Two Half Dragons

Friday morning I commuted to work on the Bullet as usual and stopped at the Most Expensive Gas Station in the Galaxy,  the Shell on the corner of Spring Mill and 30.  The reason for the stop was so that I could leave straight from the parking lot at noon and head out towards the Dragon without having to go home or stop somewhere for gas.  I wasn't sure that I could make it all the way out to Chadds Ford  before refueling and that is the most convenient station on this route.

At the station the Bullet had 4075.1 miles on the odo.  The tank took 2.182 gallons of premium at $3.999 a gallon for a total of $8.73.  Since the last refuel the Bullet had racked up 128.7 miles for a mileage of  58.98 mpg.

A little after noon I headed out Ithan with just a little oover 4075.1 miles on the odo.  I followed the Ithan loop to Sproul and took a left there to Roberts for the Right at Darby Paoli to Goshen.

From there I followed my regular loop out to the Dragon and stayed on that all the way until I entered Kennett Square.  I used the parking lot of the Gran Sasso, on the corner of 82 and Walnut as a turn around point and took the same route back.  The run in reverse was just as much fun but I did get lost on Mt. Cuba again.  This time I took the wrong fork and realized as soon as I had done so I did a quick turn around and got back on 82.

I think I have reached the limit of the envelope on this ride.  There are some curves the really scare the bejesus out of me but I am taking most of them as fast as I am going to do it.  The two way ride was really very enjoyable because it drops out the boring part of 926 but it is a little tiring.  Despite all that I think I will keep at it for most Friday afternoons from now on.

I got home at 14:38, figuring getting on the road about 12:15 that makes for a little under two and a half hours on the ride.  The odo read 4152.6 making this loop a little over 77 miles.  A good ride all in all, not mechanical problems, and no traffic problems.

On return

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The Dragon on the Bullet

3708.9 on departure

Friday being the second Father Peter's Friday of the season and not wanting to repeat the beating of riding out to Dixie I headed out to ride the Dragon as soon as I got home and got changed to get on the road.

I took the regular run up Goshen to Garrett Mills and across the West Chester Pike to 926.  On the way out, because it was Friday after lunch time, the traffic was fairly light and I had big stretches of the road to myself.  I hit the red at 926 and 322/202, there I noticed a sign on my side of the road that said "The English Car" with an Union Jack for a background but no other information.  I scanned the area as best I could but could not find any other clue as to what that was about.

I hit the turn at Creek Road and decided to stop at the Sunoco on Route 1 because, once again, I could not remember when I had fueled up last.  I was pretty sure that I could make the run all the way without a refuel and I was really enjoying the twists on Creek before Rt 1 but there's no profit in the risk of running out of gas, specially on a loop like this where there is no other fuel until you reach Kennett Square.

3728.9 at refuel

At the Sunoco, the odo read 3728.9 and the tank took 1.886 gallons at $3.099 per gallon for $5.84.  Since the last refuel I've put 115.4 miles on the odo for 61.18 mpg on this tank.

From there I continued the loop.  The twists are still as much fun as I remember and with the added boost from the Power Commander the Bullet handled them even better than I remember.  I don't push them or go kamikaze crazy like the youngsters on the sports bikes but I still enjoying pushing then envelop a little.

The run out to Kennett Square was mostly solitary with very light traffic, if any, on most of the road.  I don't believe I saw another bike going in the opposite direction on this portion of the run.  Once in Kennett Square I accomplished the impossible, I was able to get across State Street without having to stop for the light.

The traffic from there began to pick up and got to the heaviest in 926 right before 322/202 and out to 352.  From there it lightened up again all the way home.

A fantabulous (you can tell I'm listening to Van Morrison radio on Pandora) way to spend a Friday afternoon when one doesn't have to go work.  When my friend Phillip comes to visit in July, we are doing this run.

