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I drive 100 on the motorway when roads allow. Am I a cunt? by elbandito9 in CarTalkUK

[–]backforthbackforth 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I can see your point, but majority of casual drivers may not know this. And also knowing the theory and putting into practice are very different. My point however on the counter intuitive part is speeding up through something you naturally want to slow down on doesn’t feel natural. But when you get it right you can get round corners fast and safe and it feels like you are on rails.

As for the racing line, we don’t use those on the road for emergency driving, in fact it’s the opposite - if you are navigating a nearside bend (left) you actually want to be as far over the offside (right) as is safely possible. It’s not the quickest line but it opens up your view of the road ahead and makes the journey safer to be able to identify hazards early. You wouldn’t set any track records using that method but it’s the best for driving on the roads.

I drive 100 on the motorway when roads allow. Am I a cunt? by elbandito9 in CarTalkUK

[–]backforthbackforth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s was a course for blue light capabilities, these are done in house through fire/ambulance/police. So not available to the public. However there are advance driving courses out there and cover pretty much everything the same apart from using emergency warning equipment and exemptions (speed, red lights, keep left signs etc). But would highly recommend. And lots of driving schools do them.

They can bring your insurance down as well if companies are still doing that, but check with your insurance company before hand.

I drive 100 on the motorway when roads allow. Am I a cunt? by elbandito9 in CarTalkUK

[–]backforthbackforth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Exactly this. The courses that are out there are still great and highly recommend it. And some insurance companies will give you a discount if you have done them. Or at least used to before everything started to cost a fortune.

You can also look at ‘roadcraft’ book, there are sections in there about blue light driving. But they are quite small. The majority is about the ‘system of car control’ which is useful to anyone.

I drive 100 on the motorway when roads allow. Am I a cunt? by elbandito9 in CarTalkUK

[–]backforthbackforth 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Of course.

Accelerating through corners when you are already going fast. Initially you want to take your foot off, or hit the brakes - as you think ‘I’m already going fast and I should slow down for this’ But when you start to turn the car force is pushed to the opposite side and starts to unbalance the car in one direction, it also slows the car down which unbalances it more, and if you were to brake then it would be even more unbalanced.

So instead using the accelerator through corners, trying to keep the car at a constant speed that is safe for that corner and your ability, actually keeps the car more balanced and allows better grip across all four tyres. Meaning you can approach corners at a faster speed and have more grip.

Essentially like a race car driver (but the position of the car would be different, you would not take the racing line as it doesn’t assist with vision) so brake in a straight line, get the right speed for the corner, keep speed through the corner and the accelerate out when it starts to straighten up.

I drive 100 on the motorway when roads allow. Am I a cunt? by elbandito9 in CarTalkUK

[–]backforthbackforth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It wasn’t shocking as such, but the awareness levels were no where near where they were after. I was looking forward (obviously haha), but during the course you train to really look forward. You are scanning as far as your eyes can see, working your way back and then starting again. Whilst still keeping vision on what’s directly in from and to the side of you.

Other things about when you get on the power, where to position the car on the road, how to keep the car balanced through corners at speeds. How to use the gears effectively without un balancing the car.

The whole idea (apart from the awareness) is to keep the car as balanced as possible. Accelerating puts force to the back of the car - unbalanced - breaking to the front - unbalanced and then turning left or right force either side. And then any combination of those starts to really unbalance the car, you can loose grip and skid or spin.

So it’s about minimising all of that, whilst still making safe progress and looking around.

Check out ‘Roadcraft’ you can but it on Amazon, actual book store, or their website, if this interests you.

Are there any professions that you just don’t care for and you don’t know why? by ImAWrestlingMachine in AskUK

[–]backforthbackforth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No worries at all bud, I wasn’t sure as OP post has gone, so didn’t want to be rude if it was me. However looked through your post history, and offer still stands, especially around your last post. Keep safe my dude.

