Improving Filtering Technique

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Learner

21/12/2004 at 20:04

The Blackwall Tunnel was closed this morning. Traffic leading to the tunnel was queued up for a few miles. Stationary. I was filtering, but there were some gaps I wasn't happy about filtering through. At one point, I felt I just couldn't get the bike through a gap in front, so pulled aside to let another biker past.
As the biker goes past, he says "You can get your bike through there - Look, follow me". Hmmm, Ok.....I follow him through cautiously.
Blimey, I could get the bike through that gap! There was millimetres to spare each side, and I went through very slowly, but it went through

Now, how does one learn what gaps you really can get a bike through without harming car wing mirrors, your own wing mirrors, and any other part of other vehicles?
I got through it all fine this morning, but I'm sure there were probably gaps that I didn't go for, but which the bike could have gone through.

Doing things the automagic way......
TIT#190AA

Animal

21/12/2004 at 20:09

I've always gone for the "if the mirrors go, so will the bike" theory...

VDTD1Fas / BN#250 / TIT#3C / VDA#250 / TFG#4 / TOFFS3 / SSSD (Poof) # 2 / HBA#1 / VDFF#5 / AC#1200/2

Learner

21/12/2004 at 20:21

Thanks Animal. Perhaps I'm being overly cautious at times and thinking that even though the mirrors might get through, I'll cock up part way through and end up touching the vehicle either side. Lack of confidence? But then how to improve? Go for the gaps slowly, and then see what works and what gets you stuck?

Doing things the automagic way......
TIT#190AA

qwerty

21/12/2004 at 20:25

Pull in your elbows, squint your eyes and say fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. That'll get you through really narrow gaps.

Learner

21/12/2004 at 20:27

Mr Soap wrote

Pull in your elbows, squint your eyes and say fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. That'll get you through really narrow gaps.

:burnout:

Doing things the automagic way......
TIT#190AA

SpiderMan on SV

21/12/2004 at 20:36

just be aware of long vehicles starting to move off as you try passing them... if i wont get thru easily 'ill wait!
i'd hate to get stuck next to one as it moved off... angles change very quickly next to one of those on the move. :ee:

Everytime i learn something new it pushes the old stuff out!
I hate mums-on-the-run

SG#650

MikesG7

21/12/2004 at 20:46

It's just a case of practice, really.

One thing to try - which may sound odd - is to bend your elbows outwards so they are as wide as your wing mirrors - this may not work on some types of bikes BTW. Since you automatically know how wide your elbows are, this may help you learn what size gaps you can get through. Don't forget to pull them in if your mirrors hit anything.

Watch out for clipping cars with your exhaust / back end if you do any tight turns past stationary traffic.

Advanced techniques include the Transit dip - since my bike mirrors are the same height as Transit van mirrors, I have found that the easiest way to get through a narrow gap past a transit van is to accelerate and then brake just before my mirrors get to the van mirrors - that way the front end dips and my mirrors go under the van mirrors. Mostly.

In-Line Tom

21/12/2004 at 22:33

MikesG7 wrote

Advanced techniques include the Transit dip - since my bike mirrors are the same height as Transit van mirrors, I have found that the easiest way to get through a narrow gap past a transit van is to accelerate and then brake just before my mirrors get to the van mirrors - that way the front end dips and my mirrors go under the van mirrors. Mostly.

Man I'd love to see this. I might just try it.

Edit: wouldn't work on BMs, of course...

Bikerrob

21/12/2004 at 22:42

I'm lucky, ive got a thin bike so my elbows are about the same width, and the mirrors don't stick out either (which is probably why they're so crap) so i can judge how tight gaps are, although ive had to learn that when filtering past 4x4's be careful of there mirrors, ive had to duck to avoid then on a number of occasions on the way to college!!

Jimbo

22/12/2004 at 01:16

In-Line Tom wrote

: wouldn't work on BMs, of course...

...I won't be trying this trick on my C90 either

The Spin Doctor

22/12/2004 at 08:08

Quote

Man I'd love to see this. I might just try it.

Easy enough on something with bouncy suspension

On bikes with a fairing, I'd often just fold the mirrors in for a narrow gap...

Spidey's dead right on the artic point tho... I was always very cautious about filtering thru a narrow gap past a truck particularly if it was on my right - if I thought there was any danger it might move, I wouldn't chance it.

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"Force has no place where there is need of skill" Herodotus 450BC :burnout:

Cousin Jack

22/12/2004 at 09:49

MikesG7 wrote

Advanced techniques include the Transit dip - since my bike mirrors are the same height as Transit van mirrors, I have found that the easiest way to get through a narrow gap past a transit van is to accelerate and then brake just before my mirrors get to the van mirrors - that way the front end dips and my mirrors go under the van mirrors. Mostly.

REALLY Advanced technique is the Transit wheelie. Just before my mirrors clash with a Transit's mirrors I pull a serious wheelie so that my mirrors pass over the top of the van's. Also works with potential handlebar clashes on car mirrors

(And if you try this for real, you are braver, more skilled, and considerably more stupid than I am :burnout: )

Cousin Jack

(a member of an oppressed minority whose legitimate aspirations to nationhood have been brutally suppressed by the Anglo Saxon invaders. Remember An Gof !)

MikesG7

22/12/2004 at 10:31

Cousin Jack wrote

REALLY Advanced technique is the Transit wheelie. Just before my mirrors clash with a Transit's mirrors I pull a serious wheelie so that my mirrors pass over the top of the van's. Also works with potential handlebar clashes on car mirrors

(And if you try this for real, you are braver, more skilled, and considerably more stupid than I am :burnout: )

Worth a try as I'm certainly more stupid.

(not really

(the try bit, not the stupid bit))

I spose bikes with wide panniers could just rolling stoppie past and protruding mirrors too.

Superman seat grab over the Hammersmith flyover anyone?

Freestyle filtering, may be on to something here....

In-Line Tom

22/12/2004 at 12:09

The Spin Doctor wrote

Easy enough on something with bouncy suspension

That's me, then!

Scootabout

22/12/2004 at 13:49

I sometimes use the 'wiggle' technique to get past the two-pronged mirror attack. Lean one way, turn bars a bit, lean the other. You get the occasional look from the driver's seat, as he wonders if his new Merc is going to get scratched, but I've had no violent reactions so far (for this, at least :burnout: )

It's a motorcycle, Jim, but not as we know it
TIT#212AA

nya_Mister

22/12/2004 at 16:46

Just like to add..

My ride home was terrible at best. Watch out when filtering (A40) for cars suddenly to jump lanes (more than usual) they were flying right and left, nothing to do with beer you understand. I had to use my horn on more than one occasion only used it four times this year in total, two being today.

So when going for a filter/overtake just take particular attention today and until christmas probably cause they are out to get you.

Also - Merry Christmas to everyone.

Remember: First I rode my bike I was petrified, don't know how I could survive without you by my side (spin

). But I'll survive, oh yes, I will survive!

Bit of training helps as well.... :burnout:

Coggy

23/12/2004 at 11:34

Round here the driving standard has deteriorated as well.
I think everyone's thinking about Christmas and not a lot else.
I've had several near misses in the cage.
I've put the bike in the garage for a few days...

tfd

23/12/2004 at 13:05

MikesG7 wrote

I spose bikes with wide panniers could just rolling stoppie past and protruding mirrors too.

Nasty Occurrence alert:
Pan European - if mirrors just fit, panniers fit.

DullVille with pannier extensions: if mirrors just fit, <<CRUNCH>> <<very rapid stop>>

if you wish to experiment with the above, then a) very low speeds and b) not using vehicles full of 16-stone Irish Navvies, are both recommended

ps will dullvilles stoppie ?

enjoy, TFD

Rubber Side Down
TFD
VFR750, CBR400
We've seen it all - Bonfires of trust, flashfloods of pain...

"you only get away with it
... until you don't"

weeian

27/12/2004 at 16:59

getting through gaps is all about 3 dimentional awareness, im used to driving all different sizes of cars and vans through the work i do, so when u get into a particular car u have visualize your 3 dimentional size, its the same with bikes. the more you ride a vehicle the more u will grow in confidence with filtering to the extent of puting it through gaps without even thinking about it.

/Ian

asimonw

04/01/2005 at 12:52

The other option is to go for the Woolwich Ferry - a very nice divert which I usually enjoy and adds very little time to the journey.

BTW for those who commute through S London - why is the Rotherhithe Tunnel so badly signposted especially from the South and so difficult to get to?

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