feets don't fail me now

[Pottree@domain.elided]

In a message dated 8/7/2002 11:28:41 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:


> Charlie says: "... very few people have the right size feet to heel-and-toe
> in an Alfa."
> 
> Charlie, are you suggesting that not only double declutching, but rev
> matching too is unnecessary?

Just mentioning that over the years I've heard a LOT of people complaining 
that the relative size, height, and/or separation of the pedals makes 
hell-and-toe work tough in most Alfa models... and this possibly also has to 
do with the size of the drivers' feet and/or footgear.

If you drive as Fred describes the revs are getting matched no matter what 
sandals you're wearing.  And, I think no matter what technique you're using, 
unless you're just jammin' it, you will have some way to get your revs within 
shifting proximity. 

Personally, I think that many of the techniques and "styles" people use when 
operating the car become habitual second-nature habits very soon, and before 
you know it they just happen without conscious thought.  This is not always a 
good thing, but there you go.

I recall when I was first learning to drive I had a terrible problem with the 
clutch, especially starting off from a stop at a light or stop sign:  I would 
depress the clutch and feeling around for the right degrees of relaxation to 
let it out, my leg would start to vibrate and shake almost beyond control -- 
didn't want to pop it out too fast, didn't want to let it out so that I was 
riding the clutch.  More than once I waited through two lights until I was 
able to get the car moving!  But, in a remarkable short time, I was driving 
around and not even aware of the steps needed to cross an intersection at 5 
mph.  Progress!

At the same time, it took an older me several months to stop my left foot 
from searching for the clutch on those days when I drove the new, 
first-time-ever automatic Spider!  

Charlie
LA, CA, USA  
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