Love the Ride

During my latest cross-country run I usually spent 10 or more hours - often 12-14 - each riding day in the saddle. I'd get mentally and physically exhausted, and when I'd realize it I had one "trick" to re-energize: grab the 'grips and hit the throttle....briefly (didn't need law problems). The joy of riding would fire me back up for another few miles. Us riders know that the ride is the reason for the trip.

Weather can make riding less fun. Over 100 or less than 50 degrees and the ride becomes more of a challenge. I've ridden in temps from 9 degrees to 116, and those were when I actually/accurately knew the official temps. The 116 required a water bottle to spray on me as well as drink - the 9 was just a poor decision...frostbite took a layer of skin that morning, and even that was covered-up. Won't do below 20 anymore, and really anything under freezing is hard on the bike.

Ol' Red (my ride) is in the shop, or I'd riding now, hence the ramble. Keep the rubber down and the shine up!

Too bad. Lived in Florida for many years, but glad you enjoy it. I still ride 12 months and love every one of them. I'd hate to be confined to climates that require me to sweat every frickin' day, to deal with the daily bugs and thunder, and then there is the snowbird drivers that can't seem to handle the daily rain. Not saying I wouldn't go back, just that I wouldn't stay. Armadillos are cute, mind ya', but I'll take my jackrabbits and antelope, they mind where they are better. Nice to throw down a blanket here and not worry about fire ants or cottonmouths, either. Rattlers at least give ya fair warning, and the tarantulas are really only scary lookin', not feared for their bites. Do miss the Florida Panhandle cooking, though, but as a fair cook and gardener m'self I can get my bugs and spices well enough. And I couldn't live without seeing mountains and canyons. Yep, enjoy Florida....more room on the lonely roads here for me & Red!

I generally don't ride at night simply because there is less to see, so less to enjoy. As for armadillos, the tough little balls they become can really throw a bike off course. Never had any to eat, though...maybe next time I get down there.

Yep. For being in Florida for the little amount of time that I was, it was enough for me to decide that I have no desire to move down there or to go riding there. JOHNNYBIKER doesn't like hot weather.

6 months riding season sux too though.

Never occurred to me to try armadillo. But we have lots of venison and moonshine around here to indulge in LOL. We have so far had temps in the 90s with high humidity, not a good combination by anyone's standards, but we can ride. I'm still fooling with my transmission and it seems nothing I do (short of a complete rebuild) will fix it.

Was saving the money to do it, but decided it would be better spent going towards cataract surgery. Got one done a few days back and the other eye will be done in a few weeks. Man, what a difference! As for the tranny, I'm looking for a shop to do it. Maybe someone here on the forum could recommend a shop for me . . . then again, Tattoo says just get a new one (4-speed ratchet top).

You're right. I know some guys who like to suck the juice out of pig eyes, say, at a "pig pickin' ". Yuk!

JB, good to hear from you. Hope the surgery is going well. Still hoping to see you this end of the state. Just for thoughts, kept my softail when I got the RG Ultra. If you were ever to drive over here, got a bike you could ride...01 Softail. Don't let many touch it, but like to show you a bit of Western NC.

Thanks, MC. Not sure I'd remember how to ride a regular bike LOL. Took an 80+ mile ride yesterday (round trip) to see my eye doc in Greenville. My eye drops are a PITA, but I'm told it happens with some patients. The Durazol stings and the Ilevro makes it feel like there's gravel in my eye for a while LOL. Two more weeks of that . . . but I see so much better - they put a prescription lense in to replace the natural one. When I get the other eye done in September I won't need glasses anymore except for reading.
The ride yesterday was fun as it was still morning and not too hot. I now wear a 3/4 helmet with a face shield and Wiley-X tactical googles. Keeps all wind and debris out.

JB, I had it done about 5 months ago. You won't believe how bright things get. You'll especially like to see what you've been missing at night.

Very true, Charlie.

Don't think I'll ever have a full-face modular, HRK, as long trips are out of my range. I am certain one would improve my looks as well LOL. The thing I like about the 3/4 helmet is that it cuts down on wind noise while allowing me to hear the motor more clearly. It's easier to hear the motor with 30" drag pipes, too, and you should see the deer scatter when they hear me coming!

Red Rider, I hope your scooter is out of the shop by now. I have ridden through Nevada several times in my youth and remember it as a state with lots of scenic places to see.

Yep, between my local Indie shop and myself, got it in the best shape it has been in ever, I think. But what did I do today? Actually just got back from scouting on my dual-sport 650. Getting closer to hunting season!

I'm sure you'll make the transition with relative ease, Ken. The humidity is probably the worst thing you'll have to deal with, weatherwise, with the occasional hurricane LOL. But at least you'll have plenty of time to prepare for them, unlike earthquakes. We moved to N.C. 17 years ago from Santa Barbara/Monterey, California and never looked back.

We got a few good Mexican,(Tex-Mex & Caleefonya-Mex) place s down by me in orring