Yeah, that what I was thinking. I can take 3 cars or so without too much trouble, but when theres a train of 6/7/8 cars thats when it becomes tricky, without a huge long clear straight. 

I think we have discussed it well enough by now Matt and the main thing as ever is 'common sense'.  As long as you are aware of what is going on and what can change they it is the same as every other part of your riding.  Ride with your own safety uppermost in your mind and never get lulled into a false sense of security and you should be OK.

I posted this a while ago in Briski Bikers Come Forward Thread I think. It's not an example of how to do it, just how I would generally on this type of road with other junctions, bends ahead and traffic moving at between 35 and 40mph. No big speed needed or involved, but progress being made. Due to junctions and entrances to the main road I need to have a good view of them and speed is kept low with no particular rush to pass the volume of traffic involved. I like to have as many options available as possible and always have an abort plan in my head. The drivers also have less chance of being surprised if I am not coming out of nowhere at speed slicing up the middle past them and remain aware of the possibility of another vehicle pulling out to overtake without looking sort of deal. 

 

 

Oh yea and I would say in the new ish rider sense, that there is no rush to pass things if you are questioning if it's safe or not in your head at the time then simply hold back until your 100% sure. Long lines of traffic do not necessarily have to be taken in a fashion that each one is to be considered an individual overtake with regard to the distance they have in front of each one. I think there should be an observed destination for any overtake to be completed in traffic which is actually moving in free flow (ie not stop start urban filtering). Before committing to an overtake there should be somewhere you are intending to end up and along the way some options in the event things change that you can return to safety. Should you end up coming back in earlier than intended between vehicles and at a point where you know you do not have a safe braking distance to the one in front, I would tend to while rolling off to attain this, ride in a position to the right of the lane to allow greater distance by way of an overshoot braking area. You never know if some absolute mental hater will have seen you coming and decide to brake check that bloody biker who has just cut in up their hole or even stop dead. 

Part of the test route in Scunthorpe was a very busy roundabout 

 

Is that the one with the car dealers and an old pub off it? Glebe Road Roundabout? 

Berkeley Circle it is known as but you've got it.  Absolute pig and the only way in a bus is pull out slowly but surely and make your problem somebody else's!  Not ideal but there really isn't an option.  It is part of a service route as well so will be done on a regular basis and I guess folk get used to it.