Traffic Theory

[Zombie Master]

That's how I do it. Born of always trying to increase my space cushion on the bike. If you're not there, they can't hit you.

I'm hearing ya man. I've had some of the biggest space cushions on my outback trips.
They can last for hours.

You can never have to much space cushion.

[Sunbeem]

I like the way that this philosophy works for the driver, although seeing himself as a Zen warrior is perhaps a bit much. At least he enjoys the drive, and arrives relaxed at the journey's end.
A basic awareness of emotional health will render the driving seat an interesting field of study.
If we think of those who overtake us in negative terms, we will get one result. It will be negative.
If we assume they are rushing to a loved one's deathbed, or the maternity hospital, we can view them differently, with an empathy born of the knowledge, "That could be me."
Our views determine our feelings, and if our feelings are uncomfortable, the answer is to alter our views.
If we seek the excitement of anger for more complex reasons, we will cherish and polish our incendiary views.
Blaming the other person for our discomfort is simply a sign of emotional immaturity.

When I go for a blast along the nearby A65, I no longer wait for the cars to pass and pull in behind the last one -- I sit and wait for a cessation in the traffic, then I wait as long as I can, before pulling in front of the first approaching car of the next batch. Then I have an idea of the gap in front of me, and can ride within it for as long as it lasts.

Sunbeem.

[Deleted User 62]

Lately, whenever I'm riding my motorcycle and get stuck behind a line of slow cars in the twisty parts, I pull over and let the gap get as big as possible, then quickly pull in before the next group of slow cars come along, so I can blast down the highway for awhile. I think of it as retreat as a tactic for advance, or a relaxing way to get my blood pressure up. Does this make me a passive / aggressive personality, or merely conflicted??

[Steve in Golden]

Lately, whenever I'm riding my motorcycle and get stuck behind a line of slow cars in the twisty parts, I pull over and let the gap get as big as possible, then quickly pull in before the next group of slow cars come along, so I can blast down the highway for awhile. I think of it as retreat as a tactic for advance, or a relaxing way to get my blood pressure up. Does this make me a passive / aggressive personality, or merely conflicted??

I've done that too, many times. It is sure a lot less stressful than either trying to pass all those slow cars, or just fuming 'cause all those slow bozos are ruining my ride.

[melville]

Lately, whenever I'm riding my motorcycle and get stuck behind a line of slow cars in the twisty parts, I pull over and let the gap get as big as possible, then quickly pull in before the next group of slow cars come along, so I can blast down the highway for awhile. I think of it as retreat as a tactic for advance, or a relaxing way to get my blood pressure up. Does this make me a passive / aggressive personality, or merely conflicted??

I've done that too, many times. It is sure a lot less stressful than either trying to pass all those slow cars, or just fuming 'cause all those slow bozos are ruining my ride.

Heck, I've done that descending a good twisty pass on a bicycle. Go until I run into the back of a group, stop and wait, and when I see the front of the next slow group coming, get back out there. You won't delay your progress (assuming you catch back up), and you'll have more fun than anyone stuck in line.

[Deleted User 287]

Since I got my speeding ticket in January, I've become much more observant of the speed limit.
But even setting my cruise control at "only" 5 over, I am nearly the slowest car out there.

I have a nickname for all of those cars rushing past me - I call them "sweepers" - as they will sweep up the cops for me.

There must be a lot of people rushing to the hospital these days. Poor souls.

[Zombie Master]

[quote="Sunbeem"]."
Our views determine our feelings, and if our feelings are uncomfortable, the answer is to alter our views.
If we seek the excitement of anger for more complex reasons, we will cherish and polish our incendiary views.
Blaming the other person for our discomfort is simply a sign of emotional immaturity.

You must get tired passing judgement on all these strangers!

When I go for a blast along the nearby A65, I no longer wait for the cars to pass and pull in behind the last one -- I sit and wait for a cessation in the traffic, then I wait as long as I can, before pulling in front of the first approaching car of the next batch. Then I have an idea of the gap in front of me, and can ride within it for as long as it lasts.

Just make sure you're watching your rear, Many do not expect to see a motorcycle sitting there dawdling. They themselves are looking for a traffic entry point and not directly ahead. Many bikes are hit from the rear. I have been hit from the rear at a red light. Good riders are aggressive, pro active, not passive.

[Steve in Golden]

Our views determine our feelings, and if our feelings are uncomfortable, the answer is to alter our views.
If we seek the excitement of anger for more complex reasons, we will cherish and polish our incendiary views.
Blaming the other person for our discomfort is simply a sign of emotional immaturity.

You must get tired passing judgement on all these strangers!

Strangers?

I think 'beem is saying we can't control what others do, but we can control how we react to them. We can choose to get upset when traffic sucks, or not.

I, of course, usually get upset when stuck in traffic in the cage, or I get cut off, etc.

But on the MC, when someone in a cage does something stupid, I expect it, and it doesn't even piss me off. Usually.

[Zombie Master]

Our views determine our feelings, and if our feelings are uncomfortable, the answer is to alter our views.
If we seek the excitement of anger for more complex reasons, we will cherish and polish our incendiary views.
Blaming the other person for our discomfort is simply a sign of emotional immaturity.

You must get tired passing judgement on all these strangers!

Strangers?

I think 'beem is saying we can't control what others do, but we can control how we react to them. We can choose to get upset when traffic sucks, or not.

I, of course, usually get upset when stuck in traffic in the cage, or I get cut off, etc.

But on the MC, when someone in a cage does something stupid, I expect it, and it doesn't even piss me off. Usually.

My entire attitude is to never assume anything about anybody. You never know what a person is going through at any particular moment.

[enigmaT120]

My entire attitude is to never assume anything about anybody. You never know what a person is going through at any particular moment.

That's my goal, and for that reason. I would add that I don't usually care what the other people are going through, I'm just trying not to harm nor be harmed.