Driving on dirt roads.

id. painter · 10-17-2003, 08:27 AM

Thsi is a question for all who drive a dirt road .
Each year hear in Idaho I have this happen and Im not sure what the proper proceedure is.
I know the dirt roads i drive very well , most of which I been riding on or driving on for most of my life. I know the road like the back of my hand . I know where to go fast and when a sneak up corner is coming , where the wash boards are and and as a result I can and do drive them faster than the out of state hunters who seem to be oblivious to any one who may want to pass .
The other day I had an hour drive (dirt road)into the area I was taking my son and friends Sage grouse hunting. There was a rig from California stopped in the road just a head of us , as I got to within about 20 yards the guy gunns the motor and peals out to stay in front of me. Very dusty. So now I have this big truch with dualies on back and a big trailer ahead of me .
He wouldnt and couldnt go fast enough to stay ahead of me so I end up right on his butt for 35 minutes. Im going much slower than i wanted but the guy wouldnt even let me try to pass .
I finally pulled out so he could see my lights and started flashing them to signal I wanted around. This guy still kept trying to run in front of me . I finally punched it and had just enough time to pass but he was obviously trying to make it difficult. What do you do or would you do .. And why cant people be courteous? id. painter

BrokeItOff · 10-17-2003, 08:38 AM

I hate it when this happens

If I know the road, I usually fall back so I am not eating too much dust, and then wait for a spot where I know I can get by safely...then I get up real close so I can get around and if safe go by. It is strange how these folk speed up when you want to go around.

What is really frustrating is to get behind some one when there are cows and calves around. It they have never driven around these brainless beasts they will just follow a stupid cow for miles letting them jog up the road at 5 mph, rather than herding them off the road by speeding up a bit.

Also bad on these roads, is when you are cruising at your safe anti-washboard speed and some one gets on your rear so close you can count the bugs on his grill. I usually pull off quite quickly but sometimes I don't want to....

[ 10-17-2003, 09:39 AM: Message edited by: BrokeItOff ]

tailchaser · 10-17-2003, 09:45 AM

There's a reasonable explination for this. The part where you said he was from California. [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] I don't think we need to go into their driving ethics on this site. Too many kids around. :blush:

Not much you can do besides give him a one fingered wave on your way by in the end to let him know you appreciate it. :grin:

tc

Bubzilla · 10-17-2003, 09:53 AM

Ubelievably rude. I think you probably did what you could do, unless you were willing to sit and wait long enough for him to get way ahead of you. I think we'd all agree, however, that "dirt" road etiquette required him to let you pass.

Of course, as stated above, it could have a lot to do with the fact he was a Californian. When I see California plates I usually brace myself for the worst. Heck, I've been arguing for years that we should fortify the southern border here in Oregon. I'd volunteer to walk a post! :grin:

Martin85 · 10-17-2003, 09:56 AM

Could not of said it better Bubzilla

id. painter · 10-17-2003, 09:59 AM

I remember a story told by my grandpa.
The story goes the same as above except , grandpa gets so angry at the guy that he actually comes up behind the guy and starts pushing the slowpolk down the road with his bumper. It ended in the slowpolk pulling off the road ready to fight and grandpa drives right past with a smile and a wave. id. painter

Mello-Yello · 10-17-2003, 10:03 AM

I've never believed that two wrongs make a right, but in a situation like this, it would be real hard not to bog him down once you got out in front of him. There's no way he'd be able to get around you, and you could certainly get under his skin in a hurry. If nothing else, it would just be giving him a taste of his own medicine.

M-Y

id. painter · 10-17-2003, 10:11 AM

Yes M.Y. that did occur to me as I did get around ,finally. I just wanted to get by , and get to camp before dark. I went by and kept on going , just glad to have him out of my life .. Hi ho. id. p.

The Overfishin Condition · 10-17-2003, 10:17 AM

I spend my time on dirt roads, but the same thing goes on any road, like SR503 in Washington, I know the road well, I drive it often cause it goes to my cabin. There are plenty of turnouts where a sunday driver can let you by, but most don't and then when you get to the straightaways, they take off b/c anyone can drive fast in the straights, then I'm on them again in the turns. People don't know the rules of the roadways, all roads included. Right lane = slow lane, middle lane= fast lane, left lane = passing lane, if you're not passing, get out of the lane! Some people's kids!

