Serk's Day Out

[Serk]

(Rambling, pointless post to follow)

Between work, weather and family obligations, my Valk has sadly been collecting a lot of dust lately. Well, I noticed today that I was off work, the spousal unit was out and about, the kiddos were at daycare, and it was sunny and mid 60's outside... Hmmm, little on the cold side, but I've got a brand new motorcycle jacket that needs breaking in, and it's got a thick winter liner, so what the heck, let's go for a ride!

Was a little cold, but not bad. I might have to consider those electric heated riding gear I'm hearing about, I bet with those ya' could easily ride all the way into the dead of winter in the mid, maybe even low 50's!

Nothing really in mind, didn't have time for a REAL ride, but I needed to ride, so off I went! First stop, had to get some gas...



Then I had to decide... Country or city... I'm kinda twisted in that I get a weird pleasure from diving head first into the chaos of the city ALMOST as much as the mind clearing beauty of a nice country drive, so I pointed the bike straight at the heart of the beast that is the Dallas Metromess... Hmmm, destination... Well... Christmas is almost here, and the spousal unit mentioned she likes that awful cinnamon flavored whiskey, so off I went. (One of the few negatives I'll mention about The Republic... We've only partially repealed prohibition. In many parts of the state you still have to take a bit of a trip to get to the nearest liquor store.)

So, went to one of those big fancy new style liquor stores/gourmet food places. This one is in a building that used to be a Toys 'R Us. There's some deeper meaning there, I'm sure.

Got the spousal unit a Christmas present of that awful (But cheap!) stuff she drinks:



And splurged a bit for myself... I'm usually a single malt Scotch guy, but I've always wanted to try the infamous Johnnie Walker Blue Label, and they had a smaller bottle that included 3 other kinds of high-falutin Johnnie Walker flavors for a high price, but one I could stomach, so... Merry Christmas to me!



After that, I was trying to decide between city super-slab or surface streets. The surface streets have a vibe all their own, you can almost feel the city breathing sometimes.

However, today the city seemed to have pneumonia. Ever have one of those days where every light is red, there's a closed intersection with a wreck every mile or two, backed up traffic everywhere, etc? Yeah... I got the hint, and onto the super slab for some triple digit weaving between slow pokes to clear the mind. (Yeah, I'm an idiot, I know it. We all have our vices, that's one of mine.)

Little bit of that and I noticed it was getting on in the afternoon and I hadn't eaten yet. Just then saw a sign for a little place, so I popped in and got some lunch. Cheap too! $6.99 for this whole plate (I wasn't able to eat it all, but I managed to eat most of it!)



As I was finishing up my late lunch is when the spousal unit called and requested I point the bike home for resumption of fatherly duties for the day. Oh well... It was nice while it lasted... And, even though I barely went through a tank of gas, it was enough, and SO badly needed...

Thanks for following along. As I said, pointless rambling thread, but... Ya' ever start composing a thread in your head while riding, 'cause ya' wanna try to capture the essence of the moment, the singularity of absolute clarity, to share with your friends? Yeah... Something like that...



Ride on!

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Yes sir, Ride on!

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Nice read. Glad you got some wind. 

[Jess from VA]

Great story! 

Except the part about heading INTO a city, I liked it all. 

We have freezing rain on the streets.  I have never ridden with ice skates for boots (outriggers).  Didn't even get the mail. 

[Patrick]

Mid-60s !  Thats t-shirt weather. We gotts nuther 6 months for that way up here.

[Oss]

Man you made me laugh at that cold in the 60's stuff as well Serk

Been high 20's and low 30s around here on weekends with flurries  only got to ride 2 days out of the last 7

Good for you to get out and ride, city driving does sharpen those
reflexes and the country riding eases the soul  you got both today well done

[old2soon]

NEXT time let the voice mail pick up!  THAT after all is ONLY a suggestion.  Glad ya gitted some wind.  RIDE SAFE.

[Gavin_Sons]

Mid 60's is light riding gear around here, really perfect temp to be riding for me. 40's I break out the heavy gear. Rode to work ome morning at 18* and like to freeze. Haven't broke down and bought gerbings but that will be done by next fall.

[Felonious Thump]

In Montana one day I went to work with it in the 40's. Cold front came threw and I rode home at -18. Now that was a cold ride!

[cookiedough]

nice posting, do it anytime you feel the need.  good for you to get a bottle of liquor for the wife and for you as well.  Isn't there a saying about something something, but liquor is quicker? 
Will be waiting until April 1st going batty to get out and about am starting just now to get stir crazy only 3 more months to go and no ice fishing with all this rain and near 40 degree temps don't trust the ice for safe ice now.  When is the sun going to come out?  Probably xmas day when we stay inside and eat and eat and eat. 

[Dark]

(Rambling, pointless post to follow)
it was sunny and mid 60's outside... Hmmm, little on the cold side

Cold ? That whiskey must be doing a good job of thinning your blood
Looking for 60 hear Fri & Sat, I've got deer tags to fill before the end of the year but one of those days the Valk is going to get a couple of hundred miles on her

[Jess Tolbirt]

i can see why you didnt finish all your lunch,, they forgot to cook it,,,

[Valkorado]

Good story.  60*?  Heck, that's comfortable wearing mesh!  BTW, that electric heat you mentioned will keep you comfy to the mid to low 30s -- and below if the roads are dry.  Unfortunately, it's currently five degrees here at Ice Station Zebra.

For the -17 nights like expected tonight you need a raging fire, and maybe some of that Tennessee Fire!   

[POPS 57]

Careful with the fireball. Seen on the news they put antifreeze in it. It's all good with the wife  isn't it.

[Crackerborn]

Nice post, I am glad you got to ride in that horrible cold weather. It's 45 and sunny here in the SE corner of Packerland and I am canceling my appointments so I can get some wind time in before the snow starts tomorrow. No salt on the road because it rained all day yesterday and I won't even need the winter gear! 

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

 Serk.  I've been  down to 21 degrees with my gerbings and yes they do work. Glad you got some wind in your face.

[HayHauler]

Serk is so cold because he has no body fat left to keep him warm. 
Congrats on the weight loss AND the ride.  I am very much like you in that I don't mind riding through the belly of the beast and triple digits every now and then is fun too. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[Daniel Meyer]

Yep...this City...a challenge and exhilaration most folks don't expect...and a life of it's own...