[zeppelinfromled]

I decided to take a little ride on the highway today after rush hour. I’ve had the bike (my first) for just under 2 weeks and I’ve gotten comfortable enough on it. My actual riding pants also arrived, instead of just those kevlar-reinforced jeans (I wouldn’t have felt too comfortable on the highway in the jeans). I had been on some mini-highways (Storrow Drive if anyone is familiar with Boston – it’s limited access, but you don’t really get above 50 mph).

So I threw some cash for tolls into my tank bag and hopped onto the Massachusetts Turnpike. The first couple miles had a 55 speed limit, but everyone drives 70, so 70 it was. The next 10 miles had a 65 speed limit, but everyone drive 75. I kept it around 70 for the most part. And then I had the reverse on the way back home. There was less traffic on the way back into Boston, so I was able to have a little more fun (while still being safe of course). I got off the highway in downtown Boston and met up with a friend for a drink (beer for her, Pepsi for me).

Man, it was fun. The wind wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be, but I can see how a strong crosswind would be a hassle. It was also a lot of fun to be able to open up the throttle to accelerate. Getting to 70 (and 6th gear) quickly is a lot more fun than accelerating to 40 with a car in front of you and a potential stop light 200 yards away. But going from feeling the wind at 65 mph to downtown Boston at 20 mph is no fun.

On a different note, before I could actually get on the highway, I had to pay the $1.25 toll. And later, I had to take a ticket at the first toll booth and pay at the next. Man, toll booths take a lot longer on a bike. Just counting the money with my gloves on was a hassle. And then taking the ticket, putting it in my tank bag, and zipping up the tank bag, all before I can pop it into 1st and take off takes a while. In a car, I just grab the ticket, drop it in the passenger seat, and take off again. Luckily my EZ Pass is in the mail, so I won’t actually have to stop at the toll booths.

[Munch]

grats…I think. Glad we don’t have them toll traps here…….yet.

[ranette]

We don’t have any toll booths in Vermont so I don’t have an EasyPass but I’ve taken a few trips in the past few weeks and the toll booths are something you definitely have to think about. The first one I ever went through I knew was only $1, Route 93 in New Hampshire, so I took a dollar bill and tucked it into my left glove, worked really well. A few weeks later I found myself on the NY Thruway, where you need to grab the ticket. When I got to my destination it must have taken me 2 minutes to put the bike into neutral, take off my gloves, give the ticket to the attendant, get to my wallet, pull out the cash, stuff the change back…somewhere, put on my gloves, put the bike into gear and be on my way. There was one car behind me who didn’t seem bothered by the delay, can’t say I would have been so patient before I rode.

[Author]

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