Bikers travelling in a group...

[dinny_g]

I realise there are lots of bikers on here so buckle up...

@Bikers - when riding in a group along major Dual Carriage Ways or Motorways, pick a fucking speed and stick to it...

I was driving back from Holyhead on Saturday and as we left the port, there was a group of 6 or 7 tourers on a variety of machines leaving around the same time. I always travel this route with Cruise Control set to 75 (figuring this is actually near enough to 70 not to be concerned) and try to make smooth consistent progress. So I approach the group, indicate over and pass them all by in about 30 seconds, leave plenty of room before pulling back in and then continue on my way.

About a minute or two later, the lead biker cruises past. His manner was NOT "how dare you pass me" etc. I think his speed just gradually increased and past he goes. Then Bike #2 does the same. Now I'm fixed at 75 so I guess they must have been temporarily doing 80 or so to go past. I'm now stuck in the middle of the group - 2 in front and 5 behind.

Then lead 2 bikes slow to 65 - so round them I go again. This happened another 2 or 3 times and left me with two options. Either slow down and drop in behind them (meaning I'd be constantly accelerating and decelerating between 65 and 80) or get in front of them and leave them behind.

I went for option 2 - I put the foot down, hit 90 for about 30 seconds and with a dab of oppo, I was gone.

Pick a speed lads - it's not hard...

[mik]

If only it was just bikers in groups..... I find on every motorway journey of any reasonalbe length that I will eventually come across someone unable to maintain a constant speed, and you spend miles (usually painfully slowly) swapping places with them. my solution is also to speed up briefly to create a space (without contravening any laws obvs ossifer).

Sniff & Smith podcast were chatting the other week about - if you could add an extra light on the outside of your car, what would you want it to do/signify, and one option was an "I'm on cruise control" light that might somehow alert these idiots that it's them, not you doing this crap.

[Barry]

Wot Mik sed. Morons are morons regardless of mode of transport.

I will say, I don't like following a car/van on the bike so instinctively find myself passing them when I get an easy chance.. I do try to pull away before settling back down to cruise mind you, something this lot seemingly don't.

People not managing to maintain one speed is a bugbear of mine everytime I have to use a motorway it must be said.

[Mito Man]

If only it was just bikers in groups..... I find on every motorway journey of any reasonalbe length that I will eventually come across someone unable to maintain a constant speed, and you spend miles (usually painfully slowly) swapping places with them. my solution is also to speed up briefly to create a space (without contravening any laws obvs ossifer).

Sniff & Smith podcast were chatting the other week about - if you could add an extra light on the outside of your car, what would you want it to do/signify, and one option was an "I'm on cruise control" light that might somehow alert these idiots that it's them, not you doing this crap.

This is especially painful when towing a trailer, and you don't really have the luxury of speeding up to create a space. Then they also end up blocking you in behind a lorry. Repeatedly

[jamcg]

I had it on our recent scout camp whilst driving the minibus, which I might add is limited to 56mph

[integrale_evo]

I fairly recently took a long trip up the A1(m) during normal daytime hours - I usually like to make longer journeys early morning or late at night.

Anyway, I was amazed at how many cars were unable to keep a constant speed, it was ridiculous. I must have overtaken the same green Focus about 8 times.

I understand people don’t want to sit behind my smelly old Alfa, but I’ve passed you, I’m going quicker than you, just hold the speed you were going and you’ll soon be a spec in the mirror!

I tend to cruise at bang on 70 on the speedo because somehow it’s very accurate and an actual 70 in real life. While I can accelerate to leave people, it feels a bit cruel and don’t like sitting much above 70 for long. But I’m also not going to stay sat behind someone because they’ve overtaken than slowed to 65 in front of me.

[V8Granite]

If they were on Ducatis it's because their wrists are aching.

Dave!

[duncs500]

Ha, we were in stop start traffic at the weekend watching a couple of bikers who pulled in front of us stretching out legs and exercising their wrists. I did feel for them, I fear I may have already out aged my midlife before I even enacted it!

[dinny_g]

If they were on Ducatis it's because their wrists are aching.

Dave!

Fair point - one of them was but the lead guy was on one of this big BMW tourers that JL (and others) had and IIRC, they have cruise control.

There was also another guy (not part of the other group) on a heavily laden Scooter (i.e. 12" wheels or so) easily doing 75mph... It look really really unstable, and I'm guessing, highly illegal...