365 Group (f)
Today was starting out really good. I got to sleep in for the first time in several months and the automatic timer gizmo on my coffee pot actually worked like it was suppose to. I had fresh coffee at 11:00 when I finally staggered out. The day was suppose to be in the mid 50's and should make for some good local riding. Since I'm more or less on call for work and cant really get too far away, local riding is about it for a while.
After some coffee and a shower I was ready to get out and tackle the bike. Seems like ages since I have ridden but really it's only been four or five days. Always funny how the cold that forces you to drive your "who-ver-round" convinces you that a lot of time has passed and all that. First off it looks as though local riding will be all that I get to do. My back tire is in bad need of being replaced. It's about slick and definitely not something I'd want to tackle the demands of even the two lanes with. So with that in mind I guess maybe a quick trip to the Bar b Que joint couldn't hurt. It's been a few days sine I'd seen the place and the bossy young lady that works there. Looking over the rest of the bike, my collection of parts as it were, I make mental note of things that need attention. Like new throttle cables. Maybe a P pad to cover the wiring on the rear fender? New control switches for the lights and on and on...little stuff. Nothing that keeps the present ride from happening, but stuff that is needed to keep the overall machine alive. Well, maybe eBay this evening? Right now it's time to hit the kicker and see where I stand in today's quest for great barbecue. It's got to be the damper air at this time of year...Quarter choke and the old gal fires up on the first or second kick. Never like that during the summer months. letting the bike idle to road temperature I round up the pups and grab my helmet. I bribe them a little with a hand full of the really "good" treats and they sort of sack out. I don't like to have the worry of them becoming a road kill while I'm gone. Finally everything is done and set and I helmet up and bounce down the drive. At the street I get that odd feeling of ''yeah" creeping up my spine. There's just something about being on a bike while the rest of the world ain't. I ease down to the highway and head west towards good looking women and good food. As I leave town I start edging up on my speed. Like I said earlier, little stuff. Finally satisfied I settle on a brisk 70 mph and have a comfortable ride over to the mountain. Pulling the mountain I have a sense of solid in the bike. I drop into fourth and it felt like the old gal just settled down and dug in for a real solid pull. No whoopin or wheezing or anything just a strong pull and a great rumble from the pipes. Topping the mountain I opened up on the down run of a dip in the road and came out the other side at about a hundred. Figuring that this was about as close to town as I could get away with silly stuff I backed it down to around sixty and considered my shake down done. Floating along the last four miles to town was nice. Like the last time I was down this way when we were on the Polar Bear run. Just nice to be out and in it. I eased up a little and came up to the traffic light. As is pretty much normal a bunch of cars were backed up. When I got to where I could I cut off through a gas station lot and over to an ATM. Here it was around noon on a Saturday and there was people everywhere. From the ATM I looked out at the traffic and it reminded me of an Ant Farm. Just sucks! I grabbed the cash and jumped into an opening in the ants. I got stuck in the inside lane and was forced to poke along for a couple of lights. Finally I got an opening and slid across to the outside shoulder and made some progress. Pulling into the BBQ place I felt pretty good. It was a good quick trip. Looking around I located a semi flat parking space to give me a shot at checking the oil before I left and backed in to the stares of a couple of local guys that have bikes but for some reason don't ever ride them and their ladies. Funny, they all had on "biker garb" and really did look the part.
I walked in and got in line to order and as I made my way to the counter my "bud" saw me and in mid order taking she came around the counter and gave me a big ole hug. Now that's special...don't care who ya are. Finally everything settled down and I got up to the counter and made my order. I piled down at my usual table to wait and all the girls that work there came by and visited a little. It was nice. My "yanked" pork sammich came and my bud delivered it and sat with me for a few minutes as I ate. This is the way all BBQ joints should run.
I finally got my meal done an was lounging over my last beer when Whit came and sat down again. We chatted for a while and as I got ready to leave she gave me another big hug. Perfect ending to a really good lunch.
