Ride to Work

Showing posts with label classic car. Show all posts
Showing posts with label classic car. Show all posts

Friday, June 26, 2015

The Lost Week


Ahlanna at the wheel
For the last week and a half we had our great-niece staying with us as she does every summer and, other than for a couple of errands, I didn't get to ride the Bullet very much because we were busy doing other things.  However, Ahlanna and I did enjoy several rides on the MG.

We took several short rides around the Goshen loop and then last Monday we took a real long ride on the Dragon.  We first stopped at Thornbury Farms to get some cookies.  Being a Monday there was no one else there and when paying I noticed a picture of a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang reproduction that I had seen at the Chester County Antique Car Show in May.  I pointed it out to Ahlanna and the girl behind the counter told me that it was their car, her father, the owner of Thornbury Farms, had made it for her and her siblings and that they took it to several shows.  I showed her the picture I had taken of it at Kimberton and we chatted about it for a while.  She said it was built on a 1929 Model T and that it was very popular whenever they showed it.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Kimberton
From there we rode down to the Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery and took some shots of Ahlanna in the car in front of the octagonal school house.  Then we continued on down the way to get on the Dragon.  We had taken the precaution of fueling up the night before at the Wawa on the West Chester Pike and 352 so we didn't need to stop at the Sunoco on Route 1 to fuel up.

(When we fueled up on Sunday night, the tank took 3.520 gallons of Premium for a total of $11.79.  I had to take a picture of the pump because it didn't give me a receipt.  Since the refuel the week before we had put on 86.3 miles on the odo which, at refueling, read 4229 miles.  (This will become important on a later post.)  The mileage on this tank was 24.51 mpg.)

4229 miles on 21 June 2015
We stopped at the Taqueria Guadalajara for some carne asada tacos and horchata that we both enjoyed tremendously.  Instead of staying on the Dragon we veered off to stop at Baldwin's Book Barn.  We took a little break there and then doubled back to Birmingham Rd to catch 926.  On the way back we took Route 3 back to the edge of West Chester to run some errands but came back home via Strasburg/Goshen.  All in all we put almost 100 miles on the car on this ride.  It was the last opportunity that Ahlanna and I had to ride together (although we got two or three shorter rides before that) and she really enjoyed the car and the attention.  There were several instances were I noticed young boys her age who could not figure out where to look, at the car or the girl.  It was great fun for both of us.

On this Monday ride we saw two black Ferraris, a dark colored Tesla, a hot rod, and a late 40s early 50s pickup.  That brings the exotic tally to 17 Teslas, 17 Ferraris, 11 Maseratis, 5 Bentleys, 4 McLarens, 3 Cobras, 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, three 1960's 'Vettes, one MGA, two Hot Rods, one 1950s Chrysler, one 1950s Oldsmobile, one 1950's Plymouth, one Karmann Ghia, one 1950s grocery-getter, one 40s/50s pickup, one Triumph TR4, and one Ford Model A.

On the way for a ride on Wednesday night


Wednesday night


At Thornbury Farms

Birmingham, Lafayette

Birmingham, Lafayette

Snuff Mill

A natural at the wheel

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Monday, June 1, 2015

Easttown Library Concert

Triumph TR4
Sunday afternoon the Easttown Library was hosting a concert given by a string an brass ensemble from the Main Line Symphony.  So with good weather forecast until the evening I took the Bullet out to go the concert.  Charlene was already there because she had organized the event so I had a solo ride.

I took Darby-Paoli and followed that out to Church and Sugartown.  At Sugartown I made the left to Waterloo (the other Waterloo) and took that to the library.  When I pulled up in the parking lot there was a red Triumph TR4 next to the spot where I parked.  So I took the opportunity to take a couple of shots of it.  The owner and his wife came up and we chatted a little about the car, it was a California car that someone else had brought to Pennsylvania and the present owner bought it from that person.  He offered to sell it to me because he is looking to buy a Porsche.  I declined the offer, there are way too many other things that I want before a TR4 despite the fact that it was a very nice car.

The concert was excellent.  I took a bunch of shots for Charlene so she can use them on the library's website to promote their programs.

Brass and strings

After the show, I headed back home the long way.  I took a right at Sugartown from Waterloo and a left at Newtown Road.  That took me to the St Davids roundabout which I took to St Davids Rd.  When I got to Harrison I made the left there and followed that loop to Church.  At Church I cut across to S. Valley Forge Rd and followed that past where it turns into Dorset to Devon for the left.  There I continued to Waterloo (the right Waterloo this time) and took that to Church.  I followed Church all the way out to Goshen and took the hill for the run to Earles Lane.

