Nice ride

As some of you will remember my rise though the motorcycle ranks had been...
well far from meteoric, but today I had a great ride, it was warm that was a
good start and I was relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed it.

However, there was one small incident whilst filtering in 5mph traffic on a
dual carriageway, big gap in the middle, about a cars width, as I approached
one car in the inside lane he was constantly looking in his offside wing
mirror watching me get nearer as he gently moved out and closed the gap to
the width of the bike as I drew level with his mirror.

It was so blatant that he looked stupidly out of position and was actually
over the white centre line, anyway for the first time I found out what the
amour in the gloves is for.

Does this sort of thing always happen then?

In 26 years of driving a car I have only ever moved over for bikes!

D

 

David Thomas wrote

Did you not consider stopping and asking him to explain his actions? If
his motives were as you suspect then he is most certainly a bully and
thus a coward. Cowards always piss their pants when directly
confronted.

Rarely but often enough for most of us to notice it every now and then.

 

I did stop, well had to really, gave him the eye and folded his mirror in,
see I look quite menacing in my leathers... mind you, look like a wuss out
of em.

D

 

You smacked him one? Good show...

He may have been your first, he won't be the last.

 

David Thomas wrote

So keep yer coat on. The armour might save you from serious damage and
as you say, there is nowt wrong with applying a little psychology.

 

Happened to me a number if times in the UK as we seem to have generally
more inconsiderate drivers.

I was somewhat shocked when some **** in an Audi tried to take me out on
the Milan bypass. I was behind him for some time as traffic was flowing at
a good rate for a while. As soon as the traffic started to slow I went to
filter and he closed the gap. The only incident of it's type in '000s of
miles on the Continent.

 

I've not had it happen to me, and usually cars move out of the way - whether
this is out of consideration or fear I do not know! My only regret is that
when I am riding solo it is not usually practicable to give a thankyou wave
to drivers who move out of the way, as filtering usually demands that you
keep both hands on the bars most of the time.

The only trouble with whatever you did, ('adjust' his mirror perhaps), is
that in order to do so you acknowledged his very existence rather ignore him
like a cockroach underfoot. ;-)

Rick

 

David Thomas secured a place in history by writing:

No. About twice a year I reckon, normally frustrated rush-hour cagers.
Make sure you stop and look mean: No-one's going to take on a biker in
helmet and body armour, you have the upper-hand

 

Richard Sterry wrote

What difference does riding solo make? Surely if it makes a difference
at all it should make it easier to wave at your adoring public I would
have thought.

 

You reckon? Sure, it'll be harder to hurt me in my leather jacket and
helmet, but I doubt I'd be much good at fighting in them. Very restrictive
see?

 

Dynamic secured a place in history by writing:

Just nut them. They see sense.

 

Ah well thank for all the advice, as I thought violence is the way forward,
thought so just wanted it confirmed ;-)

Many thanks, D

 

David Thomas secured a place in history by writing:

I haven't ever done it, not the violent type on the whole. But I think the
threat of the possibility works wonders....

 

Nah nor me, just practicing my tough biker image... look the part though,
until I peel off the armoured leathers to reveal..... dannahh " Mr Muscle"
nah not as in Mr Universe, as in Mr Muscle the TV advert ;-)

D

 

If he grabs your helmet, simply apply the Corby Trouser Press - it's what
knee armour is for.

 

Open his back door, and ride on.

"No glove, no love" sort of thing?

Actually, I feel certain that with decent, carbon-knuckled gloves and the
correct technique (gedan gyaku zuki, possibly), you could give him his
window in his lap. Best to have a bit of a practice down the scrapyard
first, though.

 

Um, when I am not riding solo then I have a signalling/thankyou device on
the pillion seat. Obvious, really.

Rick

 

Richard Sterry wrote

Really.

It is considered bad form by some to let the pillion do bugger all but
hang on with both hands and scream.

 

Dynamic says...

Someone once told me it was a good idea to wear a leather jacket when
invited to fight because the leather was difficult for the opponent to
get hold of, therefore it gave you an advantage.

It could've been bullshit though.

--
Lesley
ZXR400SP
"Not bad for a Scouser"
SBS#11[with oak-leaf cluster]
BOTAFOT#101A UKRMHRC#12
BONY#54P BOB#18

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Rope says...

West Kirby kiss?

Or do you mean the proper one, spelt with an extra K? (Kirkby).

That's a good point.

--
Lesley
ZXR400SP
"Not bad for a Scouser"
SBS#11[with oak-leaf cluster]
BOTAFOT#101A UKRMHRC#12
BONY#54P BOB#18

Un-cork me to reply