Got This In The Post Today

Originally Posted by sinbad

it seems like putting yourself in the firing line to see if a gun is about to fire.

Good analogy, thats how I feel about it. I have seen a couple of guys on rideouts sit on the wrong side of the road, then duck in when a car comes. Well I was just sitting on the correct side anyway, and still keeping up behind them!
Personally, I think at the speeds you are travelling, the 1 metre extra view round a corner is more than cancelled out by the time taken to swerve back onto your own side. It may help you see a broken down tractor in your own lane (never happened to me yet), but you are more likely to have a normal car coming towards you in the other lane (happens 50% of bends). So why take a much larger risk for a slightly better view of something that is very unlikely to happen?

Originally Posted by Quiff Wichard

observed pete doin this on the north south and had a good discussion about it at a stop.. stew (addicted) does it too .. it looks scary from behind but thats because they are out there early and me was still on my side 10 yards from my drop in point so I am judging their position with my viewpoint....

I had the same concern raised with regards my riding on the way to AR07. I believe you were with us for that ride Quiff.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

There was a huge thread on this while back....

That there was.

Originally Posted by Warthog

Good analogy, thats how I feel about it. I have seen a couple of guys on rideouts sit on the wrong side of the road, then duck in when a car comes. Well I was just sitting on the correct side anyway, and still keeping up behind them!
Personally, I think at the speeds you are travelling, the 1 metre extra view round a corner is more than cancelled out by the time taken to swerve back onto your own side. It may help you see a broken down tractor in your own lane (never happened to me yet), but you are more likely to have a normal car coming towards you in the other lane (happens 50% of bends). So why take a much larger risk for a slightly better view of something that is very unlikely to happen?

Nick, the point isn't about keeping up with the bike in front, it's about visibility. There's countless times where I've been following other riders, and I've off-sided to a left bend whereas they haven't.

Consider the fact that I'm a good 5-10m behind them, but due to my road positioning, I can see further ahead than they can. That gives me a 5-10m advantage (minimum) for braking distances & reactions.

Also, I adopted off-siding after following Pete/Lissa & Pete was doing it. I also had the chat with him that many others obviously have - about getting out early & only doing it when safe to do so.

For Pete to be told he's not off-siding enough is frankly astounding. He certainly does it more than me!

Always gonna be two sides of the arguement on offsiding, and I can see both points of view. Lots of things you learn as you develop your riding isn't about going quicker it's about safety and giving yourself more of an edge. However it was all discussed at some length not that long ago.

Thanks for the kind comments from so of you with regards my riding. Much appreciated, but I know my level of awareness and general riding has dropped from a couple of years ago. Trying to redevelop those. The Sunday session has certainly helped.

Bloody hell Pete, you're a demon, and a safe one, so if you say that you were better a couple of years a go, I can't wait to ride with you when your back up to those levels
I'm glad someone of your ability found that it was worth it.. I'll be doing some more training before getting back on the road, which I'm hoping will have huge benefits, now my mindset has changed to riding

Watching Pete ride is great to watch and I know I learn so much about offsiding when I'm on a rideout with him and Lissa. When I first went on a rideout with Pete 'n Lissa it was a new concept to me so I was also one of those "what is he doing" people. When we stopped I went up to him and asked about it and he kindly enough explained it to me. So when we got going again I tried it on a few corners and it really does work.

The other advantage is that if you don't want to offside you can get a pretty good idea if there is any oncoming traffic by the line Pete takes. If he stays out wide then there's a good chance the road ahead is clear, if he swoops in then you know there's something coming the other way.

I remember when we met up for that fire service safety thing the other week I saw someone 'off-siding' though I had no idea what it was then, and thought it rather interesting! Sadly I didn't notice who it was doing it, could have been you though Pete! I've done it a couple of times myself whilst in Europe when looking to overtake, and at the weekend here. Seems to be pretty useful to get a good head start on any maneuvers.

Originally Posted by Baph

Consider the fact that I'm a good 5-10m behind them, but due to my road positioning, I can see further ahead than they can. That gives me a 5-10m advantage (minimum) for braking distances & reactions.

Yes but I still think that advantage is used up by having to swerve back onto your own side of the road. I think the crux of the matter here is whether the hazard you are looking for is on your side or the opposite side of the road. If it is on your side, then undoubtedly you have an advantage offsiding. But I put to you that it is MUCH more likely to have a car come towards you whilst offsiding meaning you have to swerve to avoid it, than seeing a broken down car on a bend and having extra time to brake.

Also, having ridden with Pete on many occaisions, I think he is a fantastic rider. However I now see other people seeing it and thinking "thats a great idea" and then having a head-on cos they lack the road awareness. Worries me, that's all.

Originally Posted by Warthog

Yes but I still think that advantage is used up by having to swerve back onto your own side of the road.

If you have to swerve back onto your side of the road, then you're not looking far enough ahead. You should of moved back over a long time before swerving becomes necessary.

Every time I do it, it's just a gentle roll back over the line when I need to get on my side.

I see your point about newer riders esp excercising extreme caution when doing it though.

Originally Posted by petevtwin650

Always gonna be two sides of the arguement on offsiding, and I can see both points of view. Lots of things you learn as you develop your riding isn't about going quicker it's about safety and giving yourself more of an edge. However it was all discussed at some length not that long ago.

I seem to have gone the way of "cant see past the person in front?" drop back till a good opportunity arises. All it takes is for one car to come around the corner your on the wrong side of, stupid fast or a car pulls out because he/she wasnt looking on the other side fo the road you dont react fast enough wam bam thank you mam. The End.

Besides I cant think of any corners I use often where this would help...

My opinion of course basically is Risk > Gain.

Off-siding seems to scare the crap outta people that are not used to doing it or never seen it. I try to use it as often as possible to improve my view round corners etc. Those that have ridden with me recently will account for how much I don't use it as much as I used too. Getting used to the SV again has slightly hampered things but hopefully things will get better for me

If your having to pull in last minute, your not planning far enough ahead, or your too close to the vehicle in front...