Driving Tip of the Day*:
#howtomakethemdowhatyouwant
#gravelroadrules
#movethefarmerover...
I really didn't know what to call this or where to put it. But thought it was either here or start a whole new thread just for driving tips. Unfortunately, at the moment, I only have but one. This one has to do with getting people on gravel to slow down instead of passing you at full speed. Who likes rock chips in the windshield? I know I don't. So it goes like this...
Say you're booking it along at a comfy 120-130 on a nice 3 track (there's never a good 4th track) gravel road with a good amount of loosey-goosey stuff just outside the tracks. Colin McRae style, in control. In the distance you see an approaching vehicle. It turns out it's a truck. Chances are good it's Farmer Joe, and Farmer Joe OWNs this road so he aint gonna slow down for any city/townie in a car. But you, you need to slow him down.
How do you do that? Considering your speed and not knowing even if you do slow down that he will?
Well, the answer is fairly simple really. You make him think you ARE the idiot on the gravel road!
I call it, The Ken Block. Seems like a cool name for something I named after myself. What you do, assuming you are the one in control and not an actual idiot who doesn't know how to drive on gravel, is hit the brakes fairly hard, and pull slightly into the loose stuff, causing your car to appear to be out of control as you fishtail a wee amount. You must do this with at least a half mile or so so there is time for everyone to actually slow down. Not soon enough and you might find yourself being part of the bumper of a big ol' 2500 RAM pickemup truck.
This gives the appearance to Farmer Joe that you are going to kill him...at which point he also hits his brakes, and then the two of you can go by at about 50 kmh each...it helps if you maintain a wide-eyed "I almost died" look on your face as you go by with a little wave of the hand...and everybody's safe. He thinks you're stupid, you know you just won and had him in control the whole time, and then it's drop a gear or three and bang! Back to Colin McRae-ing it the rest of the way home! Hey, you're in a rush, you gots places to go!
*not a real driving tip. Don't be an idiot. Who do you think I am?! Pfft...
You should never drive more than 80 kmh on gravel. Think of the paint chips! Even 80 is probably too fast. You should probably just stay off the gravel entirely. That way Farmer Joe won't bust up your windshield. And I can go 130.
