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kilgh
8th April 2011, 14:21
But I saw them well in advance, as did the driver behind me happily.

Luckily only going at 40kph. Look to the school carpark as normal precaution, and yes here comes this lady bowling out of it. No indicator. Came to a quickish halt. Learner plate probably saved me from the driver behind and the necessary slow speed needed in this area.

Lady in car smiled at me as she continued to pull out and zoomed past! WTF? Hate traffic! Want to get out on some open, deserted road.

Anyhoo, also experienced my first stall today with a car behind me.:facepalm: Again a bit of luck, it was a little old lady who wasn't in any hurry. Not sure why I stalled either. Was doing everything the same....hmmm. :blink: Ah well.

davebullet
8th April 2011, 16:43
But I saw them well in advance, as did the driver behind me happily.

that is the secret. Riders who rely on cage indicators usually become unstuck. I never trust the things, same with traffic lights. I tell my kids to check cars are stopping at ped crossings (whether lights are there or not).

I always look at the drivers head and eyes. If they haven't made eye contact then be extra prepared.

Always cover your front brake in heavy traffic.

also learn not to "panic grab" the brake. That is - you need to apply brake to transfer weight onto the front tyre - so it is pressed into the road then you can apply more and more force (otherwise it will just lockup with an immediate panic grab).

Well done. It's real "practice" like this with drivers who are oblivious that will keep you upright.

Mom
8th April 2011, 16:49
Yes indeedy, keep your eyes looking well ahead of where you are to look for potential idiots. I had one stupid woman yesterday come up the left of me when I was stopped in traffic. I was in the right had wheel track as I wanted to see past the people mover in front of me, and I had left a bit of a gap between us. Next thing this woman pulls up alongside of me, totally oblivious to my existance. She must have seen me at some stage as she moved left onto the shoulder of the road to get beside me. I sat there staring at her for ages before she even noticed I was there. I pointed at her and then behind me. Once we got movign again, she dropped back behind me. I am splitting on the median there from now on :yes:

YellowDog
8th April 2011, 16:49
But I saw them well in advance, as did the driver behind me happily.


Well done to you!

That's what it's all about (unfortunately).

Treat every other road user as a potential threat.

It's called having 'Survival Skills' :yes:

MadDuck
8th April 2011, 16:58
Well done for seeing the danger and avoiding it.

Last week I had someone decide they should have been on the off ramp ... not going on the motorway... at 100kms. They decided at speed to cut across the white lines and exit....could have been a bit of a mess.

Good point about noting the driver behind. They can make good witnesses if needed.

george formby
8th April 2011, 17:12
But I saw them well in advance, as did the driver behind me happily.

Luckily only going at 40kph. Look to the school carpark as normal precaution, and yes here comes this lady bowling out of it. No indicator. Came to a quickish halt. Learner plate probably saved me from the driver behind and the necessary slow speed needed in this area.

Lady in car smiled at me as she continued to pull out and zoomed past! WTF? Hate traffic! Want to get out on some open, deserted road.

Anyhoo, also experienced my first stall today with a car behind me.:facepalm: Again a bit of luck, it was a little old lady who wasn't in any hurry. Not sure why I stalled either. Was doing everything the same....hmmm. :blink: Ah well.

Nicely anticipated but I feel you need to add to your repertoire. If you have the presence of mind you can always unfurl the Digitus Impudicus to alert the foolish smiling assassin as to your feelings regarding their observational ability.

I guess by the tone of your post you may have far more patience than me though.

kilgh
8th April 2011, 17:30
Yes, I am pretty laid back in most circumstances. Not prone to road rage.

george formby
8th April 2011, 17:49
Yes, I am pretty laid back in most circumstances. Not prone to road rage.

Splendid.:yes: I just enjoy insulting people.

kilgh
8th April 2011, 17:51
Well, I enjoy that too. :yes: But that's for when I'm at work.

george formby
8th April 2011, 18:07
Well, I enjoy that too. :yes: But that's for when I'm at work.

