What driving moments are you proud of today?
Discussion
Here's an idea for a thread. It may work, or it may fall to the wayside.
I'm assuming most in this forum will be daily drivers, and just about every moment we're on the road, we're always doing little things that we're either happy with or a bit disappointed with. Just little things, like "Dammit, I should really have had my handbreak on there", or "Glad I remembered to point my wheels in that direction whilst stopped". The kind of thoughts you have constantly when driving.
Anyhoo - the idea of this thread is that everyone posts something they did on that day. Big, small, positive or negative, it's all good. We can all get feedback and discussion on the small stuff, and hopefully all benefit. No doubt the thread will splinter and de-rail like crazy, but that's no big deal, so long as there's fresh "reports" coming in
I'll start, and so not to seem as a tw*t, feel like I should post one of the negative points about my driving today. Basically driving too fast for the conditions. Unlit 2 lane NSL "A" road, lashing with rain. I was doing 50-ish the whole way, happy that by driving 20 below the limit, I was adapting, but thinking back, 50 was too fast. Visibility was crap, and the risk of deep roadside puddles was high. Loads of cars were passing at 70 and above, which made it feel more "right" sitting in the inside lane at 50. I bet that if I were alone on the road, I'd have been doing less than 50. It was one of those nights with spray and wipers on full, that just aren't fun to drive in. In fairness it's normally a great road where 70 is absolutely safe, but 50 was too fast for tonights little jaunt.
Ok, lets hear your guys stories!
I'm assuming most in this forum will be daily drivers, and just about every moment we're on the road, we're always doing little things that we're either happy with or a bit disappointed with. Just little things, like "Dammit, I should really have had my handbreak on there", or "Glad I remembered to point my wheels in that direction whilst stopped". The kind of thoughts you have constantly when driving.
Anyhoo - the idea of this thread is that everyone posts something they did on that day. Big, small, positive or negative, it's all good. We can all get feedback and discussion on the small stuff, and hopefully all benefit. No doubt the thread will splinter and de-rail like crazy, but that's no big deal, so long as there's fresh "reports" coming in
I'll start, and so not to seem as a tw*t, feel like I should post one of the negative points about my driving today. Basically driving too fast for the conditions. Unlit 2 lane NSL "A" road, lashing with rain. I was doing 50-ish the whole way, happy that by driving 20 below the limit, I was adapting, but thinking back, 50 was too fast. Visibility was crap, and the risk of deep roadside puddles was high. Loads of cars were passing at 70 and above, which made it feel more "right" sitting in the inside lane at 50. I bet that if I were alone on the road, I'd have been doing less than 50. It was one of those nights with spray and wipers on full, that just aren't fun to drive in. In fairness it's normally a great road where 70 is absolutely safe, but 50 was too fast for tonights little jaunt.
Ok, lets hear your guys stories!
Good idea, this. May help with aiming for/maintaining a high standard.
I was waiting at some crossroads, and see three young lads all on motorbikes coming from the left. I'm going right, there's just enough time to go and give it the beans to keep out of their way, but conscious that something may not go to plan (and I may end up with egg on me face), I decide to give way.
Sure enough, all three have L plates on and are paying as much attention to each others bikes as they are to the road. As I move up to the back of the last one, I'm sure that they still don't know I'm there. Mindful that they may make some d**khead moves, I watch their behaviour for a mile or so.
I follow them through a small village, and once out and back into NSL, they are all in single file with good distance between them. I look into the distance to the roundabout 2/3 mile away and the whole road is completely clear. Move over to the offside as far as is safe and give it the beans, assessing each one as a seperate manouvre (sp) (just so that they can hear me coming you understand!) because they sure as hell wouldn't have looked!
Whaddaya know, that's when they look over their shoulders! Talk about awareness of your surroundings!
It was pleasing because I took in to account their probable lack of experience on the road, of how the bikes handle as well as having to look out for others at the same time. When the time came, I was able to pass as safely and quickly as possible, giving them a thank you once moved back to the nearside.
Nice one guys!
I was waiting at some crossroads, and see three young lads all on motorbikes coming from the left. I'm going right, there's just enough time to go and give it the beans to keep out of their way, but conscious that something may not go to plan (and I may end up with egg on me face), I decide to give way.