Back out in the lot I stood the old gal up and checked the oil. About a tablespoon low. Not too shabby for a 33 year old ride. Hitting the kicker I roared out of the lot and generally in the direction of the house. As I came down the street towards the light I shifted up to third to catch the light when all of a sudden I heard a Harley with open pipes right next to me. Looking around I didn't see another bike and then it hit me. It was my bike growling like an enraged moose. My pipe had split when I grabbed third gear. One of the band aid welds I had made back in the summer had finally given out. Limping over into a liquor store parking lot I looked over the damage. Not too bad. Just way too loud. The kind of loud that gives you a headache. Not the cool kind of loud. Sitting there thinking it all over I figured I could tolerate it the eight miles to the house and was starting to form my battle plan of a 40 mph trip when a Housing contractor pulled in. I knew the guy in a distant way and when he asked if he could help, it hit me, yeah! I told him I needed some metal flashing and bailing wire if he had any. He did and I made some quick wraps with the flashing and secured it all with bailing wire. He looked it all over when I handed him back his pliers and said "well, like willie nelson once said." "on the road again". I thanked him and jumped on the starter and it was pretty decent.
My ride back to the house was a good smooth kick back sort of deal. Not much traffic and no hurry. I really enjoyed it. Too bad that the day was settling into afternoon. I could have been talked into a run somewhere.
I topped off the tank and tanked up on some coffee at the little cafe/gas station by the house. I also got a couple of zoo zoo's for later and as I was paying for everything I thought, what the heck, and got a dollar scratch off card. Joking with the gal at the counter about becoming an instant "ga zillion aire" I scratched it and was a $20.00 winner. That's it. Time to head to the house. Couldn't get any better so time to end the day on a high note.
Pulling up to the house the pups had their noses pressed against the window and appeared glad to see me. It's nice to be loved!
Catch ya on the road
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
1/12/10 Another day in paradise
365 Group (f)
Today was a shade warmer than it has been. Got up to 47 degrees I heard from a guy at work.
I hadn't been doing a lot of riding lately so today I figured on getting in a few miles. I had a bike gathering of sorts to photograph after work so I saddled up.
When I headed out I had the fleeting thought that I was a "weee" bit nuts as the "hover round" was running good when I parked it yesterday.
I struggled into the snow mobile suit and went out to start the bike. It wasn't too bad. The wind wasn't blowing and felt more cool than cold.
After a little priming and a couple of cold kicks she fired about half way through the second kick. I'm still amazed. Fires right up after sitting for about a week in zero weather. I set the idle to a little faster than normal and headed back in for the work junk and my camera...and, since I was there, another cup of coffee. Finally, with the junk all strapped in place and my camera packaged for warmth I headed down my bumpy driveway. At the street I eased out hoping to not find and stray patches of ice. I made my way down to the highway and headed west. In the cool air the old twin ran really well and I hit a good steady clip of about 50. Wasn't too cold at this speed and really kind of comfortable being wrapped in a snow mobile suit and all.
I made good time over to the foot of the mountain and hit my back roads. The temps seemed a little cooler as I ran around the lake but as I pulled the hills I felt several warm pockets and figured it would better the closer I got to town.
I got on the new park way and ran along with traffic ignoring the "gawkers" and had a good time,all in all. I was also the only person to ride to work. Guess i have the title.
After work it was down right warm feeling when there wasn't any wind. I didn't bother with the snow mobile suit and just got on 71 and headed over to Fayetteville to take a few pictures of some folks and their bikes. On the way over to the juke joint where we were meeting I picked up a newer looking Victory and we rode along for a couple or three traffic lights. I gotta say I think he was enjoying the way people looked at us as much as I was. he turned with a wave toward the interstate and I headed to Dickson street.