I got back home almost two and a half hours after departure with 3771.1 miles on the odo for 62.2 miles on this run.  That's a smidgen over a gallon of gas but well worth it at $3.09 for Ultra.  Much more enjoyable than the Century I pulled the Friday before.  Next Friday, if the Parcae allow, I plan on running out to Kennett Square and turning around there to reverse the route and catch both sides of the twists.  May it be their will.

Refueling at the Sunoco on Route 1

3771 at return for 62.2 miles on the run

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1920s Hottie

Found in a Chadds Ford antique shop

Saturday morning we took the MG out for a long spin.  We drove about a block down the road before we realized that we were severely under-dressed for the temps so we turned around and geared up.  Not much was needed just an extra layer and gloves.  However, before we got on the road again the parking brake had shot its button off and I had to hunt for it, find it, re-install it, and then we were ready.

We headed up Goshen to Garret Mills and across the Pike for 926 with the intent of doing the Dragon.  As noted before, the road surfaces have been greatly improved so the ride is a lot smoother.  Also, I took the advice of one of my friends from the TDr Forum and lowered the air pressure on the tires from 32 psi all around to 18 psi in front and 24 psi in back.  It is amazing how much just such a simple change has improved the handling and cornering of the little beastie.
On the way out 926 we saw a sign for Thornbury Farms off New Street so on the spur of the moment we took the left onto New St and followed the signs.  It's just a short jaunt to a right fork on to Thornbury Rd and soon after that the farm stand is on the right at the top of a steep dirt driveway.  They have the usual farm stand fare and in addition the have some really good chocolate chip cookies so it is definitely a place to visit from time to time.  They also have an old truck tricked out like Tow Mater and a pretty cool old red tractor.  I also noticed a sign that said the farm was established in 1709 so if that is true, it's pretty impressive.  We got some cookies and sourdough bread and headed back to 926.

Tow Mater

Once on 926 we saw an older red Ferrari and shortly after that a gold 1950s grocery-getter with huge fins.  I did not have time to identify the make of the grocery-getteras I just caught off the corner of my eye because he honked at us.  They were both headed in the opposite direction and soon after that we made the turn onto Creek Rd.  We thought we would stop at Hank's Place and get some lunch but when we pulled in the parking lot the line was out the door so we went with plan B.

Tower and reflections - will try again soon.

We continued on Creek Road out to Kirk and made the turn to link up with 82 and ride that into Kennett Square.  This is without a doubt the best part of this loop.  With the changed tire pressures, the MG handled the twists and hills like a champ.  I used to think sometimes in the tight turns it was like driving a brick but now it really grips the road and grabs the turns in a most satisfying manner.  I slowed down on Kirk for Charlene to take a shot of the tower there but she only had time to snap through the windshield and it did not turn out really well.  I guess that is just an opportunity for a redo.

Multiple sightings Ferrari

Once in Kennet Square we saw a newer red Ferrari which we saw twice more in town.  Once when we were parking on State Street and then later when it was parked on the same street.  We stopped at the Half Moon for lunch.  We had eaten there before and liked it enough to come back.  We had a wild game sampler with buffalo, elk, and venison, alligator gumbo, and a wild mushroom plate.  It was all delicious.  The gumbo wasn't really gumbo but it was good whatever it was.

After lunch we took a little walk in the downtown area and tried La Michoacana Mexican ice cream place.  Not so much.  The chocolate ice cream wasn't very chocolaty at all, it was mostly vanilla and if I wanted vanilla I would have ordered that.  Live and learn.

Once back on the road we took Route 1 north rather than continue to 926 because we want to stop at one of the antique places along the road.  We stopped at Brandywine Rive Antiques, the first place we came upon, we have been there before and they always have some interesting things besides it is in an old barn and I love old barns. It was there that we found the photo of the flapper, or as I like to call her the 1920s hottie.  We both thought she was too cute to pass up so we bought the photo and brought it home with us.  We are framing it and putting it up on our wall somewhere.