Which government department do you work in?

kilgh
8th April 2011, 18:14
Aha! But no, not that bad at insulting. Only work in TV.

george formby
8th April 2011, 18:37
Aha! But no, not that bad at insulting. Only work in TV.

Ahh, Breakfast Telly scriptwriter then.:shutup::sunny:

kilgh
8th April 2011, 18:40
Hahaa...again not that talented an insulter.

Desert Eagle
9th April 2011, 14:05
Yes indeedy, keep your eyes looking well ahead of where you are to look for potential idiots. I had one stupid woman yesterday come up the left of me when I was stopped in traffic. I was in the right had wheel track as I wanted to see past the people mover in front of me, and I had left a bit of a gap between us. Next thing this woman pulls up alongside of me, totally oblivious to my existance. She must have seen me at some stage as she moved left onto the shoulder of the road to get beside me. I sat there staring at her for ages before she even noticed I was there. I pointed at her and then behind me. Once we got movign again, she dropped back behind me. I am splitting on the median there from now on :yes:

Had that happen aswell yesterday.. except I was in a line of cars going 50, then she appears beside me.. I think it was my first" driver didnt see me" moment aswell. Although I kinda saw it coming.. lucky I check my mirrors often enough:innocent:

george formby
9th April 2011, 14:47
Yes indeedy, keep your eyes looking well ahead of where you are to look for potential idiots. I had one stupid woman yesterday come up the left of me when I was stopped in traffic. I was in the right had wheel track as I wanted to see past the people mover in front of me, and I had left a bit of a gap between us. Next thing this woman pulls up alongside of me, totally oblivious to my existance. She must have seen me at some stage as she moved left onto the shoulder of the road to get beside me. I sat there staring at her for ages before she even noticed I was there. I pointed at her and then behind me. Once we got movign again, she dropped back behind me. I am splitting on the median there from now on :yes:

Missed this last night.
Same thing has happened to me & I felt a complete schmuck for not seeing the biddie sneak up my inside:facepalm: Grrr.
Really brought it home to me that their is not a moment on the road when you can relax your guard.

Berg
9th April 2011, 16:34
Had a demented old dickhead change lanes on me round the Basin Reserve today.:oi-grr: Fortunatly had predicted he might just do that and was covering the brake and had a planned exit. He got the universal sign language for "I'm not bloody happy":motu::angry2:

kilgh
9th April 2011, 16:53
People are just too complacent on the road.

george formby
9th April 2011, 16:55
People are just too complacent on the road.

Precisely. To many habitual road users, minds not focused on the task in hand.:scooter:

FJRider
9th April 2011, 16:59
If you ride in the center of your lane, it does not "encourage" others to take advantage of the spare space ... and get closer that you may feel safe with ...

george formby
9th April 2011, 17:26
If you ride in the center of your lane, it does not "encourage" others to take advantage of the spare space ... and get closer that you may feel safe with ...

For shore, but their are plenty of places where you need to have observation of oncoming traffic which being centre lane may not afford. In my case I was in traffic approaching junctions right & left, a very busy petrol station on the corner & home bound traffic darting to & fro. To the right of my lane afforded the best place to see & be seen for traffic using the box junction which posed the biggest risk to me, I just did'nt check my inside mirror. A surprising lesson but no harm done.

Mom
9th April 2011, 18:05
For shore, but their are plenty of places where you need to have observation of oncoming traffic which being centre lane may not afford. In my case I was in traffic approaching junctions right & left, a very busy petrol station on the corner & home bound traffic darting to & fro. To the right of my lane afforded the best place to see & be seen for traffic ...

Yeah, I agree, sometimes you are damned if you do and damned if you dont. I have found myself doing something I obviously used to do when I commuted in the past, that is one of those ingrained behaviours you develop with experience. I am meandering in my lane, looking the right mirror, eyeball them in the middle and then attempt to see the left mirror. Not fast, just really gently and slowly. It surprised me when I noticed myself doing it today.