Not quite Spring yet...

Well, I dropped my car off at the shop last night thinking how great it was that I had the bike to get to work and could leave my car to do its thing and not have to wait... and then this morning I checked the weather. I knew it wasn't going to be warm, but I didn't realize that 'possibility of flurries' was on the schedule, either.

I learned a few things from this morning's ride, though, so it wasn't *pointless* discomfort.

First, I am really impressed with the Fieldsheer jacket I got in February. There are little annoyances about it, like the neckline cuts into my throat a bit. (If I don't velcro it then the feeling that my head is slowly being severed goes away.) Another velcro issue is that the velcro strip running the length of the zipper attaches itself to the velcro on the sleeves making getting dressed much like trying to get plastic wrap to unstick from itself. (If you're not moving around or are zipped up it's not a problem.) Even so, I'm very happy with the jacket. It was about 34 F on the ride in at 55-65 mph and my torso was still comfortable. I wasn't *warm* like when it was 50 F out last week, but, with just a tank top on, the quilted liner and jacket kept me from being cold. And that's well worth headless plastic-wrestling.

Second, I have begun work on a scientific formula to determine whether one should travel faster and endure the resulting increase in discomfort caused by increased wind chill or reduce speed/windchill, but need more time to arrive at destination. Contemplating an earlier exit off the highway this morning, I chose to continue at max speed and numbness in order to arrive more quickly in front of my office space heater. The idea of being uncomfortable a minute longer than necessary, whether mildly or seriously uncomfortable, seemed a nugatory consideration. Someone really should commission a study and let me know.

I will also share some other discoveries:
A bike with a windshield is warmer than a bike without,
A car in need of an oil change is warmer than a bike with a windshield.
Drumming frostbitten fingers on your grips to increase circulation hurts.
Chaps increase comfort against wind, etc, except where they don't cover.
Legs serve to funnel cold air directly to said unprotected area.
A bike's engine gives off more heat in warm weather than in cold, thus you will not be able to warm your hands at stop lights in the winter, but you can roast marshmallows in the summer.
And, any awe or mystique parking lot bystanders may have upon seeing you riding your bike is immediately quashed if cold muscles and frozen joints cause you to walk funny after dismounting.

Well, I can only hope that we'll get into the 'low 40's' today for the ride home. Let the lessons continue!

Let the Madness Begin!

Ok, so the Iron Butt Association isn't only about how far and how fast.   There's also a Master Traveler pin to be had that represents having traveled to at least 50 national parks in at least 25 states/provinces in less than a year.  Ok, so that's a measure of how far, how fast, but you're missing the point.  This one actually encourages stopping to smell the flowers.  Ok, it *allows* for smellage. There are some wonderful stories of Travelers before me and the attempts to balance the thrill of the race, the desire to best a friend and the discovery of what you might actually gain if you stop to take in the sites.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a tad competitive.  I also have a short attention span.   I'm hoping that between these two chemically treatable traits, I can successfully fill my book with enough colorful cancellation stamps to join the ranks of the insane and become a member of the Iron Butt Association.  There's also the Saddle Sore 1k, which will give me another shot at membership this year, but that one's not planned yet, so we'll just have to see...

So, to kick off my commitment, I stopped by a National Site to pick up my Passport To Your National Parks book to make it official.  I intend on becoming a Master Traveler.  There still remains the question of whether I'll go above and beyond for the MT Silver, but that can be decided along the way.  MT Silver includes parks in Maine, Florida, Washington and California.  There's also the MT Gold, but you have to go above a certain parallel in Alaska and find a national landmark and I'm just not as competitive as I am cold-averse.

There happened to be a 1997 Intruder in the parking lot at the Visitor's Center.  I got to chat with the owner while I made my purchase and he pointed me to the stamping station.  It was too cold to ride today, though, so I'll go back for the stamp (and maybe the tour) when the weather warms up and I can do it on two wheels.

Wish List

Oh, my goodness, there's some cool stuff out there.  The frustrating thing is not being able to see it, touch it, try it out or try it on.  For example the Ubersprocket (Kawasaki Vulcan) is a bit uncomfortable for me.  I suspect that changing out the handlebars to modify the sitting position would have made the Sprocket a great fit for me.  However, you can't run to Bike Depot tocheck out your options and test them out.   Even finding shoes or protective apparel is tough... Bummer.  I'm looking forward to a couple of bike shows in the next couple of months and am hoping that they might fill some of that void.

Jan 9-11 in Washington, DC International Motorcycle Show

Friday is 1/2 price for women with a coupon which you can print here

Jan 23-25 in Reading, PA - Northeast Motorcycle Expo

coupons are on the website to reduce the $17 entrance fee

Feb 6-8 in Timonium, MD - Timonium Motorcycle Show

Coupons on the site or you can buy from some local shops.  $5 off the $15 entrance fee

I'm in the market for some new protective gear and I'd really like to be able to try it on live and in person!  Short of that I'll make a plug for New Enough.  I ordered 3 different items in a couple sizes each so I could try them on a compare.  The website takes its own pictures and customer service answered my questions by putting the woman who modeled the jacket on the phone so she could give me details.  Then, when all the pants had to go back and the jacket I didn't choose went back, they were great about communication and I had no problems with the return.

So! I impatiently wait the shows to see what they hold before ordering stuff online.

(Can she do it?..)