Driving just for driving
Discussion
At least once a week. Drive to a cafe, have a cup of tea, drive around a bit, have another cup, drive around some more.
Not necessarily hooning, not worrying about getting stuck in traffic, just driving for relaxation. It is one of the few times I can empty my mind and live in the now.
Not necessarily hooning, not worrying about getting stuck in traffic, just driving for relaxation. It is one of the few times I can empty my mind and live in the now.
Edited by Super Sonic on Wednesday 10th December 14:14
Super Sonic said:
At least once a week. Drive to a cafe, have a cup of tea, drive around a bit, have another cup, drive around some more.
Not necessarily hooning, not worrying about getting stuck in traffic, just driving for relaxation. It is one of the few times I can empty my mind and live in the now.
This is a wonderful description of why driving is so important to me. It requires a presence of mind that I don't get from any of my other activities, aside from running maybe. Thank you. Not necessarily hooning, not worrying about getting stuck in traffic, just driving for relaxation. It is one of the few times I can empty my mind and live in the now.
Edited by Super Sonic on Wednesday 10th December 14:14
I always try and get out even at this time of the year for a drive just for the heck of it at least once a week. I do struggle to "get" the people who only tax their "toys" for 6 months of the year. I would hate to have a nice crisp February morning not much on and not be able to go for a run.
Had some really good drives which have started with "just off to get some food for the dog" "I am going the long way, see you in a bit"
Had some really good drives which have started with "just off to get some food for the dog" "I am going the long way, see you in a bit"
Not in the car anymore (although I do have quite a boring car!) I sold my S5 last year as I found I just couldn't use the performance anywhere anymore due to the amount of traffic.
My bike on the other hand - almost every ride is just for pleasure. I can block overtake the dawdlers and still enjoy the roads.
My bike on the other hand - almost every ride is just for pleasure. I can block overtake the dawdlers and still enjoy the roads.
It is very rare for me to go for a drive purely to go for a drive. Mainly due to lack of time. But I do, fairly often, make "almost pointless" journeys. eg At the weekend I tried to contact someone about a car I was interested in, and he didn't pick up. I thought "sod it, it's all quiet country roads, I'll just drive to near where he lives and call him again." Got there, he didn't pick up, I drove home having enjoyed the drive!
A very emotive and interesting topic, which for me at least considers multiple factors at any one time and, factors that have changed over the years as we get round our one lap of the track.
First and foremost I love the physical act of driving, regardless of vehicle and regardless of the purpose for which one gets into a car. However, and it's a big however, I'd suggest there's a whole host of reasons that influence my desire and ability to get into a car purely to just to drive it.
Time
The big one. As a teenager living at home with little responsibility, my Cosworth alloy wheeled Mercury Grey XR3i received all the attention it wanted, routinely cleaned and driven of an evening/weekend purely for the joy of ringing its wheezy CVH engine (I thought it was an absolute weapon at the time). Fast forward 20 odd years, and with a wife and child plus a more demanding job, I find that creating specific chunks of time to 'go out for a drive' is quite challenging. On the flip side of that coin, when I do, its all the more enjoyable.
The Car
Whenever I've been in the fortuitous position of being able to own a car for purely selfish/enjoyment reasons, which is to say a second/weekend car, the motivation to go out and 'drive' is heightened. Moreover, the type of car IMO massively influences the decision. As I said, I like the act of driving. For me, this means it needs to heighten all the senses, so, noise, manual gearbox, big engine etc. All very personal to me but I can equally see the pleasure one might get from driving a small automatic hatchback... each to their own.
Earlier this year I got to fulfill a 20+ year dream and get my self a TVR Chimaera. Not the fastest or most expensive car by any means but, for me the epitome of what makes driving for the sake of it one of the most enjoyable things one can do.
First and foremost I love the physical act of driving, regardless of vehicle and regardless of the purpose for which one gets into a car. However, and it's a big however, I'd suggest there's a whole host of reasons that influence my desire and ability to get into a car purely to just to drive it.
Time
The big one. As a teenager living at home with little responsibility, my Cosworth alloy wheeled Mercury Grey XR3i received all the attention it wanted, routinely cleaned and driven of an evening/weekend purely for the joy of ringing its wheezy CVH engine (I thought it was an absolute weapon at the time). Fast forward 20 odd years, and with a wife and child plus a more demanding job, I find that creating specific chunks of time to 'go out for a drive' is quite challenging. On the flip side of that coin, when I do, its all the more enjoyable.
The Car
Whenever I've been in the fortuitous position of being able to own a car for purely selfish/enjoyment reasons, which is to say a second/weekend car, the motivation to go out and 'drive' is heightened. Moreover, the type of car IMO massively influences the decision. As I said, I like the act of driving. For me, this means it needs to heighten all the senses, so, noise, manual gearbox, big engine etc. All very personal to me but I can equally see the pleasure one might get from driving a small automatic hatchback... each to their own.
Earlier this year I got to fulfill a 20+ year dream and get my self a TVR Chimaera. Not the fastest or most expensive car by any means but, for me the epitome of what makes driving for the sake of it one of the most enjoyable things one can do.
Plenty of great driving roads where I live (E Sussex) but the volume of traffic spoils it for me. Being retired I could jump in the car pretty much anytime. However, I find trundling along, with few opportunities to overtake, frustrating rather than enjoyable.
Just going for a drive tends to be first light of a weekend from Spring to Autumn for me, when traffic is light and the tyres have some grip.
Just going for a drive tends to be first light of a weekend from Spring to Autumn for me, when traffic is light and the tyres have some grip.
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