Cheap Boots

I've never found a proper pair of motorcycle boots. When I started riding, I bought a pair of cheap cruiser style boots. And I have been looking for a good pair ever since. The cheap boots wear out and I haven't found a decent pair yet, so I buy another cheap pair. And the cycle repeats.

Turned Down a Chance to Ride...Again

Unseasonably warm weather has cleared the roads of any ice, and made it possible for me to dust off the ST1300 for a mid-winter ride.

I rode to work yesterday and today.

I think commuting in the winter is harder than in the summer. And not just for the obvious reasons of "ice and snow", which, by the way I avoid.

1. Drivers aren't expecting to see a motorcycle.

The brain dead cagers have a hard enough time noticing motorcycles in July, when the sun is shining brightly, and every fourth vehicle is a motorcycle. In January, when nobody has seen a bike in six weeks, it's darned near impossible.

2. The are fewer hours of daylight.

To work my regular work hours during the winter, I'm leaving my house in darkness, and returning in darkness. in the summer imcan keep those same hours and ride in daylight both ways.

3. Road Salt does not provide good traction.

Even when the ice and snow have melted away during an unseasonable warm spell during the winter months, the sand or salt that road crews spread on the roads during the last snowstorm is still lingering on the roadways. These are especially troublesome in corners, or in the center of the lane between the tire tracks of the cars.

Despite all this, Imstill enjoy my winter rides. They're a rare treat to break up the monotony of the long winter months.

Late Season Ride

I rode to work again today. Any time I can commute after November 15 I count myself lucky; my season usually finishes by then.

Not only did I ride, but I enjoyed it! So many of my recent rides have been dull, and my skills have been rusty. Today everything felt good, and I was happy to rack up more miles before the snow.

Ray of Light

I braved the thirty mile per hour gusts of wind, and the shopping mall on a weekend, in order to find am excuse to fit a ride in. It was sixty degrees with thunderstorms in the forecast. The sky looked like a Maxfield Parrish painting. I didn't get blown off the road, though a Toyota tried to merge on top of me.

Low Mileage

After two and a half years of ownership, my wife's Harley has less than three thousand miles on it. This is a bit embarrassing . . . Any self-respecting motorcyclist would average more than a thousand miles in a year. Yet, how many riders totally exit the motorcycle scene during their child rearing years? Many take a break . . . Even sell their bikes . . . While the kids are young. So, compared to that standard, any miles accumulated during these very busy years are commendable. And . . . We tell ourselves, we'll ride more next year.

Mrs. Rat and I

Mrs. Rat and I took a brief ride this afternoon. Though we didn't have much time, we managed to make a quick circuit out into the countryside, and back again. Here we share a fill up . . . Honda and Harley.

Rode to work today

I rode to work today. There was no rain nor snow. The low this morning was about 40 degrees F, and the high was about 50 degrees F. Mine was the only bike I saw, which is kind of odd. There have been colder or rainier days lately on which I have seen more bikes.

Hoping to ride tomorrow...

I haven't ridden since Saturday. It's been cold and rainy, and I've been under the weather all week. If i get some sleep, and if it doesn't rain, I'll ride to work tomorrow.