In defence of the modern car (including Stags)

[Mike Stevens]

A friend of mine is rebuilding an Austin 'Nippy' (?), built the year he was born, 1934/35 I think. When I say rebuilding, I mean it too. He's had the chassis straightened and he's remaking the wings himself. I shall look forward to seeing that in the flesh when it's finished.

My 1949 LandRover also needs double-declutching as there is no synchromash on 1st or 2nd. You soon learn that technique to avoid the gears crunching, and it also helps driving other vehicles when the clutch doesn't work too well or at all. A bit like my Stag where the clutch is still dragging, so I 'blip' the throttle when changing down just to ease the load on the synchro rings.

We're (sort of) planning to take the LandRover to France next year, but that will only be home to Pompey then to Caen/Ousitreham and then only about 50 miles the other end to the house in Normandy. That part usually takes just over an hour, but I suspect it might be a bit longer in the LandRover!

Cheers,
Mike.

[Bob Heritage]

My daughters learning to drive at the moment, with a driving school as I thought I had too many bad habits to teach her myself. But we have been going out in the car lately for some practice, I must say though that she does have a few problems toe'n'healing it round the bends.

[DJT]

Many of the city roads here have always had parking both sides, which was fine when they were all the size of Austin 7s. One of those each side left plenty of room for 2 to pass in each direction. Nowadays we get a couple of Range Rovers parked opposite each other and the road is reduced to single lane. What do the local authority do about it? Nothing! I believe they think it is a simple form of traffic calming, whereas it is actually the cause of many of our traffic jams!

[Bob Heritage]

Many of the city roads here have always had parking both sides, which was fine when they were all the size of Austin 7s. One of those each side left plenty of room for 2 to pass in each direction. Nowadays we get a couple of Range Rovers parked opposite each other and the road is reduced to single lane. What do the local authority do about it? Nothing! I believe they think it is a simple form of traffic calming, whereas it is actually the cause of many of our traffic jams!

Don't get a Green council in power then Dave. they put a cycle lane each side to do the same thing. Brought Brighton to a standstill.

[DJT]

Don't get a Green council in power then Dave. they put a cycle lane each side to do the same thing. Brought Brighton to a standstill.

Don't get me started on cycle lanes. Our lot has spent I don't know how much moving cycle lanes off the road and onto the pavement. To me it's a sensible move; keeps the bikes away from the traffic - safer and less congestion. But the Lycra louts still use the roads, slowing down traffic and putting themselves at risk. IMO if they have the option of a separate cycle lane, but still use the road, then they can't complain if they get crushed........

[torque2me]

Don't get me started on cycle lanes. Our lot has spent I don't know how much moving cycle lanes off the road and onto the pavement. To me it's a sensible move; keeps the bikes away from the traffic - safer and less congestion. But the Lycra louts still use the roads, slowing down traffic and putting themselves at risk. IMO if they have the option of a separate cycle lane, but still use the road, then they can't complain if they get crushed........

Actually the problem is just transferred from vehicular/cyclist mix to cyclist/pedestrian mix. There are only a few real cyclist tracks, most are a white line down the pedestrain pavement with maybe a different colour tarmac. Cyclist feel vunerable to vehicles (they come off second best) and pedestrians feel vunerable to cyclists (they tend to come off second best) with the added problem of quiet mode of cycling. The present situation is not the answer, but hey, it allows access to central government monies!

Kev

[StokeyStag]

Actually the problem is just transferred from vehicular/cyclist mix to cyclist/pedestrian mix. There are only a few real cyclist tracks, most are a white line down the pedestrain pavement with maybe a different colour tarmac. Cyclist feel vunerable to vehicles (they come off second best) and pedestrians feel vunerable to cyclists (they tend to come off second best) with the added problem of quiet mode of cycling. The present situation is not the answer, but hey, it allows access to central government monies!

Kev

Totally agree, in my experience some cyclists fail to see the parallel between how dangerous motorised vehicles are to them and, correspondingly, how dangerous they are to pedestrians. Footpaths are not for cycling but that seems to be ignored by a certain section of the two-wheeled community.

A few years ago whilst walking home on my regular commute from work I had an exchange with a cyclist who came up silently behind me and wanted to get past on a narrow footpath. When I asked why he wasn't using the road he told me that it was too dangerous yet he couldn't see that his actions on the footpath were just as dangerous to pedestrians.

I hate blinkered tw4t5 who can't see the whole picture.

Rant over.

Mark

[dasadrew]

Good grief! I thought Cameron pledged to turn Britain into a "Cycling Nation" in August 2013. You mean it hasn't happened yet? !!! (or was it a stealthy indication of a massive increase in the cost of running a car?)

Drew