March 9, 2005
Hit the Road
A sudden onset of warm (or at least warmer) weather has the hardcore riders coming out in droves. Layered for warmth and heavy with leathers, they sport ear to ear grins as they weave and wind through the canyons, dodging the rocks the spring always strews across the road. Jealous down to even my little pinkie toe, I long for it to be warm enough for me to drag my bike out of the garage and see if she'll turn over this year. (And with my bike, it's always a question) It's not warm enough for me to risk it yet without immense amounts of suffering, but I'm starting to gear up, practicing not braking in turns and remembering the feel of the bike. It's amazing how quick it comes back to you each year. Last year, my second year as a full fledged rider, I was concerned about whether or not my motorcycle skills would be too rusty from a winter of disuse. It took me coasting down the length of the driveway to realize that even when I don't conciously remember, my body flies on its own instincts. Can't wait to get back in the groove this spring. And, as always, keeping my eye out on curbsides and in the paper for that new motocycle, the perfect ride. After a long winter though, any ride is perfect.