Awesome Ride!

Monday I thought I'd drop by Founder's Brewery and see if I could meet up with the Ghost Riders of Grand Rapids. It was a nice sunny yet warm day, it was probably 55-60dF with not a cloud in the sky. So awesome weather, afternoon rush hour just ended and I was off.

I decided to take the long way there, take 84th to Homerich to 76th to Kenowa to 56th to Canal to Chicago Drive and then I turned onto Broadway and took the back roads to Wilson. I finally went onto the best stretch of road in west MI, the Indian Mounds Dr! It was great! Drove down it like a bat out of hell, it was great fun! There was a slight 10mph wind out of the NE but it only killed about 3-4mph off my top speed. I breezed past people riding bike and turned a few heads. It wasn't long until I got halfway when a van was in front of me driving the posted speed limit of 25mph, I was going more like 35mph... The good thing is he pulled off the road about 200 yards after I started following. All the while riding I was impressed by the Grand River and how much it has risen and flooded the area, if I went off the road, I'd be wet. There were a few cool things I saw, herrons and other wildlife. People parked alongside the road was kinda strange, I'm used to seeing those people fishing or picnicking, though I guess they just were there to ride bike or something. So I zoomed on until I hit Market.

Now Market street is a 4 lane road, I'm going slower, it wasn't as bad as I thought. I'm use to driving on country paved roads that are 2 lanes and its surprising how comfortable it is, the only thing that I wasn't used to was starting and stopping with all the lights, I need a hi hi compression head from Treat's... So I continued down into the lower left armpit of Grand Rapids and got lost a little bit, soon finding Grandville where Founder's is located. I zoomed pass it a few times, getting used to the roads. Why a few times? Didn't see another moped there so I rode on venturing into downtown GR. Its fun driving downtown, except for those buses who make wide left turns. I swear they are out to hit you and anyone else in a car.

One good thing about driving in town, it forces you to shape up your hand signalling and sharpens your senses. Even though I wasn't overly cautious, you soon pick up what things to look for when doing certain things, one is watch for "Stop" signs because cars like to hide them and don't take your eyes off the road for too long. Even with heightened situational awareness, riding on a moped/scooter in a city isn't comparable to anything else, unless your on a motorcycle. Being able to have that much more vision without all the blind spots that a car creates with its roof and all the columns by the windows. Its just mind blowingly awesome! I then circled by Founder's again, still nobody there so I took a spin around the city again.

A good thing about mopeds is that they attract attention, in the best of ways! I had one girl say "hey, I like your bike" me being the shy guy I am said "thank you" and was on my way. Should of asked for a phone number or something. Either way plenty of good looking girls looked at me when I rode by, I never get that with my Taurus that has a hole in the exhaust when I gun it! Now even though picking up chicks isn't my prerogative with a moped, it still is quite fun to have that much head turning power.

Now on my exit out of the city was by Division, again I wasn't sure of 4 lane roads but this just seemed like a test ride to me and had to try new and different things. Now I started on Division by the four way stop at Fulton which was in downtown, lots of stop signs and buses. Started off well, nothing really bad, people were going a little faster then my ped but I was keeping up. I soon passed Wealthy, clearing away from the large buildings I was soon getting that NE wind at my back. Cruising at around 40mph was fun, even though most people were going 45-50mph on a 40mph limited road. It was fun, then a couple of police cars with their lights were in front of a store on the opposite side of the road, I went 30mph pass them...

I was soon cruising again hitting a couple of stop lights, not that many people were creating dangerous situations. Sure there was a handful of people getting ready to pull out of driveways but being vigilant nothing bad happened, everyone saw me and didn't cut out in front of me. One car did cut across the opposing lane from a driveway and I doubt it seen me until I was right behind him because I slowed down enough to keep myself out of his way. Which was a big doom on you feller!

I continued on my way home, seen a few scooters but no mopeds. Overall made it home, it was a fun ride, and a good day!