the bad driver videos on YouTube a lot of them it’s the dash cammer that is the problem, out looking for ways to shake their head and press the save button and reap those views when it was an avoidable interaction.
If they were walking slowly and somebody was walking quicker would they get arsey for being passed? But in a car w
ker hat goes on. I’m surprised the “speeding bad” brigade hasn’t dominated this thread.
Like most respondents I usually go out around 7-7:30am and partially plan my route so that I arrive at a destination that provides coffee or breakfast, before heading home.
During the pandemic, that has meant that I need to arrive at such places just before they open, as most restrict seating and I always try to sit outdoors, so not being in a queue makes sense.
During the pandemic, that has meant that I need to arrive at such places just before they open, as most restrict seating and I always try to sit outdoors, so not being in a queue makes sense.
SidewaysSi said:
Chuck328 said:
But aren't the roads covered in salt for half of the year which will be eating away at that Evo?Jaguar steve said:
Mrs JS somehow concluded a autumn road trip round the west country was an acceptable substitute for a couple of weeks in the Canarian sunshine.
A driving holiday in the UK rather than Europe is something we've not done for decades but 800 miles and three tanks of fuel later on mostly sub standard roads overpopulated with ignorant and arsey drivers in dismal weather has clearly demonstrated why driving in the UK isn't fun anymore.
You didn't enjoy any of it? Not even 1 mile? A driving holiday in the UK rather than Europe is something we've not done for decades but 800 miles and three tanks of fuel later on mostly sub standard roads overpopulated with ignorant and arsey drivers in dismal weather has clearly demonstrated why driving in the UK isn't fun anymore.
I'm a cyclist and sometimes the big packs piss me off, but having a strop because you cant go as fast as you like in your car because someone else dare to use the road just seems a bit petulant, "But they dont pay Road Tax !"
Most of the issues I see aren't from cyclists, like passing the Edge at Alderley Edge yesterday, cars parked badly everywhere, clusterfk to get in and out of the carpark. And also, remember, when you cant get by a cyclist it isnt just the bikes you cant get by that are the problem, its the constant stream of cars coming the other way.
Secret is, get a bicycle and try and use the roads that drivers actively avoid where you can to keep out of the way.
Most of the issues I see aren't from cyclists, like passing the Edge at Alderley Edge yesterday, cars parked badly everywhere, clusterf
k to get in and out of the carpark. And also, remember, when you cant get by a cyclist it isnt just the bikes you cant get by that are the problem, its the constant stream of cars coming the other way.Secret is, get a bicycle and try and use the roads that drivers actively avoid where you can to keep out of the way.
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.
That said I still enjoy a good drive through the local area and the Dales, especially when I can exploit the limits of a 50 year old performance car.
I was going to say that the secret to enjoying driving lies in something that you can wring the neck of at much lower speeds and is small. A little 70s saloon/coupe or an 80s hot hatch etc. And then to use it when garden centres and other day trip venues aren’t open. It’s not that modern cars are boring but rather that they are so phenomenally competent that combined with modern traffic levels you end up trapped and unable to use that competency. Plus, when you can you need to be travelling at wholly unsuitable speeds to trigger their reward. That said I still enjoy a good drive through the local area and the Dales, especially when I can exploit the limits of a 50 year old performance car.
The key to modern motoring is to have something swift and sensible and something that is no longer swift or sensible.
nickfrog said:
J4CKO said:
having a strop because you cant go as fast as you like in your car because someone else dare to use the road just seems a bit petulant
Apparently you're not allowed to highlight this.Cyclists are the spawn of satan
Or
Cyclists can do no wrong
AndrewGP said:
Another vote for an getting an early start. I take my Caterham out across Oxfordshire and Berkshire on summer Sunday mornings and leave the house at or just 7am (I’ve got kids so I’m conditioned to getting up early 
).
I’ve had some absolutely amazing drives at this time of the morning and have a 90 mile favourite circular route that works well. It’s definitely down to your choice of car too, the Caterham feels fun at lower speeds but equally is extremely adept at accelerating past any dawdlers.
Not sure how many people might think of a Caterham, when they are hankering after a `fun'car, that is suited to todays road conditions. I expect many might think of a bike first, and there is no doubt that for some, that will be the best answer. ).I’ve had some absolutely amazing drives at this time of the morning and have a 90 mile favourite circular route that works well. It’s definitely down to your choice of car too, the Caterham feels fun at lower speeds but equally is extremely adept at accelerating past any dawdlers.
The good thing about a 7 is that they tend to be quite raw, and `fun' can be had at far lower speeds than might be needed in a closed, sound proofed, air-conditioned quick car. But have to agree the best way to still squeeze some fun out of any car is to get up as early as possible for some nice generally clear roads. The worst thing about doing this is to turn onto your favourite twisty driving road, get round the first bend, only to find a Micra, doing what Micra`s usually do. Where the thought Oh b*ll*x usually springs to mind
Turning Japanese said:
Ive just got back from a 1 hour cross country spirited drive in my GT86. I had no destination in mind, just exploring the buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire countryside around where I live. I used to love drives like this on a Sunday but Im finding more often than not Im getting home afterwards feeling frustrated and wondering wether I really want or need to own a performance car any more.
My main frustration is that the roads around here are in such bad condition it makes driving slightly quickly both difficult and dangerous. Add to that the number of cyclists riding in huge packs and the amount of slow sunday drivers clogging up the back roads means its really hard to get a good uninterrupted flow going.
Im now seriously considering selling my car and buying something 'normal' and then maybe a motorbike for a bit of fun.
Anyone else finding themselves feeling the same?
Get a motorcycle , I often blast round the Oxfordshire/Bucks roads and at different time, in a car you may get a nice stretch for a short while, before joining a queue of cars, with a bike easily dispatched , with a car its frustration. It's why I don't look at any sport cars anymore.My main frustration is that the roads around here are in such bad condition it makes driving slightly quickly both difficult and dangerous. Add to that the number of cyclists riding in huge packs and the amount of slow sunday drivers clogging up the back roads means its really hard to get a good uninterrupted flow going.
Im now seriously considering selling my car and buying something 'normal' and then maybe a motorbike for a bit of fun.
Anyone else finding themselves feeling the same?
Lately I've managed to do 150 mile round trips on the bike for fun, and it has been fun not frustrating.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff