In reply to:


One time when I was living in NYC, I hit 70+ mph in an 86 Isuzu Trooper on Broadway.

[...]

Actually looking back now it was really frigging stupid.
What if a cabbie had zipped out from a cross street?
Ah well, better not to think like that.



Yeah, I once hit 75 mph on Madison Ave. in my '92 Maxima and afterwards swore I'd never do anything so stupid again. My personal record in Manhattan, though, is 100 mph on the Henry Hudson Parkway. No lights or traffic, but the road surface sure left a lot to be desired.

On the subject of light timing in Manhattan, about a third of the cabbies seemed to think the best strategy was to go on Park Ave. which, being two-way, had all the lights in more or less perfect sync. As soon as they'd get a green, they'd go as many blocks as they could before they all changed to red again. Speeds of 60 or so were not uncommon. I never was convinced it was really a win, but if you were willing and able to go fast enough it would be.

--John

P.S. I've seen 224 kts (257 mph) in level flight in my '78 Mooney. Nothing like a 70 kt tailwind to make your day. Wheels can be such a drag.