Ride_Slow2004
Northwest
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Joined: 02/02/2005
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One of the wonderful things about living here in the NW, is a particular heated clothing company has headquarters in the little town of Union, on Hood Canal. So, I got off work, (not really work, just a part time retirement gig,) and decided I would ride out and have them change the plugs on my jacket liner. Weather check shows no rain until 8pm, so I should be dry. I don't really know why the weather guy here gets paid, I could do better! Can you see Mt. Rainier? It is going to rain. Can't see the mountain? It is raining, now give me the money. Nice ride out there, except for the freakin' hailstorm in Tacoma, dang, that hurts. I am not the only rider hard up for road time, I have seen several bikes since I crossed the Narrows. I stop in Belfair, to check the phone, 7 Harleys, 2 of 'em trikes(!) go east. I peel off of SR3, onto SR106, headed towards Union. More bikes! I pull into Twanoh State Park for a quick rest stop, and the lady ranger comes over to visit. She looks all of 16, but you can't be a ranger unless you are much older. Guess it is just a matter of perspective. She is giving up dirt bikes and getting a dual-sport this year. Good visit, sounds like she is going to be a positive member of the riding community. More bikes go by, did I miss something somewhere???? I am getting ready to go, when an old dude on an Electra Glide Classic pulls in to rubber up. Yes, I can't see the mountain. I head out, and he catches up to me pretty quick, and then holds position like a pro. He is staggered right, and holding about 80' back. Steady speed, steady lane position, kinda cool, flying in formation. Turns out we are going to the same place, first left past the waterwheel, up the hill then right at the small sign. I told you all that to tell you this, this company takes very good care of its customers, no charge to change the plugs to the new round style, on the liner, or on my really old gloves. I didn't realize a wire had come loose, and they fixed that. They also have a sale room, good stuff, returns, display, or older lines. I got a heated liner for my winter riding pants, and they will negotiate some.
Maybe luxury touring is WARM, as well as smooth. Notwithstanding the weather, good day for a ride, 136 miles round trip.
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"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."
-Doug Larson
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Ride_Slow2004
Northwest
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Joined: 02/02/2005
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Hey riders, jump in here and talk about where you are riding. Some folks are parked due to winter, but those of us still out there can help with the fix!
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arthurn
Beltsville, MD
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Joined: 11/29/2005
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60 degrees in maryland today. Was out cruising in Annapolis. Alot of bikes were out today. Even got a chance to clean the bike up. Suppose to be in the 40's tomorrow, but as long as the sun is out, so will I.
Arthurn
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Ride_Slow2004
Northwest
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Good to hear you were out, imagine 60 in January!
I rode to the Harley shop in Lacey, free lunch for the first 50 in line for the garage sale. We met at 7am at the bowling alley in Federal Way, only Rick showed up. I am going no matter what, need new rear tire, Rick just likes to ride. We are about 35 and 36 in line, and about the 9th and 10th bikes in the lot. Usual take off stuff on the tables, but parts were 10% off so I did what was expected. The great part was the free lunch at the Ram restaurant, any of the 1/2lb burgers off the menu, + fries/Coke. They also brew in house, but we declined the adult beverages. Left in the rain, still a great day to ride slow, breaking in a new tire. We went southeast through Yelm and McKenna, (47 degrees on the bank sign,) then east to Orting, and north. Back roads until we got into Sumner, then freeway home. Of course the last 10 miles of the ride were under breaking clouds and blue sky! The good part of that is I was able to really clean the bike.
Forecast for the Seahawks/Panthers game is cloudy and Hawks by 9.
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1KPerDay
Happy Valley, UT, USA
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Joined: 11/03/2003
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I duck-walked the Harley over the snow and ice at the end of the driveway and took my kids for rides around the neighborhood (roads were dry). I think it was 36 degrees. Felt good to get the blood flowing again. 'Course the blood was frozen after a few minutes. 
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howsit2003
J'ville,Florida
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Up early...poke my head out of the sheets...fog on the window...stumble around...coffee...shower...and then peek outside...fog..thick heavy fog...but it's pretty warm...60-ish....gonna be even warmer later..bike riding weather.
I think a t-shirt and leather jacket oughta do it...summer riding gloves...shorties...I open up the zippers on the front and back of my jacket...my favorite red bandana...can't find my do-rag.....so spot my 7 year old daughter's laying on the floor...on it goes....
