One-wheel nut

Have you ever been riding along on a nice sunny day, behind a couple of cars, waiting for a safe place to pass? Yes of course you have. The other day I found myself in this position while going to the DIY shop for some screws etc. To make the trip a bit more interesting I decided to go the long way round on a lovely stretch of the A444, calling in for a pint on the way. It was one of the few days this summer that was perfect biking weather – sunny and hot and not raining for a change.

So here I am behind these 2 cars waiting for a safe place to pass, not in any hurry just enjoying the ride. Waaaaaaaah was the sound of lots of revs in my right ear. Beside me was a bike on one wheel, not only trying to go past me, but the 2 cars in front. Unfortunately a caravan was coming out of a side road ahead and was heading towards us. Upon seeing this, one-wheel maniac slams the front wheel down and just squeezed between the front car and the car and caravan coming towards him.

Why do a small minority of bikers do this? First of all this so-called biker put myself and three car drivers at risk by his actions, not to mention passengers. Secondly if he thought this action would in some way encourage me to give chase then he was very wrong. I am 48 years old and past all of that. I did that many years ago and got it out of my system. Difference being I did it on the motocross track and on trials courses in the south east, not on the public highway.

Kevin Bull

Reader's article

By Kevin Bull