Roasting

We made our earliest start ever, getting over to ride by 10:00 AM.  Why?  Because the forecast was for a high of 97.  As it was, the temps were already in the mid-80s with a heat index flirting with 90.  This was more like a ride in August than May; however, we still geared up and headed out.

            It was community yard sale weekend in my parents’ neighborhood, so we rode straight over to the ritzy neighborhood to avoid the extra traffic the yard sales brought.  Of course, I noted that several homes in the ritzy neighborhood were piggybacking on the community sale to host their own yard sales.  But traffic wasn’t too bad despite being busier, except the truck U-turner turning around his truck full of bikes while looking at his phone and the minivan lady with her phone in one hand and a map in the other.  Scary, but we were aware and avoided them.

            As we headed out on our ride, we headed into a bevy of dragonflies.  Clearly the hot weather agrees with them or their eggs hatch in May because they were everywhere throughout our ride.  One little guy was zooming right into my path but deftly lifted and swerved to avoid both the motorcycle and me.  I saw a beautiful blue one and marveled how fantastic it is to be on a motorcycle and be able to see the dragonflies so clearly as to distinguish their colors.

            The cabbage white butterflies were out, too, but not in as large a number.  I managed to see 8 throughout the ride, but I also got to see a black swallowtail which gave me an extra smile.  Almost everyone was staying in the shade even during this earlier warmth of the day.  A great egret was stalking its breakfast in the river, two Canadian geese were canoodling in the grass, and some ducks were waddling across the street.

            The air was full of the scent of honeysuckle and Ligustrum.  There was a cooling breeze out of the west, but it was a day when I preferred the straight rides letting the wind chill cool us off.  Whenever we entered a court to work on our slow circles, I could feel the exhaust heat against my right inner thigh.  When we were working on straightening up out of circles, I felt as though my leg was roasting on a spit.  I found myself thinking longingly of the BMW 1250 GS with its boxer twin engine (just like the R Nine T).  With the cylinders down in front of my feet and an exhaust pipe down and back by the rear tire, it won’t be as toasty roasty as the Desert Sled.

            Due to the heat, I opted not to take the R Nine T into the field.  I didn’t want Bill having to stand around all geared up in the sun and heat.  I regretted that decision a little bit as the heat emanated up my body from the exhaust.  After our ride, I was sweatier than Bill!  I am praying for no rain next Friday so the field will be dry.  Part of moving up to the 1250 GS is being able to handle the boxer engine, so I need some experience with the R Nine T to develop my competence and comfort.

            And if you were wondering whether we still gear up in the heat, the answer is yes.  I still put on the Alpinestars jacket under the Klim which is under the Helite vest.  I noticed that with the Barkbusters hand guards, my hands in their summer gloves don’t get the full effect of the wind.  I found myself holding up my left hand to let the wind run through all my venting holes.

            As for skills practice, we worked on straightening up out of curves, both doing much better than last week.  We also added something else to our stopping practice.  This week on Youtube, Bill found Boots and Jeans, and Boots was going over how to stop his large Honda Goldwing.  Now remember from last week, I use the front brake to slow the bike, but for the full stop, I only use the rear brake so that if the bike is not completely straight and it starts to wobble, I can straighten it out.  Boots showed us how, as he releases the front brake, he sticks his left leg out straight and, as the bike comes to a stop, lets his heel touch down first and then the rest of the foot.  This foot technique helps prevent the jump that can be experienced from stopping the bike and setting the foot flat down.  As I practiced it, I noted it was an interesting sensation and did make me feel more stable in my stops.

            I did more slowing circles and then letting the clutch out to help straighten the bike.  And I was very conscientious about making sure the kickstand was down the two times the bike was parked.  Another successful week finding neutral, too.  Other than roasted thigh, it was a fantastic ride.  I can’t wait for next weekend when the temps will be a much more delightful 77 degrees.  I wonder who I’ll see more of—the dragonflies or the butterflies?  And will I finally get to ride the R Nine T?