2/20/10 those gals are brats.

365 Group (f)

Today hit 56 degrees and I had to go in to work. Add it up and you get a ride in. That new math is really something.
My hounds were all excited. It had been a while since I had geared up around them for a ride and they were all about "helping". They are really a bunch of fun for little ankle bitin vermin.
I got all my junk strapped on and jumped on the starter pedal. That is one of those pleasures you just can't always describe, kicking a bike to life, in a way that most people can understand. As the old bike fired up I felt that the day was going to be a good one for riding.
I bounced down my drive and headed toward town. At the highway I gave serious thought to taking the long way and being late. I mean it's Saturday and I am suppose to be off. Just about the time I decided to be a little late, the bike died. This is not good. I pushed it out of the road and started kicking. And kicking. After about the seventh kick I noticed my trip meter and realized that I was out of gas. Been a while since I had really ridden any so I don't remember the last time I topped off. Not a big deal. I hit the reserve and let it have a few minutes to prime the carbs. The eighth kick she fired up.
I eased out and headed up the street to the gas station. Nine dollars to fill up. I'm still happy with that compared to filling a car. I went in to pay for the gas and had to listen to the local "blow flies" and their cracks about cold and rain and all that. As usual, they stopped just short of admitting they were jealous.
Traffic was nice and non existent and winding the old gal up on the straight aways, I really had a good ride over to the foot of the mountain. I made my turn and hit the back roads. There isn't any way to say it...it was just nice. Floating along, listening to the pipes split the early morning still. After all these years that is still one of my favorite things.
The rest of my trip through town was good. No traffic and smooth streets always make for a good ride. Pulling into work I checked on everyone and everything and killed time until they were satisfied. They told me I could ease out around noon and also reminded me that I was on call. Oh well. I pulled out and ran up to 71 and headed south. I took care of a couple of errands and eased across back streets to the BBQ place. It had been a few days since I had been by there and I was a little hungry. Walking through the door my "gal" shot me a big smile. I made my order and her and the girl working with her informed me that they were buying my lunch. Arguing the point didn't seem to be getting me anywhere with these brats so I just gave in and grabbed a booth. I had to laugh about it. I'd love to be in my twenties again and as onry as these two. After my food arrived they took turns between customers to come and visit. It was a great lunch. To get even, I left a big tip. As I was heading out the door I got several big hugs. I'm here to tell that makes a "slightly older" man feel good. I promised to come back and headed out to a light mist. Still warm enough. Just a light mist falling.
Running down the highway to the house was a nice short ride. If I hadn't been locked into work I would have made todays a little longer trip. It was that good out.
Well, what can I say. The "weemens" still love me. Lunch hit the spot and the bike ran great.
Catch ya on the road

2/18/10 as good as a spam sammich!!

365 Group (f)

Today was the first day since the cold and snow hit my area that I have been able to ride any.

Temps got up to close to sixty and it timed right with my doctors orders about taking some time off from riding. Soooooooo...I uncovered the old gal and fired up. It had been several days since my last ride or even starting the bike so I let it warm for several minutes.
Someone once said that Harley's had a "potato potato" sound as they sat and idled. I noticed that this old twin has more of a refined sound. Kind of like "frenchy fry frenchy fry" .
Anyhow, it sounded good. I jumped on and headed down my worn out drive. Since it was starting to cool off again I only rode around town a little but it was nice to be out.
I made a couple of passes around the neighborhood and headed out on the highway to the straight stretches. Making a couple of top speed passes I figured it was time to head back and see how the spine was going to react. So far it felt fine.
It wasn't much of a ride only managed 23 miles without actually going anywhere. However, after the cold and snow and doctor, there's something to be said for it. I think it might actually catch on.
With a little luck the temps will hold in the 40's and up for a while and I can get back to a daily grind as it were.
Catch ya on the road