A 2-fer Sort of Thing...

[DDT (12)]

A 2-fer Sort of Thing...
 
I know, both good and bad things are said to come in ‘threes’, but not everything does in my unusual experience in life. Just the other day, for example, I had another 2-fer kind of event. Now, one could argue about some different counting or description, I guess, but this is the one (not two, ironically) that I've settled upon...
 
Too tired to go on... Too much bad weather predicted to continue... and too little initiative or inclination to roll the dice and face the elements. So, I took two days to rest, two additional days to wait for some passing storms forecasted to pass over us, and... That was the second time in as many weeks! Am I attempting to be 'too' clever here...?
 
Spring has definitely Sprung in America’s southland, and with it has come the volatile, tumultuous weather variations that always accompany this annual changeover sequence. As warm moist air forcefully pushes up from the tropics and collides with stubborn artic air struggling to resist, the ensuing tug-of-war produces much meteorological mischief along the ‘frontal' frontiers! The continually changing angle of direct sunlight determines the ultimate champion, of course, and in Spring that means warmer air will continue to creep northward.
 
Spring is a wonderful season in many ways, and it happens to be my own personal favorite. I suppose that it all started in my early youth when I first noticed… Spring came to mean warmer days ahead, summer was just around the corner, and school would finally be ending for a time!
 
It was also a time of changing colors: First the new buds on barren tree branches began to burst, then an extravaganza of evolving shade variations of green as they blossomed. Along with that came the spectacular color palate of Azaleas, Dogwoods, Redbuds, Daffodils, Mountain Laural, Rhododendrons, Wisteria, and… wicked brilliant lightning flashing against the backdrop of ominous, towering, multi-colored clouds. A time of rebirth and of the strong indication better days lie just ahead… An often-challenging period but with the promise wonderful rewards were waiting on the other side…
 
It also represents a time of increasing humidity and warmth. Nowadays that translates into a reduced daily riding range already in decline due to the physical realities of a long life. With increased volatility in weather, these two undeniable realities combine to set the stage for… my 2-fer pauses… Not yet a regular feature, but it does appear to be trending towards that end… I wonder if I’ll be needing a trike or a condominium first…? Or possibly both at the same time...? Yet another 2-fer thingy, perhaps...?
 
DDT (12)

[da prez]

  We have a spare trike for sale. Then you can keep up with the too (two) fer. Two wheels and three wheels. That is five wheels divided by too (two) fer is too (two) and a half fer.

                                             da prez

[Oss]

Ah that "almost spring weather" 

You get to experience all 4 seasons sometimes the same day plus wind !

I think we will continue to hunker down on the beach here till Friday

Looking forward to seeing if I can find a spot of sand or dirt on JeffC's Valkyrie tomorrow

And I bet you are looking forward to Valker's appearance before you even know it....

Great post my friend, was nice speakin with you yesterday

[Rams]

It also represents a time of increasing humidity and warmth. Nowadays that translates into a reduced daily riding range already in decline due to the physical realities of a long life. With increased volatility in weather, these two undeniable realities combine to set the stage for… my 2-fer pauses… Not yet a regular feature, but it does appear to be trending towards that end… I wonder if I’ll be needing a trike or a condominium first…? Or possibly both at the same time...? Yet another 2-fer thingy, perhaps...?
 
DDT (12)

I reached the point of realizing my knees and other body parts were not as young as they used to be a few years ago and bought a Valk trike.   While I still ride both cruisers, if I intend to take a road trip, I'll most likely be on the trike.   I figure tipping over at a stop sign/light would be embarrassing and potentially not fun.   Falling down hurts (don't ask how I know this) and can be expensive.   The trike offers a stability the cruisers don't.   But, you already know that.

When I do travel long distance on my trike, I normally pull my tag-a-long trailer with me.   I barely notice it's back there and it provides all kinds of storage room for what I want to take with me.   About the only time I notice it is if I happen to take a corner too tight and curb the trailer.   I quickly am reminded (again, don't ask).