After that we continued on 1 north until we hit Creek Rd. and took that to 926.  At the turn onto Creek Road we were passed by a metallic light blue and white stripped 1960s 'Vette.  On 926 I saw a dark grey Bentley just before getting to 352.  We took 352 to the Wawa on the West Chester Pike for a refuel and frozen coffee.  By the time we got to the Wawa we had run 142.7 miles since the last refuel and the odo read 3693.  The tank took 5.532 gallons (taking care not to over-fill) at $3.319 a gallon for a total of $18.36.  Mileage on this tank was 25.79 mpg.

From the Wawa we just headed back down Strasburg/Goshen for the ride home.  No problems, no issues, except that the gas gauge has gone out again.  Maybe this has to do with the same circuit that the horn is on but it doesn't matter, I got the trip odometer and I can figure refuels on that.  Despite the earlier chill, the weather was great and since we were mostly on shady country lanes the sun did not create a big problem.  Much fun was had by all.

The exotic tally stands at 15 Ferraris, 13 Teslas, 9 Maseratis, 4 Bentleys, 3 Cobras, 2 McLarens,  2 Austin-Healeys, 2 Lambos, 2 Unknowns,1 Rolls Royce, and 1 DeLorean.

The classic car tally is now three Nash Metropolitans, three 1950s Jags, two 1960's 'Vettes, one MGA, one Hot Rod, one 1950s Chrysler, one 1950s Oldsmobile, one 1950's Plymouth, one Karmann Ghia, one 1950s grocery-getter, and one Ford Model A.

Tractor at Thronbury Farms

Half Moon Restaraurant

Wild game sampler

Sauteed mushroom plate

Random motorcycle store window display

Downtown Kennett Square

Downtown Kennett Square

3693 at refuel

 

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Easter Sunday MG 1/3 Dragon

Chadds Ford Histerical Society Building

After I got home from my short Bullet ride and Gizmo Test the weather was too good to waste so my wife and I went out for a spin on the MG.

Our plan was to head out towards Hank's Place on the corner of Creek Road (100) and Route 1, in Chadds Ford, and have a little Easter Brunch there.  we got rolling at about 13:30 and headed up Goshen towards Garret Mill Road.  At about the same place I saw the Nash Metropolitan earlier, I saw a Fiat Spyder with the top down barreling the other way.  It was nondescript grey/baby blue.

Just before we got to the intersection of Goshen and Grubbs Mill Road, we hit a pothole that sent the front passenger hub cab flying.  I pulled over to the side just past Grubbs Mill by the llama farm and went back to retrieve it.  The guy that lives in the old school house on the other side of the road got to it before I did and he brought it over.  I tried to put it back but the some of the metal ring that forms the attachment points had separated from the hubcap and I couldn't get it back in place.  A guy in a convertible actually slowed down to ask if we needed help but I told them no and were on our way with the broken hubcap sitting in the back.

The next mishap occurred shortly before getting to Garrett Mill Rd when a guy going hell for leather in a Bimmer crossed over the double yellows and came straight at us to avoid a pothole.  We managed to miss each other, for which I'm glad because if we hadn't I would have been dead now.  That blew my "wa" a little so I continued past Garret Mill Rd for the turn at Dutton Mill Rd and a change of plan.  Instead of going on to Hank's we decided to go to the West Chester Diner which was a good decision because it turned out that Hank's was closed for Easter Sunday.

As we were headed to the diner on the West Chester Pike, a group of guys on Harleys pulled up next to us at a light and were asking all about the car.  I could have stayed on Goshen/Stasburg as the diner is past where Starsburg runs onto the Pike.  The food at the diner was good but nothing especial.

After brunch, we headed back down the Pike to 352 and 926 to get to Creek Road and the beginning of the Dragon.  Somewhere on 926, probably near Crebilly Farm, we saw a black 1940s American Sedan.  I think it was a Plymouth but I can swear to that.  What a gorgeous car!

My wife, waving like Brenda.

We stopped at the Chadds Ford Historical Society building for a couple of shots and continued  across Route 1 to the gas station to fill up.   I had put 100 miles on since the last tank and although I felt I did not need the gas it would be safer to have it.  The tank is still leaking from the top of the fill spout so that needs to be addressed.  While filling up, another Model A passed northbound on 1 and honk at us.  I was slow on the uptake and did not honk back.