After taking pictures of the bikes and shootin the breeze with everyone I decide to put on the snow suit and bite the bullet and head the long way toward the house. Poking along through town was almost like a fall afternoon cool but not cold. Once on the highway it did get down right cold. I had a good ride in. Even saw a couple of other riders as I slipped through town.
I had a good time, especially looking at the "rubber neckers" looking at me like I was cheating. Hey you can get around slow moving traffic too...ride a bike. I also had a good time waving at the little kids in the cars and suv's. They looked real excited as I would ride up and waved really big at me as I buzzed passed them at traffic tie ups.
Who knows? I may have to do this again tomorrow.
Catch ya on the road
Today was a shade warmer than it has been. Got up to 47 degrees I heard from a guy at work.
I hadn't been doing a lot of riding lately so today I figured on getting in a few miles. I had a bike gathering of sorts to photograph after work so I saddled up.
When I headed out I had the fleeting thought that I was a "weee" bit nuts as the "hover round" was running good when I parked it yesterday.
I struggled into the snow mobile suit and went out to start the bike. It wasn't too bad. The wind wasn't blowing and felt more cool than cold.
After a little priming and a couple of cold kicks she fired about half way through the second kick. I'm still amazed. Fires right up after sitting for about a week in zero weather. I set the idle to a little faster than normal and headed back in for the work junk and my camera...and, since I was there, another cup of coffee. Finally, with the junk all strapped in place and my camera packaged for warmth I headed down my bumpy driveway. At the street I eased out hoping to not find and stray patches of ice. I made my way down to the highway and headed west. In the cool air the old twin ran really well and I hit a good steady clip of about 50. Wasn't too cold at this speed and really kind of comfortable being wrapped in a snow mobile suit and all.
I made good time over to the foot of the mountain and hit my back roads. The temps seemed a little cooler as I ran around the lake but as I pulled the hills I felt several warm pockets and figured it would better the closer I got to town.
I got on the new park way and ran along with traffic ignoring the "gawkers" and had a good time,all in all. I was also the only person to ride to work. Guess i have the title.
After work it was down right warm feeling when there wasn't any wind. I didn't bother with the snow mobile suit and just got on 71 and headed over to Fayetteville to take a few pictures of some folks and their bikes. On the way over to the juke joint where we were meeting I picked up a newer looking Victory and we rode along for a couple or three traffic lights. I gotta say I think he was enjoying the way people looked at us as much as I was. he turned with a wave toward the interstate and I headed to Dickson street.
After taking pictures of the bikes and shootin the breeze with everyone I decide to put on the snow suit and bite the bullet and head the long way toward the house. Poking along through town was almost like a fall afternoon cool but not cold. Once on the highway it did get down right cold. I had a good ride in. Even saw a couple of other riders as I slipped through town.
I had a good time, especially looking at the "rubber neckers" looking at me like I was cheating. Hey you can get around slow moving traffic too...ride a bike. I also had a good time waving at the little kids in the cars and suv's. They looked real excited as I would ride up and waved really big at me as I buzzed passed them at traffic tie ups.
Who knows? I may have to do this again tomorrow.
Catch ya on the road
Monday, January 4, 2010
January 2, 2010 "yep, I'm a Polar Bear!"
365 Group (f)
Today the temp got up to a whopping 29 degrees, I heard.
Today was also our annual Polar Bear ride. Where all us die hard types all meet on a traditionally cool day of the year, have lunch and explain to people that it's a good day to ride.
It was a great ride. A little cooler than years past but still a load of fun.
I started off by literally brushing the ice and snow off my bike. Seems that my cover just cant take the winds we've been having lately. I had to use a hair dryer to thaw out the ignition and light switches. With the cooler temps I was sure that the old bike would be a bear to start but it fired up on the first kick. To say I'm amazed is really putting it mildly.
After warming up for several minutes I headed up to my riding buddy Luther's place. The loose plan was to leave from his house and head to the Bar B Que place in town for lunch. Also, see how many other riders we would encounter along the way.
As it worked out the two of us were all that showed for lunch. It was a great lunch and a good relaxed time.
