I PASSED!!!!"`!!

Yes. I've managed a few scares over the last few days. After work I
went out for a ride and got to Ashford on the M20, zoomed around, went
to Cineworld and didn't realise the corner near the roundabout was
quite as close to me as it really was, so I "applied the brakes in a
hard and controlled* fashion" (if that's the term for it) (* Kinda)
and dropped three gears and dumped the clutch. Poor engine! At least
I slowed a bit faster. More forward planning needed, methinks. I
think I'm lucky I didn't lock the rear wheel. Perhaps dropping just
two gears next time.

I've been having a go at corners at a faster pace than I have been
recently and it's been quite successful (Well, I'm still here) but I
think I could do them faster. I'll work on it over the next few days.
Practice.

Motorways are still scary. I'll just have to keep working at it.
Even the slightest breeze from the side seems to throw me to the other
side of the lane, and when doing 95 it is disconcerting. I suppose I
could do it at 70, but it's just so tempting to push it further.

And talking of motorways, I filtered through Operation Stack! (Those
unfamiliar: When there is port disruption in France all of the freight
waiting to get on the channel tunnel/ferries is diverted to the coast
bound section of the M20, which is used as a 20 mile long lorry park)
All of those stationary cars! I poodled along through them all, but
moving in that kind of traffic was VERY liberating.

I also did a bit of filtering this morning. Tell me, is filtering on
the LEFT of traffic frowned upon? I only did it as I couldn't get
past the right of the stationary cars, but thought I'd seek your
clarification. It didn't seem the smartest thing to do, but it was
either that or wait. I don't have anything against waiting (I've been
driving cars for a few years now) but I just need a bit of
clarification of the right kind of filtering. The DSA Riding: The
Essential Skills handbook gives instructions and advice that is more
akin to a Cryptic Clue than an official line on the matter.

 

Nick wrote

Dangerous. That bit of the road is for push bikes and scoots. Between
the lanes is reserved for bikes these days with the outside of the
traffic set aside for the exclusive use of couriers.

It is horses for courses really. What you do and how you do it on a
well known commute is a result of the knowledge you gain over time. The
same thing in a strange town will cause you trouble but if you are alert
you will be able to make progress at a decent rate whatever the
conditions.

I note you haven't made any fucking progress fixing your fucking sig
though.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Nick

Good stuff here:

http://www.ukrm.net/faq/Riding_Info/Filtering_in_London_and_general_hints
..html

I would only add that, when filtering on three lane motorways, try to
stay in between lanes 2 and 3 (lane 2a) as much as possible. That way
you're less likely to find yourself filtering between two artics.
There's nothing wrong per se with filtering between artics, but they do
have restricted rear vision. If they run over you they'll spill their
coffee all over their roll-up, and be jolly annoyed.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Manufacturer of the "Champion-105" range of rearsets

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
ZZR1100, Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"

 

Wicked Uncle Nigel says...

I found myself doing that quite often as the A14 and M11 are two
lane. It's fine most of the time, just those occasions when they
start to drift closer, and closer together...

I don't do that sort of thing any more.

 

Wicked Uncle Nigel says...

Maybe, it was more that they started to drift together before I
started going between them, and I was gaining on them too quickly to
not go between them at this point. My mirrors bore the scars

Which is, mostly, a good thing, I suppose.

Yes, that does have a bearing on the matter.

 

They do that on Lower Thames Street, too.

What a funny "boink" noise Blackbird mirrors make when they get pinged
forwards by the side of a truck.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Salad Dodger

*Forward*?

You should be ashamed of yourself.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Manufacturer of the "Champion-105" range of rearsets

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
ZZR1100, Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"

 

Of filtering between artics. Remember, I know what sort of speed you
do on the A14.

I take it you want this added to the list of previous offences to be
taken into account?

snip

"If you die on me I'll kill you"

 

Wicked Uncle Nigel wrote

You ain't seen him filter have you? An amazing sight to behold it is.

 

It really helped me having more experienced riders looking at how I
was taking corners and a session with a salt cellar and a pub table to
show various concepts taught me more clearly than my instructors
managed.

Don't forget the collective knowledge of ukrm will be at the Bosm
soon.

Oh yes. In strong winds gripping with knees helps.

 

I was about halfway through when I realised I wasn't going to make it.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Salad Dodger

Ah. The Bench will consider its verdict.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Manufacturer of the "Champion-105" range of rearsets

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
ZZR1100, Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"

 

Lady Nina says...

There's something jolly unsporting about having your bird reading
the same newsgroup, you know.

Oh go on then. But it's not like it's a surprise, though, is it?

 

I've not bothered with filtering up until now. I think I'm almost at
a stage that I can do it with a reasonable degree of safety.

I know. I reposted it after cancelling the post. Bugger. I'm
getting better though, mother.

 

My instructor didn't bother with high speed stuff. It was town-riding
speed with the occasional hop on and off of a dual carriageway.

Yes, I discovered this knee thing yesterday while zooming around. I
am going to have a play today, officer.

 

When I was training we did quite a bit of fast riding on the A27 and got
a fair bit of instruction that way.

Yes, come along, it'll be a hoot. Just look for the "That BOSM thing we
do every year (A gentle reminder)" titled post and get emailing.

Heh..

 

"steve auvache" said to Nick wrote

^^^^^^^
Oi, I saw that
--
Donegal Paul - On the mend
Maico Letta 247cc - We have the technology.
Zundapp Bella r203 - Watch out for ze Germans!
Bajaj Chetak 125 - Wannabe Vespa
Lambretta Li186 - stripped.
Vespa T5 Millenium - intact
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk
www.iowcaravans.co.uk

 

Will you be coming on the screamer?[1]

[1] IYKWIM

 

Yes, I hope so. Got plugs / oil to change and forks to rebuild. The real
problem will be getting everything I need to take, onto the bike.

 

If you want to take a slight detour I've got a courier bag you can have
[1]. The M1 is less than 10 minutes from here.

[1] But you've still got the problem of getting here[2]
[2] Doh!