Sure enough, all three have L plates on and are paying as much attention to each others bikes as they are to the road. As I move up to the back of the last one, I'm sure that they still don't know I'm there. Mindful that they may make some d**khead moves, I watch their behaviour for a mile or so.
I follow them through a small village, and once out and back into NSL, they are all in single file with good distance between them. I look into the distance to the roundabout 2/3 mile away and the whole road is completely clear. Move over to the offside as far as is safe and give it the beans, assessing each one as a seperate manouvre (sp) (just so that they can hear me coming you understand!) because they sure as hell wouldn't have looked!
Whaddaya know, that's when they look over their shoulders! Talk about awareness of your surroundings!
It was pleasing because I took in to account their probable lack of experience on the road, of how the bikes handle as well as having to look out for others at the same time. When the time came, I was able to pass as safely and quickly as possible, giving them a thank you once moved back to the nearside.
Nice one guys!
An error today from me.
I was driving into Rugby in the dark this evening - I have driven the road about once a month for several years. It used to be 40 well into the built up area. The bottom line is - I missed that the 40 has now been changed to 30. I had gone about a mile past the start of the 30 before I registered that the 40 repeaters on the lamp-posts were missing!
I went back to look at how I had missed the start of the 30. The 40 started as before, clearly signed. Just after the 40 starts there is a tight bend into a dip under a narrow bridge, and then another bend. Just after the bridge, on the upslope from the dip and about 250 m after the 40 was the new 30 sign. Appallingly positioned IMHO, but as the sort of highly aware driver that I am I should not have missed it. Let's hope I did not also miss a camera van!
I am dubious about this particular limit change. Leaving that aside, I favour a reminder system for 30's which are not obviously so.
But I hate that I missed the new sign.
I was driving into Rugby in the dark this evening - I have driven the road about once a month for several years. It used to be 40 well into the built up area. The bottom line is - I missed that the 40 has now been changed to 30. I had gone about a mile past the start of the 30 before I registered that the 40 repeaters on the lamp-posts were missing!
I went back to look at how I had missed the start of the 30. The 40 started as before, clearly signed. Just after the 40 starts there is a tight bend into a dip under a narrow bridge, and then another bend. Just after the bridge, on the upslope from the dip and about 250 m after the 40 was the new 30 sign. Appallingly positioned IMHO, but as the sort of highly aware driver that I am I should not have missed it. Let's hope I did not also miss a camera van!
I am dubious about this particular limit change. Leaving that aside, I favour a reminder system for 30's which are not obviously so.
But I hate that I missed the new sign.
waremark said:
I hate that I missed the new sign.
It's so often the case that you miss the signs on the roads you drive regularly! Only when I started as an IAM observer and was therefore paying special attention did I notice that a road I drive twice a day has a "beware of horses" warning sign on it. I felt quite guilty asking my associate what the last sign we'd passed said but I asked him anyway (he didn't know)!To add to the irony, it's a road on which I, members of my family and a number of friends ride regularly. Still, at least I always drive it with horses in mind.
I love those moments of magic where your speed/position/timing could not be anymore perfect.
Example the other night, a long line of traffic in lane queueing up for a roundabout, lane 2 was empty. Continue at my usual speed in lane 2 when approaching the roundabout, spot the gap as cars go round, dive in before the front car in L1 even flinches, whip round the roundabout with enough time to spare for the next car coming round the roundabout having to do nothing to alter there route. While i continue merrily at a lovely consistent pace and the other guy sitting in Lane 1 watches the gap disappear before his eyes and is resigned to having to wait a bit longer...Poetry in motion.
Example the other night, a long line of traffic in lane queueing up for a roundabout, lane 2 was empty. Continue at my usual speed in lane 2 when approaching the roundabout, spot the gap as cars go round, dive in before the front car in L1 even flinches, whip round the roundabout with enough time to spare for the next car coming round the roundabout having to do nothing to alter there route. While i continue merrily at a lovely consistent pace and the other guy sitting in Lane 1 watches the gap disappear before his eyes and is resigned to having to wait a bit longer...Poetry in motion.
Two small things I did today...