Going to a trike is something each rider must make their own decision on.   I'm happy with my choice but am not advocating it for anyone else.   The cruisers still get ridden on the local twisties and they are still a blast to ride.   Stay safe and know you're always welcomed if traveling through western TN.

Rams

[DDT (12)]

Ross,

Yes indeed, my friend... Thoughts of such a change are on my mind these days, and regardless of how the math works out, I can no longer keep that inevitability in the 'theoretical' category... 'immenient' is where it must reside... I'm not excited at the prospect, of course, but... I must face it just as your brother and many others have already. Of course, I could always simply give up riding... NAH!

I'm not ready to give up just yet, but... When I do finally pull the trigger on this, I will consider many options including having our girl 'triked'. That would not be the most practical choice for many reasons, but there are so many sentimental reasons for such, that I do lean hard in that direction... at least for now. When the time comes, if you do still have that extra trike for sale, perhaps we can 'talk turkey'.

DDT (12)



Evan,

"All four seasons in the same day...!"  Yeah, I do know what you mean there!    As I ponder my plight in terms of future riding style, I must admit that, thanks in no small part to you, 'rickshaw driving' is definitely not among the possibilities! I do, however, tip my hat to you for adapting to circumstances and not allowing a setback to keep you and your boss on the sidelines.

Yes for sure! The sudden reappearence of Valker back on the scene will definitely be a good thing! That scudder contributes to any assembly when present, and I'm really looking forward to spending some more time with him. I'm wondering what sort of 'trip extension' I might be able to persuade him to undertake...?

Yes, it was good to chat the other day... Thanks for the call!!!  

DDT (12)



Ron,

Thanks for the words of wise counsel. You are one of those to whom I pay particular attention when you dispense insightful notions on vital subjects! My knees are not the driver issue for my thoughts on a switch, although they fer sure ain't what they used to be! No, in my case it's overall reduced strength and stamina, particularly in warm, humid weather conditions.

Dropping our girl again, especially for a solo rider, is a frightening prospect, and one that is beginning to supplant some of the joyous thoughts previously taken for granted... Not so long ago those 'switching possibilities' were thoughts 'out yonder in the future someplace'... Now they suddenly have become near term realities!  

DDT (12)

[Rams]

Ron,

Thanks for the words of wise counsel. You are one of those to whom I pay particular attention when you dispence insightful notions on vital subjects! My knees are not the driver issue for my thoughts on a switch, although they fer sure ain't what they used to be! No, in my case it's overall reduced strength and stamenia, particularly in warm, humid weather conditions.

Dropping our girl again, especially for a solo rider, is a frieghtening prospect, and one that is beginning to supplant some of the joyous thoughts previously taken for granted... Not so long ago those 'switching possibilities' were thoughts 'out yonder in the future someplace'... Now they suddenly have become near term realities!  

DDT (12)

Age and waining strength go together.   Wasn't all that long ago that while moving Fat Ladies around in our garage, I let one of the cruisers get away from me (over balanced) and it took everything both my wife and I had to get the Fat Lady upright.   Something I was always able to easily do.  

In your case (because you travel with all those necessities on Ali to enable your life style) there's a lot of top heavy weight that may need to be taken off to get Ali upright should she lay down.   I can't imagine you in some condo permanently based but, that time of less travel is coming for all of us.

Again, you're always welcomed, I keep loads of bacon stocked.  

Rams

[old2soon]

     GIVE UP RIDING????? I Know i read that right and I also Know you immediately pooh poohed it BUT Dang!  Don't scare us like dat no mo!  Bruce DDT 12 Not in da wind would be Worse than a multi magnitude catastrophe!  granted I'm still Learnin the idiosyncrasies-hadda look dat one up-of Ridin a Trike and I am for all intents and purposes likin it just about as much as I loved ridin Phatt Ghurl. I also Know I put North of 115000 miles on Phatt Gurl so there Will be some catchin up to do mile wise!  Age heat humidity current medical conditions-mine-all play into What anyone of us here are capable of NOW! Ron nailed that situation cuz I myself fer sure and fer certain ain't gittin no younger quickly!  But I Simply REFUSE to give up cuz Anyone is capable of quitting.  My unload in 16 was a DIRECT result of my Constant need of supplementa Oxygen. Still refining the O2 thingy But now I KNOW Exactly what R J-RIP-was up against. My V A providers are tryin to work with me and That alone helps a Lot!  I don't see you before hand I Am lookin forward to seein you at I 25!!  RIDE SAFE.

