SometimesSansEngine

Dunno everyone, people take pig meat and try and make it look like a bear ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Not necessarily a simple thing in that sense but what did stick in my head from my speed awareness course a good 12 years ago.... When some of the attendees complained that when speed limits change downwards there's not enough time after seeing the sign to react and slow down to the new limit so it's unfair to site any speeding enforcement near a limit change, one of the people leading the course retorted "but it's funny how when the limit changes upwards people always see them well in the distance and start speeding up in advance of reaching them, hm?"

She was my favourite type of salesperson. Obviously there to sell you something, making no bones about it, but ask you a few questions, gives you a fair few options, when it seems like you have a short list says "have a wear for a bit and I'll leave you to it" and she did just that, not 'returning to check on me' etc, waiting until I approached her again. Night and day versus the Dreams bed salesperson type....

Another thing I'd agree with @Steve_M about, IAM vs ROSPA is likely to come down to what's available where you are and how you find the local group. There's all types of 'advanced riders' and some are definitely 'interesting'. I joined my IAM group because one of the instructors I had on the day I fluffed up my first mod 1 was absolutely brilliant for me, and he'd mentioned the group he rode with. I had a taster session with them and liked the chap who took me out. My observer would start debriefs of incidents with "tell me about" or "tell me what was going through your mind when...", on occasion he'd agree he'd read a situation differently but could see where I was coming from. But I only ever went on one group ride with the group, I didn't care much for some of the people that I met or how they rode, and it helped me realise I much prefer just riding by myself or with my wife. But all along in my IAM experience it was made clear that if I had any issues with my observer I could request a change.

My only issue with the "everyone is out to kill you" mentality is I think it then precipitates some of the road rage and overreactions you see people get involved with. There is a slight mindset shift for the type of mentality that @Steve_M refers to. It's a fine line but it is there. Also I'd prefer to appreciate where people genuinely can't see or anticipate you Possibly different spectrums to how people use it too. From chatting to some other riders they really do have the view that all other drivers really are murderous psychopaths who couldn't care less about scything through a motorcyclist, whereas I do think some others who use it know deep down that other people are fallible and instead do genuinely mean it as a mantra for a 'watch out for other people' mentality.

I've owned two, when purchasing my second the assistant at Helmet City was fantastic at asking me what I currently had (for an idea of sizing) but also what I liked/disliked about my current helmet. In my case, I had zero faith in the integrity/strength of the part of the visor that connected to the helmet (Shark). Mine had started to snap just from general use and didn't want to purchase another visor and have the same issue. My current Arai helmet I really like, but it does have a latching mechanism for the visor which I'm sure is great on the track, but can be a bit of a faff in general use as you have to pop the latch first then lift the visor. You can't just push the visor up. So I'd happily do the same process next time. Chat to an assistant about what I currently have and have a look at what's available. Potentially ending up with the same design type.

When I cycled or rode to work I would happily do it in the rain (and other much more foul weather) Now I currently don't have to commute there's definitely been a mindset shift of 'can't be bothered with that'. Definitely becoming more fair weather all round.

Our council are pretty good if you report on fixmystreet. If there's areas you regularly ride you can set up email alerts of reports too, which can be useful

You drive a hard bargain, but no deal. I have pig tails I can use, was just wanting to use the existing connection I have on the bike. I can wait until October but also thought if someone had one in a drawer they no longer needed I could do them a favour by giving them a bit extra space for another lead they may/may not use

I like "It is best to contact me by email, as I am continually busy, machinery often prevents me hearing the phone, and every phone call holds up someone's work." The number of times you know it's easier to initially drop someone an email with the detail then cover it off later if needed, but they insist you phone and go through it all....

Who do you think I am, MacGyver?

Just on the off chance, does anyone want one of these they no longer need? No one has them in stock and Keis aren't getting any new supply into October at the earliest! https://keisapparel.com/products/heated-apparel-power-supply-lead-optimate-sae-to-keis-power-plug

Yeah, most of the usuals are still here though. Lipstick on a pig....

I dunno, if you ever ride around Cheddar and get close passed by someone on a pocket rocket thinking they're Rossi then you'll know what I mean! Someone once dived up my inside in a corner when I had my son pillion - luckily I was watching my mirrors. Stupid really as there was a straight just after they could have safely and easily passed. My concern is them involving me in their accident. Guarantee every time the weather warms up first time in a year there are incidents and crashes involving motorcycles in that area https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/motorcyclist-airlifted-hospital-cheddar-gorge-4385448 Attached is the last five years of reported incidents involving motorcycles in that area.

There's a reason I avoided the Mendip and especially Cheddar Gorge like the plague last week. I've had a few rides since restrictions eased but all have been with the mindset to get back into it, and purposefully avoiding 'biker hot spots'. A mix of rural, town and city roads. Every ride I do, I have a reason to get home and that's always my aim. I'm quite a risk averse rider in general.

Took the eldest out for the first time this year. He's now a teenager, so when I asked him if he wanted to come out I thought he wasn't really up for it, because he just said "ok" in a very neutral tone. Turns out after my wife quizzed him (after I said "I'm not sure if he's really up for it") even though he said "ok" in a really neutral tone it meant he was super excited and looking forward to it, and was actually mildly surprised that I thought any different. How long does this phase last? A month or two?

As a product guy in real life, the fact that anyone would make an intercom designed to go on the side of a motorbike helmet that isn't waterproof continues to baffle me

Yup Mrs SSE frequently gets met with surprise when people get a response to 'oh so you ride pillion then' I usually say "if she rode pillion where would the kids go?"

I rode it. First time this year and first time in many months. Happy 29th March to all

When I picked my first 125 up (a couple of days after my CBT) I asked the sales guy if I was meant to warm the engine up as I realised I didn't know. He responded that my Honda didn't need it. Fast forward to my BMW now and the manual specifically says "Ride away immediately after starting the engine." I'm happy to go with whatever the manual says. On the topic of cars, I've long said if you want to nick a car just go for a walk early morning in the winter. The number of people who are happy to start their car and go back into their house leaving the car completely unattended is bonkers

Positioning in the corner is a bit of a misnomer here for me... But I do wince when I see people hanging their head over the line like that

I'm not saying it's wrong to consider it your hobby, but that's probably part of the problem for some. It's not an essential mode of transport (for everyone). It's that cost that can be chopped when life circumstances change etc Don't get me wrong, I think the best hobbies are the ones you know you spend too much money on, but if it's between learning to ride a bike (which you can guarantee your family doesn't want you to do) vs them giving you the money for car lessons.....

In my job role this is the point you go "hm interesting, let's chat to people and see what's putting them off". My own stuff here is my own anecdotal evidence with a sample size of one (me), but it would be interesting to hear what lots of other people think. Especially when you break it down into different types of folk.

"I'm interested in learning to ride a bike, let's quickly look up what my options are. Oh......"