Problem: I like filtering

I have two different ways i can get to work, both the same sort of distance but one way is a dual carriageway filled with traffic. Thing is i keep going this way because i enjoy the filtering Shocker i know. Does anyone else do this. I think i do it because it adds variation for my 4 mile ride to work lol.

Stu

My commuting options:

1) A55, dual carraige way, 49miles from home to work. Chance of filtering, especially in the evening. A couple of points where the lanes merge into one, which means bottle necks on busy periods. Friday before a bank holiday, guranteed heavy traffic enroute to the island.

2) A5. Pretty straight line stuff, tourist trap, and sees a fair number of tractors. Easy to overtake, and then off on the A543 over Denbigh moors with a risk of sheep. Around 55miles in total. Takes the same amount of time as #1 if you get a clear run.

3) A5 until the A470, north on that for a spell, then over via Llanfair TH, Llansannan and meet up with the A543 after the moors. The North Wales run went this way because the road is good. Get stuck behind a tractor at the wrong point and you're doomed though. This is around 65miles.

4) Head down to Llanberis, over Pen-y-pass to pick up the A5, then as per #2 or #3. This is by far the longest route, approx 85miles, depending which I choose out of #2 or #3.

I pick & choose from the above, mainly depending on time when I'm going to work, and mood when I'm on the way home. Sometimes I pick #1 on a bank holiday weekend, just for the filtering.

I like filtering too, its even better in Portsmouth as the drivers are a tad surprised by my actions. Maybe its cus I filter like I'm in London and round here there used to slow arsed sports bike riders who are paranoid. But thats how I've always done it, like threading a needle.

So far in ten years of riding (touch wood) which has been ten years ofr filtering I've only hit 2 mirrors, once on my 125 when the rear drum brake gave up. Plus once on the Super 4, when I didn't notice the van mirrors and clipped mine on then.

Oh yeah, love to filter. I hate it when I miss the rush hour! Passed 4 miles of crawling traffic on the A road, 2 miles stationary on the motorway and no end of light queues this morning. 35 mins which would have been 1 Hr 20 in the car.

Any option I chose involves filtering. I don't mind filtering but I'd rather be on an open and clear road any day of the week!

Originally Posted by Kwakadan

Any option I chose involves filtering. I don't mind filtering but I'd rather be on an open and clear road any day of the week!

Agreed.

Though I have to admit there's something satisfying about getting through a load of traffic I'd have otherwise been stuck in...

I had to ride through a very busy brighton on friday. There was lots of traffic.

And I too, enjoyed the thrill of filtering, the mastery of slow control, the adrenaline rush of just avoiding being squashed between two Brighton & Hove buses.

Matt

Solution: Move to London.

There is an undeniable satisfaction to be gleaned from passing a mile of traffic; like Grinch says, it's kind of threading a needle (though I'm in no way a particularly good/confident/aggressive filterer) and makes you feel like you're "in the zone"

Prefer open and empty twisties though - though apparently, despite my thoughts to the contrary, I don't actually own the road and have to share it?

I have no choice but to filter here, and enjoy it everytime.

Route 1 is Up over Dulwich, down into Camberwell and along the Walworth Road to the Elephant. This route is horrible, too many roadworks and trafic lights for any sort of Filtering.

Route 2 is my most usual, Dulwich to Herne Hill, through Brixton with plenty of filtering onto the A23 with it's motorcycle enabled Bus Lane up to Kennington, past Waterloo and up to Blackfriars.

Route 3 is probably out there, but i've only lived in the area for 5 weeks.