A touch of the button...and garage doors open...there she is...all bright and shiny....waiting for me...like a dog with its tongue hanging out.
3 rolls of the throttle...some enricher....woof...puta..puta....those SE pipes reverberate in the garage...my whole neighbour hood knows when I'm off for a ride..
..goggles down...click..first gear...and I'm off....damn but that fog is heavy...very heavy, can't even see the end of the street....but I'm riding slow anyway...give some time for those horses to warm up.
I'm heading north..on A1A..no place in particular....at Mayport I swing left...traffic is light.....as it usually is at 7 am....bike is warmed up now..and I ease it on to 50 mph...the speed limit...fog is so thick I could'nt see Johnny law untill he flags me down for speeding...
There is the ferry now...I'm early..so I park...stretch my legs...watch the peligans on the pilings....
$2.50 later..and I'm on the ferry...people in cars are watching me as I roll up the ramp...I hate that ramp..its a steel grate and wet with dew...I roll on with both feet spread out.
Another bike joins me...it's a road king..older man wearing a helmet..he's got a dog in plastic grate on the back.
Ferry captain blares through the loudspeaker...motorcyclist are responsible for supporting their bikes...yada..I know the drill....that ferry parks by bump and touch...in this heavy fog...I anticipate a lot of bumping and touching.
I talk with the biker and his dog, he sez this is the 4th he is taking his pooch for ride...pooch...a chiwawa..does'nt look very happy.
Pretty soon we're across the St. Johns river..I roll off...the old man heads south....gives me a honk on the horn....and I return the salute...fog is still heavy, but lifting...I can see a hint of sunshine..but only a hint...1, 2,3,4 and 5...I whip through the gears..I can smell the salt spray and hear the seagulls....they're annoyed by the sound of my pipes blaring..the sound echoes of the fog.....
Pretty soon I'm at Nassau sound...a long bridge...the fog is thicker than peasoup here...so I slow down....but I like the fog ..it's very surreal....now I'm on Amelia Island...where all the mega money lives...it's a nice winding road....fog is only patchy now....and I push it up to 60.....ahhhh..this is more like it....
I can see headlights ahead...all singles.....a group of bikes heading south..they give me the wave....
Sweep left onto Buccaneer Trail.....not long now..and I'm in Fernandina...just loping along now....spot a gas station..and pull off for gas and coffee....
I know a girl here...decide to take a chance..and I call her from my cell phone...she's home....do I want to come by ??....I say yes...
A pleasant hour is spent at her condo on the marsh....a goodbye kiss and I'm on my way...like the lone ranger...hiho silver.....he has one horse...I have 80....
Now..I'm headed east...still on A1A....it's around 10 am...fog has mostly burned off..I find US 17 and head south....I like this road...its thickly wooded....exhausts are blaring....what a sound....hook a right on a small side road...and onto I-95...I merge....traffic is moving fast....I settle in around 85 mph in the right lane...I'm in no rush today....bike has hit it's sweet spot now...not too fast..not too slow...
I have to slow down as we cross the St. Johns River again..lots of traffic here..but pretty soon....things settle down..and I'm back on 85 mph again...just keeping pace with traffic.....why do they even post a speed limit here...nobody rides the speed limit in Florida...
30 minutes zip by...and I peel off on CR 210 headed east towards the beach....a spot for lunch....
more later.......
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arthurn
Beltsville, MD
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Well I got out again on Sunday. Temp started in the high 30's. Peaked in mid-40's. Was dressed in leather jacket over a bean down jacket. Long Johns a must, with leather chaps breaking the wind. I was out with two other guys. One riding a Fat Boy, the other on a softtail Heritage. Me, I'm on a lil sportster. We start out in college park md, and head toward frederick, md. Stopped at the harley place in frederick for hot dogs and coffee. I needed the stop to pick up some glove liners. Ended back on the road, see sawing across northern md. Total ride about 210 miles and change. Didn't want to stop, but told the little woman I was only out for a short jaunt, so thought I better get home. Thought about telling her that the line at the 7 eleven was long.
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Ride_Slow2004
Northwest
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Joined: 02/02/2005
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{30 minutes zip by...and I peel off on CR 210 headed east towards the beach....a spot for lunch....
more later.......}
Later is too late, good read, good ride, keep it coming. Had to get out the Florida map, not enough detail in my HOG atlas to see exactly where you are, but sounds like a great area to explore.