Continued on 100 until we reached Kirk Road which is about one third on the way on the loop.  We took a left on Kirk to check out Montchanin Village which turnout to be much of nothing.  After that we headed back the way we came.

The twists and turns on this portion of the loop are great and it was much fun to push the MG a little.  However, the gas spillage from the top of the spout was really happening and the smell was making me nauseous.   Despite all that, it was a great run an much fun.

When we reached the Pike on 926 there was a guy on a Harley in front of us with his young daughter or granddaughter on the pillion.  She turn around to look and us and he did as well.  I gave him the thumbs up and he returned it.  We followed them down Garret Mill to Goshen and just past Providence, where they turned around.  We gave each other the wave as we crossed paths.  The really seemed to be enjoying their ride, especially the little girl who get spreading her arms out as if she were flying.  My wife and I enjoyed her delight in her ride almost as much as she seemed to.

We followed Goshen home and got back at around 15:30.  What a great way to spend an Easter Sunday afternoon.

The classic car tally is now two Ford Model As, one MGA, one 1950s Jag, one Nash Metropolitan, and one 1940s American Sedan.

I've ordered a set of replacement hubcaps from MG Magic which I hope will be here soon.  For a second I thought about the real wire wheels but at $800 plus whatever the adapters would cost I think I can pass on them for now.

Chadds Ford Histerical Society

Chadds Ford Histerical Society

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Montse to New Castle

Montse in the morning

 This was our first long ride on Montse and she behaved admirably well.  Not perfectly, but admirably well.  We started out with a run up Goshen/Strasburg to gas up at the Wawa on 352 and 3.  From there we headed up 352 to an antique shop on 352 just past Gradyville.

After that stop we went back ton 352 to 926 and out towards Delaware.  At the corner of 352 and 926 we pulled up next to a red MGA with a couple doing the same thing we were, riding around and burning gas.

We followed 926 for the left at 100 to get on the Chester County Dragon.  The Dragon in challenging on a bike and equally as challenging in this little roadster.  However, Montse handled the portion that we took, up to the intersection of 52 with aplomb.  We followed 52 to 2, which runs across northwestern Wilmington and out to 141, the down to 273 into New Castle via Delaware Street.

In New Castle

We stopped in downtown New Castle and spent a little time at the Art Fair they had in Battery Park.  On the return trip we took 141 north and stayed on that until we hit 52.  On that leg of the trip we saw a red Ferrari and we past a car show on 52 near the PA border.  Once on 52 we took a right on 82 to take the Dragon back in reverse order.  Shortly after the intersection of 100 and 92 there was a single vehicle accident in which a SUV had run off the road into a telephone pole.  By the time we drove by there were only two state troopers on the scene and a utility truck on its way in front of us.  The road conditions were clean and clear and the only reason I can think of someone going of the road was taking the curves just a little too fast.  Might not be the Big Dragon, but it is enough.

We stopped at Hank's on Route 1 and 100 for lunch but the place was packed so we continued on.  We stopped again at a place on 202 and 926 but the menu did not look good so we went on again.  While stopped at the parking lot, the horn went off and stayed on for no particular reason.  I fiddled with the fuses and figured out that it was the same fuse that had given me trouble on Friday night, turning off all my lights.  Not being able to do anything about the horn, I disconnected one of the wires and will have to figure out what the issue is at a later time.

From there we continued on 926 where I picked up an orange Lambo that followed us all the way to the intersection of 3.  We cut across 3 to Garrets Mill, Goshen, and then home.  I didn't get the total mileage but it was a good long trip and other than the horn issue everything went well with the car.  We got lots of attention from other folks on the road, specially motorcyclist.  It was an almost perfect ride and a lot of fun.  I know we won't be able to have another long ride next Saturday, but maybe we still have a couple of more runs before the weather turns bad.

