Maybe I’m Over reacting but…

[Jody]

It was me!

I was the one who made a quick post saying that "going for a drive" - just driving with no destination - was a weird thing to do. I regret it now.

It's slightly weird but we always used to do it when I was younger. The joys of my dad having a fuel card, nice car and no mileage constraints.

We'd go all over the place.

TBF I love driving and probably would drive for pleasure but haven't done it in some time.

Given the option of long drive or being passenger, I'd pick driving every time.


It's probably easier if we move on from the Jowwy quote.

 

[Chislenko]

TBF I love driving and probably would drive for pleasure but haven't done it in some time.

Must admit I used to love driving and would often take my "sporty number" for a blast round North Wales.

Nowadays I detest driving and only use the car when I have to.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Must admit I used to love driving and would often take my "sporty number" for a blast round North Wales.

Nowadays I detest driving and only use the car when I have to.

I'm with you on that, although I don't think I've often driven for the sake of driving, there was always a purpose to the drive, even if that purpose was trivial, 170 mile round trip to buy fish & chips, sit on the prom to eat them

 

[Smokin Joe]

It's turning into one of those threads. "But did you not read my reply on page 76". Please mods. Save us from ourselves.




It was me!

I was the one who made a quick post saying that "going for a drive" - just driving with no destination - was a weird thing to do. I regret it now.

I still think that. But then I hate driving and live in a congested city where driving is a pain, and where there is excellent public transport, so I very rarely actually use my car. I do accept that some other people have different perspectives. But that doesn't mean they aren't weird.

Is going for a bike ride - just riding with no destination - also a weird thing to do? And not everyone lives in congested cities with excellent public transport. Many of us rural dwellers enjoy quiet roads with very limited bus services.

 

[Brandane]

for me to drive anywhere involves trundling though through the mean streets of SE London, probably on the S Circular. It's enough to make anyone stay at home.

Having driven in London, you have my utmost sympathy. I would rather stick pins in my eyes than ever drive there again. However, I suggest you get yourself on the M6 and head north of Preston. The driving experience improves immeasurably, for the most part. One exception being the M8 corridor through central Scotland and anywhere within about 20 miles of it.
There are undoubtedly areas where driving a car can still be fun, albeit very expensive fun now. Personally I enjoy having my own space where I can be alone with my thoughts; put on my choice of music and just head for somewhere scenic. If it's raining, even better! I think that comes from being a cyclist and motorcyclist too; you learn to appreciate the comfort and protection from the elements that a car gives. Too warm/cold? A quick twirl of a dial and it's sorted. Luxury!

 

[Andy in Germany]

Is going for a bike ride - just riding with no destination - also a weird thing to do? And not everyone lives in congested cities with excellent public transport. Many of us rural dwellers enjoy quiet roads with very limited bus services.

I think the point is that just driving a car with no destination entails pollution, noise and damage, and uses finite resources.

Cycling doesn't cause this damage, uses space more efficiently, and also keeps you fit.

 

[Alex321]

I think the point is that just driving a car with no destination entails pollution, noise and damage, and uses finite resources.

Cycling doesn't cause this damage, uses space more efficiently, and also keeps you fit.

True, but that doesn't really affect whether it is a weird thing to do.

 

[Andy in Germany]

True, but that doesn't really affect whether it is a weird thing to do.

True; that rather depends on what the original poster considered "weird". In the context of an energy and environmental crisis, you could define an activity that pollutes and uses a lot of energy as "weird", although "counterproductive" may be more appropriate if we want to avoid value judgements or potentially derogatory statements.

Unfortunately I can't be absolutely sure that 's what the original poster meant, so technically I was making an assumption based on context.

Am I sounding like a social worker?

 

[Dogtrousers]

I think the point is that just driving a car with no destination entails pollution, noise and damage, and uses finite resources.

Cycling doesn't cause this damage, uses space more efficiently, and also keeps you fit.

Actually that wasn't my point at all. My point was that driving a car is an awful stressful - and expensive - experience (especially with all these bloody cyclists on the road getting in the way). I can't see why anyone would ever do it for fun.

Cycling my local roads is also unpleasant and stressful - not expensive though - but after about an hour's riding I finally escape.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Do people really do that? "Go for a drive". I've never, in my entire life (except when I was learning to drive) gone out and driven a car just for the sake of driving a car. I've only ever driven a car because I want to get somewhere.

It's bizarre.

Don't cyclists do that - just 'go for a ride'?

 

[Alex321]

Actually that wasn't my point at all. My point was that driving a car is an awful stressful - and expensive - experience (especially with all these bloody cyclists on the road getting in the way). I can't see why anyone would ever do it for fun.

Cycling my local roads is also unpleasant and stressful - not expensive though - but after about an hour's riding I finally escape.

A lot of people don't find driving stressful once they are out of town.

 

[tyred]

Actually that wasn't my point at all. My point was that driving a car is an awful stressful - and expensive - experience (especially with all these bloody cyclists on the road getting in the way). I can't see why anyone would ever do it for fun.

Cycling my local roads is also unpleasant and stressful - not expensive though - but after about an hour's riding I finally escape.

Roads around here are pretty quiet for the most part so driving a car isn't really stressful and speaking personally, while recovering from my injuries, I was able to drive about 6 weeks before I was allowed to cycle again and even then I needed time to build up being able to cycle a meaningful distance. In that time I drove a lot. After 4 months lying in bed and not being able to walk any distance, being able to get out and about in the car was great for my mental wellbeing and I was grateful for having access to a car.

Driving can be enjoyed and not everyone has the fitness to cycle or walk. There are no local bus services here so if you want to escape your local area a car is the only way to do it.

 

[tyred]

Then there are occasions where I've put my bike in the car and went for a drive somewhere just so I could ride my bike somewhere different. I note many cars going around with bike racks. Obviously lots of people do this.

 

[Dogtrousers]

A lot of people don't find driving stressful once they are out of town.

Probably because they aren't paying proper attention to what they are doing.

 

[winjim]

It may be my autism but I find concentrating on a technical task extremely relaxing. So going for a drive is good for me.

When I was commuting to Manchester, compared to the rigmarole of family life it was the most relaxing part of my day.