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More Monday morning observations (from Dallas):
46 degrees is a perfect temperature for 5:00am January 12. The stiff south breeze makes it feel warmer than it really is, and introduces that very clean, balmy, just rained smell to the world.
Southbound US 75, just south of the "High 5" construction (I-635, US 75) the left lane of US 75 runs on the shoulder for the construction. Striped and everything...the only problem is that there is a utility access hatch just left of center in the lane (almost in the left tire track) and the cover is missing. This hole is over a foot wide and probably 2 to 2-½ feet long! Too deep to see the bottom...Hit that at 80+ and you may go airborne (probably NOT a good thing on a Valk)! In the dark, the construction, the traffic, I cleared it by at least ¼ of an inch. Phew!
Once again, the loop-2-loop exit ramp from RL Thorton (spur something or other that connects US 75/I45 to I-35) is covered with diesel fuel. Trucks or busses using this ramp with no gas cap, splatter the entire outside of the curve with diesel. This is old, shiny smooth concrete anyway...the term "ice skating" comes to mind. So does the term "*!^$%!#&#^!". An example of that used in a sentence is: "!@#$%^ @#$$ @#@$$#@^& and oh !^$%!#&#^! this #$@#$ bites #@$^!" GHAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Valkyries hold the road better under extreme circumstances if you howl (or growl) during the maneuver. This is a corollary to the "scream and leap" principle.
The adrenaline rush achieved when entering a loop-2-loop ramp at fairly high speed only to discover it is covered in diesel is a bit more than really needed at 5:00am on a Monday. No wonder I don't need drugs!
When you enter a 20mph loop-2-loop ramp at 35mph, discover it is covered with diesel fuel, brake as hard as you dare, and move hard inside to get out of the fuel before you hit the sharpest part of the corner, watch out for the guys behind you.
When a moron in an SUV decides to pass you at 30 mph on the outside of a diesel soaked corner of a one lane loop-2-loop exit ramp, he's not gonna make it.
The old NASCAR adage of aiming for the wreck, figuring it won't be there when you get there, works pretty well.
The only way to clean the diesel off the tires and the adrenaline out of the system after just such an incident is at least 100 miles of high-speed freeway riding. An unplanned breakfast in Cleburne is highly recommended.
When the boss asks why you went to Cleburne (at least 50 miles past my exit for work) and you tell him, "Traffic sucked", he won't buy it. "My dog ate my homework" did not work either. He seemed to accept the "Gas is cheaper there" excuse. (it's not). That's good...I was going to use the "scream and leap" principle next...
Ride safe guys and gals...I'll see you on the road!
46 degrees is a perfect temperature for 5:00am January 12. The stiff south breeze makes it feel warmer than it really is, and introduces that very clean, balmy, just rained smell to the world.
Southbound US 75, just south of the "High 5" construction (I-635, US 75) the left lane of US 75 runs on the shoulder for the construction. Striped and everything...the only problem is that there is a utility access hatch just left of center in the lane (almost in the left tire track) and the cover is missing. This hole is over a foot wide and probably 2 to 2-½ feet long! Too deep to see the bottom...Hit that at 80+ and you may go airborne (probably NOT a good thing on a Valk)! In the dark, the construction, the traffic, I cleared it by at least ¼ of an inch. Phew!
Once again, the loop-2-loop exit ramp from RL Thorton (spur something or other that connects US 75/I45 to I-35) is covered with diesel fuel. Trucks or busses using this ramp with no gas cap, splatter the entire outside of the curve with diesel. This is old, shiny smooth concrete anyway...the term "ice skating" comes to mind. So does the term "*!^$%!#&#^!". An example of that used in a sentence is: "!@#$%^ @#$$ @#@$$#@^& and oh !^$%!#&#^! this #$@#$ bites #@$^!" GHAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Valkyries hold the road better under extreme circumstances if you howl (or growl) during the maneuver. This is a corollary to the "scream and leap" principle.
The adrenaline rush achieved when entering a loop-2-loop ramp at fairly high speed only to discover it is covered in diesel is a bit more than really needed at 5:00am on a Monday. No wonder I don't need drugs!
When you enter a 20mph loop-2-loop ramp at 35mph, discover it is covered with diesel fuel, brake as hard as you dare, and move hard inside to get out of the fuel before you hit the sharpest part of the corner, watch out for the guys behind you.
When a moron in an SUV decides to pass you at 30 mph on the outside of a diesel soaked corner of a one lane loop-2-loop exit ramp, he's not gonna make it.
The old NASCAR adage of aiming for the wreck, figuring it won't be there when you get there, works pretty well.
The only way to clean the diesel off the tires and the adrenaline out of the system after just such an incident is at least 100 miles of high-speed freeway riding. An unplanned breakfast in Cleburne is highly recommended.
When the boss asks why you went to Cleburne (at least 50 miles past my exit for work) and you tell him, "Traffic sucked", he won't buy it. "My dog ate my homework" did not work either. He seemed to accept the "Gas is cheaper there" excuse. (it's not). That's good...I was going to use the "scream and leap" principle next...
Ride safe guys and gals...I'll see you on the road!
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