The exotic car tally now stands at 5 Ferraris, 2 Lambos, 2 Maseratis, 1 unkwon, 1 Cobra, 1 Bentley, 1 DeLorean, 1 Tesla, and 1 MGA.

Grille

Purple!!!!

Mileage at the gas station.  2314 total, 70.5 since pick up at Gene's

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Third Run at the Dragon

Great ride on the Dragon Yesterday.  Early afternoon with another beautiful day of great weather and very light traffic.  Now that the break-in restrictions are lifted, the Bullet is being pushed to higher speeds and maintaining that pace with no problems.  It is still not a fast mover but it is more fun to keep up speeds above 60 mph when conditions allow it. It's nice to hit full throttle!

The Dragon continues to bring challenges and fun.  This time I tried the original direction again which I find to be more fun because the twisties come earlier.  The portion on 82 after crossing 52 and before getting to Kennett Square is challenging in any direction and I still need more skill before feeling I have mastered it.  However, it's getting better, smoother, and faster.

"Roman" Bridge over the Brandywine

Still trying for a shot of the "Roman" bridge over the Brandywine in Delaware but without a place to stop or park the Bullet the best I could do is find a spot an pull over on the grass for this shot.  Not the best perspective but it's better than nothing.

 On the outbound leg on 926 before crossing 202 caught sight of a red Cobra in the incoming lane.  The exotic car tally stands at 2 Ferraris, 1 Lambo, 1 Maserati, 1 unknown, and 1 Cobra

On leaving the house at 12:50 the odo read 1643 miles.  On return at 14:45 the odo clocked 1705.8 miles.

Route: Goshen to Garret Mills across West Chester Pike to 926 out to 100.  The loop of 100 to 82 to 926. Return on 926 to Garret Mills and Goshen

On departure at 12:50 - 1643 miles

On return at 14:45 - 1705.8 miles

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The Dragon Again...

Garrett Snuff Mill building in Yorklin, Delaware

... but this time from the opposite direction.  Instead of going at the Chester County Dragon from east to west Thursday's run flowed in the opposite direction.  From this angle the twisties don't come as early because you hit 926 first which is pretty straight and fairly flat.  However, once you clear Kennett Square on 82 the twists and turns come pretty fast and furious.  I'm not sure which direction I like best yet so more rides will have to be made in both directions before making a final decision.

The weather definitely cooperated for this kind of ride.  It has been a fairly mild summer with not much oppressive heat and humidity to be had and yesterday was not exception.  For a mid-morning ride in late July it was fairly cool and very clear.  The ride went off without incidents but I did get lost a couple of times.  The first time was on Mt. Cuba, east of Yorklin on Creek Road (82), where Mt. Cuba Rd splits off to the right from 82.  I barely caught the sign out of the corner of my eye and took the fork to the left.  This was the right decision but I wasn't sure so I turned around to retrace my steps.  There is not much room to turn around on that road so I had retrace quite a bit to find a drive way.  Once I got back to the fork, and slowed enough to catch the sign, I was on my way again.  A little later I missed the left turn at 100 and Adams Rd because I had forgotten that 100 makes a dogleg turn there and to continue ahead means transferring to 92.  Soon enough the road T'd out on a four lane divided road that I did not recognized so I pull a U turned and retraced to the intersection at 100, which in this direction is clearly marked.

I did make a stop in Yorklin, Delaware, by an abandoned industrial area to take some shots of the Bullet.  These abandoned buildings turned out to be the ruins of the Garrett Snuff Mills complex which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Next time I pull in this area I plan to take some time to photograph the buildings because there are some interesting ruins there.

Although I had gassed up the day before at the Shell on 30, by work, because the tank had almost run dry, I still stopped at the Sunoco on the intersection of Rt 1 and 100.  The day before, the odo had read 1437.2 at the gas station and the tank took 3.05 gallons to fill for a mileage of 66.8 mpg.  At the Sunoco, the odo read 1492.8 and the tank only took .77 gallons.  This time the mileage was 72.2 mpg confirming my suspicion that the start and stop of commuting does affect the mileage results.

