I like my bike!

11-13 Got home late. Geared up and rode around the subdivision and once through the IP
11-14 Got home early from work it was warn upper 40's I geared up but where to go, first I warmed myself up in the industrial park, a lot of semi truck traffic so I decided to ride out and visit a former neighbor that bought in a new subdivision about 5 mi away but the only way there is the second busiest primary around and the beginning of rush hour. Coming out of the industrial park is a double left turn lane onto the primary but a half block back is a service road intersection from the fast food joints 7-11 and other service businesses as I approached a semi pulled out from the service road turning the same direction as I was going and across my path, I wanted to stay in the right hand of the double left hand turn lanes to give myself more room in the turn I see too often drivers in the right hand side of a double
left cut to the inside cutting off those in the inside left hand position, I had stopped for the truck pulling out but he realized he could not make his turn so he stopped that's when the fun began. The traffic behind me all decided they weren't going to wait for traffic to clear for the trucker the left hand of the two turning lanes was only half full whereas if I filled in the right lane I be blocking the trucker the impatient CAGERS started going around me from both sides to fill in the left hand turn lane WTF! I just sat there till traffic cleared the trucker pulled clear and I moved up and what, I had to wait till the light cycled through again. I had my outside position I could swing a little wide I was a happy camper! Rest of the trip out and back was uneventful, just getting in some ride time in traffic.

11-15 Off work. Where to ride to? Decided to visit my old shop I was with them for 16 yrs till the old man retired and the kid took over. This is a nice ride about 17mi mixed traffic through some forest preserves over bridges and RR tracks and stop and go city traffic I'm very familiar with this road. The forecast was partly cloudy, a little windy and speed to increase as the day went on.
The section that runs through the forest preserve is a little twisty with uphill down hill and blind curves. I've been over this road hundreds of times in the car or truck it ain't the same on the bike plus I've had more than one deer pop out in front of me over the years. I've seen some of those bike and deer videos on U tube I took it nice and easy probably the first time I did the speed limit through there in years especially on the uphill blind turn I'm generally 5mph over the limit of 15. Made it through but had a line of traffic behind me I think they all just wanted a look at my sharp blue Vulcan.

Crossed the big bridge it's concrete with metal expansion joints no big deal nice view from the top if you like church steeples. Visited a while and caught up on what's happening they all thought it was Harley but they think all cruisers are. Headed back got a few miles down the road and thought, Hey I don't have to go home so I made a left at the next light which just happened to be a US highway and headed south. Well a few miles down I ran into a construction zone which was fun flaggers, lane closers, reduced speeds. Don't get me wrong I always slow down for road crews I think everyone caught speeding in one should have to stand out there for a day with two tons of steel or more flying by a few feet away, just changing a tire is more than I want to do under those conditions and I have.

Well I kept heading south till I got to the corn fields and yeah that wind started to pick up. I hadn't ridden in any wind yet so something new I turned west at the next crossroad I was familiar with it so I rode on. The speed limit was 50 it's single lane passing is permitted but not practical do to volume of traffic most times of day. I tried to do the limit but with the wind buffeting me I felt uncomfortable much over 45. Lucky for me the first guy behind me who was right on my tail turned off at the first stop signed crossroad and a heavy construction truck turned in behind me. I was able to get away from the stop signs quick and that big old rig was just catching up about the time we hit the next that went on for about six miles except when a Ups brown slipped in but he didn't stay long. Anyway we have to be nice to brown they bring us goodies. Well I hit the north south that would bring me back home and quartering to the wind wasn't to bad and being out of the corn fields a lot of structure to break it up. Home and a hot bowl of chile.

11-16 Still no work! Overcast, light winds tempts low 40's Well I've had Carri home for a week and we've bonded. I had ordered her some trinkets to dress her up and provide me a little peace of mind. I have received notice of shipment of Carri's Memphis Shades 19” gradient black and quick disconnect and her MC engine guard expected arrival 11-20. Considering the time of year 160 miles in a week is a good start muscle memory is in good form actions are becoming automatic reaction time improving.

I have a buddy that had to take a disability retirement, according to google maps he's 46mi from herefter I rerouted off the Interstate to US highways. I think I'm going to head out there.
I put a turtle neck on and a sweat shirt over, under my riding gear and a pair of heavy boot socks, wish I had some long jons but I haven't worn any for years since I quit hunting. This isn't a bad ride and in nice weather it would be a lot of fun. Because of the temps I picked the most direct route that kept me off the Interstate a much more scenic route would put a few more miles on but I thought this enough challenge.

The starting leg is much the same as going to my brothers but with my weeks experience I'm skipping the secondary road and proceeding to the north south US highway and direct to the east west US highway. Well I'm back in the corn fields but the wind is only 6-10 and not bad however there are plenty of trucks both east and west bound many farmers hauling grain. (I think about gravel and the possibility of grain spills I imagine a bike acts the same on grain as gravel I mentally take note to watch for yellow roadway) I'm doing the limit 55 the truckers are in a hurry the road is strait and fairly smooth when I see one filling my rear view I just pull to the right 1/3 and let them pass I'm not getting any buffeting from them. The east bound trucks are a different story it seems that the shape of the oncoming trucks produce different air cushions, the big freight boxes are the worse the corn haulers and earth haulers the least.

My clutch hand starts to go numb not from the cold I have a pair of insulated Olympian gauntlet gloves they're XXL but still tight. I've come about 30mi I pull off at the next crossroad with a stop sign. I get the circulation going and adjust the gloves as best I can. I'm warm my feet are sweating my hands are sweating but my legs are cold and my neck chin between my turtle neck and helmet. I think Santa is going to bring me some AlterEgo pants and whatever that head gear is that goes down under your jacket but with an open face.

The truck traffic dropped off suddenly, I assume the scales were open on the Interstate and many were avoiding them. I have the road to myself nice long stretches of blacktop. I come to a stop sign no cross traffic no one behind me no one for as far as I can see. Well the dealers mechanic said don't baby it ride it in break like you will later. He said the worse problem they had was new owners babying their bikes for 600 mi bringing them in for their servicing then riding them like he!! and then complaining that they're falling apart on subsequent visits, on things that could have been taken care of at first servicing. Giddup go Carri. Nice smooth acceleration don't have to worry about falling off the back but I'm impressed. Glad none of the constabulary are around for a speed check I've been clean for the last 12 yrs lets keep it that way. I wind it up then let off, wind it up then let it off. I do that for the next 5-6 miles expect for a wide spot in the road with a name but not much else and speed reduction for RR.

I'm watching for my buddy's turnoff I always come from the other direction and the Interstate. Oops there it goes. Go down to the next gravel road turn around and come back make the right turn drive down a mile or so and there it is. Nobody home. Now you might ask why I didn't call first because I didn't care if they were home though it would have been nice if they were but I WANTED TO RIDE.
I needed nourishment so headed down to the Interstate and fast food heaven.
The one thing I found to be funny is how one part of you can be so cold and the rest so warm? My legs were COLD but I needed to peel my helmet gloves and jacket. Any answers to that?
Carri now has 268 miles on her 252 put on by me