Welcome to the 2011 Riding Season

[Gas Man]

As it's already been stated and you would have been living in a basement to not know in Michigan, the riding season has returned.

In preperation Wed when I got home from work, I burned in the nightster pipes (from this winter's projects), and summerized the garage. This was an evacuation of the wife's car, moving a the lift, prepping the snow blower for summer storage, putting away half the snow shovels (I'm not ready to curse myself by putting them all away yet), setting up the outside hoses (water supply still turned off inside but they are ready)... but in general get ready.

It's so nice to see the garage all open like this... I hate it's winter cramped version.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l311/cjclark69/SU1HMDAxNzEtMjAxMTAzMTctMTg0MS5qcGc.jpg

Then I rode to work... it was so nice out. Got home early enough to work on a few other house projects I have been putting off till warmer weather. Then clean wipe down both bikes, they were pretty dirty from sitting uncovered for 2 months while I worked on them.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l311/cjclark69/BPL/SU1HMDAxNjktMjAxMTAzMTctMDczNC5qcGc.jpg

Did you get out?

What about today? I rode again, that's two days in a row and a great way to start the season in mid march.

[blackstar60]

Did aGarden of the Gods trip with a buddy. Looped down by the Ohio River and back home. Great out, stepped out of the chaps at Garden of the Gods and packed the jacket when we hit Elizabethtown for an "adult beverage". About 200 miles total but there are better days ahead.:p

[JoeSikspak]

Sounds like a great way to start the season blackstar. I may be down that way this summer since last summer's plans fell thru.

I pulled the cover off and did all the prep on the Vic saturday afternoon. Didn't have time for a ride tho, had too much other stuff going on. Sunday and today are creeping back towards winter:(

[Jonny Champagne]

We had a False Start up here in CT. Friday was gorgeous, Saturday was okay ... then it got cold again. Snowed yesterday, supposed to be snow again tmrw.
Shit.

[blackstar60]

Yeah Mother Nature is toying with my emotions. After a great weekend last weekend it looks like rain and cold here for a bit. Keep repeating "it's only March, it's only March..."

[Gas Man]

Hello everybody, my name is Chris

"It's only march... it's only march"

I'm a recovering motorcyclist.

[JoeSikspak]

Hehe, me too.
But, I'm not joining a group, this is an addiction I can live with...

Four inches of snow on Tuesday, still in the mid 30s for the forseable future.:(

[JoeSikspak]

Ladies and Gentlemen, the armor is back in the leather.

Which means that I've done my first ride of the 2011 season.

I worked in the garage all morning. Fiddling with a few small items, cleaning, organizing, etc. Had to push the Vic out so I could paint a few items for the Jeep. Figured that while the tow hooks and skidplates dried, I would zip down to air up the tires of the Vic and do a quick loop around town.

Grabbed the helmet, gloves, glasses, put the armor in the jacket and headed over to the gas station (about 5 blocks)..............40 miles later I returned home, nicley chilled as I was not properly dressed for the mid-40 temps. But it's nice to be back on the scoot.:cool:

I the weeekdns get too warm, too quickly, the Jeep may never get done now:rolleyes:

[JoeSikspak]

Put on about 120 miles today. Rode down the river to the Great River Roadhouse for a bite, then crossed over at Lansing, IA. Back up into Minnesota, swinging west and returning down the Root River valley on Hwy 16. One of my favorite quick loops.

Temps in the mid 50s, sunny when I left, but it clouded over and felt pretty nippy as I rode home.

Good to be back in the saddle:cool:

Anyone else getting any miles in?

[blackstar60]

We are in a wet weather pattern down here in lil Egypt. I swear I'm gonna need to grow gills!

[Gas Man]

I didn't... had decent weather but never got out.

[Jonny Champagne]

I thnk it rained every day in April here in CT.

[Gas Man]

Damn near the same thing here...

[Jonny Champagne]

And finally the Dr has cleared me to ride!! Look out!

[JoeSikspak]

My 2011 season has gotten off to a stuttering start, to say the least. It's gone something like this.......rain, work, work, ride, rain, rain, tornadoes, work.

And now that the weather and work schedule are finally opening up? Mechanic's SNAFU!!!
Dropped off the Vic for it's 15,000 mile service last week(I know, but I was feeling lazy, and figured I'd just pay to have it done this time.) Somewhere in the process of lubing the cables, the tech twisted my clutch cable to the point of it snagging somewhere in the sheath. So now it's like dragging a chain thru a rock pile. They are paying for the replacement cable and the install, but it won't be in till next wednesday:mad::mad:

[Gas Man]

I hope said mechanic is going to pay/fix the issue.

[JoeSikspak]

Yeah, they bought the new cable and installed it for free. Even gave me a $50 gift card

Finally got out for a "Real" ride yesterday with a couple buds. We put on about 300 miles in our backyard (SW Wisconsin). The "Driftless Area" is some great riding
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driftless_Area


Great day, partly cloudy, temps floating around 75. Returned home just as the rain started.

Only tragedy was dropping and then stepping on my favorite pair of riding glasses. Guess, I'll have to spend that $50 gift card on a new pair:o