Wait behind the cyclist till there is a gap in oncoming traffic to give the cyclist sufficent room.

Thats what I teach but it seems that drivers these days dont care about anyone provided they get where they are going.

Buses are another example. Parked at a Bus Stop, traffic just goes around them without two hoots about whats oncoming, and they are like sheep, one goes they all go.

Problems on a Bike are if they pass you, realise the gaps not big enough between them and oncoming, and they swerve back into you.

As Graham Obree said on the Cycle Show ” Look Wobbley ” :D

Anyone ?

Cheers

Driving Instructor.

I also sometimes help my mate who has a property maintenance firm when he needs another pair of hands.

Cheers mate – will check it out :D

U want good food go to the black bull in pilling, search it, its a bit out of blackpool but its propper homemade grub at the right price and that low ceiling nice atmosphere place : )

@ bigphilblackpool :- A google search brings up Black Bull Presall.

Is that the one ?

Cheers

Ive been a regular visitor for over 20 years now and Ive loads of mates there.

Love the place but I tend to not venture within a boundry of Waterloo Rd to the south, Whitegate Drive to East, Roundbout on Prom to the north, and the sea.

Theres loads of lovely places around Blackpool and the Fylde in general and this programme should be taken as dramatised.

But its had me in stitches at times. Like the “lady” a few weeks back who was under south pier doing well….things.

Policeman :- “do you think thats acceptable behavior in a family holiday resort ?”

“lady” :- ” family holiday resort ? no its not, its a ….hole” 8O

Don’t forget to get a set of skate shoes to go with them, the number of fellas I see wearing ordinary trainers, the idea of flats is the grip they give with flat soled shoes.

Yeah i’ve got some 5 Ten’s already after i wrecked loads of trainers

Cheers Guys

Think I may go for the Outland Kustom as they are only about £16 all in

Went out in really foggy conditions about 7.30am and was going to go upto the Pike but the iced up cars on the way gave me second thoughts.

The fog had cleared but I had visions of icy bits so chickened out for a road blast with a bit of off road mid way.

Back out this afternoon, been on a loop using National Cycle Routes to Manchester, then through Bolton on way back.

Not entirally in line with the OP, but my mate PXed a Car last October and left the tax on as part of the deal.

This was to a Garage and he was shocked to say the least when he got a fine around May this year of £50 saying the car wasnt taxed.

Despite arguing with DVLA, because he hadnt recieved the letter saying he was no longer resonsible for the car, he ended up paying the fine.

To top it all he paid over the phone and they didnt take his payment and he then ended up with £100 fine !!!

We got tailgated by a taxi on a lesson and it overtook us. As it did my Pupil realised it was his mates firms car.

He reported it and the driver got fined on his rent or something by the firm.

Im sure the council will be interested in the OP’s incident.

Knew there was something that broke on mine – only just come to me – it was the gear linkage.

Pulled away from some lights on the East Lancs in usual gentle *ahem* fashion, and it just snapped going into 2nd.

Left me stuck in neutral and I had to roll to the side, onto the Pavement and, whilst waiting for recovery, some guys came along to resurface the Pavement and had to wait for garage to arrive :oops:

That was awkward. The same happened on a Combo 02 plate but that was on a balljoint and one of the other lads showed me how to pop it back on using the wheelbrace 8O

From new Its needed a starter,(60k) clutch (80k), wheel bearing (100k) and a central locking actuator.

Does that seem like a lot to anyone else or is it just me? I admit I don’t know much (anything) about vans.

Sounds about right for a van, especially if its been a Delivery Vehicle.

Starting up 50 + times a day, locking and unlocking 50 + times a day…….takes its toll on stuff that would last ages on a private car

In my last job, we got 4 brand new back in 2004, all LWB versions.

Out of pure luck, I think I got the best one as I did 130k in it without any major issues.

One of the others did a clutch at around 30k but, as I can recall, Mine was fine apart from usual wear and tear stuff.

In terms of usage, I could get a 6ft Metal Cupboard in it at a squeeze and I only changed when I got a new route and needed a Vivaro as there was more “larger” customers.

They had a appetite for front tyres, about 20k out of a pair, but we were not gentle on the vans, so I didnt care about MPG as we had fuel cards :lol:

Having got my own rescue service ( Mum whos now semi retired ) I use a Thule roof mount.

Its fine for me but :-

The cars an old Polo so the odd scratch on the roof doesnt really matter.

Mum doesnt use motorways much so the noise, fuel consumption doesnt really matter.

I like to fasten the bike on the roof with a chain if I do borrow the polo to go to the lakes etc because I dont trust the lock on the rack If i nip into a supermarket so that does catch the roof.

Like has been said previous, the muck off the bike does come down onto the roof and makes a mess.

