unHappy New Year

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As I felt like microwaved ****e last night, I decided to see in this particular new year via the medium of sleep.

So, up with the lark today (almost…. 10:00) and feeling well, I decided to have the first ride for many weeks… not like that pervs, although, sadly that’s been at least a week

Anyway! Got the bike out, did a quick check over, added some air to the tyres and generally inspected them like a detective looking for clues, and then I set out for the first ride of 2011!!!

Wet, cold-ish and tentative – the roads still covered in a lot of crap and a little sprinkling of rain, but otherwise I loved every minute of it, even treated the gixxer to a nice fresh tank of fuel and a bit of a blow out on a dual carriageway

It was all great apart from almost getting knocked off/run off the road by a 50-60 year-old old dear

Riding through the town centre, amazed at the lack of general traffic, I still use the bus lanes to feel important, leisurely pottering along at the posted limit, eeking away the yards/miles until I’m out of town.

Shortly up ahead I know that the bus lane I’m in will turn into a normal road, and that the cars I’m along-side now will often move into this lane, and after having it happen to me numerous times on bikes, I’m prepared for some eejit to just waft into the lane – sure enough, the old dear I’m along side does just that! Why bother posting I ask, well, I like to moan Seriously though, I couldn’t believe the woman’s actions:

• Bike along-side her door/rear - would have easily be seen in her near-side mirror.
• Bike in a low gear, specifically to make lots of ‘I’m here’ noise – although standard can (yet still marked as 102 Db).
• Knowing what would happen (I am that kid from 6th Sense!!!) I was on the horn as soon as she crossed the crown – so daft bint easily had 2-3 seconds of horn blowage!

Yet despite all of this and having her husband in the passenger seat (who I would have assumed may have at least muttered “mind the bike dear”), I had the slam the anchors on as she just kept coming How in the name of **** do these people continue to drive without wiping out so many more road users is beyond me – I appreciate that bikes are supposed to be hard to see, but really…. all that stimulus I was giving her and she still carries on regardless

Here’s hoping 2011 wont be filled with events like this for me, I’ve had three offs now – two my own stupid fault, don’t want any more!

 

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If you knew people always just drift across without looking, why not position yourself next to a gap rather than just off someone's rear quarter?

I did initially think of replying with “because I have as much right to use the road as she does ”, but that would have probably parked off an argument of sorts, and I can’t be dealing with one of those right now.

Part of me can see what you’re saying, I have knowledge of the local roads, and the common ****-ups people make on them, especially when I’m on two wheels, so I could have slowed down and allowed her to ‘go first’ as it were – thus removing myself from this equation. But…. who’s to say the car behind her would simply do the same to me?

Also why should I forgo my right of way, why should I have to think for this oblivious driver, why should they be suddenly exempt from following basic rules of the road?

Guess a little wisdom my instructor gave comes into play here – I may have been in the right, but I’m the one eating hospital food

Was she driving a Volvo by any chance? Bad times

For a change it wasn't such a car on my 'list', she was driving a red Ibiza.

 

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Speaking of lane drifting ...

 

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I'd be a liar if I said I hadn't considered booting their car as I past them after the even, my Sidi's have nice metal toe sliders.... but it would have only made me feel better then, after getting a few hundred yards down the road and the rage had worn off, I'd probably regret it.

London.... I've not driven there in a car, let alone on a bike, so I don't evny that at all fella!