[DDT (12)]

Ron,

I hear ya, my friend! The last time I dropped her while solo, I had to find someone to help me get her back up... and she was already 'naked' at the time! When we were young and at our most able, we lacked the freedom to ride all the time... Now that I have all the time I need, well... here we are talking about it. Oh well, I'm just going to keep on keepin' on 'til I can't... If not before and assuming I survive whatever comes between now and then, I'll look for ya at IZ-25...

DDT (12)



Dennis,

I'm beginning to suspect it may just be as simple as 'even numbered days' and 'odd numbered days'. I'm sure it's just some sort of weird coincidence, but my most trying times seem to occur on even numbered days!

Today, for example (4/3/25), we enjoyed a spectacular day on the road. The preceding day had been particularly difficult... Go figure...? OK, the weather was decidedly different, too, so... I'm pretty sure that probably had the most do with it.

No, I'm not about to give up riding just yet, but on those grulingly rough days the thought does cross my mind! I wonder if Jim Cantore might be available to tour with me and lend his expertise...? Anybody know if he rides? NAH, on second thought I'd be beset with perpetual drama!!!

You are among the folks I'll definitely be looking for at IZ-25! Heck, Ron (Rams) is planning on being there, too, so... Maybe we can have another doughnut event - a sugar-sharing gathering extravaganza! Shoot, I can see that becoming an annual thing... whaddayouthink?

DDT (12)

[old2soon]

    Domuts kind of a L E O thingy? Right? There at Dubuque their beer was COLD and the cheeseburger and fries I had were Good!  I'm Sure a Google search weill locate us a donut emporium at I25!  Just hope where ever we eat Good Coffee is served! Gotta find a fish fry or seafood there. RIDE SAFE.

[DDT (12)]

Dennis,

Yeah, LEOs are associated with doughnuts all right, but they're definitely not exclusively entitled to them. Besides, I was on 'police call' so many times back in my Army days, I probably qualify anyway... First things first, though... Let's just be sure to make it there, then we can figure out grub arrangements as moods strike us... I like your fried fish idea!

DDT (12)

[Valker]

Bruce, right now I'm tending towards not heading to NE Alabama next weekend. Several reasons really. That would get me close enough to Chattanooga to require me to go visit my daughter and family who were out here and stayed with me for several days just last month. Another is that I'm still rebuilding my riding stamina. About 300 miles is what I've worked up to since my surgeries. Most likely reason is that I now have a girlfriend in Amarillo who I really like spending time with (my high school sweetheart). It's another three weeks before my scheduled ride to Arkansas, so I will be on the road soon, but it's a much shorter ride spread out over more days. The only thing missing will be our visit, but we will ride together sometime soon.

[DDT (12)]

Eric,

No sweat, my friend... Life Happens! While we'll all miss you, we all realize we each have to do what we have to do. Trying to fit too much activity too soon into too little time is a trap with which I'm all too familiar, so I truly do understand... complications and all that...

My best regards and wishes for a strong continued bounce-back from your recent medical stuff... Romance, huh...? Well, you definitely will have to tackle that on your own... I'm the last guy to give any advice on that score!!! Looking forward to hanging out with you again when the time does come...

DDT (12)

[old2soon]

    Funny NOT funy but seems as we age up some surgeries are needed to keep us on this side of the lawn or keep us mobile or both! Aint like we can git online or go to wally wurld and order a bottle or a case of Stamina! Were it available- -lotsa folks here Would be Very Good customers!  RIDE SAFE.