If it was a newer car, I would consider a Towbar mount, just to keep the car from muck / damage but for this banger of a car its fine.

I feel like im riding without a seatbelt without my CamelBak.

Theres way too much stuff in it, but I feel weird without it now.

Update – they will price match but wont offer the discount code with it.

So the edge works out, as stated before, £288 but the discount codes will come in useful for other people.

They have price matched a few items for me without a problem, they check the website of the cheaper item, and it must be in stock, which may be a problem with winstanleys!,

Winstanleys with item in stock on website shocker :D wouldnt want to ring them and order it because they are bound to be out of stock.

As long as Go Outdoors check Winstanleys website, it will be reet 8)

It’s a 2008 old shape. Might see what my local Ford dealer could do then. Although I had a newer one as a courtesy car and didn’t really like it. Weird feeling steering wheel and gear stick, plus I reckon the old shape looks way better.

The Wrong Trousers, I was thinking more about getting bikes in easily rather than people. I can just about get 2 bikes in the back of my Fiesta with the wheels off.

The new one has electric power steering so it takes some getting used to. I had a earlier shape one, like yours, that was a 1.4 Tdci and it was brilliant, the only reason I changed was to keep up with the other instructors around here.

The boot on the new one is bigger than the old so better for getting the bikes in, but dont discount “ordinary” diesel as the ones that claim higher MPG’s always come at a premium price.

Yeah you will be getting the best out of the Zetec S ATM with that drving on the Mways and A roads.

You are actually doing well to get that out of it.

Is it the latest MK7 model ? If its worth what you reckon, you could probably do a swop / PX for a Fiesta Tdci as they can be picked up for around £6.5 – £7k

Its £20 a year VED on this as well

Fiesta 1.4 Tdci – never get less than 52 mpg even with learners driving.

Can get 70 mpg @ 56 mph and as you already have a Fiesta…..

The MPGs quoted by manufacturers should always be taken with a bit of a pinch of salt as these will be acheived probably on a closed track with a proffesional driver eeaking out every last drop of fuel.

Cars like the Polo Bluemotion and the Seat ( both VAG group ) have things like low rolling resistance tyres fitted so its worth bearing in mind the price to replace these when required.

Always been well into Cars, trained as a Panel Beater, sold Cars, became a Delivery Driver and used to just “go for a drive” for fun.

Became a Driving Instructor and love it.

Still go out for a drive ( when Ive enough money for Diesel !! ) so its not done me any harm working in my hobby.

But the MTBing breaks things up nicely :D

PSA: Public Service Announcement

Ahh – makes sense now

Firstly, in my opinion, the guy in the jag was totally at fault for not reading / anticipating PP’s actions.

To come from behind, undertake THEN turn right is clearly at least driving without due care and attention.

One thing I will ask for though is Please dont let learners go when you have priority. Causes all kind of problems, depending on the experience of the learner.

From them panicking, rushing then stalling to them then thinking that they can go first when they next get to the same situation.

A learner who is test standard would be fine, but how does anyone know what experience anyone on the road has let alone what a learner has ?

I would like to see some pictures of the beam as well please :D

At the moment, Im using a Hope Vision One on the bars and thats good but my mate keeps raving about these MTB ones so we are considering getting one each.

Daft question, but does the lead between the light and battery pack have connector on the light or battery ? also how long is the lead ?

Thought about putting this on the bars, and the vision one on the helmet, dont trust myself not to stack it with £115 worth of light on my head !!!

Never actually got a fine in 18 years touch wood, had many warnings though like 2 motorbike cops who couldnt catch me as I was doing over twice the limit and when they did catch me I was stopped in traffic.

Im a good lad now, as my job dictates, and looking back the kind of behaviour above is ridiculous and deadly.

Had many, many, many producers when I was younger as I had a fast car and looked about 12. Still get some funny looks off coppers when Im instructing as I still look young from a distance.

Think my producer record was 5 in a week and I got pulled for driving a stolen car ( boxed in police camera action stylee ) when mine was red and the outstanding stolen was black, stopped for reports of a silver VW driving eratticly in the area ( the cop said “you are driving perfectly though” so I replied “well I would do, I had a police van behind for 5 miles 8) ) and so a young cop could have a look at my car coz he wanted to buy it off me 8O

Much better this year thsn recent years IMO

Just be prepared for lots of traffic due to the new prom layout……

Despite my OH living in Blackpool, I only went through last Tuesday and they came on at 7.45 then.

There are signs on the way in telling motorists not to follow sat nav but to follow the signs and, if you dont know blackpool too well, remember its mostly 30mph everywhere with 20mph on the side roads.

The road heading to the south, past the airport, catches loads out coz its a dual carraigeway and it changes to a 30mph as you come into the built up area.

