A2 Vs A13

Having had to over the last few weeks needed to use both these roads on my daily commute, I have had, during numerous slow and fully stopped spells, had the opportunity to observe and compare both car and bike riders behaviour and my conclusion is that commuters on the A13 are far better behaved than those on the A2...

A2 users, especially those on 2 wheels, are impatient, agressive, annoying, irratible and highly frustrated at the best of times...

I think I'll stick to the A13...

I prefer to use an M16 on the traffic.

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

I prefer to use an M16 on the traffic.

Yes, unfortunately that is also illegal and rather stupid!

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Jdubya

Yes, unfortunately that is also illegal and rather stupid!

Yeah, a 5.56 weapon one handed is innaccurate, and how are you going to filter at normal speed while firing?

Get yourself a nice 9mm beretta, easier to conceal and shoot, nicely weighted too!

OK then - I agree riders and drivers on the A2 are total prats. Since my off I have been trying to regain my confidence and start filtering again yet in poor light and wet conditions, more often than not it is other bikers that cause me to do things I would not have otherwise done. On occasion almost forcing me to move over and let them past so that I can fully concentrate on what is in front of me and not what is behind me.

The other day I was going through the lights at kidbrooke in the inside lane, taking up a position in the middle of the lane and was undertaken by some c*** on a battered up GSXR, I had not seen him approaching and could quite easily have been seriously injured by this ****s actions. I scared the crap out of me.

Although this morning 2 vans, 4 cars, a knobhead on a scooter and a lorry were the enemy.

Originally Posted by Jdubya

A2 users, especially those on 2 wheels, are impatient, agressive, annoying, irratible and highly frustrated at the best of times...

Yup, yup, nope, yup, and yup....

But as soon as im out of London, im fine, strange that...

Have to say, if im stuck behined a bike when he's pootling along like a lemon, it does wind me up, esp if there is plenty of room to move over and let me past. But some bikers don't seem to use mirrors.

I even see bikers sitting in the outside lane when theres nothing on the inner two lanes. I saw 2 the other day following each other as i went past on the inside lane. I couldn't believe it tbh....

But, on the flip side, i don't sit right up peoples behineds (unless we've been filtering for a few miles and they are doing what I say above), I give people a chance.

On another note, i've found it DEFINATLY is quicker to suffer the BW tunnel approach traffic, then filter down the A13, than it is to come off at Sun in the Sands, and filter down to rotherhite tunnel, tooley street, london bridge...

I also say thankyou witha foot/hand/hazards to anyone who does let me past though. They have noticed i am there and im always gratefull if they have let me past. If anyone comes up behined me, i also let them past, but only when is safe. I kinda expect the same in return, I would never force someone out of the way simply to get past, I always give them lots of chances to see me there, and let me past only when is safe.

But my attitude also completly changes when on a weekend ride. London traffic REALLY does boil my blood as its so dangerous and people are so stupid.

BTW, Khrall, was that you on the pointy Grey SV who let me passed at Black Prince junction speed camera (going coast bound)?

Oh, also, I ride fairly quickly (bad, but 8 years experience on the road now) but safly (had offs, know when im out of my braking limits).

What does wind me up though is people who will sit at 50mph on the A2, then when it comes to filtering through slow moving traffic, they will carry on at 40mph, and not slow down in accordence with the conditions. So many people in cars change lanes quickly, im just waiting for someone to stuff it up in front of me. I passed a bike pottering along this morning, but in the traffic to the tunnel, he was sat RIGHT up my aris as i was doing about 15mph. I wasn't going to speed up for this person, but im sure if i did have to hit the brakes, he would have rammed me right up the backside.

Kahrll, don't ever be intimidated by riders following. Ride your own pace, and move over only when safe.

Theres some right muppets though. I followed a scooter rider, with passanger, filming on a video camera all the way back. No gloves or anything. They gave me a sh1tty look when i just shock my head in disgust.... Shocking.

Also, look out for a guy on a TL1000, usually no gloves. He's a bit mental too

Could've been me Silver SV LF03....., as said I ride at my own pace and move over when I can - I don't want to hold anyone else up if they are more capable/comfortable to go faster than me.

I'm not slow (well not that slow) and just ride at what I feel comfortable, I always check my mirrors in order for me to try and anticipate faster bikes, but the ****s who drive right behind me really annoy me and make my driving more twitchy.

Agreed most riders do offer a foot or lift their fingers in acknowledgement, which is perfect and makes you glad you did. Generally the ****s who drive up your ar53 are the same ones who offer no acknowledgement when you move over.

I always acknowledge cars/vans/lorries whatever if the have made a conscious effort to move over or indicate that they have noticed you - politeness goes a very long way.

Indeed, also gives a better impression of bikers, "oh i didn't expect that" type thing.

Was prob about 5.30-40pm, although i think the Grey SV came off at Black Prince. Jsut you don't see many grey ones about I was wearing my bright yellow vesty thing.