Moped rider dilemma

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

At the business across the road, there is a young lad who rides a DT50, it is dog-slow too (suspect it is due a rebore some time in the near future). He leaves work every evening at 5pm and rides home along the same road I do.

Now, this road is a twisty and rough 'lane and a half' B-road with lots of heavy lorries, farm traffic and cars. It is well dodgy, there are few safe places to overtake and visability of the road ahead is pretty restricted.

I am usually a bit late leaving (in my car) and come up behind laddo on the way home.

What he is doing is the classic mistake learner riders on a slow bike make of riding it in the gutter. From what I can see, he can handle the bike and his observation is good (he knows when you are behind him). Trouble is he is sat way over to the left of the road and you can see him physically tense up and start wobbling when someone comes up behind him.

I am concerned because the wagon drivers on that road take no prisoners and would think nothing of trying to hammer past him round a corner. He needs to get the bike out into the middle of the road and only pull across when he can see it is safe for someone to pass (ie. defensive riding). I am concerned that someone will have him off it one of these days.

Now my dilemma. I don't know the lad, but do I go across as he is leaving and have a word with him? I am worried how this will go down, what would you think if a guy in his late 20's came over and started trying to tell you how to ride your moped? (I am especially interested in the oppinions of any moped riders)

Would I be better nipping round at about that time on the bike when I am off work, maybe take the H100 out and see if he wants to follow me?
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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Do a nice big wheelie on your KLE past, as he's about to leave; then come back and explain to him Smile

.

To be fair, he may have found people try and overtake anyway, so from his perspectice putting him self in less danger (even though that may not be the case).

Tom_N · Scooby Slapper Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Karma :

Dunno

i think he would be embarrased and think you are trying to tell him how to ride his bike which is what you are doing i suppose. Even though you are trying to help i dont think he would see it that way.

Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Karma :

I personally, would jump on the H100 on a weekend at some point and ask if he'd fancy coming for a little rideout.

Then at some point when you stop, just let him know that he ought to be in the middle of the road, just tell him why he shouldn't be riding in the gutter and how it can be more dangerous for him, or you could play to him a little by saying that he rides quite nicely for a kid his age, but it'd be better... etc..

divuk83 · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Nov 2003 Karma :

Maybe mention something to him when/if you next go into work on your bike. I reckon he would take the advice better knowing it was coming from someone who actually rides a bike. I wouldn't pay much attention to some twat in a car telling me what to do!

If going into work on the bike is not an option maybe have a chat with him one day about his bike ie "nice bike, i have one too" kind of thing then mention his riding next time you see him after that?

Deffo say something as the last thing you want is for this guy to get knocked off his bike.

Dave

veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

If you leave work on your H100 (If this is possible), ride in front of him?

He'll see you have no L-Plates, see your road positioning and hopefully work it out for himself.

syl · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Karma :

veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Well played to you for wanting to help though.

jonnay · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Karma :

Rookie · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Karma :

Judging by his riding, he's not an idiot on a bike but just a kid who's a bit scared of the road. I would hop across just before he leaves and just say he's better off riding defensively and not letting the idiots blast past him at dangerous points.

It may even be that the bike isn't that slow but he's just nervous, so he might appreciate a couple of pointers.

Simple · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Karma :

nrml76 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Karma :

If you have a word with him and he heeds your advice, good for him. If he doesn't, at least your concience will be clear if he gets caught out sometime.

veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Aikman666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Dec 2004 Karma :

Dont get me wrong what your doing is extremely right
BUT cagers will be cunts if they want too, nomatter where you are.
I was pretty much on the dividers on a RESIDENTIAL road with a 30 limit...doing a small tad over the 30 (32mph maybe). But no it doesnt stop some cunt in a chavved up alpha doing 80mph past me... and this was all on a long bend.
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