It seems someone must of prayed for seasonal weather. This morning the Spring like temperatures were gone. The forecasters were telling us the beginning of the week could bring the coldest temperatures of the season. I figured I'd better get a ride in while it was still warm.
It was 28F/-2C when I left the condo.
The first stop of the day brought me bagels, nice warm bagels.
My second stop was somewhere along Rte.61. I like the wood railroad trestles that span some of the side roads. I decided today was the day to get a photo of one.
My third stop was in Ste. Genevieve.
After Ste Genevieve I meandered over to Rte.67 and zoomed toward home. I learned two things on Rte.67: Isabelle is much happier going 65mph(indicated) than I am; and, I need something to give my throttle hand a break.
But before I went home I made a fourth stop at
Bee Tree Park.
At Bee Tree Park I met a man and his wiener dog. He came over as I was parking Isabelle. He told me it was a really nice looking machine. He also told me he used to ride a 750 Honda. He'd had a tumor removed from his wrist and couldn't work the throttle and the brake at the same time. He tried to ride it for a couple of years after the operation, but finally decided he was a danger to himself and others. I told him I'd been to Ste Genevieve and over "Y" to 67 and back in. I'd stop at the Park in hopes of seeing some robins. He told me I should have been there a couple weekends ago. There were flocks of robins. He'd never seen so many robins. I told him I'd seen the same thing, but I was at the Botanical Gardens.
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| With this robin all puffed up to stay warm its legs sure look spindly. |
I did see a few robins, but nothing like what I'd seen a couple of weeks before. I'm thinking we must have witnessed a migratory event.
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| I saw some seagulls, too. |
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| And some geese. |
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| And lots of people walking their dogs. |
I'm growing more and more fond of Isabelle. Today's ride was a little over 190mi/305km and it was nice, smooth, and drama free.
Oh, and it was 32/-1C when I got home.
Isabelle is one handsome looking bike, that's for sure. You are racking up quite a mileage for this time of the year. Good for you (and your bikes).
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to get out for a long ride for some time, but life has been full of other things. It was good to get a day of riding in. And, a day of riding on Isabelle takes me much farther than a day of riding on Billie.
Delete~k
Our good day for riding would have been yesterday. Unfortunately, I was at work. Oh well
ReplyDeleteOur best day for riding was Saturday. I was hiking with my son for most of the day and that was wonderful. I did get out for a little while and was wearing the dual-sport helmet for the first time in quite a while. It was good.
DeleteThis day was almost as good, but only because of the gear and the heated grips. I must say, I can see why folk like heated gloves. Even with heated grips when it gets below 30F the fingers still get cold, but nothing like before. On this ride the warmest it got was maybe 37F when I was in Ste.Gen. I was toasty and my hands stayed warm.
~k
Mmmm warm bagels! Wow that is quite a ride. I have to say I think Isabelle is a sexy looking scoot, I think it is the red, GORGEOUS!!! We have been having a rainy winter and we are starting to get a little cooler weather now. I can hardly wait for spring.
ReplyDeleteI'll let Isabelle know you think she's gorgeous! I, too, like the red. It is a metal flake paint and sparkles in the sun. It really is quite striking.
DeleteAnd, between you and me, I very ready to put the cold weather helmet up and ride with the dualsport helmet with the visor open a bit and feeling the air rush through my beard.
~k
Keith-
ReplyDeleteYou've got more "kahunas" than me for riding in cold weather! LOL
I tried to ride yesterday in the lower 50s and it was windy and bone chilling. Of course warmer gear might have helped. Ha ha!
We have seen lots of robins around here in my area. I am surprised. I usually don't see them until March.
Canadian geese always winter here too, though in short supply in January. I think they are realizing that Ohio is going to stay pretty mild in the winter so why bother with all that flying south?
I love your Isabelle! She is gorgeous! I'd like to test ride one of her breed too if I ever get the chance.
Nice post! Enjoyed it!
Deb,
DeleteIsabelle is wonderful and I love her balance. She is much more of a load to move around the garage than Billie and with my 31" inseam I flatfoot her easily. She is definitely taller than my Symba, but not much taller, if any, than my 49cc Adly was.
I think the robins and geese I'm seeing now are the ones who winter here. It was quite phenomenal seeing the large flocks that passed through here a couple weeks ago.
And, the gear makes all the difference. I was wearing my Kevlar long johns under Arctiva snowmobile pants with a heavy fleece baselayer, an older Champion puff-insulated jacket, and my no-name ebay motorcycle jacket with its liner. I was wearing a Cyclegear Feeze-Out neck protector. I, also, wear a Leatt combination Chest and back protector. It goes on between the baselayer and the puffer. I think it also acts like a fairing, blocking the wind.
This works for me and I don't feel like the Michelin man. Oh, and the heated grips help a lot.
And, Isabelle is a gorgeous scoot. I'm being won over to red being best :)
~k
Red is definitely best, then black is next!
DeleteAlways!
I am glad you are getting sunshine with your 28˚. It looks like a great day for a ride even if it is chilly.
ReplyDeleteHere sunshine makes about a 10degF difference in the way the temperature feels. The sunshine certainly took some of the edge off the temperatures this day. We're looking at possibly single digits tomorrow night. Let the adventure begin :)
Delete~k
190 miles? I'd say this scooter is just what you needed to do all that you really wished for.
ReplyDeleteI would not be comfortable at 65 either. I could get used to 55 and that would be enough. Those throttle minder thingys work well.
St. G looks like a nice little town. I hope it is doing well. Tourism based?
Martha,
DeleteIsabelle had certainly allowed me to escape the Metro Area.
Yes, I believe Ste. Gen is tourism based. They have really been working on that angle sense I've been in the area. There is a large plant of some sort as one comes into town. It looks like it has been there for a long time. I really don't know how diversified their economy is.
Oh well, I remember when 45mph seemed like I was quite the daredevil. Perhaps it is a matter of, stay tuned :)
We can only dream of riding for the next 2 months or so, so I'm always glad to hear when someone, somewhere has been able to get out for a ride. It means there's hope for the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteI will do my best to "keep your hopes up"! It's going to be cold and possibly some wintry mix by the end of the week. Lovely.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
~k
Keith:
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you are having so much fun with your larger scooter. For some reason we are having lots of fog the past few days
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
bob,
DeleteI'm actually having more fun on both my scooters. Most weeks I spend as much time or more on Billie. But, Isabelle can take me on roads that get me much farther a field than Billie can. That's certainly been a lot of fun.
~k