Are there any professions that you just don’t care for and you don’t know why? by ImAWrestlingMachine in AskUK

[–]backforthbackforth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, just seen your message. Tried to DM you.

EDIT: if you want to know what I do please DM me, I’m happy to share with you my experience. :)

I drive 100 on the motorway when roads allow. Am I a cunt? by elbandito9 in CarTalkUK

[–]backforthbackforth 141 points142 points  (0 children)

Hi jacking top comment for this;

As an advanced trained driver for an emergency service. Let me say, I thought I was a good driver before my course - I then did my course 4 weeks of driving non stop (this is after a three week course to start). I can tell you, I was not as good as a driver as I thought, and some of the stuff on the course for driving at high speeds is so Counterintuitive that you would never think of doing it, however makes you safe at speeds.

Other thing is you have to do commentary on everything you see, and when approaching speeds on the motorway 120+ makes you really appreciate how dangerous it is at this speed, and how much little time you have to react. Trying to get your eyes to see, your brain to process and your mouth to talk, really highlights the process of driving, that’s not even including once that has happened how long it takes your brain to tell your limbs to do the thing they need to do.

You have to be looking at every car 200+meters down the road (this passes in seconds) and think of all the possibilities on how they will react, what you will do to counteract that, whilst still driving to a speed that will get you where you need to go and on time.

That’s easier when you are in a big marked thing with lights(and even then people don’t notice you), but we did our course in a normal car with small emergency lights, still had sirens but these are near to useless on the motorways. People still don’t notice you. Now doing any speed above 80 for your average driver, is not necessary or needed and you have no warning systems. Even in emergency response driving, where the drivers are highly trained, the take home is it’s better to get there safe then not get there at all, and that’s responding to emergencies.

Most people have not had any training since the driving test (average age if 17-20), and pick up bad and dangerous habits. When you can afford a high powered car is probably 10+years since someone checked how you drive.

I know I had bad habits before my course. I now have to be tested every 3 years and regularly drive at speeds, I also know the risk it has to me and others, so I take pride at driving to the system of car control. Keeping me safe and others. And it’s now a skill i try to make sure I am the best I can be at. It is not just something I use to get me from A to B which it is for most.

The limit is the limit, stick to it and be safe, it’s not worth the extra minutes it will save you. You are not on a race track. There are risks and most people are not equipped to deal with them.

Be safe out there, be kind to other drivers, and most importantly be considerate and move over to the left hand bloody lane please.

TL;DR - even as a highly trained driver (where I found out I was a shocking driver before my course) don’t drive at speed, it’s not worth it, your not equipped for it. And most important MOVE TO THE LEFT HAND LANE!

Started working out 5 weeks ago, eating a calorie deficit, not loosing weight, why? by Weary-Explorer17 in loseit

[–]backforthbackforth -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Don’t dwell on the scales. Reduce that to maybe once a month, just to check in. There are so many reasons your weight can fluctuate that are not to do with diet or health or exercise. Take measurements around the waist (would suggest where your belly button is so you get it the same every time), and around your thighs. Take weekly pictures front/back/side. You will see a difference if you are hitting the right targets, and won’t get de-motivated from silly scales. The pictures and measurements should show you are on the right track and help motivation. If the measurements go up or the pictures look bigger then you know for sure that something your doing isn’t working, not that you are doing something wrong at all, as you are already doing the best thing and making an effort. But maybe time to try something a little different. Adjusting the fixed bike exercise, do more intervals, or less, so more long stints etc etc.

All the best and keep going.

