Hitch hiking - who still does it, did it and/or picks up other hitchers?

I have not hitch hiked since I travelled around the USA and got into a cab with my 2 friends and they guy who picked us up pulled out a 12" blade and held it across our throats ...

 

I used to hitch a lot, even to Paris and often to buy cars (with cash on board!). Not done it for ages now I'm old, but wouldn't hesitate to start walkng and put out my thumb if stuck. I never stood still unless motorway hitching, always walking as well as hitching and for local trips that often just meant walking the 4 or 5 miles to town. Always (space permitting) pick up hitchers too, although you don't see many about these days. Met some interesting people too - as a hitcher and giving people a ride.

 

Used to hitch, don't really need to anymore.

Best tool in the box was always a tacho disc, wave that about and it was always a passport to a lift

its all digital tachos now, so what's the replacement for the hitcher I wonder?

 

What's a tacho disc?

 

I always stop for hitch hikers. So long as she's fit.

 

I used to hitch all over the country in the 80s - Leeds/Swansea and Leeds/London were my main routes. I always said I would pick up hitchers to repay the favour but I just never see any these days. The start of the M1 at Brent Cross would often have 30 to 40 hitchers back in the day, none now.

 

I havnt seen one for years either, sign of the times. I only ever did it in an emergency or if missed bus or couldnt get a taxi when i was younger but now with more reliable means of transport : dont need my thumb anymore.Anyway you never know who might pick you up these days

 

Nobody seems to do it any more - maybe they've all got cars. Used to be my main form of transport, down to the south of France and back. Happy days .

 

Thumbed a lift back to the campsite in Aberdaron after walking for miles ,turned out it was only about 200 yards away round the next corner :
Felt gutted I hadent done the whole walk

 

I have never done it but do pick up but manly as PT says trade plate guys.
Did see a couple of fit birds about three yrs back trying to hitch at the M3/M25 J but they were in the wrong place for me to stop.

 

I had a drunk climb in to my van one day when i stopped at some lights in wembley high rd . As paley said brent cross at the bottom of the M1 used to be loads there but because there were so many they would string out along the hard shoulder for perhaps half a mile and the old bill would herd them back to the roundabout .

 

I have picked up 2 or 3 in the last year, never done it myself but I don't mind giving someone a lift! I do tend to only stop for those I manage to see in time that don't look too mental!

 

usually yeah , in camper if dudes look up together , stopped for one guy south of Hayling isl. who proceeded to retreive an astounding amount of personal belongings from adjacent hedge? !!ffs! trucking ?used too, but more and more i was getting asked to pull off motorway so"s to drop nearer ? their home ! one guy wanted taken to his door(in a blinkin " class one truck ! > sometimes i almost loose my faith in human nature ! >> always stop for "platers thou")rules of the road innit.