Member Contributer Olive Posted April 5, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 5, 2013 Early season! Groundhog Willie was right when he didn't see his shadow! Picked up my bike from winter storage on Sunday since the weather was cooperative. Really pleased to have the first ride of the year on March 31st - a lot earlier than last year. Given that I parked the bikes mid-October, it has felt like a very long winter. (Sure, I was able to go ice racing once this year, which broke the monotony a bit, but it's not quite the same as going to a decent highway run). Unfortunately I couldn't access the garage where the bike was stored until late afternoon - that's the problem when you don't have your own garage. I headed over and installed the batteries in both bikes. The first took a little longer because I managed to drop the battery strap into the awkward area under the seat where all dropped items tend to migrate - just out of reach. After coaxing it from its new hiding place, I clipped the battery in place and fastened down the terminals. Carefully rocked the bike off of the center stand - I had snugged both bikes beside each other close to the wall of the garage which didn't allow much room for manouvering. After checking the tires (a little low) and the chain I turned the key and fired it up. Very eager to start - such a sweet sound from that exhaust! (Pure music to the ears). Then I spent a few minutes ministering to the second bike, making sure it was also ready for the season - it started up just as eagerly, with the note of the stock exhaust. Although time didn't permit me to take both home, it's going to be a quick pickup for the second bike. Went for a short ride to Millarville and back just to blow the cobwebs off of the bike and out of my head, then took the bike home. The driveway is quite parkable, although there is still some snow/ice around it. Spent a bit of time and energy chipping ice off of the main portion of the driveway a few days previous so that it was possible to use it safely for the bike.The roads are typical Calgary spring with lots of pea gravel everywhere and drivers who are mystified about the objects keeping pace with them on two wheels. This year we have an atrocious crop of potholes which would eagerly eat a bike, so it makes for a slalom course. Monday the bike sat on the driveway looking forlorn. By Tuesday morning I was feeling so sorry for the bike that I had to take it to work with me. When I left the house it was a balmy -3C (26F). Both my bike and the car were covered in frost - that made it easy to choose the bike, after all, it's not as if I have to scrape the windows! With wind chill factored in the commute was -16C (4F). A little brisk but worth it for the first commute of the year. Unlike the members who live in more temperate zones, I take advantage of any weather that permits an outing on two wheels. Although the next morning I decide to commute I will remember to put the liner in the jacket and make sure that I'm not wearing perforated gloves.For some very strange reason when I got to work the odd four wheeled "motorcycles" had taken up all of the space demarked for motorcycle parking. (You know, the four wheeled "motorcycles" manufactured by Ford, Toyota and Hyundai). Had a few people ask me if it was my bike out in the parking lot - apparently it stood out because "one of these things is not like the 3,000 others". Really don't understand why people would assume it was me given that there are a few others who ride to work during the summer.Tuesday evening it started to snow, and Wednesday morning after a short debate I decided to leave the bike parked for the day: Isn't that a sad sight? Thursday morning I woke up to freezing rain. It looked almost artistic on the headlights. Needless to say I caged it in to work. I now have the cover ready to go on the bike, but have to wait for the bike to dry off - I know that I am asking for trouble if I put a cover overtop of snow and ice. (Made that mistake once before). This was a very early opportunity to get the bike out on the road, and I know that opportunities to ride will be few and far between. Last year I had barely used a tank of gas before I flew out to Atlanta to pick up the second bike. So I am quite aware that it might be a few more weeks before I can ride again. The forecast still shows a lot of negative numbers and icons of snowflakes - but having had a taste of spring, I'm ready for it when it comes. I know, I'm SUCH a fair weather rider... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted April 5, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 5, 2013 "Although the next morning I decide to commute I will remember to put the liner in the jacket and make sure that I'm not wearing perforated gloves." Now repeat 3 times..... "I am a Silly Billy, I am a Silly Billy, I am a silly Billy"...... I hooked up my Powerlet heated inner gloves.... mmmmmmmm toasty!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmythecop Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Olive the Canadian is talking with Leon the Dutchman, And I have been in both their presence individually and together, VFRD is pretty goddam cool!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted April 5, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 5, 2013 Dutchy, Canadian gal's are tough enough not to need heated gloves. I have a heated vest but haven't pulled it out yet - the commute to work is only a half hour. (I also want to establish that the battery is still solid after sitting all winter before I start attaching additional electronics.) Timmy, Yes, VFRD is indeed cool. Where else can you ride to Maryland for a spaghetti dinner and lessons on how to adjust a chain while parked in Timmy's back yard? Or receive a cop escort through Washington DC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Aegisranger Posted April 5, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 5, 2013 It was 16 degrees F when I started my 55 mile commute yesterday... thank God for heated grips and good gear! So nice on the ride home, a toasty 41. