Over the Hill and Tight Right Turn

I was doing my Kroger to Kroger run. (A long stretch of divided median highway with a 55 MPH speed limit with a Kroger at the start and end of the median division.) When I got to end, I took a side road back to increase my variety of practice.

The road was a two lane with a speed limit of 50 MPH. That speed seems so unsafe without a median. I mean think about, even in a car, you're doing 50 mph with another car going the same speed, in the opposite direction, a foot or so apart from you?  Who thought up our road system?  But back to my story.  Traffic was light. But, the quality of the road sucked, bumpy, patch repairs, etc. I made a mental note not to take this road again. I kept my speed lower, because the road seemed so crappy.

As I approached up a hill, I moved towards the center of the lane to increase my visibility coming up over the hill. I rolled off the throttle, because you never know what’s going to be on the other side of a hill.

And I realize now, I’ve gotten spoiled by turn/corner ahead signs. The deluxe versions of those even have suggested speeds. As I came up the hill, I could make out one single arrow a way off near the far left of the road. That was the only signage. I figured the road must have a curve coming up, but one arrow off on the left didn’t exactly tell me what to expect. I eased off the throttle and was mentally prepared to brake.  I was trying to figure out which way this road would be going.

Then when I came over the hill, there was a sharp right turn and with a slew of cars coming in the other direction. I was on my brake and positioned in the left of the lane before I fully registered the situation.  Then I leaned in to the right and made the turn.  I went through ok, but I just didn't like the surprise.

I may go back and practice this particular last length of the road with the turn right after a hill, useful situation to practice.  And while I'm getting better at curves, I have an opportunity to practice at higher speeds.  In the future, maybe I wouldn't feel the need to brake at all for that particular curve.  I've noticed I can take more curves at faster speeds.  I'm not out to go too fast.  But I do hope to be feel comfortable at tight curves at normal suitable road speeds.

Other than annoyance at the road surprise, I’m happy with my responses and instincts. Going up a hill, prepare to expect anything, crappy road, expect worse to come, a strange small single arrow sign, expect a screwed up turn. And general don’t go barreling down an unknown road, roll off throttle at uncertain times, always be prepared to brake. And I think how far I’ve come.