[ 10-17-2003, 11:18 AM: Message edited by: The Overfishin Condition ]

big fishy · 10-17-2003, 12:06 PM

Just cheked my Idaho regs, season opened for them (Californians)5 Oct. Your only allowed two and they must be covered while in transit.

Please check your regs more closly!!

id. painter · 10-17-2003, 12:11 PM

Thanks for the humor Big fishy .. Good one. id. painter

Mello-Yello · 10-17-2003, 12:28 PM

I don't know that I'd waste a tag on a Californian. They aren't very tasty (similar to a granola bar...nuts, fruits and flakes). I have seen a few I'd like to mount though. hmmm, that doesn't sound right.... :shocked:

tailchaser · 10-17-2003, 12:34 PM

Baiting is illegal but shooting from roads and vehicles is highly advised! No problem M-Y, I know Pamela Anderson knows what you mean.

tc

[ 10-17-2003, 01:35 PM: Message edited by: tailchaser ]

Norm · 10-17-2003, 12:56 PM

A Texan, a Californian, and a Oregonian were out in the woods hunting. By the campfire after dark, the Texan opened up a bottle of Yukon Jack, took a
swig, threw the bottle into the air, pulled out a double-barreled shotgun, and blew the bottle to pieces. The Oregonian looked at him and said, "Why didn't you finish it?" The Texan drawled, "It's okay, we've got plenty of Yukon Jack where I come from."

The Californian then pulled out a bottle of Cabernet, took a sip, then threw the bottle into the air, pulled out a small Derringer, and shot the bottle. He then looked around and said, "It's okay, we've got lots of wine in California."

The Oregonian then pulled out a micro-brewery ale, drank it all down, tossed the empty bottle into the air, pulled out a .38 special, shot the Californian, and caught the bottle. He then looked over at the Texan and said, "It's okay. We've got plenty of Californians in Oregon, but I have to recycle the bottle."

[ 10-17-2003, 01:58 PM: Message edited by: Norm ]

DAB · 10-17-2003, 04:29 PM

Norm.

DAB

10-17-2003, 11:53 PM

Quote:

There was a rig from California

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">This could be part of their problem.
Not all Californians are DH's but many are.

I too drive faster than I should on the gravel roads that I learned to drive on. If for any reason I am driving slow I pull over and let others by. It usualy only takes a few minutes for the dust to settle and it's no big deal.

Mr. Fisherman · 10-19-2003, 04:06 AM

Well Id... The ONLY thing to do in that case (as you should well know as you are from Idaho) is to give them the ol' one finger Idaho Howdy on the way by

.

Seriously, I have a little something I'll send you when I get home that I think you will really enjoy. It is talor made for just this type of situation.

Can't wait to see ya at the meeting next month.

Birdnest · 10-19-2003, 07:24 AM

Humans sure are funny. There can be two of us, out in the middle of no where, with guns, and still not have enough room to drive.

Not worth my safety to try and pass somebody on a dirt road that is not willing let you pass. I agree with Keta on this one. Pull over, have a little lunch, let the dog roam around, water the lawn, whatever, then go on your happy way.

Joe

id. painter · 10-22-2003, 09:24 AM

Fun comments everyone ,thanks.
Mounting Californians,, humm ,as long as you stuff them frist.
And good one about the recycling.. Hi ho.
Bird nest , you are right . Nothing is worth getting your family hurt over. I actually was in shock when I realized he wasnt going to help me pass ,as I tried to pass ,and was already half way around him. Yes, I will pull over next time and let the pooch run for a minute.
I kind of expected a descent reaction (like pull over for one second ) so as to let the other guy pass. Oh well, no harm done and I learned a little lesson about the Calf. hunter/ driver , thing. id. painter

Gus Orviston · 10-22-2003, 06:08 PM

I think the guy could definitley be more courteous. However, after dogging him and realizing he was going to keep me in the dust, I would have backed way off so my air cleaner wouldn't get plugged up. 35 mintues behind him, you must be in need of a air cleaner replacement.

Also, with a kid in my car I would err on the side of role modeling patients. Not my #1 trait, and kids need good examples. Have fun and don't make a great day a bad one because of somebody else. I think that parable is repeated on this site over and over again.

gus