nearly got squished this afternoon.....

[pootleperkin]

why do people leave their common sense at home when they get into their cars?

This afternoon I was reduced (for the first time ever and out of shock) to shouting very loudly at a car that went past me and Gully - so loudly they actually heard!

I was coming down a single carriageway road that is national speed limited, so fast - one I would prefer not to have to ride on, but have no option in getting from one bridleway to another - it is about 500 yrds from one section to the next.

Round here, the drivers are super-good on the small country roads, but on our only one main road, they drive like loonies, so I am always prepared.

I had already had one transit go past at warp speed and use his windscreen washers as he went past meaning we got soaked, which made gully canter for a few strides, but then the nadir of my road riding experiences happened.

Two cars were coming fast the other way at quite a narrow section of the road..... a ford Ka then appears from behind me, doing about 50mph just about 1ft off my outside stirrup iron, trying to pass me while the other cars were directly opposite...and didn't slow down in the slightest - I was shocked into bellowing 'slow down' at the top of my voice, which the person in the car obviously heard, as they then slowed down (just slightly after the fact!!), put on their overtaking indicator and crept on away down the road very slowly....

OH was with me, just in front on the bike and he was astounded - he said the driver was an old lady, and she defo heard me as she turned round and looked shocked, then slowed and put her indicator out.

It was honestly the closest I have come to being squashed and Gully was v good, though a bit shocked! I was sooo cross - if she had stopped the car (which I thought she was going to for a bit) there would have been some severe 'ride-rage' from me!!

Why do people not realise that they can slow down their journey just for a few seconds, so that they don't overtake a horse at the precise time a car is coming the other way!!

My hi-viz with please pass wide and slow is a complete and utter joke on that road.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Glad you and horse are ok, it is astounding what imbeciles are driving out on our roads, have experienced similar situations to yours and it makes me furious

Hopefully the silly bat will think next time!

 

[pootleperkin]

I feel sorry for her in some respect, as it probably shook her up quite a bit, particularly as age seems to make people worry and get upset more easily, but unfortunately it looked as if she really didn't have the swiftness of mind to cope with the situation, and therefore drove unsafely. It wasn't as if it was on a corner either, there was a long straight behind me over which she *should* have seen what was coming and prepared.

Doesn't excuse all the other drivers who flogged past us either!

 

[teddyt]

I have to laugh, you were very restrained! I would have sworn my head off! Dont feel sorry for her, lets hope it taught her a lesson. What people dont seem to realise is that apart from the damage to horse and rider, hitting half a ton of horse does alot of damage to a car too. Even if drvers slowed down to protect their precious cars it would be something.

Scary when you have a near miss, it makes you realise how vulnerable you are riding on the roads.

 

[pootleperkin]

Think I *might* have sworn a bit too Teddyt

 

[Shay]

I reccommend a schooling whip with a bit of flourescent tape on the end. You need a relatively calm horse for this one - but belive me it works a treat! if you see the car coming you can flick the whip out a bit or even hold it right out to encourage them to pass wide. I they don't - or if they're too fast - you can wack the top of the car with it. I've only actually done it a few times. But if they are close enough for you to do that then they are way too close. I've even had a white van catch my stirrup iron and then yell at me about the damage.

I know sometimes drivers don't see us or don't see us in time. And I hate seeing riders out without high viz at any time (and I'm not for a moment saying you weren't wearing it Pootleperkin!) but sometimes common sense just deserts people when they get behind a wheel. Especially on sunday afternoons!