Filtering. You're all nutters!

Filtering. You're all nutters!

Author
Discussion

julianb

Original Poster:

311 posts

215 months

Wednesday 13th September 2006
quotequote all
So, I'm crawling around Abingdon town centre in very heavy traffic, and a lad on a Gixer thou comes carving past, no holds barred, missing door mirrors by inches. Whilst I'm impressed, and at the same time frustrated by my lack of skill/confidence to do the same, as a car driver I can see how, as bikers, we put ourselves at risk. It's not always obvious until the last second that a biker is closing fast astern. Not to mention the inherent danger of pedestrians crossing the road between stationary cars. I wouldn't fancy 160-odd kilos of sportsbike up me chuff!!!

Provided I'm not taking the piss, I always find car and van drivers will give a little room to a polite biker. A friendly nod always goes a long way. Sit back, relax, do a little totty spotting! What's the rush!!!


J

twit

2,908 posts

265 months

Wednesday 13th September 2006
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I kind of agree with you!

But I have just started doing the M4 run each day between Reading and Hammersmith and then the N.Circular... You really have to filter pretty quick to make any progress and the M4 is the first place that I have activily seen cars see you and then close the gaps between lanes to stop progress...! Madness!!!!

I always try to say thanks to those that move over but even in three weeks I can notice that I do carve up traffic a bit quicker than I did...

speed8

5,006 posts

274 months

Wednesday 13th September 2006
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Had a bit of fun in the summer filtering round the Brussels ring road with a full set of luggage. I don't commute so filtering isn't a daily thing for me. It's just such a nice feeling when you have carved your way through 10 miles of traffic jams and get on your way when you know that in a car you would still be 9 miles back.

Also in Italy. There was an accident on the Autostrada near Venice. Two trucks collided while overtaking (no one injured, just took the side off on the way past). I filtered for what seemed like miles till I got to the front and then after a little wait and a chat with Italian emergency services they cleared a path so the bikes could get through. Fantastic

stig

11,818 posts

285 months

Wednesday 13th September 2006
quotequote all
twit said:
I kind of agree with you!

But I have just started doing the M4 run each day between Reading and Hammersmith and then the N.Circular... You really have to filter pretty quick to make any progress and the M4 is the first place that I have activily seen cars see you and then close the gaps between lanes to stop progress...! Madness!!!!

I always try to say thanks to those that move over but even in three weeks I can notice that I do carve up traffic a bit quicker than I did...


Keep an eye for me then, I do the same run. Y reg blue R1, usually being driven errr... swiftly

Lewy

192 posts

238 months

Thursday 14th September 2006
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Abingdon has pedestians crossing all over the place so not the best town to filter at a fast pace.
Wasn't on a Monday evening was it, lots of bikes about on their way down to Foxes Diner.

F.M

5,816 posts

221 months

Thursday 14th September 2006
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Filtering is dangerous sometimes....Many times a car will change lane or a parked car will throw open a door without looking...

chilli

17,318 posts

237 months

Thursday 14th September 2006
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Lewy said:
Abingdon has pedestians crossing all over the place so not the best town to filter at a fast pace.
Wasn't on a Monday evening was it, lots of bikes about on their way down to Foxes Diner.


Talk to me about pedestrians......They're the nutters. In London, they think they have right of way. One lane is stationary = cross all 3 lanes without looking.

Mad Dave

7,158 posts

264 months

Thursday 14th September 2006
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julianb said:
So, I'm crawling around Abingdon town centre in very heavy traffic, and a lad on a Gixer thou comes carving past, no holds barred, missing door mirrors by inches.


Amateur! A pro would barely be able to squeeze a Rizla paper betwixt each mirror!

A friend tried to follow me through a rather 'tight' gap the other day - I made it through my millimetres, he thought he would too; 'whack!'. Oops.

ballon

1,172 posts

220 months

Thursday 14th September 2006
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Mad Dave said:
julianb said:
So, I'm crawling around Abingdon town centre in very heavy traffic, and a lad on a Gixer thou comes carving past, no holds barred, missing door mirrors by inches.


Amateur! A pro would barely be able to squeeze a Rizla paper betwixt each mirror!

A friend tried to follow me through a rather 'tight' gap the other day - I made it through my millimetres, he thought he would too; 'whack!'. Oops.



Good filter training, follow a courier for a whileyikes

Spare pair of boxers and trousers are also required if you do

Mad Dave

7,158 posts

264 months

Thursday 14th September 2006
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LOL yeah, I imagine a courier would leave me for dead. Those guys are total loons.

julianb

Original Poster:

311 posts

215 months

Thursday 14th September 2006
quotequote all
Lewy said:
Abingdon has pedestians crossing all over the place so not the best town to filter at a fast pace.
Wasn't on a Monday evening was it, lots of bikes about on their way down to Foxes Diner.


Nah, it was mid morning on Tuesday. The place is a feckin mess at the moment - the one way system is being fundamentally changed.