As I said he and I were the only ones we saw until we were heading back to the house. As we were leaving town we met a determined looking rider heading in. He seemed tickled to see us on the road and really put some extra effort into waving as we passed.
So this years ride is done...Grand total 3.
Already looking forward to next year.
catch ya on the road
Today the temp got up to a whopping 29 degrees, I heard.
Today was also our annual Polar Bear ride. Where all us die hard types all meet on a traditionally cool day of the year, have lunch and explain to people that it's a good day to ride.
It was a great ride. A little cooler than years past but still a load of fun.
I started off by literally brushing the ice and snow off my bike. Seems that my cover just cant take the winds we've been having lately. I had to use a hair dryer to thaw out the ignition and light switches. With the cooler temps I was sure that the old bike would be a bear to start but it fired up on the first kick. To say I'm amazed is really putting it mildly.
After warming up for several minutes I headed up to my riding buddy Luther's place. The loose plan was to leave from his house and head to the Bar B Que place in town for lunch. Also, see how many other riders we would encounter along the way.
As it worked out the two of us were all that showed for lunch. It was a great lunch and a good relaxed time.
As I said he and I were the only ones we saw until we were heading back to the house. As we were leaving town we met a determined looking rider heading in. He seemed tickled to see us on the road and really put some extra effort into waving as we passed.
So this years ride is done...Grand total 3.
Already looking forward to next year.
catch ya on the road
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
12/10/09 COLD!
365 Group (f)
14 degrees here this morning!
There was the promise of a rise to the middle 30's today. Now that's a heat wave...don't care who ya are. I managed to get out and put the charger on the battery as that seems to help with my "one and a half to two thirds" kick wonder. This morning I even managed to prop a heater up against the oil pan. That seemed to make all the difference in the world. Yesterday was as cold but I didn't ride as the car was handy and all that. Today however there were many variables, like a friend that needed my car. So, a ride in was in order.
I got into my snow mobile suit and went to disconnect the charger and heater. The bike fired up on the second kick, settled into a nice rumbling idle. I gave it a few minutes to warm up and headed out.
Like yesterday, it wasn't too bad in the short haul. This translated into slower speeds. About 45 was the sub Arctic sweet spot. I made it down the highway to my turn off without any problems. Most people on the road I think were just too cold to be stupid this morning. After I got off the highway and on the county road my 45 mph sweet spot ran out good and I even felt like I made pretty good time. I also didn't feel like I was freezing.
Pulling on the Parkway traffic picked up a little and since it's mostly short straight shots between traffic lights I hammered down between the lights. As I pulled away from my last light on the parkway, a sport bike pulled in behind me. He was all leathered up and frozen looking. He followed me over to my turn off at work and pulled in beside me.
Introducing himself as Josh he said he was curious as to how far I had ridden this morning. When I explained that I was coming only a total of thirteen miles he seemed impressed. Telling me that he had only just gotten started where he got in behind me and was going to take his finals at the university. He also asked if there was any tricks to riding in the cold. All I could think of to tell him was go slow and stop to warm up when he felt like it. Josh nodded and pulled back out into traffic. Hope he made it and was able to hold a pencil.
I asked the Security guy if he had seen any other "idjit's" on two wheelers this morning. Laughing, he said, yep. Seems that a lot of the morning "in town" riders rode in as usual. This made me feel pretty good about my morning adventure.
Hope work gets in gear. Cant wait to see what the evening ride is like.
Catch ya on the road...(if I don't wave it's because my arms are frozen in place)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
12/09/09 13 degrees
365 Group (f)
This morning it was thirteen degrees when I got up. No I didn't ride in today. I thought about it and ...nahhhhhhhhh.
When I got back to the house this afternoon it was up to 25 degrees. A regular heat wave. I couldn't resist. I Fired the old bike up and ambled down the drive. I figured on just a quick pass through the neighborhood and back to the house.
