Take Care of Cyclists

This is a Cautionary Tale, as it always is when talking about cars and cycles, but especially so this week as the news reported to us about something that went horribly wrong during the week. It seems that the driver of a 4X4 collided with a pack of cyclists and sent them all to hospital.

The Costa Levante News reported that a collision took place between a car and the Dutch-based Giant-Alpecin international racing team of six cyclists while they were out on a practice run. Two were so seriously injured that they required Medi-Vac by helicopter, and one had one of his fingers ripped off.

This is a staggering blow to the team's chances of competing in the coming summer of events that are scheduled.

This must serve as a reminder to us all that cycle racing is a keen sport in Spain, and cyclist groups can be seen any day of the week in training. They have as much right to their patch of the road as do we in our cars. When encountering such groups, to overtake them is a very tricky thing to do, and often takes patience until you see you have a clear opportunity to overtake them all as one group.

I think the very worst thing that could happen would be to start to overtake a long cluster of bikes, only to be confronted by oncoming traffic. What do you do? You cannot pull back in to the right because there are cyclists there. You are faced with another car, or truck coming right at you and you are in their lane. You had better hope there is a place to pull off the road to the left, thereby allowing the oncoming traffic to pass safely. After you finish peeing yourself you can get back on the road, and this time when you pass the cyclists take care to get it right.

The news article ended with the comment that the driver of this major mess who seems to have entered into the lane of the cyclists will appear in court to find out whether she will be charged with dangerous driving.

You think?

Copyright (c) 2016

Eugene Carmichael 

Old Car Problems

Old cars are like we old people. We develop the strangest problems the older we get, and when we are taken to someone who might be able to help us, we refuse the show symptoms. Why is that? We are left standing there looking like liars. Fortunately, experienced mechanics see it happen all the time. It's a joke for them.

This past week my aging Volvo developed the strangest problem. At speeds of less than 100 klm/h all went well. The minute I got up to 100 the most awful, very loud noise would start. Originally, it scared the beejesus out of me, and anyone in the car with me. The mechanic had never been presented with such a problem before, and when he removed panels expecting to find something or the other hanging loose he found everything to appear absolutely normal.

To find the solution was through a process of determining what would vibrate if it was not fully anchored and removing that piece and changing the seal. So it was that they came to the windscreen. They took the panel out, reglued it and replaced it. After that dried they took the car out for a drive at 120 klm/h and it was as silent as it could be. Found it!

Which was just as well as the glue had started to lose its adhesion. Eventually the windscreen would have simply popped out and would have gone with the wind.

So, the moral of the story is that materials lose their strength as they get old. Glue, rubber, leather, cloth, plastic are all suspect, just as their equal objects in people are also prone to breakdown.

It's all a part of the great cycle of life.

Copyright (c) 2016

Eugene Carmichael 

This car doesn't make coffee, but it does everything else

Jaguar has released a new Big Cat for 2016, The F-Pace. I am focusing on it because I am absolutely astonished by the technology that has gone into this saloon. Firstly, I have to say that I do not like the design, but that is because I am a classic design Jaguar fan. I own an XJ6 Sovereign, so I am from that age. Jaguar has chosen, wisely, to ignore me. Otherwise they would never move forward.

I cannot include everything that should be included in my description of this car because it simply is too much for a column, Fundamentally, you buy this car and drive it, and the car then learns your drving style and molds itself to you. It's more of a pet (Jaguar) than a car. The electronic powered steering adjusts itself to you, whether you are smooth in your movements, or if you are a person who jerks the wheel about.

Are you a family driver who takes it easy and safe, or perhaps you think you're a Formula One wannabe. Click the switch to racing mode and she'll respond ever so sharply, even when zipping aroud sharp bends. Under those circumstances the car will take over, applying just as much brakes as needed and even slowing the offside or driverside wheels to maintain control. It does those things of its own accord.

The driver has the option of wearing the key as a wrist band and operating the boot door with a simple tap to open and close hydralically.

There's more!

One minute the sun is shining and the next the rain comes down in buckets. The driver doesn't have to lift a finger because the car will recognize that road conditions have become dangerous and it will adjust to maintain safe driving. While driving, if your concentration slips and you start drifting in your lane, the car will warn you. Should you not pay it any attention the car will take over and keep you in your proper lane.

One of the most serious things a driver can do is to fall asleep while at the wheel. The F-Pace is perfectly aware of this, so if you start to doze the car will first sound an alarm, and that will be followed by the steering wheel shaking you awake.

