Safety Glance / Lifesaver?

Are you even vaguely self aware enough to understand how pompous and arrogant that comes across as? :eek:

I'm interested to know where you draw the line;
So, novice rider, first bike, out on the road with no instruction what so ever. He doesn't need to be taught. He'll learn................

Or do you provide a modicum of instruction before letting said novice 'learn'................

Andres

:D:thumb

Or being let loose on a lathe, or milling machine, or a band saw ... or maybe even an aircraft :eek:

:beerjug:
 
It's never too late Giles. Skiing's a piece of cake. No licences, no formal training requirement, no rules, no white lines (at least I've never found them) , overtaking, undertaking, and most of the other 'road users' started drinking about 10 ish:jager

Yes ... all the people I speak to that have been tell me its such a great holiday. I'm tempted ... Rosy is such a clumsy biff she'd trip over her own shadow given half the chance. I just know she'd come back with her leg in plaster ... :D

(I might have to go on my own .... :D)
 
That sounds like some clichéd quote from a second rate motivational speaker :blast



Are you even vaguely self aware enough to understand how pompous and arrogant that comes across as? :eek:

I'm interested to know where you draw the line;
So, novice rider, first bike, out on the road with no instruction what so ever. He doesn't need to be taught. He'll learn................

Or do you provide a modicum of instruction before letting said novice 'learn'................

Or.............??????

I actually can't be arsed to finish this post.............you've taken the biscuit, shagged it, married it and made it your own. All your own.....................

Andres

Chill - ok I'll put it another way, I don't like being taught, I prefer to learn myself - is that better?
 
Hmm, back on track and not arguing amongst the audience.

The 'road modifying' bit - or 'off-siding' as it was put across as (I take it is the same thing using a different adjective. If not, please put me right.) What does the collective think about reducing speed on approach, rather than having to use the wider line (and therfore going across the middle). I will sometimes straighten a slight wiggle, but I am cagey about putting myself too far away from 'my side'. By backing off a little, I don't need the extra view that going wider would provide.

I know what I mean - you are maintaining your vision for your speed, but instead of widening the vision, you back off the throttle. Or is that just seen as being chicken? If so, I cluck like a hen. Anyone want any eggs? I lay double yolkers. :aidan
 
Hmm, back on track and not arguing amongst the audience.

The 'road modifying' bit - or 'off-siding' as it was put across as (I take it is the same thing using a different adjective. If not, please put me right.) What does the collective think about reducing speed on approach, rather than having to use the wider line (and therfore going across the middle). I will sometimes straighten a slight wiggle, but I am cagey about putting myself too far away from 'my side'. By backing off a little, I don't need the extra view that going wider would provide.

I know what I mean - you are maintaining your vision for your speed, but instead of widening the vision, you back off the throttle. Or is that just seen as being chicken? If so, I cluck like a hen. Anyone want any eggs? I lay double yolkers. :aidan

I think it's being called prudent - unless one is on a mission of making as much 'progress' as the road allows then sacrificing a bit of speed isn't a bad thing surely?
 
....................

I know what I mean - you are maintaining your vision for your speed, but instead of widening the vision, you back off the throttle. Or is that just seen as being chicken? If so, I cluck like a hen. Anyone want any eggs? I lay double yolkers. :aidan

I think it's being called prudent - unless one is on a mission of making as much 'progress' as the road allows then sacrificing a bit of speed isn't a bad thing surely?

In like a mouse, out like a lion :thumb

Andres
 
Oh yeah .... that as well .... :D
 
Brilliant thread and thanks to Giles for taking the time to point out stuff.

This leads me to a question about retaining focus on longer journeys. I often tell myself 'heads up', i.e. Keep observing as my focus reduces with time, but the reality is sometimes you just need to push on. Any tips?
 
Brilliant thread and thanks to Giles for taking the time to point out stuff.

This leads me to a question about retaining focus on longer journeys. I often tell myself 'heads up', i.e. Keep observing as my focus reduces with time, but the reality is sometimes you just need to push on. Any tips?

