Cyclists on major roads.

The recent death of an experienced cyclist on the A50 was of course tragic. The conviction of a lorry driver for careless driving appears to have been solely because he was exceeding the 50 mph limit. What was not mentioned was the fact that all large goods vehicles are limited to 56 mph. Whether those 6 mph would have made the difference between life & death is a moot point - but I doubt it. A couple of days later I was on the A14 on a friday afternoon. This is a very similar road to the A50. Suddenly up ahead there was a lot of lane changing and breaking. A real mess up. Yes, you've guessed it. A cyclist. This idiot had a full set of front and rear panniers AND was on the main carriageway - not even in the 'protected' zone on the verge side of the solid white line! Just because it is legal doesn't make it right. Or sensible. Or safe. As it says on the A46 south of Coventry, 'cyclists are advised to use the signed alternative routes'. Not that I am against cycling, but i don't do base or bungee jumping or potholing either!

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Bagpipes

I love them - but they are probably the least social instrument to practice on - closely followed by drums and the sort of electric guitarist who equates volume with quality:-) Anyway, up until this week the most obscure practice place was under a railway bridge in carlton, notthingham about 40 years ago. This week tho there was a bloke leaning on his car and playing in a layby just off the M42 near solihull. :-)

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Motorway services signs.

Without any exception i can remember, they are always unclear. The wording is often good - but the little arrows always look like little squares - at least until you get up right close. This is often too late. Perhaps it also explains why there are often caravans in the lorry parks? Admittedly a few services do combine the two, but most have separate areas and so caravan owners risk a fine - like the 3 parked at Hopwood at the moment:-)
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Snow, Sleet, Rain, Wind...

Not really motorbike weather is it? A few poor b***s out there tho!

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