Motorcycle Forums

Cat and Fiddle

The road should be treated with respect, I'm not the best rider in the world, and we can all make mistakes. I think when you ride the road or any other like it, you feel you have to cane it, treat it like a race track ect ect. This can lead to pushing the envlope too much, making rash decisions and god forbid being or causing an accident.

When I first rode this route, I nearly got wiped out by a car, which wasn't my fault, he was on the wrong side of the road, and some of the riding on display should be reserved for the race track.

I always ride with the mentality, that I always think of the "What if" factor in the back of the mind, some bikers and car drivers like to live on the edge, and get their thrills from diceing with death, fair do's, thats upto you, I always thank god that I've made it home in one piece, as much as i love my bikes, i'd never die for one, i think education is the key, but at what standard?, bike safe, arrive alive roadshows, think campaign, I don't know.

Camera's wont work, there will still be serious accidents and deaths on this route and many others like it.

A537 et al

I agree with the comments that roads in themselves are not dangerous, however ALL roads must be treated with respect by ANY vehicle user, otherwise problems will arrise as they have done on the A537. This started to be a problem road when MCN and Performance Bike eulogised over it being a "biker's dream road", some years ago. The AGNI's - All the Gear, No Idea, fell for the hype, some of them literally unfortunately, and began wiping themselves out  against the stone walls and  fellow AGNI's coming the other way.  Officialdom intervenes and slaps a 50MPH limit on the C&F, which perversely, has led to an INCREASE of 42% in accidents!

The really annoying thing to us locals and nearly-locals is that the AGNI'sand their 4 wheel couterparts in Suburu unimpressives and Caterham roller skates,  then migrated to other nearby routes which we all use for getting to work, shopping etc in Buxton, Congleton, Macc and Whaley Bridge and elsewhere and inevitably brought their lack of skill and respect to these roads, resulting in 50 mph limits on the A54, A5004, B 5470, some of the A53 etc etc.

Now we ALL have to trundle along in cars or on bikes at unrealistically slow speeds on roads we used for years without problems thanks to these muppets whose expectations exceed their limited abilities.

A very wise man once gave me a piece of adice I have tried to adhere to all my life : "before you pull out to overtake, think what would happen if you met yourself coming the other way" The same advice can be applied to any "bendy" road, ie if you are chancing it round a blind bend, such as many on the C&F, what would  happen if someone else does it coming the other way. If you cannot answer that question , leave the bike or car at home and go on the bus.

Roads not bad

Have been on a few in the north and there are quite a few riders kicking the arse out of them. Pretending they are on a race track and not being very curtious to other road users. Plus the shear volume of bikes doesn't help in the good weather.

I have been in my car on way to work sometimes and i am ashamed to be a biker sometimes with the way some riders bully their way though on wrong side of road etc.

Just think that in any motoring group there are clowns who spoil it for others, give us all a bad name.

I hate it when routes are plagued with coppers, makes everyone pissed.

ride safe guys and gals.

Roads are not dangerous

Couldn't agree more, It's the rider/driver who tells the vehicle what to do, not the other way around.

Roads are only as dangerous, as the people who ride/drive them, show them no respect and treat them like a race track, at your own peril, the cat can catch you out very quickly, and it will punish you.

I think the main cause of accidents is lack of skill and judgement, i've seen loads of riders hit corners at speeds that you could get round, but because they have the lack of knowledge or skill set, they bottle it, brake lights on, standing the bike up, or running well wide onto the other side of the road, we must of all seen this.

Like i said in a previous post, i think training is the key here, Maybe scrap that stupid test they do now, and put some real road riding elements in there, ie how to corner properly.

Stumpyjock

I'm sorry to hear about your accident mate, what a bummer!, hope you get better soon buddy.