Driving in the snow

[Bicycle]

Buy a 2CV - the ultimate snowmobile!

quote]

Absolutely. I haven't driven one for 18 years, but drove little else for over a decade.

Quite the opposite of anything now available: Large diameter wheels with narrow, 100%-profile tyres and lovely, smooth delivery of not much power. Coupled to low weight, light controls and generous suspension travel, there was little that could touch it in the snow.

It was also the tops on desert sand - for many of the same reasons.

Another good one in winter conditions was the Lada Niva. OK, it had 4wd, but on ice and snow it was way more useable than a Defender, Freelander, Disco, Land Cruiser or similar. It may have been the only thoroughly good car to come out of the USSR.

 

[Linford]

The Russians are masters of the 4wd vehicles due to their crap road network. The Niva is a very good vehicle. The best I've come across though was a modified Vitara (lifted, bigger tyres)

Ewan McGregor said as much on his original 'long way round' series when passing though Siberia.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

A very good point - I think we can all be far to quick to stand in judgment of the actions of others. If not reckless actions actually endangering lives or property, then is there really that good a reason to stick ones oar in !

if you had been out with me y'day on the mtb I think you would share my view on endangering lives or property....

Peugeot estate coming backwards downhill with no reversing lights. Took me a few seconds to figure out what was wrong. He was driving up the hill but coming down. I took to the verge. He wanted to take his dog for a walk in the snow and thought a local 20%-er would be a good starting point.

Quashqai propped up against a tree with a bent front end and mtb in the back. Driver on mobile calling AA.Was driving two miles to go mtb'ing. Why not just ride the two miles?

Idiot driver in Rover who pulled out of layby in town without looking/indicating, to sit blocking the lane in full wheelspin mode only to kangaroo across the road into the far lane when she got grip, to then fishtail along the road on the wrong side. Nearly took me out, 4x4 overtaking me (badly judged) pulled an emergency stop. Car coming other way skidded to a halt when confronted with fishtailing car on wrong side of road. She drove 400m to the local coop.

But perhaps my fave was the family walking their two lovely dogs, the Dad of whom said "Don't suppose you've got a GPS on your bike as we are a bit lost" to which I could only say "yeah I have, but I'm a bit lost too, and am going to have to do a spot of trespassing to get back to the road!"

Three tank drivers with the merest slot in the windscreen. OK, maybe the journey was essential but then isn't clearing the 'screens too?

 

[I like Skol]

It's 4x4 day today, where everyone with a ridiculously oversized 4x4 gets to justify (in their own tiny mind) their vehicle for the next 364 days because of a bit of snow for 1 day.

you have a 4x4 that makes you a baby eater , according to some on here.
my XJ (Cherokee) was one of the best cars i have had for the snow.

Here's my mighty fine XJ

Very capable 4x4 but only owned as a weekend toy for competition and leisure. To be honest I am on the verge of selling up and getting out of 4x4ing as I haven't been very active for around 18 months now (done a lot more cycling instead ). Of course, Mrs Skol commented yesterday that maybe we should keep a 4x4 because of the snow and I replied no, not really as I can get around just fine in the Passat we also own.

 

[Linford]

if you had been out with me y'day on the mtb I think you would share my view on endangering lives or property....

Peugeot estate coming backwards downhill with no reversing lights. Took me a few seconds to figure out what was wrong. He was driving up the hill but coming down. I took to the verge. He wanted to take his dog for a walk in the snow and thought a local 20%-er would be a good starting point.

Quashqai propped up against a tree with a bent front end and mtb in the back. Driver on mobile calling AA.Was driving two miles to go mtb'ing. Why not just ride the two miles?

Idiot driver in Rover who pulled out of layby in town without looking/indicating, to sit blocking the lane in full wheelspin mode only to kangaroo across the road into the far lane when she got grip, to then fishtail along the road on the wrong side. Nearly took me out, 4x4 overtaking me (badly judged) pulled an emergency stop. Car coming other way skidded to a halt when confronted with fishtailing car on wrong side of road. She drove 400m to the local coop.

But perhaps my fave was the family walking their two lovely dogs, the Dad of whom said "Don't suppose you've got a GPS on your bike as we are a bit lost" to which I could only say "yeah I have, but I'm a bit lost too, and am going to have to do a spot of trespassing to get back to the road!"

Three tank drivers with the merest slot in the windscreen. OK, maybe the journey was essential but then isn't clearing the 'screens too?

