It was nearly all over!

Originally Posted by Baph

I have only had a puncture in two tyres.

Heh ok, still something to consider though. Just like crossing between the car tyre tracks within a lane. Time and a place, as they say.

Originally Posted by sinbad

Time and a place, as they say.

Exactly why I won't recommend anyone, of any skill level do it. There's times when I do, and times when I don't, even on the same section of the same road, heading the same way.

Originally Posted by BluePete

You could try reading this It's a bit dry, I looked at it at work, (Police advanced driver don't'ch'know) it's skewed towards bikes as opposed to cars and may, one day, save your life.

I'll give this book a thumbs up too. Probably my favourite advanced riding book. There's not much I don't agree with in it. I read it and applied it to my riding several months before joining IAM. On my first ride the (senior and most competent of the group) observer commented that he could see I'd had some previous advanced training by the way I was riding. I hadn't, strictly speaking, I'd just read the book and tried to do as it said. If you're wanting to understand appropriate corner speed a bit better, it's a great place to start, to grasp the theory of it. That way, when you're following someone who is using all of the road, you'll understand why they're doing what they are (if they're doing it right ).

jeez plowsie, you arent ahppy unless your trying to crash are you huni??
well saved.x

Lucky there pal, I overcooked a corner a couple of weeks ago whilst out with Tim (belgium) and had to force myself to keep looking at the road rather than the verge to get myself around the corner, without putting it into the grass. Luckily things like yourself, turned out ok. Im doing a police driving course at the moment and Im finding that the instruction is helping me read corners better. Hopefully i can put this into riding once I hit the twisty stuff.

Originally Posted by plowsie

Just went on a blast for a few miles, I've got to learn not to be so eager and be smoother.

slow down you silly sausage

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Baph

EDIT: Oh, another point, everything in this thread, and the references linked to, does not only apply on country roads. It applies just as much in a heavily populated city as it does at the top of a mountain. Observation isn't only about what you can see, it's about allowing others to see you (if they happen to be looking).

I would argue that positioning for bends is much less likely to be appropriate in an urban environment.
Remember at 30 mph how far round a corner do you need to see? certainly not 400 yards.
And if you keep left for a right hander, you'll just get someone overtake you, better to command your road position IMHO.

Originally Posted by Stu

I would argue that positioning for bends is much less likely to be appropriate in an urban environment.
Remember at 30 mph how far round a corner do you need to see? certainly not 400 yards.
And if you keep left for a right hander, you'll just get someone overtake you, better to command your road position IMHO.

You obviously didn't read through the link that I posted.

SSV.

Safety. Stability. Vision. In that order. My point wasn't about positioning on bends, it was more about letting other people see you (still a part of vision, but also more importantly safety).

That's not a near miss, that's using the full width of the road and utilising the roads features to the maximum - Thats STYLE, well done!!

Originally Posted by Stu

Remember at 30 mph how far round a corner do you need to see? certainly not 400 yards.

Yep, this a point made in the police riders handbook (that at lower speeds where you can already more than comfortably stop in the distance you can see to be clear, there is little benefit) and it mentions that this reduced speed may well be due to a slow vehicle in front, as well as low speed limits.

The reason why I would (usually) try to be near the middle of the road on left handers changes (primarily to be seen by other traffic, rather than to increase my view), but I still stay there. On right handers though, I tend to go in the middle of the lane to stop people attempting dodgy overtakes round bends (because if they c0ck up, you know they're going to choose sideswiping you over a head on with a car coming the other way).