The whole run, including the trip to the library, was probably around 18 miles through mostly shaded country lanes.  One of the things that I love about living here is that I can have some great easy country rides without having to go very far from the house.

The classic car tally is now three Nash Metropolitans, three 1950s Jags, three 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, one Triumph TR4, and one Ford Model A.

Triumph and Bullet












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Monday, May 25, 2015

Short Sunday Morning Ride

3599.2 on departure
Sunday morning we had planned to go the Chester County Antique Car Club Show in Kimberton so I got up early to take a short ride in the Bullet and fuel up for the week.

I just intended to go straight up Goshen to the Wawa and I figured since I left the house fairly early I would have the road mostly to myself.  Well it turns out that Sunday morning must have been National Drive Your Pick-up Slow Day.  Soon after crossing 252 I fell in behind a pick-up truck that was hell bent on driving 10 miles under the limit and ride the brakes on every curb.  I couldn't pass him on the left because of the twists and when I had a clear shot there was always someone on the on-coming lane.  So this continued until I got to Grubbs Mill where I made the right to get away.  At that point a Power Ranger in a sports bike blew by me probably as full of impatience as I was.  He should have come my way.

The loop on Grubbs Mill to Warren and the to Providence and Sugartown was mostly deserted.  A great time to enjoy the twists and turns without virtually any traffic to worry about.  Probably the best part of the ride.  Once back on Goshen things had cleared out a little so I was able to enjoy that part out to 352 and then to the Wawa without any more delays.

3613.5 at refuel
When I got to the Wawa the odo read 3613.5 and the tank took 1.875 gallons at $3.319 a gallon for a total of $6.22.  Since the refuel on Friday before the Dixie Run the Bullet had 118 miles on the odo.  That makes for 62.93 mpg on this tank.  The next refuel needs to happen before 3790 miles on the odo.

I took the reverse route back home without the loop out of Goshen only to fall in behind another pick-up truck driving below the speed limit.  When I was making the right onto Goshen, I noticed a red 1960s convertible 'Vette proceeding on 352 past me.  I was just after I made that turn that I got behind the yellow pick-up with the tree trimmings.  I followed this miserable guy all the way out to Old Covered Bridge Rd and then I had that little bit of Goshen free.

Not the greatest ride, except for the loop on Grubbs Mill, but it was just a fuel-up expedition in any case because we wanted to be on the road to the car show by 10:00.  When I got home, the odo read 3623.4 for about 22 miles on this run.

It did add another 'Vette to the count in what is turning out to be the Weekend of the 1960s 'Vette.  The classic car tally is now three Nash Metropolitans, three 1950s Jags, three 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.

3623.4 on return

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Sunday, May 24, 2015

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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Friday, May 22, 2015

Dixie

"I wish I was in Dixie..."
To celebrate the beginning of Father Peter Fridays I planned a ride out to Dixie.  This morning on my way in to work I stopped at the gas station on the corner of 30 and Spring Mill to fuel up.  I usually avoid that station because it is the most expensive in the tri-state area, for example today I bought gas at $3.99 a gallon for premium, but I wanted to have a full tank on the way out of work to do this ride.  When I stopped at the station, the odo read 3495.5 and the tank took 1.557 gallons for which I paid $6.23.

I left work at noon with 3496.0 miles on the odo.  My plan was to head out Ithan to Sproul and out to Goshen to follow that to 926.  However, I ended up making a detour by home to drink a shake before heading out because I was getting hungry.  On my way home I saw a silver convertible Ferrari by the Agnes Irwin School.  The first of many sightings on this ride.  I did not stay home long, just grabbed a shake and was out on the road by 12:15.

I followed Goshen out to 926 and the ride was pretty easy on they way out.  Most of the holes on 926 have been fixed and in some areas there has been complete repaving so the road surface is miles ahead of were it was a couple of weeks back.  The temps were in the low to mid 60s with blue skies and some wind so almost perfect riding weather.  Somewhere pass 202/322 I saw a red Ferrari 308 GTS headed in the opposite direction on 926.  I don't recognize very many Ferraris by model but the 308 GTS is hard to miss.