Once I got on the paved road and got going it really wasn't too bad, for a short haul. I tooled down to the gas station and ordered some fries to go.
As I waited on my fires several people ask me silly questions about being cold and did my heater work. I managed a straight serious face and replied yep, heater works good. Defroster doesn't do so well though. A couple of these people even came on with the old "I was going to ride my Harley today but..." routine, to try to impress the young the girls working there. It was quite humorous actually. Posers is I think what they are call now days.
The girls at the store all know me and knew that I was having fun. I got my fires and a coke and saddled back up. The trip meter on my LSI said 2.3 miles. 0.3 miles over the daily requirement.
For a short run and I do mean short, it wasn't too bad. Kind of fun actually.
Oh yeah, fries werent too bad either...lots of ketchup and all.
Catch ya on the road
This morning it was thirteen degrees when I got up. No I didn't ride in today. I thought about it and ...nahhhhhhhhh.
When I got back to the house this afternoon it was up to 25 degrees. A regular heat wave. I couldn't resist. I Fired the old bike up and ambled down the drive. I figured on just a quick pass through the neighborhood and back to the house.
Once I got on the paved road and got going it really wasn't too bad, for a short haul. I tooled down to the gas station and ordered some fries to go.
As I waited on my fires several people ask me silly questions about being cold and did my heater work. I managed a straight serious face and replied yep, heater works good. Defroster doesn't do so well though. A couple of these people even came on with the old "I was going to ride my Harley today but..." routine, to try to impress the young the girls working there. It was quite humorous actually. Posers is I think what they are call now days.
The girls at the store all know me and knew that I was having fun. I got my fires and a coke and saddled back up. The trip meter on my LSI said 2.3 miles. 0.3 miles over the daily requirement.
For a short run and I do mean short, it wasn't too bad. Kind of fun actually.
Oh yeah, fries werent too bad either...lots of ketchup and all.
Catch ya on the road
Monday, December 7, 2009
12/8/09 Not bad
365 Group (f)
This morning was a cool one. The weather channel said it was around 38 or so. Felt cooler to me but who am I to argue with experts.
I tanked up on some really good coffee and "wooled" the hounds around some. As daylight started creeping in the windows I slipped on my snowmobile suit and headed out.
It really wasn't all that bad when the wind wasn't blowing. It took three kicks this morning as the oil was a "weee" bit thicker. But hearing the way the rumble split the morning quiet it was worth the extra effort.
As it warmed up I strapped down all the junk for work. I couldn't help but chuckle at the "extra over sized saddle bags" a well meaning friend told me I needed. Bless her heart, she just still don't get it. No more than I carry, no farther than I go it would just be a waste for me. But she means well.
Bouncing down the drive I get a great picture of early morning heavy, almost ice, frost on everything. With the sun light hitting it, everything is bright, clear and clean looking. I love mornings like that.
The traffic was light and I settled into a easy ride of about fifty mph. It wasn't too cold at this speed. With the light traffic it was just about as good as it gets. I made my turn at the foot of the mountain and started through the short twisties, slowing down to look over a herd of deer that were ambling around with some cattle. Smart critters, it's deer season around here. I almost stopped and took a couple of pictures, but it's cold and that's a good enough reason for me to weenie out.
Once I topped the hill at my half way point I could feel a warm temperature change and figured that it probably would get a little warmer through out the day. So my ride back in should be a good one.
I got on the parkway and fell in with a bunch of hooligans that were trying to play bumper car tag or some such nonsense. I finally had enough and as the next light changed I put some real distance between me and them. It's bad enough riding around this small town morning traffic with the regular idiots. No sense encouraging the ones with a pedigree.
A look at my watch showed me to be several minutes ahead this morning so I figured a cup of coffee and and a biscuit "somethingorother" was in order. I jumped on 71 north and hit the first drive through I saw, a Sonic, where a lovely older lady took my order and cheerfully advised me that as cool as it was she was convinced that I had left my good sense at home. Man! This was going to be a good day. I rode out laughing and headed over to the office.
