Don't scare the Horses!

[Pye Man]

... driving is now a chore not a pleasure as I loved it when I was younger ...

The ‘freedom of the road’ as I remember it (I passed my test in 1974) is long gone – and with it the enjoyment.

I wasn’t a natural petrol head but learning a bit of mechanicing which was necessary on old bangers got me into it and I ended up competing in motor sport so I feel I to some degree that on the roads I could still mix it a little with today’s boy racers – though an older head invariably decides that discretion is the better part of valour (when some eejit in a lowered Golf in black with privacy windows gives me gip). 

The roads are a very aggressive environment these days – especially in urban and metropolitan areas. I feel this partly a reflection of the pace of life aided and abetted by cars that now have Forumula One suspension, (ultra low profile) tyres and braking. I reckon my humble everyday anonymous hack can corner faster (and far less dramatically) than my RS2000 on Bilsteins did.

Then there is the sheer volume of traffic, more and more regulations to observe, bus lanes, ULEZ, parking hassles and 20 mph speed limits – some of which exist on wide roads with light traffic which turn driving into a regularity test – and not too far from me even extend to A roads! (Whilst on my narrow estate road 20-25mph is about as good as it gets (drive to the conditions) there is no doubt in my mind that much of this 20mph stuff is designed to make driving as tedious as possible to discourage car use.)

The only driving I enjoy now is in my classic but this has to be a trip out of town. Most drivers recognise that you are not as fast off the mark and many enjoy the sight and even give you a smile but more and more there is the ‘get out of my way’ headlights and horn – even when making decent progress.

Now I have a concessionary bus pass I am rediscovering looking out of the window whilst someone else does the driving with no fuel to buy (or electricity to use charging a battery had I an EV). What’s not to like as they say! And the train (though there are boundaries for the pass) is even better!

[Jez]

Indeed well personally I'd remove all speed cameras, ANPR, ULEZ, remove 20MPH limits etc etc. My motorbikes been off the road for about 7 years now but even then it was like you had to make a conscious effort to avoid getting "auto-nicked" for something daft... whilst the really dangerous drivers were not picked up by the tax cameras etc.

Showing boy racers a thing or two was never a problem with 0 - 60 in 2.5S and 186MPH top speed! I still have the bike and it would be nice to get it back on the road some day.

[Cobaltblue]

Bond Bug? Did you watch the Car SOS Bond Bug programme? ROTFLMFAO.

The Wheeler Dealers Bond Bug wasn't nearly as amusing.

I rather wanted one of those in the long ago days when I was young & even stupider than now.

Sadly not I watch virtually zero TV these days.

I became fond of the Bug in the late 70's when I used to drive past one almost daily on the Paignton ring road (Kings Ash Rd not far from Tweenaway Cross).

No idea why just such a silly little car but loud and proud bright orange with black details.

My missus says I can have one if I get rid of the MG

Cheers

Mike T

[peter scott]

What are Toyota doing?

https://youtu.be/_w3APY5cAtM?si=r9yY_eZU4UWVGaVb

[Murphyv310]

Indeed well personally I'd remove all speed cameras, ANPR, ULEZ, remove 20MPH limits etc etc. My motorbikes been off the road for about 7 years now but even then it was like you had to make a conscious effort to avoid getting "auto-nicked" for something daft... whilst the really dangerous drivers were not picked up by the tax cameras etc.

Showing boy racers a thing or two was never a problem with 0 - 60 in 2.5S and 186MPH top speed! I still have the bike and it would be nice to get it back on the road some day.

So you'd have a free for all then? I find that kind of attitude rather hard to get my head around. The street i live in is a 20 mph zone and the number of cars and motorcycles that speed well over even 30mph is worrying. I've clocked one Audi RS at 55 mph, God help the young child or pensioner that get hit by that idiot or the irresponsible old men on motorcycles that fly up this street.

[Cobaltblue]

What are Toyota doing?

https://youtu.be/_w3APY5cAtM?si=r9yY_eZU4UWVGaVb

Intersting sadly the video was full of hype and short on detail.

However It was enough for me to do some googling and that doesnt seem as rosy as the pocture painted in the video.(But then is it ever)

If Toyota have really dolved the issues it could be an intersting development.

However if your an asthma  sufferer like me the high level of NO2 is a worry.

Cheers

Mike T

[PerdioPal]

"Indeed well personally I'd remove all speed cameras, ANPR, ULEZ, remove 20MPH limits etc etc. My motorbikes been off the road for about 7 years now but even then it was like you had to make a conscious effort to avoid getting "auto-nicked" for something daft... whilst the really dangerous drivers were not picked up by the tax cameras etc.

Showing boy racers a thing or two was never a problem with 0 - 60 in 2.5S and 186MPH top speed! I still have the bike and it would be nice to get it back on the road some day."

I have ridden motorcycles exclusively for over 45 years, I can't see the point of hauling tonnes of metal around just to go from A to B. My latest is a Honda Forza 350, plenty quick enough for todays roads it is a fantastic bit of engineering and a joy to ride (85/90 to the gallon, electric up and down screen, automatic transmission, comfy seat, I could go on...). I also take pride (a sin?) in staying within the legally set rules, gives my brain something to do in the boring bits. I did have an SUV overtake me in a 20 limit, they didn't notice the Police car behind them, I did. I worry about the situational awareness of most drivers.

[Cobaltblue]

What are Toyota doing?

https://youtu.be/_w3APY5cAtM?si=r9yY_eZU4UWVGaVb

Interesting sadly the video was full of hype and short on detail.

However It was enough for me to do some googling and that doesn't seem as rosy as the picture painted in the video.(But then is it ever)

If Toyota have really solved the issues it could be an interesting development.

However if your an asthma  sufferer like me the high level of NO2 is a worry.

Cheers

Mike T

I have now had a chance to do some more online research and there are several organisations doing serious research into Ammonia engines but mostly for shipping and large trucks.

It seems its much harder to achieve safety in cars as there is not sufficient space. NO2 and NOX seems to be big issues as well.

It is however a great way to generate Hydrogen so maybe that's the way to go?

Cheers

Mike T

[Jez]

42 years of exclusively motorbikes here. Honda CBR1100-XX. Never owned a car. I'm a complete reprobate and have zero regard for the law

[Sinewave]

Indeed well personally I'd remove all speed cameras, ANPR, ULEZ, remove 20MPH limits etc etc.  My motorbikes been off the road for about 7 years now but even then it was like you had to make a conscious effort to avoid getting "auto-nicked" for something daft... whilst the really dangerous drivers were not picked up by the tax cameras etc.

Showing boy racers a thing or two was never a problem with 0 - 60 in 2.5S and 186MPH top speed! I still have the bike and it would be nice to get it back on the road some day.

So you'd have a free for all then? I find that kind of attitude rather hard to get my head around. The street i live in is a 20 mph zone and the number of cars and motorcycles that speed well over even 30mph is worrying. I've clocked one Audi RS at 55 mph, God help the young child or pensioner that get hit by that idiot or the irresponsible old men on motorcycles that fly up this street.

It's not really a free for all. In what you've mentioned, there is already a limit which is being broken.