Shortly after crossing 52 I fell in behind a line trailing a big piece of farm equipment.  This was the first "hazard" I encountered.  It plugged along all the way just before 82 where it turned off to the right and I was able to take the road.  That piece of 926 pass 82 and all the way out to 41 is a really great ride.  Some good twists and turns with hilly terrain that has good wooded cover on both sides of the road.  That probably was the most enjoyable part of the ride.

Maryland State Line
After crossing 41 the road opens up on some farm land and here the wind began to make its presence known.  This portion wasn't as bad a the part after making the left on 10.  On that part of the ride the road is bordered by open farm land on both sides and the wind really threw me around.  I got worse on Route 1 South.  I was able to keep up with traffic and out run an 18 wheeler who was bound and determined to pass me but I was really getting pushed around a lot.  Route 1 runs as a divided highway for about 7 miles out after 10, from there on it is just a two laner and you get to the Maryland line in less than two miles.  As soon as I saw the Maryland signed I pulled over to get some pictures.  The Mason-Dixon Line sign is on the northbound of Route 1 so I took a couple of pics from the southbound side got down to the crossing and then turned north and stopped at the sign to get some more pics.  At this point the odo read 3548.3 miles and it was 13:35.  I was grateful to get a couple of minutes out of the seat in the 52 miles since take off and frankly I was not looking forward to the ride back.  Specially the portion between the line and the cut across 41 on 926 where I would begin to be protected from the wind again.

As always happens, the way back was "shorter" than the way out.  The wind was still a factor and I pushed me pretty badly on 1 but I got on 926 without any problems.  However soon after crossing 41 I fell in behind a gravel truck that I was not going to shake.  I followed it out to 82 and there I pulled in to check out a place to eat that I had seen.  I figure I could get a little rest and let the gravel truck get the hell out of my way.   Somewhere before that I saw a white Tesla going in the opposite direction on 926.

The place I wanted to check out was Savona Bistro.  I pulled up to the parking lot and got off the Bullet but I didn't go in.  It looked a little too snooty for what I was looking for which was a bowl of chili and a sandwich.  I checked their menu on my iPhone and decided to move along.  After getting back on 926 I saw another Tesla, this time dark grey, running in the opposite direction.  The truck was long gone so I had a nice run down to 52 there I got caught at the light and the red New Beetle (with a "Red Bean" sticker on the back) in front of snoozed through the change making me miss that light as well.  When the next light came I fell in right behind a metallic light blue mid 60s 'Vette with historic Maryland plates that had just turn right onto 926 from 52.  I followed him all the way down to 202/322 where he made the left.

I thought for about too seconds about turning in the strip mall there to get some food but it was starting to get really tired with well over 80 miles run and was wanting to get home.  I continued on 926 and at the intersection of 352 saw a blue Bentley (which reminds me of the light gray Bentley I saw on Sproul just past Godfrey on the commute home on the Bullet on Wednesday).

From there I just ran my regular loop down 926 to Garrets Mill and Goshen.  When I got to Goshen and 252 I had 3594.5 miles on the odo and to make sure I would make a century on this ride I took the left to the traffic circle at St Davids and that to Chruch getting me home with 3599.2 miles on the odo at 15:10.  That guaranteed the century which is the longest the Bullet has ever run.  I now has three states on its tires, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland and we have crossed into Dixie.

It was a tiring ride with some really good parts and some aggravating parts due to traffic on the road.  I did not enjoy the wind, especially on the highway, and I don't know that I will try this ride again.  At one point I had wanted to make a run to the Susquehanna but I don't know that I will now.  I might just stick to my shorter rides, they are more enjoyable.

The exotic tally stands at 13 Ferraris, 13 Teslas, 9 Maseratis, 3 Cobras, 3 Bentleys, 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, one MGA, one Hot Rod, one 1960's 'Vette, one 1950s Chrysler, one 1950s Oldsmobile, one 1950's Plymouth, one Karmann Ghia, and one Ford Model A.


At the gas station

On departure from work

Maryland State Line

The Mason-Dixon Line

At the Mason Dixon Line
On return at home

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Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Maseratis, Oldsmobiles, and Teslas.

On departure 3442.3 at 18:22
Yesterday after work I took the Bullet out for a couple of errands and then a short ride.  I also used the Bullet to commute to work and on the way back, as I was making a right onto Darby-Paoli Rd from Godfrey, I saw a black convertible Maserati making the left from Darby-Paoli onto Godfrey.  I took my regular commute route out in the morning but in the afternoon I came back via Ithan Rd to avoid the congestion at Spring Mill and 30.  I've been doing this route in the afternoons for the last couple of weeks and I think it will become my regular.  The ride down Ithan is definitely much more enjoyable than Spring Mill/Sproul ever was.

