New Ride magazine landed on the door mat. Each issue there is an article about riding better. This time it is about overtaking. Some sense is talked my a RAPID instructor named Clive. Well worth a read.
When I overtake I allways think what the guy thinks I have just overtaken. Was it safe, not too aggressive and has it caused him to slow down. There is the old step up to the overtake, follow and observe either side, move up to position, move out check it is clear, give it a squirt and move back in trying to time the throttle so that I don't have to be on the brakes. If I have to brake I like to match the speed of the car by staying out a bit and then move in behind it.
A lot of times I see the cars following too closely but with enough gap to move it and place me in a nice overtaking position once traffic has passed. That is doing the single car hop inbetween traffic or bends where it is clear. I do notice that the car behind tends to drop back once I'm in front. Then I'm not sure if I was correct to overtake, should I have waited. My instructor said to not force or rush an overtake, be patient and the opportunity will present itself. Which is very much the truth.
When I overtake I allways think what the guy thinks I have just overtaken. Was it safe, not too aggressive and has it caused him to slow down. There is the old step up to the overtake, follow and observe either side, move up to position, move out check it is clear, give it a squirt and move back in trying to time the throttle so that I don't have to be on the brakes. If I have to brake I like to match the speed of the car by staying out a bit and then move in behind it.
A lot of times I see the cars following too closely but with enough gap to move it and place me in a nice overtaking position once traffic has passed. That is doing the single car hop inbetween traffic or bends where it is clear. I do notice that the car behind tends to drop back once I'm in front. Then I'm not sure if I was correct to overtake, should I have waited. My instructor said to not force or rush an overtake, be patient and the opportunity will present itself. Which is very much the truth.