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Soldato
Joined
3 Aug 2008
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3,492
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Nelson, South Wales
Its not the driving per se, its the whole situation, the unfamiliarity, the uncertainty about silly little things like finding a toilet if I need to etc. The "what ifs" like what if I break down, what if I get pulled over, what if I get in a crash, etc.

Anxiety is a ****. :)

My goal is to beat it and go to bimmerfest in the netherlands one year.

Ive driven in Europe a fair bit now, first time when I was like 19, its pretty damn easy tbh. Find it easier driving to the Alps than I do to London
 
Soldato
Joined
27 Dec 2011
Posts
5,684
Ive driven in Europe a fair bit now, first time when I was like 19, its pretty damn easy tbh. Find it easier driving to the Alps than I do to London

Same here, but I wouldn't encourage anyone to go out and do something that they're actively aware could trigger some anxiety.

I was 23 when I first drove abroad, and fortunately it was in a rented Nissan Note in Menorca. Both an easy car and easy roads to drive. An absolute perfect introduction to driving on the other side of the road.

After that I was 25 or so in Paris and was driving around the Arc de Triomphe, that inspired a spot of anxiety. Don't think anything would phase me now.
 
Caporegime
Joined
22 Oct 2002
Posts
26,886
Location
Boston, Lincolnshire
Ive driven in Europe a fair bit now, first time when I was like 19, its pretty damn easy tbh. Find it easier driving to the Alps than I do to London

I remember my first time. Boot full of spare parts and tools. Always take the basics with me now like a small tool kit but I always do a full service before doing any major road trip. If my old Saab can drive basically non stop for 12 hours most cars shouldn't be no problem.

I also prefer driving on the continent. A lot less congested than the UK.
 
Soldato
Joined
28 Sep 2012
Posts
3,864
Location
Monterrey, Mexico
Its not the driving per se, its the whole situation, the unfamiliarity, the uncertainty about silly little things like finding a toilet if I need to etc. The "what ifs" like what if I break down, what if I get pulled over, what if I get in a crash, etc.

Anxiety is a ****. :)

My goal is to beat it and go to bimmerfest in the netherlands one year.

Strange that it only affects you abroad though. I’d expect someone with that kind of anxiety to want to drive an extremely reliable car in the UK and be massively careful about driving slowly / respecting rules etc, neither of which seems to apply to you. I bet you’d be fine if you just went ahead and did it: maybe rent a car for your first trip so you don’t have to worry about breakdowns, insurance etc?
 
Caporegime
Joined
29 Jul 2011
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36,368
Location
In acme's chair.
Strange that it only affects you abroad though. I’d expect someone with that kind of anxiety to want to drive an extremely reliable car in the UK and be massively careful about driving slowly / respecting rules etc, neither of which seems to apply to you. I bet you’d be fine if you just went ahead and did it: maybe rent a car for your first trip so you don’t have to worry about breakdowns, insurance etc?

If I hit someone here, or get pulled over, etc, I know what I'm getting lol. No language barriers or confusion etc. To be honest my main issue is the "what if I need the loo" scenario for some reason. I don't know why, its irrational after all! I assume there are service stations with tonnes of toilets just like here. But I get that anxiety when driving long distances in the UK as well lol.

Guess I should just get on and do it somewhen lol. If I go to bimmerfest I'll be in a big convoy with a load of mates anyway.


Driving in the center of London is worse to be fair.

I used to be able to do that fine, right now I can't stand the thought of it... Need to sort my head out. :)
 
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Soldato
Joined
3 Aug 2008
Posts
3,492
Location
Nelson, South Wales
If I hit someone here, or get pulled over, etc, I know what I'm getting lol. No language barriers or confusion etc. To be honest my main issue is the "what if I need the loo" scenario for some reason. I don't know why, its irrational after all! I assume there are service stations with tonnes of toilets just like here. But I get that anxiety when driving long distances in the UK as well lol.

Guess I should just get on and do it somewhen lol. If I go to bimmerfest I'll be in a big convoy with a load of mates anyway.




I used to be able to do that fine, right now I can't stand the thought of it... Need to sort my head out. :)

European Motorways = Toilets CONSTANTLY.. Either service stations or just purely stopping areas to have a rest/toilet stop. Its just better thought out than what we have here.
 
Soldato
Joined
30 May 2007
Posts
4,845
Location
Glasgow, Scotland
Its not the driving per se, its the whole situation, the unfamiliarity, the uncertainty about silly little things like finding a toilet if I need to etc. The "what ifs" like what if I break down, what if I get pulled over, what if I get in a crash, etc.

Anxiety is a ****. :)

My goal is to beat it and go to bimmerfest in the netherlands one year.

A reliable car might help with the Anxiety!
 
Soldato
Joined
28 Sep 2012
Posts
3,864
Location
Monterrey, Mexico
If I hit someone here, or get pulled over, etc, I know what I'm getting lol. No language barriers or confusion etc. To be honest my main issue is the "what if I need the loo" scenario for some reason. I don't know why, its irrational after all! I assume there are service stations with tonnes of toilets just like here. But I get that anxiety when driving long distances in the UK as well lol.

Guess I should just get on and do it somewhen lol. If I go to bimmerfest I'll be in a big convoy with a load of mates anyway.

You’re not likely to get pulled over unless you’re doing something very obviously illegal and even then the police are normally very matter of fact about it: you show your documents, pay your fine and go. Most have enough English to communicate with you too. I’ve gotten away with various quite dodgy things by being respectful, admitting I was an idiot and proving that my insurance / licence etc was all in order. And if you don’t fancy that sort of situation, just stick to the speed limit tbh :p

As others have said, toilets are plentiful albeit not always spotless. UK ones are hardly sparkling clean either though!
 
Soldato
Joined
11 Dec 2005
Posts
11,364
Location
Cheshire
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