Not ready

Winter is here and while I actually like this season I'm not quite ready yet to put away Blackie and end the riding season. So I'm wishing that this cold snap (today's high temperature was 14 degrees!!!) and the snow will disappear for a couple of weeks.

I have had a fantastic riding season and I just want it to last a little bit longer. That's not too much to ask, is it? My throttle hand is twitching and I guess I have not burnt my buns enough yet.

While I know that my mileage this year is small in comparison to most serious riders I'm proud of the 14,000 miles I put on Blackie. It has included two oil changes (and another due), a new chain and a new set of tires as well as a 12,000 mile service. Not to mention numerous bike washes and chain oiling. And the addition of new axillary lights.  Oh... and all the great rides! To Cape Cod (MA), to Asheville (NC), to Dallas (TX), the New England Minute Man and Saddle Sore 1,000, the Minotaur, the Team Lyle Garden State, the Tour of Higher Learning and all the "little rides" around Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

I'm already planning for next riding season. It will include quite a few rallies and rides and even a few surprises.  I wish I was brave enough to ride during the winter months. Like my friend Hannu says "studded knobbies rule"... but I'm just not there... yet. One shall never say never.

In the meantime I'm hoping the snow will melt, the temperatures rise and that I get to put a few more miles on Blackie before she enters in to hibernation and I try to not sink too deep in to the snow and PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome).