So this morning coming to work was wet and rainy, surprise, surprise!! Just got away from some silly traffic, and heading to another set of lights, which of course start turning yellow then red... At this time doing maybe 40... I was real close to the line already, and started to brake and realised there was not much grip, so let off the brake as the intersection was clear... Lots of cars going other direction but my side was clear... One of the cars facing the other way was a police car stopped at the lights... I had to make the decision you know?? Stop further than the line or just go through... So I chose to go through. Checked my mirrors, and I see the police car turning around... so i slowed, then I hear and see the siren turn on... By the time the car got to me, I was on the side of the road, engine off, stepping off the bike. Got a talking to, they asked if I have points, no was the reply. Gave them my license, waited while they went back to the car... Number 2 comes out and asks, do you have a driver's license?? I reply yes but not a driver's license, I have a bike license. He asks the same question again, I say, yes, full bike license. How long you in this country? 6 years... Oh so this is not valid then, and shows me my Trinidad license that I handed them... OOPS!!! Sorry, sorry wrong one!! Gave them the UK one, and they say, Ah, ok, on your way, then, be careful next time. So a slap on the wrist, the usual warnings, You know if a lorry was coming, etc etc... I was thinking if a lorry was coming I woulda never entered the intersection, only reason I was pushing the lights was because it was a pretty empty intersection. Anyways, in the end, relatively cool cops... But then I had to make up for lost time getting to work... But I did so on the straights without any traffic lights!!! I hate how timid I am when the roads are wet... I get stiff and can't lean and cant brake... Then again, I just passed 2 miles of diesel on the road, luckily there was traffic over it for the entire 2 miles, so i was on the "grippy" white lines... HEY, better than diesel!! Maybe I need to do a track day in the rain... But not on the Blade!! Just in case!!!
Matrix you’re not the only one that gets the jitters riding in the wet. I hate it, not done it for years and only then when I got caught out. Made my teeth hurt I was biting so hard. Glad you didn’t get a ticket and lesson learned I hope.
just glad you got a talking to, thank god. And I understand when in the wet how coming to lights is not fun when they just start changing. had a few moments like that myself. But why do you still have the Trinidad licence in your wallet after 6 years lol. Bet that gave the BIB a smile after you gave him the right licence. Now just being nosy, why the move to the UK from a country that's got to have some lovely weather. Work?, Family? Never been but on my list one day.
Had the license in my wallet cuz i hired a car to go to Cornwall the other month... Not legal, but hey, we already booked the place and had to take the wife and dog... So had to rent a car - told the hire company I was resident less than a year - I know I know, if I got into an accident (even if not my fault, and I am a good driver) I would have had problems... As for why the move... Lots of reasons really... Coming from a small island, most young people go abroad for university etc, which I never did... Started working straight out of school... needed some dosh!! Also, at that time crime was at an all time high, averaging a murder or kidnapping per day. Granted most murders were drug and gang related, but it was just out of hand for a while... There's no tracks to ride in T&T. The roads you can ride hard without being pulled, but then you have gravel/dirt on all roads, people lane chaning to get to the front of the queue, taxis flying down the hard shoulder to beat the traffic, etc etc, so it's pretty dangerous to be on a bike... And you don't want to get into an accident on a bike in T&T... People drive HARD!! 120-140 Kms on 80 Km highways!!! So if you get hit, you are probably gonna die. Yeah it's hot, but it also rains alot, sometimes every day, and when it rains, BOY does it rain... Roads flood if it's high tide as the water can't run into the seas... And because it's a small island, everyone is in everyone's business... The relative anonymity in the UK is a welcomed change. Don't get me wrong, T&T is HOME to me, and I will probably go back late next year or soon after that, to start a family and settle down... Since the recession, things have not been so great as before. It's been tough, but we are sticking even that out, so it's not like running away, but we have had it with the cold. At least when it rains in T&T it is not freezing you to the bone... Also my sister lives in Hereford, so nice to see her twice a year instead of never!! TL;DR - Just for a change of scenery, a bit of worldly experience, getting to ride to Germany, ride tracks here, meet crazy mofos like your goodselves... But I hate the cold, and apparently there ain't even a summer to talk about!!! Imagine going to KFC and having to wait to place your order until the chick behind the counter gets off her mobile!!!! Third World countries, man... It was time for a change, but now I am ready for the change back. Let me know if you ever there, mate, I will defo hook you up, show you around, etc...
I always find it interesting (honest not be being nosy) to find out about other places in the world. Always lived within the same 20 miles all my life. yes vitiated other country's but going for a holiday is nothing like living in a different place for a long time. cheers for sharing. Always thought I would love to move to Florida when I retire. Yes I got 25+ years yet but always in the back of my mind If I would do it. and if I would regret it if I did
you hired a car and drove with no insurance?? :roll eyes: and you're a good driver, but shot the red light eh? If you'd been off the gas expecting a green light to go the only way it could go (red) you may not have shot it... Good job you didn't have an accident and injure someone while driving the car, no sympathy, but typical of people who live around london, who can't be bothered to take the uk test.
Mate, everyone makes decisions that are not the best, with hindsight... Thanks for your constructive comments though... :roll eyes:
Wasn't meant to be constructive, sorry, I have fairly strong views on this, as I have to work around people on the road all day that drive illegally and put me at risk it was meant as criticism, but seriously, lack of confidence to stop on the bike sometimes I do understand, best thing is to approach green lights slower, if only for one reason, if you do manage to stop, will the car behind you? It's the speed you want THEM to come in at I recently fitted HEL brake lines, and boy the brakes are sharper! Keep safe...
