Not today but yesterday I attended a Speed Awareness course, I did one years ago and although this one was in a different place and with different people it was much the same. Not patronising and some people learnt a lot, I could tell by the questions they asked.
One thing I did learn was that cyclists can legally ride two abreast. I thought that was illegal? I must buy a copy of the highway code when I go out again later, I haven't got an up to date copy or read the latest one.
I was 5 mph over the 30 mph speed limit and it seemed that most people were the same, I guess any faster and they would have a fine and points. I am 69 yrs but there were quite a few of the 24 on the course older than me, women too.
I wasn't surprised that when we were asked the speed limit on different roads (photo's put up on a screen) that a few people didn't have a clue so couldn't keep to the limit if they wanted to. Some of the questions asked by people on the course were surprising.
There were no boy racers on the course, maybe because they were not guilty of speeding a little over the speed limit but drive much faster or maybe because they are better drivers and have to be because they loose their licence easier if stopped by the police because they are so young.
I couldn't help think that a fine and points means you don't have to attend a course seems ridicules. Why does 5 mph over the speed limit mean that you need education but 30 mph (as an example) means you don't? Another thing I don't get is that vans are restricted on some roads to 50 mph when cars and motorbikes can do 60 mph. Surely that only promotes overtaking or frustration from sitting for miles behind white van man doing 50 mph when you can legally do 60 mph. Even if you do pass the chances are that you will exceed the speed limit on the way past.
In my opinion those roads should have a 50 or 60 mph limit for vans and cars and not different limits. Still, what do I know? I didn't mind doing the course at all, not just because it meant I didn't get points but also there was free tea provided during the break, I love tea.
On the way home I noticed when going slow that my chain was slapping so as I was passing a bike garage anyway I decided to stop and ask if they could adjust it for me, then and while I waited. I was expecting to be told no, book it in and if I had been told that then I would have ridden home and done it myself today but they said yes and took my keys.
While I wated I noticed a sighn in reception informing me that they charge £90+ VAT per hour for labour and wondered what I had let myself in for. 10 min's later the mechanic came and told me that the chain wasn't too loose as I had suggested but in fact too tight. That shocked me because when I got the bike back from a different mechanic who fitted a tyre the chain seemed tight and I loosened it to the manufacturers specifications already. Strange.
Anyway when I presented my debit card to pay, I was told that it it only took a few minuets and was free. I took a fiver out of my wallet and asked the reception bloke to give it to the mechanic and again was told the work was free and he wouldn't take the money. Yesterday was a good day, free tea and free chain adjustment.
This morning I took my car to a garage to have it looked at, I'm sure that one or more of the fuel injectors is playing up as it has happened before and the symptoms are the same as that time. I had one injector changed last time for £450 but this time the car is with an injector specialist and I'm hoping they will be able to remove clean and replace all four injectors for little more than the cost of replacing one for a new one.
I'm now at home waiting for a phone call. I'm dreading the call from the garage because I'm half expecting a bill for over £1000. Anyway, I'll sit with fingers crossed and hope that the job is done well and the price charged is at least fair.
I hate cars!
Thanks for listening to me winging, I guess I should have posted in the moaning old git thread but I'm not moaning about everything.
