I'm not proud of it, but I've gotten enough Performance Awards to declare that I have no f-ing clue what to expect. A bird dog helps a lot, but even it isn't fool proof, and it takes a fool to know it.
But I've got a heavy foot and an even heavier wrist, so I hedge my bets the best way I feel comfortable with:
1. When I get to the small towns in between the best roads, I bring it down to 1 under beginning at the exact mark of the limit sign. For the most part, all of these one-horse metropolis' are speed traps, and they won't lose a wink of sleep over it.
2. The twistiest twistys are where I have the most fun. If I understand things correctly, a yellow curve sign with a speed posted is a suggestion, not an order. So if the road is twisty enough, a 55 mph speed limit is more than enough.
3. When the road straightens, I slow down, usually to about 6-8ish over. If there is going to be a Popo in between the small towns, this is where he/she is most likely to hide behind a tree.
4. Although not a hard fast rule, I have found that subscribing to the "9 and you're fine, 10 and you're mine" theory works fairly well. But I have gotten one ticket for 7 over and I've been pulled over and let go for less than that.
5. When pulled over, I present paperwork and speak with humility. I was speeding, the cop knows it, and I'm not going to get any latitude by a flippant attitude.
6. I keep a clean record at all cost. I take the driver safety class. I pay the extra $100.00 extortion. Whatever it takes. If the officer finds me sincere, and sees a clean record, he/she may be inclined to let me go with a warning. At least it's worked many times in the past.
7. If I'm going to be running more than 10 over on the slab, which is EVERY SINGLE TIME I USE IT, I wait at 9 over for a bird dog, then tuck in about 1/4 mile behind and hope for the best.
8. If the radar detector beeps one time, every single time, I'm on the brake. I have a feeling that the cop gets my speeding signal around the curve, but for some reason, he/she won't pull me over until they see me and see the magic number. Again, at least that's worked plenty in the past in my favor.
9. I have to recognize and accept that if I'm leading the ride, more than likely, I'm going to get the award and the others are going to get away with my charity. That's happened more than once and the only thing I can do is take turns with the lead.
10. At the end of the day, I think it usually comes down to luck. I'd like to believe that officers like AJ exist everywhere out there. I know I've met a lot of them and work around a few as well. They are riders and they get it. They won't allow you to be stupid, and surely not put someone else deliberately in danger. But if you wear the gear, don't ride like a squid, choose your timing wisely, and keep a clean record, they will more than likely leave you alone or cut you a break.
At least I hope this works, 'cause my mom's idea of "slow the hell down" just isn't doing it for me.....