I had to go to the pharmacy in Newtown Square and after that I went by AC Moore to get some more paint for the MG TC model I've been building.  I'm getting close to finishing it.  At the parking lot of AC Moore I pulled up to a guy in a pick-up truck who thought the Bullet was an original.  I gave him the elevator speech about Royal Enfield and he was just dumbfounded that they still made the things.  It's always nice to talk to people that are interested in the old bikes.

When I left AC Moore, as I turned left onto the West Chester Pike from Springfield Rd, there was a 1950s convertible red and white Oldsmobile waiting to make a left from the Pike onto Ann St.  I thought I might have seen it at the show on Sunday but on looking back at the photos that I took I did not see anything like it.  It might have been there but I doubt that I didn't take a picture of it if it was.

I headed out the Pike to 252 and took that to Goshen.  I followed Goshen/Strasburg to the Citadel bank at the end of the road, used that as a turn around point, and headed back home on a reverse route.  When I reached Providence Rd, there was a purple exotic headed in the opposite direction on Goshen.  The emblem looked like the Bentley spread wings emblem but it certainly did not look like a Bentley.  It was a low slung, two seater, sportster more in the look of an Italian exotic.  It'll go in the tally as an unknown.

This was just a short ride so as not to waste the day.  The road conditions have been improved dramatically over the last three or four weeks.  There are very few pot holes left and that made the ride much more enjoyable.  Because of the lateness of the hour there was not much traffic either so it allowed my to have the road mostly to myself.  I had no issues on the ride but on the way out to the pharmacy on 252 I lost power and I had a similar issue on the way home on county line road.  I've scheduled the 3K mile maintenance for June 4th and I will definitely have that kickstand switch disconnected then.

On the way home for lunch this afternoon, I saw a white Tesla on Darby-Paoli just after the Godfrey turn.  When I left the house yesterday afternoon the odo read 3442.3 and on return 3468.6 for 26.3 miles on this ride.

The exotic tally stands at 11 Ferraris, 11 Teslas, 9 Maseratis, 3 Cobras, 2 Bentleys, 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, one MGA, one Hot Rod, one 1950s Chrysler, one 1950s Oldsmobile, one 1950's Plymouth, one Karmann Ghia, and one Ford Model A.

On return 3468.6 at 19:34

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Wednesday, May 6, 2015

May the Fourth Be with You - Battle of Puebla

Llama Farm
Other than the commute to work I didn't ride on May the Fourth because I am in the mist of grading exams and there was just no time.  However on the way to work, after crossing 30 on Spring Mill Rd, I saw an orange convertible Ghia waiting for the light.  I had to record that for the tally.

On the Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla I did make a little time in the afternoon for a quick loop.  My original flight plan was just to ride out to the end of Strasburg and turn around but after crossing 252 I fell in behind two Pennsylvanians that wanted to crawl on their way home.  I flowed with it until Providence but at that decision point they continued on Goshen so I took the ride on Providence for the free road.  I followed that to Warren and made the right.  I've never gone on Warren in this direction and although it makes no sense the hills are a better ride this way.  At Davis I made the right and followed the road to Grubbs Mill Rd.  Again, going in the opposite direction here made for a better ride.  There was a left twist somewhere with a drive way shooting out from it and for a second I wasn't sure which one was the road so I had to do some quick adjustment there but it was fine.

When I got to Llama Farm the pack was in the front pasture.  I have never seen them this close to the road so I had to pull over and take some pictures.  There was one little black cria running around like the devil was behind her and I tried to get some shots but with low light and movement they all came out blurry.

From there I headed back up Goshen to Sugartown and took the Paoli Pike, Devon Rd, Darby Rd, Sugartown, Church loop back home.

Two issues: on the run up Goshen to Sugartown the bike cut out on acceleration in fifth.  I'm getting used to this quirk so I just heeled the kick stand the light came back on the bike fired right back up.  All of that in motion without pulling over.  I felt a great sense of accomplishment at that but I am going to have that switch disconnected at the 3K check at Kiss Honda.  The other issue happened when pulling out of Llama farm.  I tried to kick start the beast but the kick start lever acted as if it was completely disconnected.  This happened once before at work.  I will need to put that on the list to check.