I always do this when exiting my garage. It exits onto a pavement, and when driving out visibility is bad, as well as there usually being a load of pedestrians in their own wee worlds. I always give the engine a good rev just before I exit, to make myself heard by any pedestrians, and also makes me feel a bit like James Bond too
More seriously, I was in a long tunnel with a 30mph limit. Cruising along at 30, there's the usual suspects all tailgating each other at 30 a good few car lenghts ahead. When I saw the cascade of brakelights, I eased back to 25 for a bit, then back to 30, and exited the tunnel with a beautiful 2 second gap between myself and the car in front. Acceleration sense is something I've been trying to get smoother, and previously I reckon I'd have kept on at 30, closed on the cars ahead, then started braking once I got close enough to the car in front. To not have used the brakes at all, and exit the tunnel exactly where I would have, had I used the brakes, felt kinda good.
Not today, but on Sunday. I was out in my Caterham (CSR 260, so loud exhaust). Saw two young riders out on the other side of the road, so killed the engine (nothing behind me) as it has a tendency to pop and bang on overrun when slowing down. I coasted past the riders and fired the engine up on the button once safely past.
Thanks from the riders made it more worthwhile.
Steve
Thanks from the riders made it more worthwhile.
Steve
sjmmarsh said:
Not today, but on Sunday. I was out in my Caterham (CSR 260, so loud exhaust). Saw two young riders out on the other side of the road, so killed the engine (nothing behind me) as it has a tendency to pop and bang on overrun when slowing down. I coasted past the riders and fired the engine up on the button once safely past.
Thanks from the riders made it more worthwhile.
Steve
Good thinking - many car drivers aren't aware of just how easily horses can be spooked.Thanks from the riders made it more worthwhile.
Steve
sjmmarsh said:
Not today, but on Sunday. I was out in my Caterham (CSR 260, so loud exhaust). Saw two young riders out on the other side of the road, so killed the engine (nothing behind me) as it has a tendency to pop and bang on overrun when slowing down. I coasted past the riders and fired the engine up on the button once safely past.
Thanks from the riders made it more worthwhile.
Steve
Good effort. When I'm out in the clattery work vans I slow to about 15-20mph and pop into 4th when I pass horses, leaves the engine basically on tick over but still with some drive should I need to close any gap for oncoming traffic.Thanks from the riders made it more worthwhile.
Steve
ironictwist said:
I love those moments of magic where your speed/position/timing could not be anymore perfect.
Example the other night, a long line of traffic in lane queueing up for a roundabout, lane 2 was empty. Continue at my usual speed in lane 2 when approaching the roundabout, spot the gap as cars go round, dive in before the front car in L1 even flinches, whip round the roundabout with enough time to spare for the next car coming round the roundabout having to do nothing to alter there route. While i continue merrily at a lovely consistent pace and the other guy sitting in Lane 1 watches the gap disappear before his eyes and is resigned to having to wait a bit longer...Poetry in motion.
That reads quite an aggressive move to me, I'm sure it's the way I read it though.Example the other night, a long line of traffic in lane queueing up for a roundabout, lane 2 was empty. Continue at my usual speed in lane 2 when approaching the roundabout, spot the gap as cars go round, dive in before the front car in L1 even flinches, whip round the roundabout with enough time to spare for the next car coming round the roundabout having to do nothing to alter there route. While i continue merrily at a lovely consistent pace and the other guy sitting in Lane 1 watches the gap disappear before his eyes and is resigned to having to wait a bit longer...Poetry in motion.
Anyway, my moment of magic was on Thursday, and it seems my current nemesis is emergency vehicles. Plod car is coming in the opposite direction behind about 5 or 6 cars which seemingly havent seen the lights or heard the siren. Nothing behind me so I flash my lights, indicate left and he starts to overtake. I'd planned that he'd accelerate and I would be able to make the bus stop on my left to get out of the way, which was timed perfectly. Even got a thumbs up from him. Strangely, no-one else seemed to even notice they'd just been passed by a police car screaming around them guess somewhere around 50 ish mph.
andy_quantum said:
ironictwist said:
I love those moments of magic where your speed/position/timing could not be anymore perfect.
