TritonCobra!
Hey, thanks ever so much for that nice description of your first long ride! Although my trek back home was only 70 miles, the excellent description you gave brings back such great memories.
Especially the terror factor.... ohhh yess. You are a good man to admit it. Just remember, One of the best and most experienced Cobra race drivers wrapped his 427C experimental into the one and ONLY tree on the race course during a race.
There will be a few bugs.... part of the fun. Hey I just ironed one out that has been with ERA357 now for 10+ years... Ha Ha Trumpet Blast... Drumm Rolll.
As for the wooden steering wheel... try a nice (read expensive) pair of leather driving gloves. That may help a bit.
Regarding the exhaust note, hearing and such.... I have found that those earplugs work better than nothing.. and for cold ears in the late fall and winter... try these... they are small... add ear protection for hearing and also are WARM and do not look too assinine. They are from Duluth Trading. Real nice.
http://www.duluthtrading.com/a/shop/...1186+BLK&c=&s=