Maintenance Day!

Sunday is the day for that special weekend lunch, and for maintaining our vehicles, whether that be a motorbike, truck or car. If I say that maintenance is important I'm sure no one would choose to disagree. So why does it not get done?

During the week we pass all those people who chose to watch television on Sunday rather than topping up the anti-freeze in the motor, or for ensuring the oil level is what it should be. If we don't do those two simple things we can be sure that problems will follow. They will be problems we could have so easily avoided.

When was the last time you checked your power steering fluid, or the fluid in your brake reservoir? The reason I ask is that I have done my maintenance for today but I didn't check those things. I should because the last thing I want to have happen is that  the level for the brakes is too low when I need to stop. In an emergency!

I think that women must be the worst offenders when it comes to not maintaining the car. It is women who are so defiant pertaining to the fuel gauge. They seem to think that they will not be dictated to by a little needle. We men pull in for fuel when the needle is resting at the halfway mark. I certainly have to do that as it lies so much. I will fill up only to see it is registering again at the half empty mark by the time I get home. My car is thirsty but I usually fill up about 20 kilometres from home, and if the needle were correct that would be ridiculous.

So, just a reminder, as though you really needed one. Pay attention to the maintenance of your vehicle. You really do not need the problems that you will have if you don't.

Happy motoring always!

Copyright (c) 2017
Eugene Carmichael

Motorway Call Boxes

I was driving the motorway yesterday, Sunday 19th November when I passed a particular stretch of road along which must have been six cars that had broken down and were awaiting the arrival of the grua. They were well spaced over several kilometres but not one had stopped next to a call box. That, of course is Sod's Law, but it got me to wondering whether anyone uses the boxes anymore.

In their heyday it was the only option you had which almost surely meant a walk in the wind and rain, at night of perhaps half a kilometre there and another half back to the car. For a woman driver on her own that must have been terribly harrowing. Then came the mobile phone which meant she need not  even get out of the car in order to call for help.

The call boxes are still there but they have become so irrevalent to me that I had stopped noticing them. It was only because of the sight of so many broken down cars that I thought about it. I think that if you did put through a call I presume the surprised person at the other end would be a police officer. At one time there would have been people available to speak with you in your own language, but I seriously wonder if that would still apply.

I have to confess to a problem that arose that has nothing to do with the call boxes but a problem that is a plague to drivers everywhere. That is the tiredness that accumulates especially when driving the monotonous highway. First you feel yourself starting to lose focus and you know you should stop to rest but the breakdown lane is not intended for that reason. It is not a good idea to stay in the car while awaiting help because someone may slam into your stopped vehicle because they fell asleep.

So, you strain to stay in focus but in doing that you may succeed in hypnotizing yourself, which is just as bad. Should you close your eyes just once that's all that is needed to bring your life to an end, and likely several other's lives as well.

I think the solution to this very serious problem is to pre-plan rest stops that will include time and a suitable place to nap. That means some place off the main road in an area where you will be safe to put your head down and to dream happy dreams.

Happy alert motoring!

Copyright (c) 2017
Eugene Carmichael

Race Time at Ricardo Tormo Again!

Every November this time of month I write something of the goings on at the race track in Cheste. After all Cheste is the pueblo next to Pedralba, my home port which draws people from all over Europe. The seating capacity is only 120,000 yet we have heard as many as 200,000 people may be in the vicinity. I don't know as I have not been anywhere near the event.

I once made the mistake of trying to pass through there in order to get home because that is my usual route when travelling from down South. Big mistake indeed! The bikes were like bees or mosquitoes. They were absolutely everywhere and buzzing just like the insects. The few police on duty were as frustrated as I was.

Today there are almost 2,000 police on duty because its anybody's guess as to how many motorcycles are concentrated in that one small location. When the boys and girls get together like this they lose their collective minds and do all manner of stupid things. One year a dare devil while showing off just how stupid he could be managed to actually kill his pillion passenger who was also his girlfriend.

I hope there will not be any such incidents this year but the temptation to try and standout in the crowd will be great.