I appreciate you mentioned that 'sometimes you really need to push on' but what price arriving safely? I really find that if my riding is becoming less sharp and concentration is waning then a ten minute stop, ideally with a cup of coffee and a leg stretch, is well worth the time it takes.

On resuming the journey my concentration is more focussed and the ride more enjoyable.
 
Keeping loose and relaxed is my problem on longer rides.

I have to keep telling myself "relax, Relax"
 
We have all at times riden/driven a route well known to us, yet if you were questioned about it you probably couldn't recall most of it. Obviously the "geniuses" that reside here will say they never do such a thing.

A fool learns by his own mistakes, a wise man learns by others is an interesting proverb which can be taken on several levels.

As for pushing on whilst tired, the honest amongst us will recognise this and what were not really sensible reason's for justifying the increased risk taking. No not even for a shag !!!

When you are cold/wet your judgement becomes impaired, lots of medical studies to that effect.

I recommend Psychology of driving as a good starting point, I'm hopeful that I get funding for research in to risk taking in 35-55 year olds. Lots of research into younger drivers and also pensioners, but why does someone who's been driving/riding for 25+ years take the risks that they do, what is their rational ???

Deep thought for the morning

Would you get on an aircraft if the pilot had done no training in the past 30 years, if not why get into someone's car/ back of bike. What is your justification for this risk ??
 
We have all at times riden/driven a route well known to us, yet if you were questioned about it you probably couldn't recall most of it. Obviously the "geniuses" that reside here will say they never do such a thing.

A fool learns by his own mistakes, a wise man learns by others is an interesting proverb which can be taken on several levels.

As for pushing on whilst tired, the honest amongst us will recognise this and what were not really sensible reason's for justifying the increased risk taking. No not even for a shag !!!

When you are cold/wet your judgement becomes impaired, lots of medical studies to that effect.

I recommend Psychology of driving as a good starting point, I'm hopeful that I get funding for research in to risk taking in 35-55 year olds. Lots of research into younger drivers and also pensioners, but why does someone who's been driving/riding for 25+ years take the risks that they do, what is their rational ???

Deep thought for the morning

Would you get on an aircraft if the pilot had done no training in the past 30 years, if not why get into someone's car/ back of bike. What is your justification for this risk ??

These are only my thoughts having been posed the question.
Top one first:

Familiarity breeds contempt. They just don't link the risk, or whilst they are aware of the risk it is dismissed, perhaps using historical results to keep going - I didn't crash last time, so it will be OK this time.

Bikes - I think more people think twice about getting on the back at any time. Certainly I know many who won't even contemplate riding a motorcycle at all. Pillion or rider. They think I am mad. But those same people are simply aweful drivers - gear selection, road awareness, distance from the vehicle in front, decision making at the very last minute, accelerate hard and brake hard, slip the clutch with high revs. The journey is errratic and jerky with several close calls - but that is the thing, they were only calls and not actual incidents. Those who do have a 'bump' are so wrapped in safety that whilst they are annoyed at the damage to their shiny status symbol, they don't actually get hurt - and then the damage caused was the other person's fault. OR their mistake is justified by some 'valid reason' or other that mitigates the stupidity that was actually caused by not thinking ahead in the first place.

The other reason to keep going when the driver should be resting is pressure of time - they HAVE to be at journeys end for some time dependent reason - me last year, going to Hirstals to catch the ferry. I had to catch the ferry, it was (in the end) an 1184 miles ride, in one day, in lashing rain and howling wind that was blowing me across two lanes at one point - it was like no conditions I had ever ridden in before, or if I had, so long ago I couldn't remember when. I did press on, because there are only two ferries a week. BUT, I did come off the motorway and sought shelter on the more protected roads - with less traffic on them too. I felt much safer becaue I didn't have the closing speed from astern and the terrible spray was removed, traffic density was non existent, so I was able to enjoy the ride better, even though it added a good 3 hours to the trip. Professional people are under greater pressure all the time - van drivers, taxis, reps etc...so they take chances to try and cram more into their day and cover greater distances.
 


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