Example the other night, a long line of traffic in lane queueing up for a roundabout, lane 2 was empty. Continue at my usual speed in lane 2 when approaching the roundabout, spot the gap as cars go round, dive in before the front car in L1 even flinches, whip round the roundabout with enough time to spare for the next car coming round the roundabout having to do nothing to alter there route. While i continue merrily at a lovely consistent pace and the other guy sitting in Lane 1 watches the gap disappear before his eyes and is resigned to having to wait a bit longer...Poetry in motion.
That reads quite an aggressive move to me, I'm sure it's the way I read it though.Example the other night, a long line of traffic in lane queueing up for a roundabout, lane 2 was empty. Continue at my usual speed in lane 2 when approaching the roundabout, spot the gap as cars go round, dive in before the front car in L1 even flinches, whip round the roundabout with enough time to spare for the next car coming round the roundabout having to do nothing to alter there route. While i continue merrily at a lovely consistent pace and the other guy sitting in Lane 1 watches the gap disappear before his eyes and is resigned to having to wait a bit longer...Poetry in motion.
Anyway, my moment of magic was on Thursday, and it seems my current nemesis is emergency vehicles. Plod car is coming in the opposite direction behind about 5 or 6 cars which seemingly havent seen the lights or heard the siren. Nothing behind me so I flash my lights, indicate left and he starts to overtake. I'd planned that he'd accelerate and I would be able to make the bus stop on my left to get out of the way, which was timed perfectly. Even got a thumbs up from him. Strangely, no-one else seemed to even notice they'd just been passed by a police car screaming around them guess somewhere around 50 ish mph.
People under-estimate the effect timing can have on the smoothness of your driving. Nice to get the thumbs up too!
Ive only got a mini, a classic one, and its a 1.3 injection, and i take the same route to work most days, could drive the road blindfolded. Its not a wide lane but wide enough. Its runs through a little village full of upper class individuals. A few porsches, Bmws etc, and theres a longish straight bit of road before a slow sharp corner, which leads into a couple of miles of winding country open road. Always get taken out on the straight, but love the comedy factor of sticking to the back of these cars like glue down the lanes. I put it to the guys not being able to drive them... but its funny, a mini chasing a porsche. I might have to try and get a onboard camera.
Speed round the bends is generally a function of each driver's judgement about being able to stop in the distance they can see to be clear. A very important variable is the judgement about whether you can rely on having the whole of your side of the road to yourself, or whether you have to make allowances for someone overtaking a pedestrian towards you, and so be able to stop in less than half the distance you can see to be clear. Doesn't make much difference whether you have a Porsche or a Mini.
i had one last night coming back home on the A19 had a guy in a mercedes E class sat very close to me (even though it would have been safe to overtake). I had 2 large roundabouts and 1 small 1 to negotiate before the next large dual carriageway section opened up. He sat on my backend round the first one and up to the second, as i looked ahead i saw the road was clear took the smoothest possible line over the 2nd roundabout then gunned it (I drive a 1.6 tdci fiesta so gunned is a bit strong.) Eased off for the 2nd roundabout and selected 4th watched the merc lose the ground he had made up and i then proceeded round the roundabout and accelerated to a steady 70, the merc passed me eventually when i got to a 50 limit but i always get a sense of smugness when i prove the old saying that power is noting without control, and it goes without saying that a little bit of skill helps.
Last sunday at Santa Pod.
The conditions were less than perfect, frost still coming out of the launch area, so as the car`s quite heavy my 60ft times were not good to say the least.
Last run it all came together and the launch was awesome.
Wll the OP didn`t say it had to be an on road experience.
The conditions were less than perfect, frost still coming out of the launch area, so as the car`s quite heavy my 60ft times were not good to say the least.
Last run it all came together and the launch was awesome.
Wll the OP didn`t say it had to be an on road experience.
MiniMac said:
I've had a couple of shocking gear changes this week from 1st to 2nd. Very jarring.
Not helped by the fact that I think my thrust bearing is acting up.
Yeah one of my aims when driving is to be as smooth as possible while making reasonable progress and if I bugger up a gearchange I tend to give myself a mini bollocking.. "Whoops... You tNot helped by the fact that I think my thrust bearing is acting up.
t" sort of thing 
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