Skip to main content

March, in like a lamb?

I downloaded a countdown app for my iPhone so I could see how long before I get my motorcycle out of storage. The problem is that I don't know when that actually will be. It all depends on the weather. As a result I used the LAST accessible day I can get it out of storage. I think the last allowable day without incurring further storage fees is the following Monday, but May 12th is my birthday and a Saturday making the 150 km trip to the storage facility an interesting birthday present.


Two months... how dreadful. Now I know for a fact there are folks on the road a lot sooner than my birthday so this is what has been bouncing around in my head as I grow more desperate to have my bike back. I don't just need warmish weather, I need ALL the salt rinsed off of the roads. The last thing I need is to accelerate any kind of rusting. Snowstorms in early to mid April are not all that uncommon but we have had several mild winters in a row. Apparently springtime is the time for flooding, not just April showers. Heather's family cottage was almost flooded out around April 20th last year... and we live on an island, that really only sinks in when the water levels rise. 

I have watched the same comprehensive video review for the 2017 Softail Slim about six times now, just to hear the bike growl and see it on a road. I wish the reviewer had used one in my colour. Black may be almost passé, but it well and truly is the best colour (or lack thereof) to show off the lines of this beautiful beast. I find the balance between black and chrome to be perfect. Because the frame, no matter what colour the bike, remains Vivid Black - it seems the natural choice. The more popular matte black option looks a bit funny with the shiny black frame showing through. 

Judging by a quick scan of my old phone pictures, the snow seems to be gone by mid April, with the possibility of a late snowstorm (or not). I may not have the full 60 days to wait, but I have some more time do spend without my two wheeled friend. Seeing as this is occurring to me as I type, I should share. How strange is it that I have not named my bike, nor do I consistently refer to it as "she"? Maybe I should cast about and see what others think my bike should be called - other than Bikey McBikeface. If anyone is reading this and wants to drop a line with a name suggestion, I will be sure to address it in a future blog post. Mark, I'm counting on you.

The anticipation is bearable, but not a lot of fun. I can't wait to ride again.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Rain

I have only recently encountered rain on my new bike. The first bit didn't last very long, only my legs got wet & they had dried by the time I got home. A few evenings ago though... different story. I had gone past Eganville to visit a fellow motorcycle enthusiast and show off the bike. As it darkened I took my leave. A 45 minute ride, and the sky started to look seriously moody just minutes into the ride. By the half way mark I had been seeing a lot of lightning and hearing thunder VERY soon after the flashes. The rain started a little after the half way mark. Heavy rain. When there was oncoming it was very hard to distinguish where the lines on the road were. Some folks seemed to think my headlight was too bright and would high-beam me making it ever harder to keep in my lane. Also - wet. Quite wet. My jacket kept that part of me dry as did the helmet but my waterproof boots soaked from the top down. Pants wicking into socks & thus boots. Not a lot of fun. On a high ...

Summer begins

" Adown the golden sunset way   The evening comes in wimple gray;  By burnished shore and silver lake  Cool winds of ministration wake;  O'er occidental meadows far  There shines the light of moon and star,  And sweet, low-tinkling music rings  About the lips of haunted springs." ...from   A Summer Day -  by Lucy Maud Montgomery Summer is upon us and I am often on my bike now. I have been seeing some really cool things. I have found that the road to Calabogie is filled with Harleys on any given weekend. The road that runs from Calabogie to Lanark is even more fun to drive. I have spent far too much time on the backroads around here but I keep seeing different things.  A few weeks past I was on a tear down Zion Line when some Mennonite looking service was just getting out at a very low key nondescript building. I can't tell you how cool that sea of clean old timey black clothing looks through polarized sunglasses. Some...

7500 kms - Autumn

It is October 11th and I have been taking wee runs to say goodbye to some of my favorite backroads. I am so lucky to live in an area with so many routes to choose from. It is a remarkably warm fall so far. The colours are amazing and still hanging on. The smell of burning leaves, fresh turned soil, horses and the heat from my engine. A heady mix. Still getting the odd person openly admiring the bike. Glad I got the one I did. It really is perfect for me. I am getting NO guitar playing or very much video game time as I really am trying to eke out the most kilometers before I have to store the bike until spring. I think the 93 octane gasoline available at the local Stinson's station seems to be a good match for the bike. I notice the already responsive bike is a touch perkier with the 93 in it. The photo is taken on Magnesium Road, Between Mine View Road & Queens Line. The road sign is the road that my wife's grandfather named after her when he built the subdivision. ...