Doubling Up On Road

[dellzeqq]

I've always loved the romance of motoring, and the open road. But like you say, unless you're some sort of international playboy blasting down to the south of France in a Ferrari, such thrills don't exist.

It's why I've fallen out of love with cars and motoring, and now find more interest in cycling.

Riding at speed through empty country lanes at dawn feels gives me the feeling of freedom I'd always failed to attain whilst driving. And it poses minimal risk to others and the environment.

exactly. The wind in your hair (or not, as the case may be).

I don't go in cars much, but I was driven to Swansea a couple of weeks ago, and, for all the wonders of the M4 (and the wonderful company) it was a tiresome thing - although less tiresome for me than for the driver. There's simply no comparison with a bike ride. And doing it with a friend is twice the fun!

 

[montyboy]

exactly. The wind in your hair (or not, as the case may be).

I don't go in cars much, but I was driven to Swansea a couple of weeks ago, and, for all the wonders of the M4 (and the wonderful company) it was a tiresome thing - although less tiresome for me than for the driver. There's simply no comparison with a bike ride. And doing it with a friend is twice the fun!

My father says that he doesnt enjoy driving and it gives him no pleasure.

I keep telling him that is because he has a sh*t car, if he got something better he might enjoy it more.

I bought a cheap supermarket bike when I sarted cycling, there is no comparison to my new Specialised its far more enjoyable.

 

[GilesM]

I'm sorry, but it seems to me to be self-evident that a culture based on 'freedom of movement' sees going from place to place, unhindered, as liberating. Heckamighty - the number one reason why very many of us cycle is for the sense of freedom. And it's a fantasy, because changing the scenery doesn't (often) make you free, you're racking up bills and damage every time you get in the car, and the exercise of your freedom very often curtails the freedom of the cars behind. These muppets stuck in a traffic jam in Tooting High Street, a traffic jam that is pretty much the same as the one they went through the day before, are clawing their way to an imaginary freedom.

What's so difficult about that?

(I'm biased, but it does seem to me odd that people who are so very intent on moving at a fast pace then confine themselves to a tin box and sit in traffic)

If I was after a fantasy of liberation, and I thought I could get it from driving a car or riding my bike, I doubt Tooting High Street would be first choice place to start my fantasy, perhaps I have a different view based on where I live, where every journey is usually very enjoyable.

 

[montyboy]

If I was after a fantasy of liberation, and I thought I could get it from driving a car or riding my bike, I doubt Tooting High Street would be first choice place to start my fantasy, perhaps I have a different view based on where I live, where every journey is usually very enjoyable.

Driving can be an absolute delight on a clear day in your part of the world.

 

[freecyclist]

And as far as I can tell, no-one holds the second one.
I haven't seen a single post, not even by Claud, suggesting that they would deliberately hold up other road users just for the hell of it.

ROFL

 

[StuartG]

I've always loved the romance of motoring, and the open road. But like you say, unless you're some sort of international playboy blasting down to the south of France in a Ferrari, such thrills don't exist.

No Ferrari needed. At 17 and having passed my test an A30 van was sufficient to turn me from a spotted youth to the most desirable lad in the lower sixth. I cast my cycle aside and (pre drink/drive laws) would take young ladies to a country pub or three and maybe visit an odd lay-by on the way home. Driving was a joy, the freedom was a joy.

However as the rest of my peer group acquired motors my special attraction to ladies waned. As more of the nation acquired motors the availability of unhindered open road waned. Driving gradually evolved from a pleasure to a drag. Except most people are still living in the past - a past the car industry either evokes or turns the cockpit into an air conditioned entertainment centre with knobs - anything to hide the reality of what's outside.

That's why I returned to the bike. I still have a car or two for when they are really needed. But that's not often and getting less often. Which is good for other motorists and cyclists alike.

So I do sympathise with Claud. And worry about some here who don't appear to be terribly rational about their affliction. Oh dear, am I really EXTREME too?

 

[GilesM]

fair do's. If mud's your thing...........but, yes, if I had the skill and the nerve I'd probably be falling off hills as well.

Suffice to say that there are times when I'm trundling along the her maj's highway thinking myself beyond all cares. Now - I can imagine a person driving a 1960s sportscar down the Autostrada del Sol, hood down, tweed cap affixed to head with double sided tape, the love of his or her life in the passenger seat and a case of the local vintage in the boot, feeling as free as a bird. Sadly most motorists experience more frustration than freedom.

You can do, just need to know where to go.

 

[freecyclist]

Blinking heck, I can't believe this posts still running and that anyone thinks it's even worth trying to reason with someone who thinks cyclists shouldn't be in groups of more than eight, in case it causes a motorist to get to their destination three minutes later than they would have.

Freecycle is a berk who's going to carry on spouting the same crap for however long this post continues (IMO).

To be fair you never tried reasoning with FC.
You were clearly in the closed minded intolerant dinosaur camp from the beginning.

 

[theclaud]

You really did just write that another member of the forum was extremely prosaic, didn't you? Crikey! You really did!

Yup. I reckon Giles can handle it...

 

[theclaud]

To be fair you never tried reasoning with FC.

Then he can congratulate himself on not wasting his time on the futile...

 

[GilesM]

Driving can be an absolute delight on a clear day in your part of the world.

Oh yes, I've had much pleasure discovering so many great roads since I moved here.

 

[Andy84]

Doubling up sociable and safe ? A slight contradiction would nt you say ? Chatting and controlling a moving vehicle at the same time.

Next time I'm in a car, I'll ensure that the driver doesn't talk to me!

 

[montyboy]

Next time I'm in a car, I'll ensure that the driver doesn't talk to me!

What if you were chatting to a guy in the car alongside you?

 

[GilesM]

Yup. I reckon Giles can handle it...

I think I'll get by, although I did need a dictionary.

 

[400bhp]

Oh yes, I've had much pleasure discovering so many great roads since I moved here.

I've never been to that part of the world but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have sold my car if I lived there. Actually I would have and probably bought something like an e30 M3-love them cars.

Can't we all just get on.

Cars aren't evil

Riding 2 abreast isn't anti capitalist.

Night turns into day etc.