first highway or should I say DC beltway experience

[Rippa_MD]

when on the beltway today and I must say the GS ROCKS!
I didn't go over 85, the wind didn't bother me as much as I thought it would but then again I rode on the beltway for I think 5 mins hehe.

I don't have a 1/4 fairing so I took the wind head on. When/How much riding time does the wind start to take its toll?  :dunno: or I think somebody said around or above 85 you start noticing the wind more.

[hehehemann]

I went out on the I-75 here in Florida. I could feel the wind hitting me pretty hard at around 75mph. I have no fairing, my head was battling the wind. I didn't like it one bit, the only time I felt okay was behind the larger trucks. For now I'll stick to city riding on my GS.

[i3randon12]

id say 90 mph         i dont really notice it only on my jacekt         my jacket goes crazy!

[Adam R]

The Beltway is a little different from most other highways because it turns so much.  It really forces you to turn the bike or else you might sail into another lane.  Only other road that reminds of the Beltway is the PA turnpike between Pittsburg and Harrisburg.


I'm glad I learned to ride in Chile and not in the DC area.  My second day riding I crossed the Andes but I could ride as fast/slow as I wanted and really didn't have to worry about traffic.

[Jeff P]

The beltway is fun isn't it?  

I find the wind blast to be a non issue below say 60 mph.  60-70 it's annoying, 70+ it's real annoying but tolerable for short rides.  My commute for instance is about 15 minutes of high speed riding.  

I'm gonna buy a big National Cycle Plexistar II windshield to use on longer trips.

jeff

[Kerry]

Amen!

I mounted my Plexistar II almost 3 years ago, and never took it off until last week.  I was about to teach my brother-in-law to ride, and the windshield just seemed to dirty and big and distracting, so I took it off.

After the lessons it took me a couple days to put the shield back on.  In the meantime, I thoroughly UNenjoyed my reintroduction to:

1) The chest blast, even at 40 mph.
2) Not being able to hear the engine.
3) Not being able to duck slightly when I happened to leave my faceshield open to keep from tearing up (as I used both hands to get up to speed).
4) The French Fries in my tank bag cooling off in the wind.  (OK, scratch that one.)[/list:u]I can't believe I did that first 3,800-mile trip without a shield!  What was I thinking??  :dunno:

Now that the shield is back on, life is good again.

[ChrisDC]

Anything under 80 has been tolerable for me.  I have a NC F-16 windscreen that came with my bike when I purchased it and if I get real low it blocks a little wind.  I ride to work everyday I can from Bethesda to Arlington across the American Legion bridge and if the speed picks up a bit I feel like I am going to get blown out of my lane.

Chris

[Eightmarky]

What part of the beltway did you have to do?

[Jeff P]

I live in Germantown and work in Bethesda, right off the beltway by the American Legion Bridge.  So I drive 270 and that sort stretch of the beltway all the time.  I also head over to College Park and Crofton/Annapolis from time to time.

jeff

[Eightmarky]

That's not too bad.  Germantown to Bethesda is pretty much a straight shot.

[Woz]

A couple of weeks ago I did 155 miles on the motorway at an average of 95 mph (wasn't me, honest, officer).  I have a small flyscreen and I had an expanding tankbag on.  Tucked in, I didn't notice any real windblast but when I got home I had significant pain in my shoulders - presumably from pulling myself down onto the tankbag.

Having never ridden with a fairing though, I have nothing to compare it too.

In everday use, I don't find windblast a problem at all, but then my daily commute only takes in 10 miles of motorway each way.

[jakers the 1]

On sunday I did 250  miles, 125 south and 125 back, about 80-90, no wind shield yet (following cars and trucks, Alaskans drive fast for some reason) except 2 miles(construction 0-15,1/2 an hour on wet dirt :x )just leaned on my tank bag, arms were fine but inner thighs were sore the next day. Came home and had a well earned shower(me  :lol: and the bike

[sevenbucks]

Sweet!!
I'm glad to hear about all these experiences from other local riders...I've been putting around by myself for a couple of months now, getting comfortable with speed and turning and riding in general, and have lately been zipping up and down Great Seneca Highway. So weather permitting, this weekend is when I hit 270 and then the Beltway. I was initially pretty nervous about this point; not so much now. I am wondering however, if a big truck passes me, is the wind off it pretty considerable? I guess I'm trying not to be surprised by anything at 60+ mph. Or anything for that matter- I know I'm going to have to lean in a bit, but anything else I should remember?

[Jeff P]

I really don't have a problem with funny wind from big trucks.  Just ride through it, try not to think too hard.  

Great Seneca is a great road for working up to highway riding.  I ride just about the whole length when I'm going to and from class after work.  If you see a guy with a black and red jacket on a red GS, honk.

jeff

[sevenbucks]

Thanks Jeff, I'll be hunting you and the rest of the MD/DC locals down to go riding once I lick the beltway