[larrybuck]

Last week, I was driving my usual 48mph in a 55 zone on a rural 2 lane highway.
(if other vehicles behind, I grudgingly do 52mph)

The picture is a long straightaway with a school bus about to stop to pick up
one kid 4-500 yards ahead of me.

I had never seen bus stop sequences on this road before, and didn't want to
lose mpg's following along how many stops?!!!

My adreneline started picking up, as I realized that this was like a hypermiling
move, and speed racer all in one!!!

I had to anticipate how long the youngster would take walking inside the bus
before being seated, and the driver's timing for red lights out for proceeding.

In the distance, were now oncoming cars appearing on the straightaway,
as well as some cars now showing up behind me, but well behind.

It had seemed to me, that the only vehicle that I had passed on a 2 lane road in the last 12 months, was a garbage truck stopped at a rural can
partly in my lane, partly on the shoulder. No speed here...I was 2 vehicles
back...one of those 4way flasher go around moves, after a waiting dead stop.

So here was my TODAY moment, maybe the driving MOMENT for me of the year!!!!! I want to get it right!!!!

So I'm closing fairly fast, not wanting to touch the brakes at all. I'm almost
there, and the red flashing lights are still going!!

(I know I don't want to be behind it from a dead stop because it seems that
almost all school buses these days HERE are automatics, so when they floor
the bus after a stop, I would look like a slug behind)

I had to lift my foot for only about a second, the lights went out, and I blew
by in good form at 46mph. versus bus 0 !!!, making a nice clean pass with
plenty of room concerning the oncomers, and was greatly pleased to see
that the bus would be blocking, and keeping back the following cars off
me for 2-3 more miles.

In my mirror, I saw the bus make a left turn soon after, so now that's in my head library for future reference!

I was pleased it went off this cleanly. A last second brake stab would have ruined the memory. I would have rehashed this during pillow time for several
days, if it had gone badly.

I rated my event at 98 out of 100!!!!


Not too thrilling for you??? Maybe I need to get out more!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!