[alanmcorcoran]

I've had some more experience since my previous post. Fresh asphalt is quite nice up to about 60 or so (and I still have no windshield - but I do wear a full lid and a beefy jacket.) PCH is like this north of Santa Monica and it is very comfortable (and the speed limit is 45-50.) I've gotten a little more used to the "terrain" of the grooved, scalloped concrete but I still can't really relax on it, the bike just doesn't go fast enough, and the wind is quite bothersome. Maybe in another 1000 miles I'll change my tune, but for now I try to ride around them as much as possible.

I've gone as fast as 70 on some backroads, but only on level or downhill or with a tailwind. Uphill, eventually fifth gear poops out and I've got to start bouncing back and forth between 4th and 5th. If I do get a bigger bike, uphill climbs will be the main reason. The GZ just doesn't cut it uphill.