>
>
> Back to my original point, to get 38 MPG with a Miata takes going about
> 40 MPH and never stopping. It can be done, just not any situation that
> I've been in.
>

Long ago I had a smallish slowish motorcycle (175cc Jawa!) and used to ride
it

from where I lived in Hamilton to Auckland at weekends.

I found you could get an amazing amount of extra effective power by tucking
in within about 3 or 4 feet behind the rear of a cattle truck or other
large box shaped vehicle aka 'slipstreaming'.
as you entered the boundary layer the bike would accelerate into the truck,
requiring thrtotle reduction, and slight dropping back could tear you away
suddenly requiring a sten chase to reacquire the free ride.
..
It  was a sensation something like body surfing a wave - fighting top hold
a relative static position on a dynamic slope that  was trying to spit you
out and suck you in simultaneously.

While I had more stupidity than fear in those days I could never manage to
hold this position for more than a short while - maybe a mile if lucky, as,
while large trucks are not known for their frequent sudden stops, the
concentration required to hold the bike "on the wave" plus the need to
continually be ready for the probably fatally unavoidable crash braking
event was "just too hard". A cattle truck added its own unique
disincentives.

Something similar but totally different, from long long long ago, and I'm
sure the memories I have of this must be false ones, surely; is tucking in
close behind a police car or ambulance as it carves through rush hour
motorway traffic at speed - the cars separating magically before it and
flowing back into their lane as it passes. Follow stupidly close and you
are part of it. Drop back a shade and the returning traffic rips you away
from your free ride. An exhillerating experience for the short while that
you can stay there.
I discussed this long ago with an ambulance officer and they told me with
enthusiasm how much they disliked people doing this ad how they try to
arrange a reception committee 'further down the pike' if possible.
Obviously not something I'd recommend.


      R
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