Where to ride when near bad drivers in cages?

[upjeeper]

Titan's thread about the exploding tire made me think. Recently I've been near a few cages who had me very concerned with their driving habits.

I usually try to get past these people, but thinking about it seeing as how i can stop faster then a cage maybe I should ride behind them so I can keep my eyes directly on them.

Opinions?

[Charlie]

Only stay behind them if you have sufficient room to maneuver regardless of what they do.

IMHO!

[POPS 57]

I seen a woman on the phone going to work the other mor.  I was not about to get in front of her.  And yes guess what she did at the next stop light with my horn blowing from behind her.  Thats right came so close to rear ending a car at the light that she ended up on the medium.

[Serk]

I try to get ahead of them..... WAAAAAAAY ahead of them...

In line with the whole "Better to be judged by 12 then carried by 6" mantra, I'd rather get a ticket then be anywhere near some of the drivers I've seen out there...

Traffic tends to move in packs... Look at traffic sometime, especially on the super slab, and you'll see most vehicles grouped together in packs with mostly empty spaces between them.

I consciously try to get myself into one of those empty spaces between the packs as much as possible...

[hubcapsc]

Titan's thread about the exploding tire made me think. Recently I've been near a few cages who had me very concerned with their driving habits.

I usually try to get past these people, but thinking about it seeing as how i can stop faster then a cage maybe I should ride behind them so I can keep my eyes directly on them.

Opinions?

I don't remember getting stuck behind loonies on trips, but I've found myself behind questionable people when on the
way to work or whatever... I'm usually on a two lane, I just hang back. "hanging back" might get kind of old on a trip...

-Mike

[Squealy]

I consciously try to get myself into one of those empty spaces between the packs as much as possible...

If you get int he "empty" space it's not empty anymore  <wink>...

But I tend to agree, get out by yourself, if at all possible.....

[czuch]

Find an offramp. Take it. Count 25. Get back on. Watch for carnage.

[iliveforcurves]

I prefer to get way ahead.  I want to enjoy my ride, not have to give 100% attention to some idiot.

[fudgie]

I rarely follow cars. Throttle rest is set at 65-70 and most are doing 55 anyway. If they are swerving/talking on phone, etc, we usually will ride up next and look in there window, occasinal bird from the ol lady.  Cant remember last time I was behind a car except to pass. I usually get spured in the side to pass.

[Valkahuna]

1) NEVER allow yourself to get "boxed in".
2) Keep scanning ahead and in your mirrors.
3) Picture a path away from danger and if you have to go there, look WHERE you want to go, not at what you want to miss.
4) NEVER ride in the center of the lane, if there is oil, it will be there, and it is slick!
5) NEVER ride in the right side of the lane (near the curb) in residential areas. You will be obstructed from view by cars pulling out of driveways, and intersections.
6) On multilane roads, use all of your lane to keep cars from pulling into your lane.
7) Never get into verbal or gesturing contests with people in vehicles that are bigger than you
ALWAYS be alert for folks on their phones or otherwise distracted.
9) Try to carve out some space in your lane by adjusting your speed.
10) Always be as visible as you can be. Headlights on (bright in sunlight). Bright or reflective clothes!
11) Remember that if the sun is low, and you can't see well, others can't see you either.
12) Drive as though every idiot on the road hates you, and is trying to hurt you.
13) ALWAYS trust your senses. If it doesn't feel right, or you think it might be risky, DON'T DO IT!
14) If you see a particular danger, turn off the road and wait for the idiot to be gone
15) Act as though you are invisible.


and last but not least: If you get run off the road, try to survive so that you can go kick the cage drivers A$$!