Back Off! (tail gating)

OK, so, commuting to work this morning, coming along the back road into Denbigh. Check my rear mirror. He's a little too close for comfort, maybe he wants to ride pillion?

I have a distinct habit of being a c-nut, as many of you lot will attest to

Since my rear brake is adjusted so that I can flash the light without actually braking, that's what I did. He backed off, then after the next bend, he's asking for a lift again

Right then, he wants to play kiss chase does he? Let's make it easy for him. So then I'm down to 25 mph in a 50, with no possibility for him to overtake. But now I realise that if he wants to actually kiss my bike, that's it, game over, and I don't like the taste of tarmac. Hmmm.

So I gave a little wave with my left hand, down next to the bike, as if to motion "get away from my rear you q...." or words to that effect Flash the brake light again as I'm doing this.

Well. Smack me with a kipper. He only goes & does it. Backs off a good couple of hundred yards in fact! So I get back up to speed, so does he. And he stays away from the rear of the bike!

So let that be a lesson to you folks. "Ask" the "nice" people driving motor-vehicles to give you some more room, you never know, it might just work!

Mate, are you 6'4 and 240 pounds wearing a katana across your back? Otherwise I think this was pure luck!

5'11 & I have a katana, but I think that North Wales police would want to stop me a lot more often if I carried it around on the bike

You could be right, but hey! It worked so

I had a similar experience with a white van (of all things) a few months back. I was amazed to find he actually stayed back at a safe distance and didn't beep his horn/flash his lights/gesture that I was in the wrong, the way most drivers do when you point out they're doing something a bit dangerous.

Originally Posted by Baph

5'11 & I have a katana, but I think that North Wales police would want to stop me a lot more often if I carried it around on the bike

You could be right, but hey! It worked so

LOL- I've been thinking of a way to strap my Tan Tow to my back to take it to training- but, indeed, this isn't the wild East, so best be discreet.

Reminds me of Kill Bill- where they're riding with their Katanas attached to the bike!

Originally Posted by thedonal

LOL- I've been thinking of a way to strap my Tan Tow to my back to take it to training- but, indeed, this isn't the wild East, so best be discreet.

Reminds me of Kill Bill- where they're riding with their Katanas attached to the bike!

Jesus, does everyone on this forum owns a blade of some sort? Good job I didn't say a pump action shotgun or a nuclear warhead that could have been an eye opener!

Originally Posted by Dave The Rave

Jesus, does everyone on this forum owns a blade of some sort?

I only own throwing knives these days, although I'm reasonably competent with both western fencing swords and chinese butterfly knives.

Originally Posted by thedonal

LOL- I've been thinking of a way to strap my Tan Tow to my back to take it to training- but, indeed, this isn't the wild East, so best be discreet.

Reminds me of Kill Bill- where they're riding with their Katanas attached to the bike!

Do like I do then, quick release cable ties to the rear subframe No cutting when you get to training. Zip it back onto the bike when you're done.

Originally Posted by Dave The Rave

Jesus, does everyone on this forum owns a blade of some sort? Good job I didn't say a pump action shotgun or a nuclear warhead that could have been an eye opener!

No shot-guns or nukes here, let me check under the bed though, find all sorts under there.

I do however, have several "blades." Ranging up from wodden staffs & a wooden katana, through a couple of small "hunting" knives (aka tantō - I wouldn't suggest hunting with them, you'd take your own hand off as well as kill some small animal - triple blade type jobs) through to my pride & joy (kept above the bed), live blade chisakatana.

I do kenjutsu btw

I've only got the Tan Tow *(single knife) and staff (Kun) at the moment- though will start Shuang Tow *(double knife) later this year. Missed the double axe course last year- looks interesting!

Shaolin Kung Fu for me (Tiger Crane combination).

* Read as Chinese Broad Sword

Going back on topic for a mo- fair play Baph. Politeness and respect on the road goes a long way for me (and correct use of indicators). I really think that the govt should focus on promoting these at the moment over drink driving (which is allegedly on the decline). Plus being in the correct lane- so many people cut across 2 lanes from the right to exit left on Tolworth Roundabout (plus jump the lights)- why can't they get in the right lane to start with. Makes the journey SO much easier.

If what you have is a broad sword, like a sabre, then I'd say that was more of a Dao than a tanto (pronounced Tan Tow).

The knifes I own, I bought after the Kinves Act '97, and technically, are illegal to sell because they could be used for combat purposes.

However, when you spend a few hundred on a live chisakatana, and you know that if anything hits the blade with any force that it will chip it, it makes you reluctant to try it in combat unless you really REALLY have to! Still, the non-live blades could be used in combat, and would still cause some serious damage, but if you talk to the shops selling them about the type of martial art you do, they realise that if you were going to get into a combat situation, you probably would rather not use the knife in the first place.

Strange, I didn't intend this thread in this light, but anyhow...