I can’t listen to the news, for all the horse crap with the felonious orange, and his clown car of reprobates, shitting all over our democracy, and he hasn’t even taken office yet. It’s too darn cold to go diving, that makes me happy, but I’m out for a few months. So, that leaves riding the motorcycle, as what makes me happy.

Most days are too chilly for that right now. But every once in a while, even in winter months, we will get a 55-60 degree day, and with the right gear, that is doable without too much discomfort. I have nothing to prove by toughing it out on damn cold days. Nope, too old for that crap. Unless it’s damn important…

My wife, had never been on a motorcycle in her life. I told her after we were married I’d make a motorcycle mama out of her, despite not having a bike at the time. It took me a good long while to make the move and get a bike. But, being on the north side of being a young guy, I figured if I was going to get some riding time in, I better get to it. Wife was OK with getting the bike (2004 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100,) a little “meh” about it really, but we went and picked it up and still managed to sleep in the same bed that night 😉

I had to get my motorcycle riding skills back, it was in my 20’s when I last had a bike, so I spent a good 5-6 weeks (2-3 times a week,) riding the back roads, to redevelop my riding habits. It takes a minute to get comfortable again with shifting/downshifting, learning this bikes gear ratios and how it pulls/accelerates up/down the hills, leaning through the corners keeping your eyes ahead, and looking where you want to go. Should also mention making tight slow speed turns, and even moving the bike forward/back while sitting on the seat. There’s muscles there that had long forgotten they were once called upon to do these things. Once I got comfortable again with it all, I got my motorcycle endorsement, got insured, then I started pestering my wife to go for a ride.

You going to go with me today? You going to go with me tomorrow? She kept putting me off, but she finally decided she wasn’t getting any younger either, and we geared up for a ride. I took her on the back roads at first, keeping it slow. Went through a park near by, meandered along the river. All the while I’m half expecting a “take me home!” moment. It never came. So, I thought, let’s see how far we can get before that moment shows up. I got on a highway, ran the bike up to 55-60, no complaints. We got to town, and I stopped to check on her, get a drink, take a minute or two off the bike. She was fine. We took off again and rode for a good while, putting in 100 miles on day one. She took it like like a champ.

Now, it’s her, looking at the weather, and telling me “it looks like a good day to ride!”

So, yeah. That makes me happy 🙂

We both have protective riding gear, pants/jackets. Helmets of course. The bike has been modified from stock, previous owner had put in a K&N performance air filter, and aftermarket pipes on it. But they apparently did not know that you have to rejet the carbs when you do that. I know, because the tell tale sign of that is the exhaust pipes are bluing pretty good. Now is a good time to be down for a few days, so I ordered all the stuff I need to do the job. Probably after x-mas I’ll get on it. Getting that fixed will make me more happy 😉

I need a distraction from the shit show that’s coming. Felonious orange and co. are going to be quite the spectacle. I’m fine with the motorcycle giving us a happy place. You should probably look for one too…