On the way back I made a detour on Providence Rd to check on a storage unit and on the way out of the parking lot the Bullet cut out completely.  I was able to coast into a drive way, kill all the switches, get off the bike, kick the kickstand, and it started right up again.  I don't think it was operator failure, the bike just completely cut out.  It might have been that stupid kickstand switch but I don't know.  The break-in period is officially over and I have an appointment for the 1500 mile maintenance for next Thursday.  We'll see what they say.

At the end of the run the odo read 1515.5.  Break-in period over but I will keep with break-in restrictions until after maintenance next Thursday. 

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The Chester County Dragon

Creek Rd. before Chadds Ford

The Dragon is done!  This is the continuation and conclusion of last Friday's ride which had to be aborted mid range because I waited to long to get on the road.  Today, taking advantage of Father Peter's Friday policies, I headed out as soon as I got home from work at about 12:35.

The ride began on the Goshen Loop but instead of turning at Providence or Delchester, I continued on to Garret Mill Rd avoiding the Pike completely.  Goshen is very torn up before the 252 intersection with a very uneven pavement.  The road work goes on beyond 252 for about 500 miles and it looks like the are widening that area of the road to allow for traffic from the new subdivision on 252 and Goshen.

Shortly after crossing Goshen I saw an old M-151, World War II style Jeep, with desert paint, top and windshield down going in the opposite direction.  Not an exotic but very cool none the less.

The run up 926 past the Pike was very smooth and clear.  I caught the red at the intersection with 202 and while waiting for the change, a guy in the left turn lane rolled down his window to ask me about the Bullet.  He knew what it was and that it was one of the new ones but he was very excited to talk about it.  I still enjoy those moments when someone asks.

Once on Creek Rd the twists and turns began in earnest.  The first part, out to Smiths Bridge Rd in Delaware was a lot of fun because, knowing what to expect from last Friday's run, I was able to push a little more.  After that part it continues to be a tremendously fun ride, specially after Kirk Rd turns into 82 and all the way up on that until Kennett Square.  Lots of twists, hill, great scenery, and great riding.  82 makes a hard left right after Hoopes Reservoir that is not marked and I almost missed that but was able to save it at the last second without getting lost.

On 926, before getting to 52, there is a nice flat stretch where I gave it a go and got going at 70 mph.  Still in the break-in so I didn't push beyond that.  That part of the ride is flatter but it picks up again after 52 for another fun part.

Crossing the pike at 926, I noticed a white exotic (addendum: I now think this was a McLaren) on the left turn lane to Garret Mill.  Could not tell what it was and I pulled into a drive way by the red barn to see if I could catch a picture of it.  Unfortunately, it blew by before I could get the camera ready.  Instead, got a nice shot of the barn and the farm where I stopped.  After that I just followed the reversed Goshen loop back home.

The Red Barn

Turtle Rock Farm

The Bullet

Turtle Rock Farm

While I am sure the Chester County Dragon pales in comparison with the Tail of the Dragon it is a fun and beautiful ride.  For someone with little experience, like me, it is challenging enough to keep you on your toes.  I don't know how many Father Peter Friday's we have left in the summer but I plan on using all of them on this ride.

With a total of 63 miles and a little over two hours of saddle time this ride is the longest the Bullet has made.  At the end of the ride the odo clocked 1368.4.

The exotic car tally stands at 2 Ferraris, 1 Lambo, 1 Maserati, and 1 McLaren.

1305.2 at 12:37

1368.4 at 14:40

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Chadds Ford and Delaware

This is the longest run the Bullet has ever made.   I left the house at about 14:45 on Friday afternoon with the intention of doing the Chester County Dragon and headed out towards Goshen.  When I reached there, found Goshen closed to traffic headed towards 252 so I made a left and headed towards Malin Rd.  At Malin I made a right turn to reach Bryn Mawr Rd and from there to the West Chester Pike.  I followed the Pike to 926 and that all they way to Creek Rd (Rt 100) for a hard left.  Keeping the exotic car tally, there was a silver Ferrari headed east on the Pike at 926.  Later on in the ride I saw a silver Maserati at the intersection of Smiths Bridge Road and 100 in Delaware.

