It’s been an odd fall season, here in SE Wisconsin… Some really cold nights (28 a couple of nights ago), and surprisingly warm days (67, on Saturday).
I’ve been working some very long days, and have only glanced at the Phat Girl a few times in the past month or so. Sunday, I made sure we had some quality time together…
I was awake at 7:30 or so, and hit the button on the coffee maker. Took a walk to the street, and grabbed the Sunday paper… The day was bright and sunny, with some wispy clouds off to the south east (about 45 degrees, with no wind). I sat on the deck, sipping coffee reading about the dagger Michigan put through the heart of my Wisconsin Badgers title hopes… Puttered around the house, doing some laundry, made the bed, just stuff.
I needed a few things from the grocery store. The Packer game didn’t start until 3:00 or so, so I decided to take the Valk, and the long way…
It was about 58 degrees, when I backed the big black beast out of the garage. Jeans, boots, leather jacket, and light gloves… Just right for a trip to the store, about 5 miles away. I headed west towards North Lake. To get to the store, I should turn left when I hit town… I go right… The countryside in SE Wisconsin, this time of year, just begs to be seen. As I mentioned earlier, this has been a strange fall. Many trees are already bare of leaves, the peak color for them, is long over, thanks to some very wet and windy days these past few weeks. Some trees are still green, looking like they won’t have color for at least another week or better… Strange indeed. I head north on HWY 83. Speed limit is 45 – 55, depending on where ya are… I took it easy, enjoying the cool clean air. No wind to fight through, very few cages on the road. Gave the ‘low five’ salute to a couple of crotch rocket riders, and the couple on a nice lookin’ HD. Passed through Hartford, and decided to turn west again… No place special in mind, just seemed like the right thing to do.
Red Tailed Hawks, sitting high atop the bare trees are easier to see this time of year. They are always there, but now, their presence is made known, to me and their prey, by the lack of green cover. Flocks of Geese made their ‘check marks’ in the sky, as they were making their way to the warmer days offered to the south. Corn fields have been harvested, hay has been rolled… I again head north, looking for nothing in particular, but truly enjoying everything I see.
The Valk is purring. I’ve always felt that these cool, dry autumn days, are just what she likes. Quick response to a twist of the wick, smooth as silk, locked in at a comfortable 55 – 60 mph. Slight sweepers, cresting hills, and dipping in to ‘frost pockets’, where the temperature changes 10 degrees, in less than 100 feet… I’ve hit the ‘sweet spot’. That feeling of being one with the machine. Not really ‘thinking’ through a curve, but more of ‘being’ the curve… Warm sun in my face, a wave to another rider… I keep riding, feeling, being…
I don’t know when, but somewhere I made the decision to start heading back to the south… The skies were beginning to get cloudy, and the wind had picked up a bit. I made it to the store and picked up the necessary items, with the large package of chicken wings being the most important… You see, my boys and I have a ritual during Packer season. I make a mess of wings (ala BW3’s) at the start of each game, and we have a great time watching our guys show the rest of the NFL how the game should be played.
I pull in to the garage, and in the time it takes me to remove the riding gear, it begins to rain… Great timing on my part! It’s almost 3:00, and the odometer shows I’ve rolled up just shy of 150 miles. My mind is clear, my soul is at peace, and I feel invigorated!
Nothing like a little ‘Mental Floss’ ride to get yer head right
Thanks for looking...
Black Dog