Rick and I slid out of work early Wed. for the last sunny day here for awhile. Blue skies too enticing. Showed him a new road, along the Green River, just meandering, narrow, no centerline, no guardrails, crummy visibility around the corners, great road for a slow cruise. East of Auburn now on the Green Valley Rd, and danged if the fog is settled in. Keeps us cold and honest, sort of, and as soon as we reach the Whitney Bridge, we are across the river and up onto the Enumclaw Plateau. We can see the sun through the fog, but it is not getting any warmer. We reach the Enumclaw Speedway, and head east again, and cross SR169. After going over a small ridge, the sun breaks out, the temperature goes up 20 degrees, and the wind seriously picks up. Easily gusting to 30 or more mph, moving the bikes around! When we hit the Veazie-Cumberland RD, we head north, and in just a few minutes, are in the parking lot of the Cumberland City Hall. This is a biker friendly establishment, that sees well over 200 bikes on a warm and dry Taco Thursday, but today is not warm. Parking lot is filled with 4dr Fords, and pickup trucks. We are the first 2 wheelers, and park right next to the fence. It is still blowing hard enough that waitress comes out to make sure the bikes won't blow over, we have grounded them on the downhill side, gonna take a serious gust to get these 2 Harleys off the sidestands. 2 other riders show up and we yak about bikes, and other stuff. Time to head out, before the sun sets and it gets really cold. North past Kanasket-Palmer State Park, then west thru 4-Corners, and Covington, and onto SR 18, and freeway home. Only about 50 miles, but felt good to get out.
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howsit2003
J'ville,Florida
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...CR 210 is famous for speed traps....when I'm in my cage, I have the radar/laser detector on...no such luck today...have to use my eyes and senses to avoid Johnny Blue....but the road is mostly empty...I've been at 85 mph the past 30 minutes or so....so it feels good to slow down a bit..give my neck muscles a break....
..pretty soon I'm on US 1...I turn south and head to St. Augustine....fun place for bikers to go...there's always a bunch of bikers hanging around somewhere....
...US 1 enters St. Augustine, but I peel off for A1A again and head through the " oldest town in the USA "...or so the brochures say....over the " Bridge of lions "..which is falling apart...a new bridge is being constructed next to it...traffic is very slow....there is a draw span on the bridge which opens every 30 minutes....making traffic back up.....but that is fine by me..gives me an occasion to stand up to ease my butt cramp...lordy..even with a new seat...I gotta stop every once in a while.....
I cut throught St. Augustine Beach...still on A1A...and stop at the Oasis...a great hangout...there's a dozen hogs parked there...it's an old wooden upstairs/downstairs shack of a place..but great ambience...the place is buzzing....
...a quick bite to eat....and I'm off again, retracing my route through town....its slow going..tourists everywhere...but pretty soon I'm back on US1 and can wind it up again.....2/3 of the way back to Jax Beach..I stop at "Roosters "...a real bikers bar....there is a band playing today " Big Engine "...probably 50 or more bikes are parked there....I a park off to the side and amble through the bikes...there are some killer choppers there....lordy...gorgeous....but waayyy to expensive for me...$30-40 grand seems like a lot of money for bike....
I recognize a few fellow bikers, and chat for a while, but the place bores me, bunch of old geezers sucking brews and hitting on anything that resembles a woman....music is way to loud too....but hey..some people dig this kind of scene....they're selling hotdogs there... I get one for the heluva of it....bikes are coming and going all the time.....
..it's getting on 3 pm now.....time to go...this place will be jammed packed soon....
...brat....brat...brat....and I'm through the gears.....not long after, I veer right..CR 210 again..this time it cuts thought Palm Valley...this used to be an old time neigborhood on the Inter Coastal Waterway...but its changed now..all the old shacks have been bought out....nothing but gezillion dollar mansions here....building going on every where....it's eerily quiet...everyone hunkered down behind their iron wrought gates and security alarms....I don't see anybody....BMW's and Porsches are parked everywhere......oh boy ...all those payments.....
CR 210 merges with A1A again....and I head north, I'm pretty close to home now...groups of bikes are erywhere..going north, south, east and west....it must be around 75 degrees by now...everyone that owns a ride is out...
.....well, that was fun...must have racked up the better part of 100 miles or more....I park..cut the engine.....and listen to the silence....
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Ride_Slow2004
Northwest
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Joined: 02/02/2005
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Good ride, thanks for sharing.
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