First time of filtering/fileling

Have been easing into filtering this week myself- now I've got my steering working/confidence on the bike sorted, I'm just gently pushing myself into it- as far as I'm concerned, I'm riding a bike- so my journey shouldn't (generally) take as long as it did in the car.

I also know the route well so there are places I know I can do it and places I'm less sure of, so don't. Though in some of those yesterday, it got to the point of "sod it- I'm not waiting here any longer!"- so went around the traffic anyway (still with care) and sorted it.

I have to say, after my off and all that stress, my confidence is really coming on well considering!

Once you've got used to passing vehicles that are moving slower than you (or stopped) and are aware that the gap between said vehicles really is wide enough to fit a bike though, filtering becomes more of an instinct.

My advice, never try and keep up with somone else filtering if you feel uncomfortable with it. Better to arrive late than not at all.

If in doubt, don't. Chance are you've spent too much time thinking about it that the chance has gone anyway.

I don't have a problem with filtering, I do have a problem with bikes that just stop in a filtering space though when there is plenty of room in static traffic for bike progress to me made. I guess its Auntie Doris on her bike as the Microbe is in for a service.

Oh and its top fun

I had the same concerns about 2 months ago when I first started riding and posted to the forum too.

Basically the biggest thing I got out of my posting was the advice that, even the most experienced riders don't always filter fast and just do what you feel comfortable with. I thought that there was something wrong with my riding as even scooters seemed to pass me - now I know they are just nutters.....

I have been commuting everyday since and have been growing in confidence and would now consider myself quite good at filtering.

Some days I am happy to go faster and it feels good, but other days it just doesn't feel right so I slow down. Whatever speed I filter at I am going quicker than I would be in my car so I don't need to feel the pressure.

As a few of the others have already said, I hate faster filterers behind me and I hate following people (especially at night). You need to be fully aware of what the cars and lorries etc. are doing so worrying about others bikers just isn't needed. I always pull over then start again.

Good luck and do what feels right.

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

...someone is being a **** and clearly intentionally blocking you, filter round to the other side of the traffic and pass that way...

And give them - they hate you anyway so you may as well be smug

Was filtering down the bypass behind 2 others when someone obviously didn't like it, saw me coming and pulled over so far that his wheels were over the centre line The artic in the next lane saw this and pulled over onto the verge to let me by - he got and the car driver got and

Originally Posted by Scooby Drew

And give them - they hate you anyway so you may as well be smug

Was filtering down the bypass behind 2 others when someone obviously didn't like it, saw me coming and pulled over so far that his wheels were over the centre line The artic in the next lane saw this and pulled over onto the verge to let me by - he got and the car driver got and

I ***TRY*** not to rise to ijit's blocking me, and back down. Safer that they're in front of me & I'm in control of the situation, rather than them.

However, I will admit I've had my moments (like filtering past a 4x4 on the back wheel, or banging on windows as I pass etc etc)

Originally Posted by Baph

I ***TRY*** not to rise to ijit's blocking me, and back down. Safer that they're in front of me & I'm in control of the situation, rather than them.

However, I will admit I've had my moments (like filtering past a 4x4 on the back wheel, or banging on windows as I pass etc etc)

Yes... have had to fully exploit the superior performance of my machine on a number of occasions after using what I thought was appropriate sign language or applying boot to bumper when people are being particulary dangerous/stupid/obstructive and they have decided to terminate my contract with extreme prejudice...

There's a lot of advice saying don't follow others filtering, and I see what you mean. However, I think it can help your filtering skills if you follow others with the knowledge that you are making your own decisions and accept that the risk is yours alone. Following a more confident filterer than you can mean you pick up hints on how to do it faster and safer, and also a car that has had one bike go past it is generally more aware that another bike may come past.

In some (and in ten years of riding, including 4 as a london dispatch rider, I find them VERY rare) cases this will make the car driver close the gap, but most times people will let you through.

As for people following me when I filter, unless I know them and know how they ride I let them follow as fast or slow as they like. It simply isn't up to me to decide what level their abilities are at, and as I find being stuck behind a slow filterer quite annoying, I'm sure others do as well.

As has been stated elsewhere in this thread, tho, my filtering speed changes on a daily basis depending on road conditions, traffic speed, how I'm feeling and a miriad of other factors. Never fall into the trap of thinking "I'm a fast filterer, so I have to filter fast". You'll crash.

My filtering also changes with my mood, so watch that... Calm down, don't filter angry (as the Ground-hog says).

just get a looouuuuddd exhaust! although even with one of those some daft woman in a z3 wouldn't let me past the other day. she had loads of room infront of her, traffic was completely jammed, i was only 5m from my turning but made me wait nearly 10 minutes. i was looking at her in the mirror shaking her head at me whilst i was revving and beeeping like mad. what a d1ck. hehe. if i didn't have a pillion on i would have knocked on her window and asked what the **** she was up to

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

just get a looouuuuddd exhaust! although even with one of those some daft woman in a z3 wouldn't let me past the other day. she had loads of room infront of her, traffic was completely jammed, i was only 5m from my turning but made me wait nearly 10 minutes. i was looking at her in the mirror shaking her head at me whilst i was revving and beeeping like mad. what a d1ck. hehe. if i didn't have a pillion on i would have knocked on her window and asked what the f*ck she was up to

Most ijit's do it because it's a way to get one up on someone else. They can't move, so why should you.

You gave her the response she wanted. Well done

IMO, no idiot on the road is worth rising to (and no, I'm not perfect either).