Work oozed by as it always does and at quitting time I was really ready to head for the house. I pulled out into the evening traffic and headed toward the side streets I use to get across town to the new parkway. Once on the side streets the traffic is normally light as I'm slipping through mostly residential areas. Today was a little different as there was some work on the traffic lights going on. As I sat in traffic waiting on the cop to let us go I saw another rider coming up behind me in the turn lane. He was just easing along trying to get to as close to end of the line of traffic and around whatever obstruction there was as he could. He pulled up beside me and motioned ahead in a questioning way. "Workin on the lights" I yelled. He nodded and we sat there for a few. Finally the cop motioned us on and we eased our way out of the traffic. We ran along to the 265 intersection. With a wave he went his way and I went mine.
I had a good uneventful ride back to the house and felt very relaxed. Pulling back in at the house I thought about the day and, well, "not a bad ride".
catch ya on the road
This morning was a cool one. The weather channel said it was around 38 or so. Felt cooler to me but who am I to argue with experts.
I tanked up on some really good coffee and "wooled" the hounds around some. As daylight started creeping in the windows I slipped on my snowmobile suit and headed out.
It really wasn't all that bad when the wind wasn't blowing. It took three kicks this morning as the oil was a "weee" bit thicker. But hearing the way the rumble split the morning quiet it was worth the extra effort.
As it warmed up I strapped down all the junk for work. I couldn't help but chuckle at the "extra over sized saddle bags" a well meaning friend told me I needed. Bless her heart, she just still don't get it. No more than I carry, no farther than I go it would just be a waste for me. But she means well.
Bouncing down the drive I get a great picture of early morning heavy, almost ice, frost on everything. With the sun light hitting it, everything is bright, clear and clean looking. I love mornings like that.
The traffic was light and I settled into a easy ride of about fifty mph. It wasn't too cold at this speed. With the light traffic it was just about as good as it gets. I made my turn at the foot of the mountain and started through the short twisties, slowing down to look over a herd of deer that were ambling around with some cattle. Smart critters, it's deer season around here. I almost stopped and took a couple of pictures, but it's cold and that's a good enough reason for me to weenie out.
Once I topped the hill at my half way point I could feel a warm temperature change and figured that it probably would get a little warmer through out the day. So my ride back in should be a good one.
I got on the parkway and fell in with a bunch of hooligans that were trying to play bumper car tag or some such nonsense. I finally had enough and as the next light changed I put some real distance between me and them. It's bad enough riding around this small town morning traffic with the regular idiots. No sense encouraging the ones with a pedigree.
A look at my watch showed me to be several minutes ahead this morning so I figured a cup of coffee and and a biscuit "somethingorother" was in order. I jumped on 71 north and hit the first drive through I saw, a Sonic, where a lovely older lady took my order and cheerfully advised me that as cool as it was she was convinced that I had left my good sense at home. Man! This was going to be a good day. I rode out laughing and headed over to the office.
Work oozed by as it always does and at quitting time I was really ready to head for the house. I pulled out into the evening traffic and headed toward the side streets I use to get across town to the new parkway. Once on the side streets the traffic is normally light as I'm slipping through mostly residential areas. Today was a little different as there was some work on the traffic lights going on. As I sat in traffic waiting on the cop to let us go I saw another rider coming up behind me in the turn lane. He was just easing along trying to get to as close to end of the line of traffic and around whatever obstruction there was as he could. He pulled up beside me and motioned ahead in a questioning way. "Workin on the lights" I yelled. He nodded and we sat there for a few. Finally the cop motioned us on and we eased our way out of the traffic. We ran along to the 265 intersection. With a wave he went his way and I went mine.
I had a good uneventful ride back to the house and felt very relaxed. Pulling back in at the house I thought about the day and, well, "not a bad ride".
catch ya on the road
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