As we all know, the Mini is about as much fun as you can get with four wheels on a tight twisty back road. The problem is when you come up behind another car... then the ride is over. Anyone have some good traffic management strategies for spirited (but legal ) driving on two-lane, double-yellow, twisty back roads?

For a bit of background, I'm a long time motorcyclist and actual zeroed in on a Mini since it's about as close to the thrill of motorcycling as you can get on four wheels, yet is safer and still reasonably practical in terms passengers and cargo. However, I really didn't anticipate the level of frustration I now experience getting stuck behind slower drivers (for the sake of keeping this thread unlocked, assume this means people driving below the speed limit ). Let’s just say I don’t share this same frustration on my motorcycle since it’s so light, narrow, short and powerful - and assuming that I live in a legal lane sharing state - I can always execute a quick, clean, safe pass. Not a chance in the Mini... or any four wheeler, for that matter.

Here’s a few traffic management strategies to start:
- Driving very early morning or late at night, when roads are reasonably empty. (Not really an option for me though.... I live in a deer-infested area and the dumb road terrorists own the roads between dusk and dawn. Already hit 5 of 'em )

- Know an area so well that you can keep splitting off down different roads if you come up behind traffic.

- Rubberband - drive super slow to let traffic get way ahead of you, then catch-up at your preferred pace.

Any other strategies that work for you? In the interests of keeping the ideas flowing, please try and stay..... ummm.... verbally legal.

 

Drive as far away from any city as possible, my best experiances are place where cell phones are useless, and you keep fearing that you actually turned on to somebody's drive way. The rubberband is good to a point, when are all the roads going to be redone so we can hit all the apexes?

 

This works as long as no tailgaters are behind you. Risk is missing the only passing section for miles.
I don't use daytime running lights, so when I flash the lights before a pullout, they should get a clue (if I'm lucky).
I have my favorite segments that are off the beaten path.

 

I live in great hills that get somewhat crowded on nice weekends. So if the road looks to be slower than average, I do things like apex work, staying exatly in the middle of the lane and the like. Yeah, it's a pisser when the slow boat drives right past the pull-out... But what can you do?

Matt

 

Drive after 1am.

Then you have no problems with traffic, AND as an added bonus you have to focus more on blind curves.

And... if you out in the boondocks you can play dodge-em-animals.

 

i was a non-drifting type touge fanatic (want to see one beat me on a downhill run legally) and when I use to live in LA, i just went to the canyons early before traffic started to pop up. That's your best option.

Next would be to rubber band...i still do this when i go through forests and
there's a geezer mobiling down the country road like some friggen farm
equipment with a zombie.

Last option would be to stop and just wait while watching traffic behind you.
no meaning of there's cars that keep passing you by.

have fun, drive safe.

 

I do this too, sometimes in combination with the "rubber band" technique mentioned above.

Several Autoweek columnists have mentioned Jackie Stewart's comment that if your driving is perfectly smooth your passenger won't even notice when you go through a corner. It's a great technique to practice.

Also, practice looking up ahead at the road instead of at the car in front of you. Doing this, I've noticed most people turn in to corners very late (myself included when I don't concentrate on the road).

Basically, take advantage of the time to practice instead of getting P.O.'d at the people in front of you. Get everything right and you can have even more fun once traffic clears!

 

I use stinger missles mounted on front, oil slick and tire spikes for the back, flame throwers for the sides (I got a good deal on those)...

oh wait, you said legal...

 

IB4TL!

Need I remind you of point 5 of the site guidelines...

 

I assume your getting frustrated?

If your going to drive near 10/10s, why not crank it up on a local track, day, xcross, DE and get all your frustratation out in a venue perfectly tailored made for you to go 11/10s? Rather than having to worry about others?


Just wondering.

 

Hehe.. Dave should definitely add that to the guidelines.

In all seriousness, I would recommend joining a local mini club. I went out last weekend with the PDX MINI club for my first event. We had a spirited but safe, well organized drive through the twisty back roads of Oregon. Everyone had handheld radio's so the people up front could warn people behind of road problems or bicyclists. I was surrounded by enthusiasts so it made for a very fun trip.

Plus, all the other cars were nice enough to pull over when they saw 20 mini's coming up behind them.

http://bolus.shackspace.com/MINI/PDX...run/index.html

 

You want to have a little fun. You are ALREADY on the road, so driving at 1 AM ain't gonna cut it, and you don't want to wait for the next track day. There's some di*khead in front of you going slow, and not noticing he's (or she's) slowing up the more spirited drivers. What to do?

When I had a cycle, I just waited till I could see a bit, and left them behind. In a car, you can't do that.

I guess it depends on the specific situation. Where I live, the rubberbanding doesn't work, because the roads are used all the time, and if you're stuck behind someone, pretty soon there will be more cars behind you. If there's little traffic, I guess waiting somewhere for more clear road could work. I just fall into technique mode, or enjoy the scenery. Getting pissed just screws with my stress level.

Matt

 

When in heavy traffic, remind yourself that you are sitting in a comfortable chair, you can control the climate, and you have access to music and other entertainment. You might as well be in your comfy chair at home!

All in all, being stuck in a traffic jam isn't really all that bad now is it?

 

At home, I can sit on the throne and read car mags! Not so in traffic.

Matt

 

I like it!

 

the Hood Mounted Howizter is still OK!

Matt

 

Watch it. The rules aren't meant to be all inclusive. The spirit of the rule still applies.

 

Caltrops work great for tailgaiters!

Just drop a handful of these out the sunroof and say goodbye to rear-view mirror glare from that H2 behind you!

Am I asking for trouble by linking to a photo on the CIA website???

 

But I don't get NAM in my MINI, yet...

 

Agreed.


((addiction... what addiction?))

 

But now we're all in some NSA computer database... Watch what you say on the phone for the next decade or so!

Matt

 

I'm the one in front of you, in my MINI, enjoying the scenery and enjoying motoring around. You should try doing the same, instead of getting steamed because someone dared to drive 'slow' in front of you.

Chill.

 

if you see a steamed driver behind you, pull over and let them pass. Who knows, they may have a sick kid or something, you never can tell.

Matt

 

See post 8 for an idea of some of the mods that cannont be discussed

 

If I wanted to enjoy scenery and putt around, I would have neutered myself and bought a civic.:impatient