This car is super intelligent. The information/entertainment system is second to none, and it also recognizes road signs. Should you select the option it can keep you always within the speed limit. When you get to your destination just sit back and let the car park itself. Finally, when it's time to drive away and you have to back out into traffic, your car will keep you safe and sound.

And there's probably more, but you really have to meet this Cat to see for yourself. I'm just so impressed. The only reason I can think of as to why they still let the driver do some driving is because we have to do something.

Remember, I don't really like this car. Wow!

Copyright 2016

Eugene Carmichael 

The Classics

On a nice and warm, but windy Sunday, December 10th, 2016, Dolorosas 2016 presented "Encuentro y Exposición de Vehiculos Clasicos", in the central park of L'Eliana, Valencia. I went to attend this event, however, I got one important fact wrong. I thought they were going to be static from 9am until 6pm. Looking back, I have no idea where I got that thought, even though the publicity was in Spanish.

When I arrived in L'Eliana the police were leading a great and impressive parade of  seemingly, an unending sight of truly old cars, motorcycles, pedal cycles and mopeds. There were Seats and Fiats, some dating back to the 50's. There were Citroens, very old Fords, including Mustangs; VWs, Chevrolets, camper vans, both by Chevrolet and Volkswagen, and some cars that I just did not recognize what they were.

There was also a concentration of old motorcycles and mopeds, including one motorcycle with sidecar that was evidently in perfect condition. As you looked at the interior of the cars, it was also clear that the owners had spent a lot of time and money in restoring them to showroom like condition.

This club is apparently not for people with budget restrictions on how much they can spend on showering love on their vehicle. I have a twenty-two year old XJ6 Jaguar Sovereign. The car's age makes it a classic, and it is a lovely car. It is also true that I do pamper it, but only to a certain extent. When it starts to get over the line I will move on. That means I am not a true motorhead. I do enjoy the classics, but a car is really only intended as transport, at least for me, it is.

At the show ground, when I arrived there were a few vehicles left, most notably a row of six BSA 500s. Wow! Did this bring back memories as it was while riding one such motorcycle, with my girlfriend at the time did we first enter Spain at San Sebastian. That bike was fantastic to us and I have never forgotten the experience. One of the bikes on show was a BSA 1948 model that had been lovingly restored, and was for sale at the princely sum of 5,500 euros. Someone will buy it.!

I am always fascinated by the degree to which both men and women will go to, in effect take great pride in the craftsmenship of others. I think that Jaguar is the greatest marque of all, however, when it comes to my everyday car, Volvo tops the bill. That is because Volvo is made to cope with the very tough winters of Sweden, and I have found it to be totally reliable.

So, I waited at the showgrounds for the calvacade to complete its round the town loop and to return. It never did. What I was observing was the police leading everyone out of town so that they could go home for lunch. Oh well!

Copyright (c) 2016

Eugene Carmichael 

Celebrating Midnight for a Different Reason

At midnight on December 31st, around the world it is traditional for people to get really animated in celebrating the arrival of a new year. This is because the new arrival brings hope with it. Hope that our problems will be resolved and prosperity will blow in the wind. This is a great leap of faith because the facts are that no-one knows what the future 365 days will bring.

The past year has been good to my family and myself. We did not lose a family member during the year. That was definately worth celebrating. My financial situation is about the same as it was a year ago. I could wish for improvement, but in contrast to a lot of families I have a lot to be thankful for. We found that the flu virus came into our house like a monster and we had the greatest difficulty in getting rid of it. After five weeks it finally decided to leave us alone.

At this time of year we usually take stock of what the year meant to us drivers. Last year it was reported that the number of persons who lost their lives on the road actually rose, after a long period of decreasing statistics. During the Summer months the news was not good. It pains me that some people just don't learn the easy way, they have to make the same old deadly mistakes. In doing so, if they lose their lives, then so be it, but all too often they take others with them.  

I usually don't make resolutions for the new year, except when it comes to driving. I resolve not to drink alcohol or drive under the influence of anything that might impair my judgement. I keep this committment 100% without problems.

We are yet to receive the official results for 2015, but in the meantime I wish all members of the motoring public the best for 2016. May you enjoy a safe year of driving so that like me, your celebrations at midnight can be all about having survived another year on the roads.

Copyright (c) 2016

Eugene Carmichael