Albert de Dion on a De Dion Bouton (via Wikipedia)It's that time of the year again - the first Sunday in November, hundreds of thousands of old car guys hobble over to London to ogle old cars at the London to Brighton Run. I read up a little bit on the race and found the following info at the LBVCR website:
"The annual event ... commemorates the Emancipation Run of 14 November 1896 which celebrated the passing into law of the Locomotives on the Highway Act, which raised the speed limit for `light locomotives' from 4 mph to 14 mph and abolished the requirement for these vehicles to be preceded by a man on foot."
I like the idea of a man standing in front of my car at all times watching out for pedestrians and stuff. Also, I hate this idea. Did he get to carry an umbrella if it was raining? It rains a lot in England. And if there was nobody on the street, could he get in the car and just get out when there were people around?
14 mph may not seem fast in a regular car with windshields and airbags, but keep in mind this guy is basically sitting on a wooden lawnmower. I am scared for his safety and he isn't even moving.
Good luck out there, riders. Smell the foggy air and hang on tight around those curves.
I like the idea of a man standing in front of my car at all times watching out for pedestrians and stuff. Also, I hate this idea. Did he get to carry an umbrella if it was raining? It rains a lot in England. And if there was nobody on the street, could he get in the car and just get out when there were people around?
14 mph may not seem fast in a regular car with windshields and airbags, but keep in mind this guy is basically sitting on a wooden lawnmower. I am scared for his safety and he isn't even moving.
Good luck out there, riders. Smell the foggy air and hang on tight around those curves.
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