Author: switchinggears302003389

All things considered, Winter here hasn’t been too bad. I managed to take good advantage of a few nice days. Having the proper gear makes all the difference cutting the windchill factor down to nearly nothing. The wind on my face felt great. Just being out and about felt great.

Spring is just weeks away and I’m planning some maintenance and minor repairs to continue being road worthy and safe. I don’t have garage space currently so I need the weather to cooperate in order to get to a right turn signal button replacement, fluids, filters, brakes and give the electrical a good look at.

I like tinkering, taking the time to do things the correct ways following procedures and specs to keep it running right and tight. It’s a thawing out process I enjoy.

I picked up an extra manual from Clymer. They are a big help, though nothing like a Harley Davidson Service Manual,  I enjoy reading tech and like being informed and up to date.  I believe that every aspect of a motorcycle is paramount when out on the open road.

So check that list for road trip prep. If you haven’t been riding all year long. Take it easy    and go over every inch. Listen and feel for any nuance as you’re thawing out. See you out there.

Rubber side down, shiny side up good people.

Each day I make my best attempt at doing more than just getting by and doing the same routine. I make the best of most situations and at the end of the day when I think about those situations I could have handled better, I still manage to remember what I learned.

Of course there are those days when it comes down to one simple thought. I’d rather be riding. Just want to hang a sign on the door that reads ‘Gone Riding’ return unknown.

I’d rather not look at the clock and feel like I have to be anywhere. Sure it may seem irresponsible but it is liberating. No phones, just gas and go to anywhere for however long. That a vacation worth having.If I’m watching the clock then I haven’t let go enough.

It may seem like I’m describing the dream and in a way I just might be. What plans would need to be made. Spring won’t be here soon enough.

Happy Trails…

Lately I had lost the drive and enthusiasm to write here on my blog due to technical difficulties and just good old fashioned writer’s block. My sullen mood due to Winter wasn’t helping. Well, let’s see…

Last week the weather broke just enough to put my gear to the test and it passed no problem. I didn’t feel a chill at all. It felt great to be in the wind and even pushed it past 70 mph a few times to let Ginger breathe and breathe she did.

I was cruising on the Meadow Brook Pkwy towards Jones Beach and couldn’t help but smile. I didn’t hit any standstill traffic and had plenty of room to maneuver. Yes, it felt good.

The best part was being able to do it again the very next day. Weather was good and I was going to keep taking advantage of it. Of course that was short lived here out on the east coast but Spring is right around the corner.

We’ll soon get the break we”re yearning for and I’ll take high 40’s all day. Didn’t they say it’s suppose to warm up tomorrow? Hmm…

Rubber side down. Shiny side up.

One of those days when a long ride would definitely clear up a terrible case of writer’s block.

Yesterday warned up enough so that I pulled the cover off of Ginger and started her up. A little rough at first due to the still chilly temps but she roared after a few minutes.

It would have been nice. In need of warmer climates. Permanently!

So, I sit and spin, the thoughts of better days of riding ahead.

New Year, new plans, change is coming.

I’ve been planning again. The next thing. Sometimes I enjoy thinking during the simplicity of watching the landscape scroll by as I cruise on through to the next phase. Sometimes that is the plan, to simply cruise. More than not it seems to hold the key problem solving answers. Simply the best problem solution. Get in the wind. Purpose. Wrench, ride, repeat.

These days as I save for proper gear, my days and thoughts are spinning. Progress is gaining traction and with each rotation something simple and pure is learned. So spin away. Ride on.

It’s been a while since I’ve written. Life has a funny way of getting hectic. Even so, I do my best to manage my free time the best I can. Business, pleasure and responsibilities. Of course one may say that it’s a bit more complex and diverse that this and I agree. You can debate for hours on end what falls into what. It comes down to priorities and the choices you make.

If riding is your priority, then you will choose what is necessary to make that a reality. Saying goes for anything else. So…how cold, is cold?

I’d rather be somewhere warmer to ride all year long comfortably. I can take the cold with the proper gear as long as the roads are ride worthy and safe. I’ve done rain and always make it through, thank God. I did the beginning of winter 30 years ago in the Tri-State area and didn’t calculate proper gear and wind chill factors and came down with something awful. I was out of commission for 2 weeks. Not good but I learned.

Proper gear is always key to fighting the elements but that’s only part of the things to take into consideration. Riding experience and training, weather watching, planning as best as you can and knowing that if it’s just too dangerous(road conditions) then just don’t risk it.

No one ever wants the riding season to end. Even if you enjoy wrenching, like I do, you’d rather be in the wind.

Shiny side up. Rubber side down.