I went on some mildly curvy roads here in central missouri (highway U, from sedalia to cole camp, for those who know it.) I did some some highway riding at 65-70 mph (Highway 65 back to sedalia.) I revisited some narrow, curvy backroads (forest park rd, south grand, and the back way around maplewood but i forget the road that hooks to mcvey.) There was plenty of pre-fair city traffic at "rush hour." I made sure i got some of that too, just to release my inner hooligan a little
.And I went to otterville to check out the Lamine conservation area primitive camping rules...which, of course were not posted at all. But it was a great excuse to ride some more.
Conclusion: I am not the me I used to be. I found myself trundling along at the speed limit (mostly), not testing any limits on the curves (but it seems like the yellow signs are still all about 20 mph too slow, as a minimum...seriously 20-25 over those seemed like the bike was nearly standing up straight)... i found myself using the ridiculous torque of the machine mostly as a traffic flow aid, not an adrenaline rush (right).
The wind in my old helmet, completely blocking the sound of the motor at cruise, reminds me of why i like it. Plenty of times I looked down and realized i had no real idea what my speed was. Most of the time, it was as above...right on the speed limit or a little over. Am i really getting that old?
Okay, confession time. There's a LOT of pavement in a road. I guess I am not admitting how silly i may look weaving to and fro when i think nobody is looking. Oops, better swerve to miss that dead raccoon. Wow, there's another board lying in the road, HEY! What's all this imaginary debris, and why doesn't anybody else see it?
AM I the only one seeing the orange cones on both sides of the middle of this lane?
You get the picture.
In Pettis county, obeying the speed limit can be exciting too...especially when you crest a hill on a curve and there's a John Deer slowly moving on the road RIGHT NOW. Thank you six piston front calipers (x 2) and aftermarket rear disc.
Eventually I stop into the shop to get a new clear visor so i can ride at night when the days shrink and work overlaps day and night. I find out my helmet is too old and visors aren't available. So now i have a new helmet with a clear visor and built in sunglasses! lol...technology. Oh and a new cargo net to haul my old sad helmet home in...It will still see some more daytime miles, I think...this new one is awefully nice.
SO, 117 miles and 2.5 gallons of gas later, my first joyride is complete and my carb sync clearly paid off from the quick math. She was only getting 35 mpg before the sync.
As joyrides go, it was indeed, mostly joyful...but i will leave out the guy in the red pickup.