I would agree that there are idiots on the roads who are taking stupid risks with little control, but it is unfair to tar all with the same brush. On the top of the hill on Saturday, there was snow drifting to knee level, but next to that was bare dry tarmac in places. You would struggle to get a regular car through that as the front valance would be ploughing a furrow I would avoid these area's and driving in general in my regular runaround town FWD car with snow on the ground as it is just rubbish by comparison.

 

[subaqua]

Here's my mighty fine XJ

Very capable 4x4 but only owned as a weekend toy for competition and leisure. To be honest I am on the verge of selling up and getting out of 4x4ing as I haven't been very active for around 18 months now (done a lot more cycling instead ). Of course, Mrs Skol commented yesterday that maybe we should keep a 4x4 because of the snow and I replied no, not really as I can get around just fine in the Passat we also own.

its no good , "they" will only vilify you for polluting the atmosphere in search of fun. took all mine properly off road for multiple reasons . the cherokee was great for the ramp and the access "road" at Dorothea Quarry when i used to dive there. never left it parked on it though !! the commander in stock condition and standard Mud & Snow tyres was better than some tricked up wranglers. ther guys at Jeepclub didn't beleive it was standard. what i miss is the winch on the XJ. great for pulling bimmers back onto the road

 

[Linford]

A 4x4 in a hole? Best place for em

Come over to the dard side o Padowan, your 4x4 beckons....

 

[threebikesmcginty]

"It's in the hole"

"Is that the big bit missing in the road?"

"Yeah"

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I would agree that there are idiots on the roads who are taking stupid risks with little control, but it is unfair to tar all with the same brush. On the top of the hill on Saturday, there was snow drifting to knee level, but next to that was bare dry tarmac in places. You would struggle to get a regular car through that as the front valance would be ploughing a furrow I would avoid these area's and driving in general in my regular runaround town FWD car with snow on the ground as it is just rubbish by comparison.

no bare dry tarmac anywhere much north of the downs in sussex y'day. no drifting though.

 

[Linford]

Ironically, the only good place for a 4x4 is on the motorway, the visibility they give are great. Although, if we all had one, there'd be an arms race for the tallest vehicle possible. Where would it end?

These things keep me awake at night.

I think though that If we used cars purely for utility purposes rather than driving pleasure, then a regular car like a beemer or a big merc would be obsolete. 4x4 based vehicles would take over the roads as they will always deliver that quality of utility even if they aren't that comfortable or quick (or as frugal). It could be argued that by outlawing regular cars and forcing everybody to drive wankpanzers, that care use as a whole might drop as people would only want to use them when the utility value was required. Are you convinced yet Smeggers ?

 

[GrasB]

Ironically, the only good place for a 4x4 is on the motorway, the visibility they give are great. Although, if we all had one, there'd be an arms race for the tallest vehicle possible. Where would it end?

These things keep me awake at night.

More they give the impression of better visibility. The reality is that if you have decent observation skills the information available to the driver is almost exactly the same.

 

[Linford]

By utility you mean transporting disabled (as they clearly seem to have lost the ability to walk) horses from one muddy field, to another?

Funny you say that as It has been pressed into service on more occasions than I really like to see over the last 6 months with trips to the vets (call out charges at £75 make ownership of these wankpanzers a good money saving item)
The problem now for me is that whereas I used to keep it insured all year around, but SORN'd in the summer when I rode the bike, or have a few months laid up here and there when it wasn't being used, the new continuous VED laws make it more difficult to do this. It is effectively a second car and the annual mileage is reflected in this (30k miles in 9 years of ownership).

 

[GrasB]

You can see through the car in front?? Jeez, impressive.

Oddly enough I can read what a car is doing 4 or 5 cars in front in my Exige & you know what I typically can't do better when driving a LR Defender

 

[I like Skol]

You can see through the car in front?? Jeez, impressive.

Yes, of course! Most of them have windows and you can see when the car in front of the car in front applies his brakes.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

Well I had the usual fun with the Beemer last night when I collected it from a friend's drive.
I confirm it's the most hopeless lump of hardware to have on snow/ice (even the Astra Coupe Turbo was better). I'd consider snow chains just to get on/off my estate - just not had the urgency yet.

I just recognise the shortcomings and use a few brain cells that so many 'big brand' drivers these days obviously lack. If it's too bad it stays at home. I bought it for the other 363 days a year.

The highlight of my weekend was sitting on a great big coach that easily sauntered up a snow covered driveway that 3 cars had just taken 20 minutes to hopelessly struggle up.