Quote Originally Posted by Laxi View Post
If I cant split away from them, I just let them past caus I'd rather loose 30 seconds in slowing down than loose a limb or worse
Yess, well I was riding as 80 on the motorway, what else should I have done to let them pass me? I wish they had! (I generally let people pass if I perceive that they want to go much faster than I do, OR that they are an aggressive driver who will sit on my tail and make me uncomfortable.)

Quote Originally Posted by mad.mike View Post
Thats not a very nice thing to say....not all of us are like that. It is because most of them are on time based deliverys therefore if they are late they get less money. One more thing i would like to say is that when you are on the road that much you get to know most gaps very well, I don't condone him pulling out in front of you but I can say that sometimes its very hard to see bikes (even when you drool over most of them when you see them) especially if you are on the route that you know well and do every day...
Well, had I smacked into them, it would hold them up for a lot longer! (Assuming they stopped...) But I do understand the familiar route and low visibility thing. I /think/ they saw me coming (misjudged speed) otherwise they may not have pulled out so fast... who knows.

Quote Originally Posted by Swoop View Post
This is why you carry a large bolt in the top hole of your triple clamp. Over the shoulder and into the windscreen...
I like this idea

Quote Originally Posted by javawocky View Post
I dare not get too critical because your skills got you out of the situation with some wobbles.

I do notice however when I ride my wifes Scorpio that there is a rather useful disc brake up front. Used wisely it can save your life. don't fall into the trap of relying on the back brake, learn to use the front smoothly.
I definitely need some emergency braking practice. I did use the front as well, but not as much as I could have (I was also not trying to stop in a straight line, rather trying to slow down enough and miss the van - I may not have stayed upright if I'd grabbed a handful of front!). Anyway, yes, I suspect it was as much luck as skill, so thanks for the polite suggestion to work on the skill side of it