Bad advice

**dpex** · 2nd June 2009, 19:01

Maybe I should stop offering advice on this site.

Clearly one reader took my "Own Your Bit Of The Road" dissertation to heart.

There I was, on Saturday, in my cage, driving from Ngongataha to the Ohau Channel for the purposes of wresting fine-fat fish from the waters, when I hoved up behind a Mack logging truck...loaded. He was doing 70Ks....unusual, but it happens.

I waited till we came to a spot I knew had a good straight, pulled out to have a decko before doing the business. Was about to snap into third and plant the boot when I saw, directly ahead of the Mack, (and when I say directly, I mean like within ten feet) and nearly on the centre-line, was a dude on the obligatory 250 Scorpion, L-plate clear, High-vis-clad, bent over like he was doing The Isle of Man, doing 70K's.....with forty tonnes of Mack truck up his arse.

He stopped at Okere Falls, Cafe. I pulled in near him and watched this 20-something, chinless wonder remove his gloves, then helmet. He then stretched as a man will do when all is well with the world and pleasure is coursing through his veins.

'Scuse me mate. I was following the Mack truck which was following you....like within inches. Did that worry you? Him being so close, and all?'

Believe it or believe it not he replied, 'What Mack truck?'

I frowned then said, 'I've followed you....well I followed the Mack truck following you, for the last 13 Ks. Didn't you see it?'

He frowned then said, 'Nar mate. I don't look in me mirrors. I own my bit of road and so all I have to worry about is what's in front, not what's behind.'

'Really? And where did you get that idea?'

'Some bloke on KB said we motor-bikers have got to own our bit of road or get trashed.'

'KB?'

'Yeah. It's a site or motor-bikers like me. You heard of it?'

'Um. No. Tell me, have you been riding long?'

'Aw yeah. I've had this bike for nearly three months....and I'm a really good rider. You should try riding a bike, mate. They's really great!'

I felt my anger rising, my right fist ball, and my middle finger-knuckle project. Just one strike between the eyes and this complete moron would be taken from the gene-pool.

But, of course, such direct action, despite the probable value of it, is contrary to civilised behaviour.

I just walked away, wondering.

But you. You tit. You know who you are because you are on this site.

I swear, if ever I see you again, doing what you were doing, so utterly stupidly misinterpreting the concept of 'owning' your bit of road, I swear I'll.....Well shit, I'll think of something.

It's mind-numbingly stupid shit like this which gives all of us bikers a bad name.

But worse. I'm directly responsible for putting this idiot's life in clear danger having suggested he needs to 'own' his bit of road.

You see? We get back to the modern concept that everything has to be spelled out otherwise it ain't my fault.

And so, for all the other total fucking morons who need the advice, the advice is, "Own your bit of road BUT KEEP UP TO THE PREVAILING SPEED OR PULL OVER AND GIVE WAY!"

If nothing else this whole issue points up the stupidity of limiting learners to 70Ks, and/or giving learner-licences to those with an IQ measurable in single digits.

Jesus H Christ!

**slofox** · 2nd June 2009, 19:08

There, there, don't feel so bad...every teacher has dorks for students at times...I always used to say that ya couldn't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear...

**Murray** · 2nd June 2009, 19:14

Originally Posted by dpex

But worse. I'm directly responsible for putting this idiot's life in clear danger having suggested he needs to 'own' his bit of road.

You see? We get back to the modern concept that everything has to be spelled out otherwise it ain't my fault.

And so, for all the other total fucking morons who need the advice, the advice is, "Own your bit of road BUT KEEP UP TO THE PREVAILING SPEED OR PULL OVER AND GIVE WAY!"

Sorry but a sign of the times. If you want to make a statement you need to do it in triplicate, cross all the t's, dot all the i's. Spell out correctly leave no room for misinterpretation.

And as I was recently told, never ASSUME anything because it always makes an ASS out of U and ME

**Laxi** · 2nd June 2009, 19:15

Originally Posted by slofox

There, there, don't feel so bad...every teacher has dorks for students at times...I always used to say that ya couldn't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear...

especially when teaching some people on here makes you a special needs teacher

**6ft5** · 2nd June 2009, 19:16

Ignorant idiot, wonder who will pass him for his restricted if he ever makes it that far. Another trucker would have pushed him off the road or scared the sh###t out of him with a horn blast or two.

**p.dath** · 2nd June 2009, 19:16

Nothing in the original thread suggested that common sense should not prevail.

**6ft5** · 2nd June 2009, 19:19

Originally Posted by p.dath

Nothing in the original thread suggested that common sense should not prevail.

Isn't that what traffic participation all means....???

**varminter** · 2nd June 2009, 19:23

Nah, not your responsibility, just remember 'You can lead a whore to culture but you can't make her think' so, ok it was a bloke but I like the quote. When I saw you're in my neck of the woods I started wondering what I'd done wrong, glad it wasn't me

**sunhuntin** · 2nd June 2009, 19:29

bloody hell... what a maroon. ups to the trucker for having some patience. others would have run the dumbass off the road. and as for you... you are not responsible for some dopes interpretation of something. its called common sense. mirrors are there for a reason... not your fault if a kid thinks they arent needed. but then, even without mirrors, wouldnt you "feel" the vibrations of the truck? or something?? i always know when theres something large coming cos of the vibrations or whatever in the air. doesnt make sense, sorry.

**yod** · 2nd June 2009, 19:35

it was me!!!!!

i totally pwned that truck.....like....totally!!

**CookMySock** · 2nd June 2009, 19:35

Who cares? It doesn't affect you. Why provoke a heart attack over it. Go build something fun.

Steve

**howdamnhard** · 2nd June 2009, 19:38

I hope he reads this and doesn't end up becoming road kill. People will always misconstrue what you you say or mean, don't take it to personally.

**varminter** · 2nd June 2009, 19:40

Originally Posted by yod

it was me!!!!!

i totally pwned that truck.....like....totally!!

So, you bike from Palmy just to piss off our truckies, so cruel.

**caseye** · 2nd June 2009, 19:41

Know that bit of road, well. You poor bugger, what a complete twat!
Well, it's cold comfort but one of these days he'll etiher get killed or learn something of extremely great importance, either way we will win, eventually.