Have a good evening :D

If my best mate is struggling for money, i find him some work to do on my house, that way hes paid for the work and no lending involved.

Think he will suss it out one day :P

I once lent a friend some money to get some wheels for her car and it really annoyed me when i had to ask for it back rather than her offering it back.

Did you notice how much fun the motorbike riders were having, the policemen in particular? Good on them!

Should have seen them on the way to Blackpool lifting their feet up through the puddles like Kids do :D

Congrats to the OP – good to know some winning scratchcards actually exist with the amount I buy :oops:

Be wise with it, especially in these hard times, a guy I know won one million a while ago, moved to a new house and blew the rest.

Ive heard hes just got done for benefit fraud !!!

Seem just right in the sizing to me.

I normally take a Large T and got a Large and Medium a while back just to see if I could fit in the Medium.

Put it this way its a good baselayer but the Large is spot on and still looks great despite loads of washes.

Good value as well considering the price I paid for a Tour of Britain shirt the other day thats from the same manufacturer as the STW ones…

Depending on the pace the road will be closed about 15 mins before the first riders arrive.

Convoy is something like :-

Police motorbikes x loads, Marshalls motorbikes x loads, 1 x Met police X5, paramedic motorbike,commentaters Yeti, blackboard motorbike, TV motorbike x2, lead riders, team cars (depending on gap) pelaton, loads more team cars, ambulance, doctors A3 convertable (nice car) more skodas, VW Transporter with a Broom sticking out of it :? RAC van, Police X5 again

Oh and look up for the helicopter….Ive seen the race twice this week and am pretty sad at vehicle spotting…. :oops:

Blasted upto Carlisle first thing to see the startline and literally bumped into Nigel Mansell, nice guy, had a quick chat with him.

Then went to Shap for the KOM, got a free brew and Soreen and had a go on a Wattbike – got 485 watts average and maxed at 930ish – I nearly threw up after showing off on that :oops:

Got absolutley soaked, despite being Goretexed up, but was within touching distance of Cav & Wiggo. My initall plan was to blast down to Blackpool for the finish but it was so wet I couldnt be bothered.

Watched it at home and it was sunny – Oh well – great day anyway :D

Culcheth for the Yodel Sprint

Skoda have the KOM stand “at the top of Shap fell” so im guessing its in the Lay By right at the top where the Shap Memorial is.

But I bet the lay by will fill up pretty quick…..

£7,750 ish per annum on the car which is

Diesel @ £70 per week

Lease @ £311 per month

Insurance @ £500

But running a Driving School means I need it 8)

If I was in my old job where I commuted, I would Definatley use the Bike day in day out.

Aside from the school car, I dont like cars anymore. Sounds daft but ive lost and spent too much over the years.

I bought a one owner, 97 Polo 3 years ago for £1200 with 52k on it and its prob cost me £350 since then on tyres etc.

Just been through MOT needing a bush and cost under £100 all in so I take care of it servicing myself etc but if anything major went I could get stuff from the breakers or just scrap it and get something else.

I use it to transport the bike on the roof rack and the bike is worth more than the car :oops:

37 MPH on my old Radford Commence MTB with plastic pedals trying to get quick enough to set a Gatso off 8)

Some of the Highway Code does refers to Law. The red sections which say you MUST/MUST NOT quotes the RTA (road traffic act) section that the driver could be prosecuted under.

Its not illegal to reverse out of a space, just not recommended.

On a Driving Test, if the Reverse ( or Bay ) park is requested, it must be completed by reversing into the bay.

The guy the OP mentioned is just a clown. Anyone with any sense should expect vehicles to be reversing in a car park.

Even reversing in obviously requires reversing and this guy just seems to be make a point for making its sake. :D

Happens all the time when we are Reversing round corners that people just walk out despite it being obvious what we are doing.

It happens that often that I now tell the learners to stop when anyone is approaching the car from any side.

I used to deliver car paint and one customer had the contract to paint Dyno Rod vans that dayglo colour.

He clear coated them over the solid paint else they would fade really badly in no time.

That didnt stop the fade completely, but by that time they were being defleeted and resprayed white again.

Not being an expert, I guess its something to do with the pigments in the paint as the colours are made up of different “tinters” to make the actual car colour – a mix for my car contains 11 different colours ( tinters ) to make up the correct shade, even a basic van white can have bits of yellow and black in the mix.

Looks like the Lorry just didnt see or check before moving back to lane 1 as it just seems to follow the first Lorry.

They are from the same company – recognise the paintjobs – wondered if the Porsche had just entered the Motorway on a slip that cant be seen on camera ?

The M621 has a lot of short slips and quite close together IIRC been some years since I went that way.