The problem with Washington DC is that there is traffic everywhere all the time. We have been stuck in a miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic at 2 am before. Consequently I have become a terrible driver. I used to respect speed limits and stop signs. I don't anymore. There was a time when I thought tailgating was dangerous. And while the physics hasn't changed I sure have (the guy going 55 in the left lane this morning found that out today...).
Not only has DC traffic eroded my otherwise pleasant driving bent, the military has now sent me to two aggressive driving courses. The coolest driving technique so far (besides the j-turn of course!) is "two foot driving." I don't mean "two foot" as in 24 inches but as in right leg and left leg. You put your right foot on the gas, accelerate to speed and then put your left foot on the brake to modulate your distance from the other car. Works great for fast convoys in a combat zone...and for tailgating in DC... I can just hear my dad in the background talking about how hard that is on the brakes. And don't worry mom, I don't do it much!
There is one ray of hope in this terrible driving scenario. Our Honda only has four cylinders and the Nissan literally has parts rattle off when it gets over 65 mph.
All this driving training had me looking at sports cars online this weekend. Assuming funding was unlimted I would go with the Mustang Shelby. But I guess I'll have to settle for an MRAP (photo below) until then. It's basically an armored dump truck chassis with a weapon mount on top. While the sun roofs on both my cars could be used as a weapon mounts I haven't rigged them up for DC interstate traffic yet.
What's your ride of choice?
Not only has DC traffic eroded my otherwise pleasant driving bent, the military has now sent me to two aggressive driving courses. The coolest driving technique so far (besides the j-turn of course!) is "two foot driving." I don't mean "two foot" as in 24 inches but as in right leg and left leg. You put your right foot on the gas, accelerate to speed and then put your left foot on the brake to modulate your distance from the other car. Works great for fast convoys in a combat zone...and for tailgating in DC... I can just hear my dad in the background talking about how hard that is on the brakes. And don't worry mom, I don't do it much!
There is one ray of hope in this terrible driving scenario. Our Honda only has four cylinders and the Nissan literally has parts rattle off when it gets over 65 mph.
All this driving training had me looking at sports cars online this weekend. Assuming funding was unlimted I would go with the Mustang Shelby. But I guess I'll have to settle for an MRAP (photo below) until then. It's basically an armored dump truck chassis with a weapon mount on top. While the sun roofs on both my cars could be used as a weapon mounts I haven't rigged them up for DC interstate traffic yet.
What's your ride of choice?
What is my ride of choice? The new John Deere Gator that Ralph got me for my birthday. Actually, I pretend it was a BD present, because he bought it that week. I think you'll like driving it the next time you come. No weapon mounts, however. Nor will it get up to 110 mph. I'm wondering when you will let us know what happened to the guy one lane over from you this morning. I use the "2 foot" technique - but not at high speeds. I do it when I'm backing up a pickup to something that Ralph is hooking up. Over and out from Minnesota.
ReplyDeleteSomething big, I think I'd like an MRAP, that would be nice climbing the mountain pass everyday. I might get some respect in one of those.
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