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Conedodger Posted April 5, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 5, 2013 Good to see hibernation ending. We still have too much salt on the roads. Hoping for next weekend. I can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer HumalogAddict Posted April 5, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 5, 2013 I wait for them to clean of all the dirt, garbage and little rocks everywhere before bringing out the bike. It's really not the cold as I ride well into December usually but those little rocks freak me out. I really hate being cautious sometimes.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 pffft, we got 15 cm of new snow today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted April 6, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 6, 2013 Yeah 60 degrees F here and its riding time. 80 by Sunday. I mite even tiki torch fuel clean my bike tonight... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VFR4Lee Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 I'm getting frostbite just looking at the pics and reading those temps. Sending antidote. Or rubbing salt in wound, your call. It's 6:30 PM here, sun going down in blue sky, 72F and the window is still open for a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted April 6, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 6, 2013 Frostbite? It's spring. These are riding temps! ... or at least it was. Freezing rain, possible T-storms and snow tonight (odd combo that). Snow tomorrow. Snow on Sunday. Snow on Monday. Maybe Tuesday??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LookingHard Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Olive, It doesn't matter to me when you ride, only that you DO ride.......and that you post a travel report. Being bikeless makes me really look forward to your travels and travails............as long as the travails aren't too bad. LH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer AussieinUSA Posted April 6, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 6, 2013 Knowing O i'm sure that frostbitten 08 want stay parked long, just hope it starts. Keep it safe young lass, we all are looking forward to more epic eh adventures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted April 6, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 6, 2013 All of next week we will have 21 degrees celcius!!! 3 on Monday 3 on Tuesday 3 on Wednessday:.......... ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Aegisranger Posted April 6, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 6, 2013 I mite even tiki torch fuel clean my bike tonight... OK, I've never heard of anyone cleaning their bike with tiki torch fuel... Why would you do that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VFR4Lee Posted April 7, 2013 Share Posted April 7, 2013 Had to look it up. Doesn't sound any better. 3C = 37.4F according to google. Brrr... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted April 7, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 7, 2013 All of next week we will have 21 degrees celcius!!! 3 on Monday 3 on Tuesday 3 on Wednessday:.......... ;-) I'd be happy with those temps - right now it is -4 (24F) and snowing. Hoping I didn't jinx spring by pulling the bike out this early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer NorthernVFRDave Posted April 7, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 7, 2013 Good to see hibernation ending. We still have too much salt on the roads. Hoping for next weekend. I can't wait! Same here, we need some rain to wash the road... Helped a dude pick his CBR up in the middle of a parking lot last weekend after he hit the salt / sand.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LookingHard Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Olive, From the map below your signature it doesn't look like you have been to Oklahoma, which appears to be having temps in the 60' and 70's this coming week so there is some spring for you........as long as there is a ride report involved. LH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted April 8, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 8, 2013 I seem to have misplaced Spring... it's looking like the bike will remain parked this week. Forecast for April 7th through 13th Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted April 8, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 8, 2013 Nahh.. .as the old adage goes... Take 'm young, treat 'm rough, Tell 'm nothing................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted April 9, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 9, 2013 This morning I woke up to a very unwelcome sight... The cover I put on the bike went missing. Not impressed. The bike didn't look impressed either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 2thdr Posted April 9, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 9, 2013 The only type that will stay on in a wind storm is the type with the grommets along the bottom edge that allow you to pass a good sized metal cable thru under the bike and lock it on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer MaxSwell Posted April 9, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 9, 2013 Olive, From the map below your signature it doesn't look like you have been to Oklahoma, which appears to be having temps in the 60' and 70's this coming week so there is some spring for you........as long as there is a ride report involved. LH I noticed you've not been to Minnesota also. However you'll get no relief coming here. There is a prediction for 6-7" Thursday. I think we get your weather here a few days later and a few degrees warmer, though not by much. So knock it off! Actually I share your pain. Keep your fingernails short Olive; it will help you hang in there. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted April 10, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 10, 2013 Keep your fingernails short Olive; it will help you hang in there. Terry This made me smile. Although I am more likely to keep my hair short so that it is helmet friendly. As for my weather - you are welcome to it! It's hardly used and kept chilled so it won't go bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.