For those who don't know The Ricardo Tormo circuit is located off the A-3 motorway which runs between Madrid and Valencia. The circuit can be seen from the highway and during the events of this Saturday and Sunday, given that the stadium is sold out it must be quite a distraction to passing motorists.

It is an anti-clockwise track with 14 turns and a total length of just over 4 kilometres. The straight stretch that runs past the VIP and Press seating, and which also serves as the starting stretch and the boxes at ground level is 876 metres. The track has served as a practise ground for F-1 although it is hard on the drivers as they usually race clockwise. apparently racing anti-clockwise for them makes problems with their necks.

The other reason why I am unable to ignore them is because in spite of the fact that I am sitting more than 20 kilometres from where the racing is taking place I can hear them. What life must be like for the people who live in Cheste these few days I cannot imagine. The noise both from on the track and off must be insufferable. For one thing most of the visitors camp under canvas or in motorhomes as there is just not enough hotel accommodation. What they do for shower facilities I don't know.

This is a young person's dream which you can only do while you are young and indestructible. There was a time when I would have been there in all my glory being just as excited and no doubt, just as  silly. That's what youth is for and I can't argue with that.

Ricardo Tormo was once Spain's twice celebrated moto racing world champion. He started his career in 1973 and won 19 of the 62 races he competed in. He raced 50cc and 125cc bikes throughout Europe bringing home the cup for Spain and in the process gaining enormous respect from the community. Valencia bestowed one of its highest awards upon him in 1994. By then he had not raced since 1984 when he crashed and irreparably damaged his led.

He suffered from leukemia which sadly, at the age of 46 took his life on December 27, 1998. When the circuit at  Cheste opened in 1999 it was unanimously agreed that it would proudly carry the name of Valencia's most illustrious native son.

Copyright (c) 2017
Eugene Carmichael

Observing the Speed Limit

A fine that is suffered for speeding is like a tuition payment. It's something paid to learn a lesson. However, as drivers we seldom learn our lesson for long. Perhaps it has something to do with others who overtake us while we are trying to be good to such an extent that we find ourselves being sucked along with the flow.

Now and then we encounter a speed policeman who is a stickler for observing the law to the letter of the law and one kilometre over the limit will be cause for sanction. It can also happen because the officer is not given any discretion, so where the limit is 120, the fine will be 100 euros if you are clocked doing 121, or (up to) 150. You won't lose points if you stay within this bracket, so go for it.

Obviously it's much better to stay under 120 and avoid the problem altogether, but in for 1 or in for 39 will be the same thing.

In most cases where a crash or someone has been knocked down the element of speed will be involved; usually too much speed. That includes those stretches of roadway where speed needs to be reduced. Where road works are taking place it is the responsibility of the driver to take extra care not to hit the workmen who are busy. Therefore, where the limitation is only 30 that is for a very good reason.

It could be said that with people working in the area the driver who powers through at 50 kilometres is committing a far more serious offense because of the likelihood of injuring someone. However, he will suffer the same punishment as the driver on the motorway where traffic is scarce, and who is travelling at 150.

I am good at driving at the higher limits and staying within the set limit. I have found that the optimum speed to travel long distances is 100kph. That speed lets me stay relaxed and is best for fuel use. When I increase to 120 the wind resistance against the car works the engine to such a greater extent that fuel use increases beyond the 20% speed increase and I become tense.

Where I have problems is with those signs that require a reduction in speed. The signs seem to be somebody's idea of a joke. They are placed so close together that in order to slow down from one to the other we have to practically stand on the brakes.

The police don't help matters either by being there with their radar to record your speed because if we are slowing from 100 to 40 we can not be moving any faster than forty when we reach the sign.

The big change in the law now means that we may be penalised for being only one kilometre over the limit. Previously discretion played a part but apparently, not any more.

So, fellow drivers we must be vigilant and assume the radar is just up ahead or around every corner. We are usually such soft targets we have to start pushing back but that means becoming more observant of the rules.

Practise makes perfect!

Copyright (c) 2017
Eugene Carmichael