I didn't have a choice

It was 55 degrees at almost 11am, not a cloud in the sky.

I started the Valkyrie and drove it out of the garage onto the driveway then put on the mesh jacket over my flannel shirt. The air was crisp and clean. Wow !

I put my kindle in the trunk as my intent was to stop somewhere along the alpine lakes, maybe Tiorati or Sebago, to read a spell from a book I have been enjoying. I really find it relaxing to sit in a scenic spot reading a good book and letting my mind's eye wander along the landscape of the area and that of the book.

Last minute check of the air in the tires, perfect for solo riding at 44 in back 42 in front Did not need chaps, just the ancient draggin jeans that I have worn since....
well since before that 1st interstate went down on oil on the Merritt Parkway connector in Connecticut in late 2002. The left knee hole doesn't go thru as the kevlar held. Maybe they are my good luck pants I was wearing them when my back tire went phhhoey last year doing 70 behind Gman on Rt 80 on the way to IZ going by DesMoines. That was the last time I ever saw RJ. The day I almost took MGM to Spearfish. RJ would surely tell me to suck it up and ride while I can, so I did

I restarted the bike, warmed it up a minute or so and eased it (funny I never gave it a name the radiator grill says Dragon so maybe that will be it) onto Tappan Terrace and snap decision to go right instead of left at the end of the road. (sorry Gman almost went your way) Noticed that we had almost a full tank, always a good omen and I let the bike take me north on 9A. North is where the fun is as its away from the City!

Coming into the 1st big left sweeper I started feeling nervous, like the tires weren't ready to ride yet. The road was not particularly rutted to my vision, which of course is not so good as even a few years ago. Undaunted I moved the bike left and right in the lane thinking maybe it just needs a few miles after all the unheated garage did get close to zero last week and maybe the tires were
not fully round yet.

The feeling kept me at the speed limit till I was a few miles north now along the Hudson. Even on 9 I did not exceed the limit (well not a lot anyway) but the bike started to "feel" more responsive

Now I dont consider myself an elite rider, not even a very good rider as far as ability to really countersteer and dig into turns. I did think I was ok and could keep up with my friends before going down about 5 yrs ago but something in me is different now. Heck I have been different since being the bike behind a great rider who went down near Deer Ark. in 2007.

Funny how in traffic at 50-60-70 I have no trouble gauging other cars and moving safely and figuring out what is behind and ahead and either side coming off side roads, but twisties, they just have my number especially anything going downhill or wet

Anyhow after riding 9 in very light traffic I hit the Ansville Circle the lower entrance to the Goat Trail and I pulled over to let everyone in sight pass When there were no longer cars visible ahead or behind I pulled back into the road. Its 40 on the entire road but the caution signs sometimes tell you go 20.
I stayed at 40 dead on it and just tried to relax my hands and remember enter the turn outside no braking once in the turn look thru start accelerating as soon as in the turn once you can see out more gas

Over and over and over, I felt my body start to finally relax. The sight of big rigs coming down no longer registered I was enjoying myself finally, not in the zone but better.

Approaching the bridge the wind picked up as the crossing between the cliffs is a bottleneck for the river and naturally the wind as well The wind on the bridge east side was " spirited " I stopped mid span on the shoulder to take a picture then quickly mounted and rode south on 9W to the Park entrance At the top Perkins access road was closed so I continued past the Appalachian Trail marker to the 7 Lakes Drive

Going up it started to get cold. there was ice on the sides of the road
Who turned off the damn heat? The alpine lakes were all covered in ice. At Sebago circle the entrance to 106 (my favorite road) was closed Doggone it and the sun disappeared behind clouds then too

So I headed south to sit along the shore of Lake Tiorati and got off the bike. Pretty near where I took that pic of Carl and Lori where she is holding the flowers.

That lasted about 10 minutes as my hands were now cold without the gloves and the wind was picking up again.

So it was back on the bike and south thru the drive which is about 6 miles or so downhill gentle back and forth 40 mph speed limit and I did that keeping it in 4th No cars or bikes the whole way, lots of bicycle riders though

The EZ Pass didnt work at the toll so I cut the engine. The nice toll lady said why do the MC EZpasses always do that to you guys? Hell if I know I took out the EZpass handed it to the nice lady and she gave it back and the toll arm went up. Started the Dragon and rode east across the Hudson River

I saw less than a dozen bikes today up. I love this area Lots of beauty not so many people crowding you

Coming down the goat trail I felt that fear of losing control come back so I just took the road in 3rd gear and tried to stay off the brakes. I simply put my feet on the highway pegs and just a bit of rear brake before a turn and then throttle during the turn, even the decreasing radius turns.

At the entrance to 9 I let the bike run, averaged around 80 the next 7 miles and approaching the speed traps I just fell into a 60mph lope.

Only 90 minutes of riding followed by a hike with Bonnie around Teatown Reservation

Hopefully there will be more opportunities to ride before the next snowfall hits again and mud season starts

Ride safe everyone

Oss