Creek Rd is the first leg of the Chester County Dragon Loop or The Loop so once I reached that on 926 I followed it to Chadds Ford, across US 1, over the Brandywine, and across the Delaware border.  This route, 926 and 100 runs mostly across wooded country with scattered farms along the way.  It is full of good turns and some nice hills making for a really fun run.  Rt 100 is a double road with no marked divider and the surface can be sketchy in areas but overall it's not a bad road.  Just before getting to US 1 at Chadd's Ford I pulled into the parking lot of the Chadds Ford Historical Society.  The Society is in what looks like and old converted barn that made for a really nice photo.  It would have been nice to pose the Bullet in front of it but the lot is made up of loose gravel and the idea of the Bullet taking a nose dive did not appeal to me.

After that brief stop I crossed over US 1, this is a dog leg left because 100 does not cross it straight and the road directly across, Station Way Rd, is a one way in the opposite direction.  From there 100 continues its twists and turns along the Brandywine and at one point crosses over it by way of a nice looking old bridge, almost Roman in character.  Shortly after that it crosses the Delaware border; I caught a glimpse of the Delaware sign and it kind of threw me because I did not expect it that soon.

In Delaware Creek Rd turns into Montchanin Rd and continues on with its country road character.  At the Smiths Bridge Rd four way stop I realized that it was taking more time than I thought and if I didn't turn back soon, Friday afternoon rush hour traffic would be upon me.  This is where the silver Maserati came from my left on Smiths Bridge.  Less than five hundred yards beyond Smith's Bridge I saw a long driveway on the left and I turned into that to make the return.  Thank the gods I had the presence of mind to check my six before making the turn.  I had a couple on a Mercedes Benz 360 SL with Delaware plates on my tail since crossing US1 and at this point the genius decided that he was either following to close or that he couldn't wait for me to make the turn so we would pass me on the left.  If I hadn't checked my six and slowed the turn he would have blindsided me and probably done me serious harm.  There was one second in which I intended to cancel the turn and give him chase but I am trying to give up road rage and my Seny overcame the Rauxa.  To give the good with the bad, as I pulled into the log driveway to check get my bearings on Waze, and older gentleman in a pick-up truck pulled in behind me to check if I was OK.  I gave him the thumbs up and we were both on our way.

I made the return on 100 in the opposite direction, overshooting Station Way Rd and having to make a quick turn around on the empty road before a force right on US 1.  Rt 100 in the opposite direction seemed a little more fun and faster because, it appeared to me, the most challenging twists are on the downhill.  I had previously decided not to make the blind merge onto the West Chester Pike from 926 so I cut across the Pike to Garrett Mill Rd.  This road cuts across Garret Mill Park and Okehocking Preserve along Ridley Creek and is designated a scenic route.  It is short but it is well worth the ride because of the feel of the road and the great scenery.  There is one spot that where a single lane bridge crosses over Turtle Rock Run with a big red barn serving as backdrop that would make an excellent photo.  No place to pull over but I might have to figure something out to get that shot.

Garret Mill Rd comes out on Goshen just yards above Sugartown Rd.  I made a quick change on the fly to take Sugartown avoiding all the construction drama going on at Goshen and 252.  This meant taking the Sugartown - Paoli Pike loop to Church and home.

This was a great ride, the longest the Bullet has ever since in terms of miles, 55 miles, and time, an hour and 45 minutes.  It is too bad that the timing required an abort on the flight plan and an early return.  The new plan is to leave directly form work next Friday with the same plan.  I am considering reversing the route by going 926 to 82 and then to 100 but we'll see what next Friday brings.

On leaving the house the odo was reading 1159 miles and on return 1214 miles.  The exotic car tally stands at two Ferraris, one Lamborghini, and one Maserati.  (I saw a blue Maserati later that evening but I was not on the Bullet so it doesn't count.)

My editor, Lucifer, "helping" with this post 

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