The classic car tally is now three Nash Metropolitans, three 1950s Jag, one MGA, one Hot Rod, one 1950s Chrysler, one 1950's Plymouth, one Karmann Ghia, and one Ford Model A.

Little blurry black cria

More llamas
On departure 3253.9 at 18:35

On return 3278.9 at 19:15

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Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Running on Empty

McLaren at 926 and 322
After supper on Sunday I put in a handful of miles on the Bullet because the weather was too good not to ride.  I didn't have a specific flight plan in mind, just wanted to head out to the end of Goshen/Strasburg and figure it out from there.

As cut across 252 on Goshen I fell in behind a red 1950s convertible Jag which looked a lot like the one I saw earlier in the day while on the MG.  I feel pretty sure it was the same but I will count it as a separate sighting.  I followed him down Goshen until he turned of on Old Covered Bridge Rd.  I gave in a honk and a wave and he responded in kind.

The road up Goshen/Strasburg was pretty clear and, while still pocked marked in some areas, there has been some work done so it's a lot more enjoyable to ride than it has been.  This time I brought both my sunglasses and my regular glasses so I didn't have to worry about the long shadows.  I've discovered that if I wear my sunglasses, I can ride with the visor up and other than an occasional bug slapping my in the face it feels better and more enjoyable than riding with the visor down.  Using my regular glasses I can't do this because the lenses are so small and wind and dust get in my eyes fairly easily.

3202.4 at refuel
The end of Strasburg snuck up on me but I did a quick turn around at the bank parking lot and headed back.  I noticed that the odo was reading close to 3200, if not over, and I couldn't remember what it was at my last refuel but I figured I must be close to 200 miles on this tank.  (Last refuel was at Boyle's where the odo read 3018.7 so at an estimated 60 mpg and a little under 3.0 gallons of usable fuel in the tank I was pretty close to empty.)  So I headed for the Wawa at 352 and the West Chester Pike for a fill up.   At the pump the odo read 3202.4 for 183.7 miles since the last refuel.  The tank took 3.247 gallons at $3.27 per gallon for a total of $10.65.  Mileage on this tank was 56.57 mpg.  This new setup with the Power Commander does eat more fuel than before but I still think it's worth it.  At 3.247 gallons the tank had to be completely empty and the Bullet running on fumes.

From the Wawa I headed up 352 to 926 and took that to 322 with the intention of using one of the parking lots there as a turn around.  As I approached Concord Rd, I saw a tan Austin-Healey sitting on my right waiting for the light.  Soon after that I came up on the lot on the right at 322 and turned in there.  Being late Sunday, that lot was mostly empty and I used to do some figure 8s and some weaving for my own amusement.  There was a burned yellow exotic parked among the few other cars and I rode over there to figure out what it was.  It turned out to be a McLaren. This car reminded me of the exotic I saw last summer that I couldn't identify, so much that I am sure it was the same model car.  Due to the highly scientific nature of this tally, I will count that car with this one as a McLaren.  After fooling around in the lot I headed back to 926 and then it struck me that taking a pic of the McLaren would be like shooting fish in a barrel so I crossed 926 to turn around in that lot and come back.  Lo and behold but who should I run into there but my friend in the Austin-Healey I had seen at Concord Rd.  I gave him the thumbs up and he smiled and returned it.  A good time was had by all.  I then went back to the MacLaren and took a couple of happy snaps.

This time I did head back down 926 to Garret Mill and Goshen for the ride home.  The ride was amazing.  I'm glad I lucked into not running out of gas and everything worked out fine.  The roads are looking better here too.  A big portion of 926, where the bigger holes were, has now been completely repaved making it a safer ride.  Looking forward to the Bullet's one year anniversary on the eighth of this month.

On departure the odo read 3189.6 and on return 3223.2 for a total of 42.6 miles on this run.

The classic car tally is now three Nash Metropolitans, three 1950s Jag,one MGA, one Hot Rod, one 1950s Chrysler, one 1950's Plymouth, and one Ford Model A.  The exotic tally stands at 10 Ferraris, 9 Teslas, 6 Maseratis, 3 Cobras, 2 Bentleys, 2, McLarens,  1 Austin-Healeys, 2 Lambos, 1 Rolls Royce, 1 DeLorean, and 1 Unknown.

McLaren

On departure 3189.6 at 18:10

On return 3223.2 at 19:15

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