What Happened To Me!

Steve1200S · Post by **Steve1200S** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 8:28 am

So, today is the second day I've come to work in the 'Postman Pat Van' (Vauxhall Agila 1.3) following a weekend of driving around at any opportunity, after passing my driving test last Friday.

I've always been anti-car/pro-bike, and wanted the bike to be my transport for life. The Mrs wanted me to get a car, and she bought it for me, so I didn't mind having it as a back up...

A very strange thing has happened though.... Now I can go where I want, on my own, nice and dry, with my favourite music playing, I actually really like it!

I'm quite exited to go out driving and my mind keeps wandering to nicer, faster cars! Not that it would be hard to find a faster/nicer car than the Pat-Van, but an Alfa Brera would do the trick!

I think I need to get back on the bike tomorrow and get the crazy 4-wheel thoughts out of my head!

Bikerhoss · Post by **Bikerhoss** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 8:34 am

Congrats on passing the test!

Know where your coming from, Having been without a bike for a few months I got very used to the heater and radio on the daily commute, but also found I was taking a heart attack with not being able to get passed folk and having to sit in queues etc etc!! Got back to 2 wheels just in time to save (another) nervous breakdown

Hurry man, get back in the saddle before you become infected

cars are for doing a monthly shopping trip or filling with dogs!!

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 8:50 am

Bikerhoss wrote: Congrats on passing the test!

Know where your coming from, Having been without a bike for a few months I got very used to the heater and radio on the daily commute, but also found I was taking a heart attack with not being able to get passed folk and having to sit in queues etc etc!! Got back to 2 wheels just in time to save (another) nervous breakdown

Hurry man, get back in the saddle before you become infected cars are for doing a monthly shopping trip or filling with dogs!!

Agreed, my car's now languishing on the drive on a SORN as despite it being a lovely drive, quite fast (330Ci), excellent handling etc. I just get sooooo frustrated in traffic.

Congrats on the test too!

tanneman · Post by **tanneman** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 8:59 am

Congrats fella. You need to have a car nowadays.

eyore · Post by **eyore** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:41 am

There must be a prescription you can get for those nasty thoughts,just view cars as boxes for carrying things around in, and avoiding rain.
Agree Steve (P), the sheer frustration of getting stuck behind traffic which woulden't be a bother on the bike does my head in.

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 11:43 am

I drive far more than I ride, the bike for me has become a toy, but I never really get a buzz from driving, even in something quick.

Congrats on passing your test, and enjoy something different for a while, but I guarantee the novelty will wear off in a few weeks, especially when the sun is shining.

Can't beat the warm and dry in winter though. My days of braving all weathers are a long way behind me.

Steve1200S · Post by **Steve1200S** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 7:55 pm

Ok, my 35min commute home took 1.20h tonight.

The novelty just took a big hit!

boxerscott · Post by **boxerscott** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 8:53 pm

Congratulations on passing your driving test, another string to your bow now all you need to do is move somewhere decent where riding and driving are both pleasurable.

Steve1200S · Post by **Steve1200S** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 8:37 am

boxerscott wrote:Congratulations on passing your driving test, another string to your bow now all you need to do is move somewhere decent where riding and driving are both pleasurable.

USA?

Bender · Post by **Bender** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 12:45 pm

I passed my bike and car tests within a few months of each other way back in the last century.

I like both (and driving artics, tractors, in fact anything) and each has a place for me, but I don't much care for public transport, although I use it if I have to.

I really cringe when I hear riders calling cars 'cages' - I always think that maybe they are in denial, or perhaps they can't drive.

I did the 'bike as my sole method of transport' thing for many years, it's convenient to jump in one of the cars, I need to drive for work and while I can and have attended meetings on the bike it can be a pain if it's wet.

Getting the bike out and going for a ride is more of an occasion, whether it's a nice day or I need to get somewhere more quickly, and i enjoy it all the more.

We're all different, and all have our own views, so I don't expect anyone to agree with me, all forms of transport have their place, so just enjoy whatever you're in or on, and don't give a monkey's about what others think.

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 1:54 pm

Steve1200S wrote:Ok, my 35min commute home took 1.20h tonight. The novelty just took a big hit!

This is what ticks me off with the car

Tapio · Post by **Tapio** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 5:10 pm

Well, there’s cars. And then there’s cars.
I’m sooo tired of my daily driver, the M-B 430 E. it’s rusting and didn’t pass the MOT test. They say that there’s only two happy days in a car owners life: the first and the last. Everything in between is just misery and headaches.
But then there’s enthusiast cars. I love my CCDV ’72. unfortunately it hasn’t been on the road for 10 years. It needs tlc, and I have nowhere to work on it.
CCDV ’72? See here: http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/1972-Cadil ... d:35894207

cornishflat · Post by **cornishflat** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 7:48 pm

That Cadillac is one cool car. Driving has in general become so frustrating for the most part, I,d imagine something with a bit of poke must be even worse given the volume of traffic especially here in Devon / Cornwall.
My last memorable trip was in the USA a couple of years ago, so much space and out of the cities not much traffic.....mind I had hired a 5.0 litre Mustang.

Steve1200S · Post by **Steve1200S** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 7:54 pm

As temped as i could be to get a nicer car, i think due to modern traffic and road conditions, the cheap and cheerful pat-van will do me. Would like a go in a nice car though.

The mrs has a 2l turbo audi TT. she wont let me have a go though!

to be fair no one else but the mechanics at the dealership have drove it since she bought it.

Tapio · Post by **Tapio** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 8:57 pm

Steve1200S wrote:As temped as i could be to get a nicer car, i think due to modern traffic and road conditions, the cheap and cheerful pat-van will do me. Would like a go in a nice car though.

The mrs has a 2l turbo audi TT. she wont let me have a go though! to be fair no one else but the mechanics at the dealership have drove it since she bought it.

You should be glad.
In Sweden, among car enthusiasts, an Audi TT is a hairdressers car.
What constitutes a hairdressers car?
First: it looks smart. Looks are important to a hairdresser.
Second: It lacks both the engine power and the roadholding capabilities to back up the sporty look.
There’s a bunch of cars like that around: Mazda miata, Mercedes SLK et. Cetera.

You don’t want to be looked upon as the guy that still hasn’t had the guts to come out of the closet? Then shy away from that car!

P.S. not trying to be rude or anything. Just remember: I’m not making this up! It’s a fact!