my/your life too dull?
 

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!!!!!!!!!!

What would it have taken to get a 99!

regards
Mech

1/4th of a second right pedal lift! 100 would be no lift, period!!!!!!!

Lol, I was following with you on that one, second by second! GREAT story! :p I loved all the little details, it made it very relateable!

Thanks; I'm glad you enjoyed. I heard you announce lately that you were about to pick up
your CRX. What's that about?
Is yours a 1st or 2nd generation? Have you had it long?
Thanks in advance for answers!

Hypermiling is like a psychoactive drug...

The feeling I get getting into a car, timing lights, cars, people, etc... There is just no way to describe it.

The best thing has got to be blowing by people who blew by you to get to a red light. The feeling never gets old.

Larry, I've had my CRX since Dec. 15th. I just decided to switch the main thread for it over here, instead of over on CRXcommunity. The mods I'm planning will be better accepted over here. :)

I'd tell you all about my CRX, but I don't want to take away from your story! I've got lots of info in the CRX's garage here.
<-----
And my new thread also has some info. :) my '91 CRX build (MPG related plans, projects, and updates)

I'm REALLY loving my CRX! It's the best purchase I've made yet! :D

Edit: Hey Larry, I've been meaning to ask you something. What's your mileage like?

Please forgive my not noticing your CRX thread until now. Nice pics! Looks like they might use a little? salt on your roads?

I've played with having several different types of vehicles back yonder. ( see vehicles you
have owned thread if interested)
I am much more practical, and serious about purchases now.

I am in total agreement with you that for myself also; the CRX is the best vehicle choice
I have ever made. I rate a VW Quantum diesel station wagon a close 2nd. ( about the
exact same size as an older Volvo wagon, but easy 53-57mpg on road trips with a
2,600# vehicle that is roomy enough inside for a '6 4" person with long legs to sit
in comfort behind a driver with same measurements.

PS.!!! I really do have to drive in socks for my long term (all day driving)
in my CRX...it's really all the time now! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You don't need to apologize. :)

:( Ya..... I clean it off as often as I can!


Edit: I enjoy driving barefoot, but I also go barefoot at home. :)

Ever thought about starting a fuel log here?

I am doing a little more city type driving the last couple of weeks than I have previous have. Mid 41mpg. is my it's the pits disgusting low figure when day temps. are mid 30's,
and nights mid 20's which is unusually cold for here. (night figures)

With a 50/50 highway/city mix, 45mpg. is usual for me.

I would be sad not to see 53-57mpg regular on road trips, even in somewhat cool weather.

My record is 62.9, all stock except 41# in tires. Three times I've cracked 62!!!

A scan gauge, or older type sub. for my veh's. vintage would be cool, but I'm just not quite there yet!

I always change the oil, and plugs just before a road trip, and make sure the air cleaner
looks nice.

Ya, I figured your mileage would be pretty good. :D The 1st gens get good mileage. :) I would have considered one, if not for the 50+ vacuum lines I heard about! :eek:

Edit: What year is your CRX?

1987, last year for carb. if not SI model.

Yes, vacuum lines galore. I haven't had any trouble with them yet; thankfully!

I bought a first gen CRX brand new in Houston Texas. Made in July 83, serial number was 1018 (last 4 digits, first ones were 0000). Mine was the 1.5 not the 1.3, about 3 seconds faster to 60 MPH and I averaged 45 MPG for 50 k miles when I sold it for 5k. Paid 7k new.

regards
Mech

Great story telling. It was entertaining to read considering it was a story about passing a stopped school bus.

I've recently been getting great fuel mileage after installing a full upper and lower grill block, but today I had it removed so I could make it more permanent and less noticeable. Well, I didn't get it put back in time for work, so what do I do? I could just drive to work without my grill and suffer the slight drop in mileage. Instead, I hop on the motorcycle and ride 15min to work in the rain. It will be a miserable ride home at 1am tonight, but at least I'm not killing the excellent mpg I have going on this tank of gas.