Courteous cagers

**taff1954** · 13th February 2010, 20:03

.. and truckies too....

Last Monday my wife and I had to head down to Wellington for a day or two, and decided to ride rather than drive. Over the whole trip, there and back, we saw nothing but courtesy and 'bike awareness' from car and truck drivers, from the delivery van driver who aborted his (albeit rather slow) overtaking move by New Plymouths' crematorium to wave us by when we headed down, to the milk tanker driver who went as far left as he could (when he didn't really have to) so we could get past safely at Waitotara on the way back. I've rarely had a ride anywhere in the last few years when I haven't had to deal with SMIDSY or one of its' variants at least once. I have to wonder if the ACC campaign putting bikers in Joe Publics' eye has had something to do with it? When we stopped at Maccas in Levin for breakfast on the way home a couple of guys seated near to us made comments about how car drivers need to be more aware of bikers, a similar comment made by the lady in the motel room next to ours in Petone.

Whether it was that or not, it was great to have a ride when I didn't need to take evasive action at some time or another. Great fun too having the motorway out of Wellington to ourselves at 5:30 am

**golfmade** · 13th February 2010, 20:16

It's always nice when you go out for a ride and there is little, if any reason, to complain about cagers, truckies or even other bikes/scooters.

Doesn't happen that often here but I sure enjoy it when it does happen.

**CookMySock** · 13th February 2010, 20:31

I have absolutely zero problem with cars. If there were no cars half the fun would be gone. If wonder if cagers would still love bikers so much if they knew we just lived to carve them up. Mmmmmm, the only thing better than a bunch of corners to carve is a line of cars to slay.

Steve

**JimO** · 13th February 2010, 20:34

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

I have absolutely zero problem with cars. If there were no cars half the fun would be gone. If wonder if cagers would still love bikers so much if they knew we just lived to carve them up. Mmmmmm, the only thing better than a bunch of corners to carve is a line of cars to slay.

Steve

i rest my case

**YellowDog** · 13th February 2010, 20:40

Yes I suppose getting around cars is quite good fun. Especially the ones that play that game where they indicate whilst (rather than before) they turn across your path.

**trumpy** · 13th February 2010, 20:55

Generally don't have a problem with cars etc. every ride I go on I have cars pull hard left to let me through and I always aknowledge the courtesy.
Last sunday I was following a milk tanker along Wharepapa rd heading south towards Mangakino, coming up to a fast right hander shaded by trees and contemplating the pass when he suddenly swithches on his hazard lights as he enters the corner, so I back off and have a proper look at the corner. Bugger me the road has been torn up and is just loose shingle. There were signed road works prior to this corner, but this bit of works was well after the 100k sign. Big thanks to that lad, thumbs up from him as I pass. There are a few drivers out there that do pay attention.

**taff1954** · 13th February 2010, 21:17

Originally Posted by trumpy

Generally don't have a problem with cars etc. every ride I go on I have cars pull hard left to let me through and I always aknowledge the courtesy.
Last sunday I was following a milk tanker along Wharepapa rd heading south towards Mangakino, coming up to a fast right hander shaded by trees and contemplating the pass when he suddenly swithches on his hazard lights as he enters the corner, so I back off and have a proper look at the corner. Bugger me the road has been torn up and is just loose shingle. There were signed road works prior to this corner, but this bit of works was well after the 100k sign. Big thanks to that lad, thumbs up from him as I pass. There are a few drivers out there that do pay attention.

So often it's the 'professional' driver that will do something like that - and yes, I always give a thumbs up or wave to anyone that does the right thing. I was just surprised on the trip to Welly and back how observant everyone seemed to be. Made a real difference to me on this trip as it's the longest trip my wife has ever done on a bike, in fact, only the third ride she's been on heading out side of Taranaki. Made for a great ride - and better still, we missed all the rain.

**hellokitty** · 13th February 2010, 21:38

you guys obviously don't live in Auckland - nothing but wankers in cars up here!!!

**Bren** · 13th February 2010, 21:45

Originally Posted by hellokitty

you guys obviously don't live in Auckland - nothing but wankers in cars up here!!!

Hence why we dont live up there.....we are the sane ones....!

**oldrider** · 13th February 2010, 21:56

I agree with you, I have noticed that other motorists have been improving their attitude to bikes out on the highways especially!

It makes me consciously try to be a bit more conciliatory in my behaviour towards them too!

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

I have absolutely zero problem with cars. If there were no cars half the fun would be gone. If wonder if cagers would still love bikers so much if they knew we just lived to carve them up. Mmmmmm, the only thing better than a bunch of corners to carve is a line of cars to slay.

Steve

What has happened to Katman?

Come back Katman all is forgiven, sadly the above quoted post suggests that your work here is still incomplete!

**Berries** · 13th February 2010, 22:06

Originally Posted by jimjim

i rest my case

Nah, I'm with DB on this one. If I shoot over to Qtown for the weekend and traffic is light much of the fun disappears, it is just a boring ride interspersed with a couple of great sections for giving it laldy. Stopping in Roxborough for a mince and cheese pie goes without saying, it's traditional.

Traffic on the other hand gives me something to play with, shortens the trip and makes me grin as I sink the first pinot with my feet up on the balcony overlooking the lake.

**CookMySock** · 13th February 2010, 22:38

Originally Posted by Berries

Traffic on the other hand gives me something to play with, shortens the trip and makes me grin as I sink the first pinot with my feet up on the balcony overlooking the lake.

Oh yeah. And caravans!! Do I love caravans!! Oh oh oh they stack cars up twenty-in-a-line!! The Joy!!

And campervans!!!

Campervans are the shizo!!

Steve