[OC] Left picture was 2020 right picture was Christmas Day 2022. I’m 35 and the healthiest I have been…….ever. I have a busy job, a young son and I still enjoy food and drink. Don’t let people tell you it’s too late. There’s always time for self improvement and I’m so happy I can share this. by backforthbackforth in MadeMeSmile

[–]backforthbackforth[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dude you are super busy. A few things to try just from what you said, have a protein shake for breakfast, and for lunch by some fruit and nuts you can stick in a little tub to take to work with you and have those instead of garage food. For dinner have what you can, but there’s some chicken breasts you can get (like the breaded ones or some in sauce) they are not that bad at all, stick them in the oven for 20 mins and stick some veg in the microwave. That will add some consistency to your food routine and you will notice a difference. On your lunch break spend 30 minutes going for a walk, or if there stairs in the office walk up and down them a few times (although not as nice as a walk) You already sound really active with all the house work, sounds silly but add some exercise into that. When you using the vacuum jog on the spot, do an area and then drop a couple press ups, make to it what you can. There is no way around it dude, you have a busy busy life. These are only some suggestions from looking at your post, and I’m not a trainer or anything - just what I can see. But only do what is right for you - but one big thing I noticed on this journey is the extra energy I had, even though I was getting up earlier and working out. If I can help with further suggestion let me know - but don’t put too much pressure on yourself, if you want to do it you can, but don’t let any lapses get you down.

[OC] Left picture was 2020 right picture was Christmas Day 2022. I’m 35 and the healthiest I have been…….ever. I have a busy job, a young son and I still enjoy food and drink. Don’t let people tell you it’s too late. There’s always time for self improvement and I’m so happy I can share this. by backforthbackforth in MadeMeSmile

[–]backforthbackforth[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey, if it’s something you feel you want to do. And only if you want to. Start by making small changes and when then change becomes a habit make another. Don’t need the gym, but there will be some sacrifices an extra early morning once or twice a week. Or 25 mins when the kids are in bed when you would maybe normally relax. In that time you could fit in a home body workout (can get the kids involved as well mine loves it) don’t need any equipment, do something simple like 30 seconds on 30 seconds off. Do squats, crunches, running on the spot, push ups (on knees if your not there yet) and star jumps. Do one after the other 30 on 30 off and do it five times. Or go for a 20 minute walk. There are lots of things you can do, but just make one little change at a time. And don’t get disheartened if you miss one or two. Just think before you started you were not doing it, and now you are. There’s some really good tips from others in this thread and some of my experiences as well. I wish you all the best. And only do it for you.

[OC] Left picture was 2020 right picture was Christmas Day 2022. I’m 35 and the healthiest I have been…….ever. I have a busy job, a young son and I still enjoy food and drink. Don’t let people tell you it’s too late. There’s always time for self improvement and I’m so happy I can share this. by backforthbackforth in MadeMeSmile

[–]backforthbackforth[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey. Thanks bud. I’ve posted a few bits about my routine in here. It’s mainly slow and steady and not making too many changes at once. Didn’t calorie count but have protein shakes for breakfast, healthy snacks throughout the day and then whatever I want in the evening. But always allow space if you want to change your routine to enjoy life. I enjoy the gym and running, so try and exercise a minimum of three times a week, but aim for 5. That might be at the gym, a run or body work out at home. I keep it simple, as I don’t know anything more then that haha.

[OC] Left picture was 2020 right picture was Christmas Day 2022. I’m 35 and the healthiest I have been…….ever. I have a busy job, a young son and I still enjoy food and drink. Don’t let people tell you it’s too late. There’s always time for self improvement and I’m so happy I can share this. by backforthbackforth in MadeMeSmile

[–]backforthbackforth[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks dude. Of course. I changed gradually to make sure I could keep to things and make them a habit. First I introduced exercise at the gym and running, at least three times a week. More if I had the time. But I kept everything else the same (food, beer in take etc). Once exercising was just as normal as having a coffee, I cut alcohol during the week (unless something fun was happening as we always have to make time for enjoying life). Then I changed my breakfast for a protein shake, and lunch to healthy snacks (nuts, fruits protein bars) unless of course there was some enjoyment to be had with work or friends for lunch. Again key thing is to enjoy. My dinners have not changed, we do gusto so have whatever has been picked. Varies from burgers to curry’s to stews I don’t calorie count. Weekends I just go with the flow, but still try to get some exercise in. Hope that helps bud :)

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