What an absolute blast

[SeaCat]

I took the bike out for a fun ride today, the first since I brought it home.

It was a short ride, all of 16 miles but what an absolute blast.

I fired the bike up and using the clutch walked it around and out of the parking area. I can freely admit to being a bit nervous as I hit the main road in front of my place. It's fast and heavily trafficed.I waited for a nice big break in the traffic before pulling out. The bike was a bit bucky as I started out, which worried me a bit. After about three miles though it smoothed out. Must have been from sitting still for the past three days.

After a little over three miles in heavy stop and go traffic, during which time I found myself watching my mirrors almost as much as I was looking ahead it was time to peel off the main road and onto the road I wanted heading north. This road, Alternate A1A heads north for several miles before it ends. It also runs fairly straight and fast. (50 MPH) During this run I started to relax.

At the end of Alt A1A I turned right, (East) on Indiantown Rd and headed over to the coast to pick up A1A. Now A1A hugs the water and is a bit slower at 40-45 MPH. It twists and turns and is fun to drive in a car. On a bike, even in the slightly heavy traffic it was an absolute blast. This was why I had bought the bike.

All too soon the ride was over. I had ridden 16 miles in great weather. (Light winds and 80 degrees.) I am getting used to the bike and becoming comfortable on it.

Tomorrow I plan on heading up the coast to Stuart and Hutchinson Island. The weather should be if anything better and the ride quite a bit longer. (50-60 miles if I'm reading the maps correctly.) I'm looking forward to this.

Cat

 

[rgraham666]

Very cool, Cat. Glad you had a great time.

 

[glynndah]

I wish for you a smooth road, courteous and attentive drivers and a wonderful ride.

A from the good little witch.

 

[SeaCat]

Very cool, Cat. Glad you had a great time.

Thanks Rob.

I did have a good time and I'm planning on riding quite a bit further tomorrow.

In a way I'm taking it easy with the riding. I'm not pushing it beyond my comfort levels. (There's a ride I want to do but the speeds are a bit higher than I'm comfortable with right now.) I'm not pushing the speeds on the bike nor the handling, although I do plan on finding me a parking lot to play in. (I want to get used to the bike at very low speeds as well as at higher speeds.) I'm also running it solo right now until I get used to riding again. I won't add my wife to the mix until I'm comfortable on the bike.

Two things I noticed on my ride today though. The first was how riders of other bikes seemed to nod or wave when they saw me. (I nodded or waved back.) The other was how kids seemed to react to seeing me on a bike. At one stop light I found myself next to a School Bus. As we waited for the light the kids on the bus were waving and smiling. (Yes I did wave back.)

I did learn a couple of things on my ride today. I learned that in 80 degree weather I don't need to have my ancient leather zipped to the neck. I also learned that my full face helmet heats up quickly when the vents and visor are closed. (Tomorrow I'll remember to open the vents.)

I also pulled a newbie stunt today.After I had pulled on my kit I went to start the bike. I was concerned because while it was turning over the damned thing wouldn't start. Then it dawned on me, I had forgotten about the "Kill Switch". Once I turned that to run the bike started right up.

Give me a couple more days of riding like today and I'll be willing to tackle Highway or higher speed riding. Give me a couple of hundred miles riding and I'll be willing to get my wife on the back of the bike.

Cat