Wednesday afternoon this past week, we were hit with a snowstorm that laid down over ten inches of snow throughout the area.  Here I was thinking spring had arrived; old man winter wasn’t finished with us yet.  The area temperatures stayed low enough for the snow to solidify and stick around—even pockets of piled up snow remain despite a day of 70 degrees.

            Naturally, there was no ride.  Playing dodge the icy spots on the road on a motorcycle is not a great idea even for the most skilled riders.  We did start the motorcycles, and my R Nine T needed to burn off some oil. 

            Next Saturday is sunny and low 60s—perfect riding weather.  And I am really in need of a ride, so I’m crossing my fingers that I can make that happen.

            I spent the week back behind the wheel driving on some pretty wet roads as a large swath of rain passed over.  It felt good and felt more like retuning to normal.  I began hoping I might manage a ride on Saturday if we could beat the forecasted rain.

            Unfortunately on Thursday, as I was exercising and on my fourth body squat, something pulled internally.  It was my first real incident of pain and both surprised and disappointed me.  Any weakness in my core meant more delays in riding.  So I had to make do with another start up; I didn’t even risk mounting the motorcycle as that would cause pulling on my stomach.

            Next week might be a snow in and yes, southeastern Virginia gets snowed in when it only snows inches.  So I may get an extra recovery week before another chance to ride.  I can feel the deprivation.  Many riders claim motorcycle riding is a form of therapy, and I am finding myself in agreement with that claim.  I am trying not to get depressed about not riding; I think if I pretend we winterized the Rocket and R Nine T, I can fool myself as to why I’m not getting to ride.  I have learned that I am grateful I live in an area that allows year-round riding weatherwise.

            And until I can get back on my motorcycle, I’ll keep playing ID the bike on the roads with Bill.

Despite a beautiful sunny Sunday in the low fifties, I took yet another week off from riding.  It was a precaution; I haven’t been driving and needed to get more comfortable on the road again.  So instead of gearing up to go for a ride, I geared up to paint the porch.

            My plan is to drive as much as possible this week to up my road awareness in hopes I can ride again next weekend.  We’re expecting a lot of rain during the week with even a slight chance of snow mid-week, so I hope the weather and my health synch up to allow me to take the R Nine T for an airing.

As I left the house and headed to the car, dozens and dozens of robins flitted all about on the ground, in the ligustrum bushes, and through the pine and oak trees.  I had spotted a loan robin in the backyard earlier in the week, but when flocks of them abound, it is a sure sign that spring is close.  And though the temperature was a cool 42 degrees, the bright sun on my skin was warm and suggestive of a cool spring day.

            As a motorcyclist, I welcome spring.  Spring and fall are the ideal times for riding in terms of comfort on the motorcycle.  However, today was another no ride day.  My recovery is going well enough that I am hoping to ride in another week.  Today, I sat on my R Nine T and started it up and just sat while the boxer cylinder heads warmed.  I told Bill I would do some core exercises this week and be ready to ride next Saturday, and I was very happy to have no issues getting on and off the bike.

            In the meantime I’ve been scrolling social media and saw a thought-provoking motorcycle meme (see below).  How much slug bug can anyone play on a car trip?  There aren’t as many VW Beetles out on the roads anymore, not like when I was a kid.  And I like that it says “bikes” not just motorcycles because teaching kids early to spot these smaller riders on the roads will help make both cyclists and motorcyclists more visible when they learn to drive—assuming they aren’t looking down at their phone. 

            I did spot some interesting birds on the car ride home from visiting the R Nine T.  An unfortunate opossum cum roadkill was being feasted upon by two turkey vultures (yuck).  But I also spotted a very majestically posed great blue heron out on the lake surveying its domain.  Perhaps when I do get a chance to ride, I’ll spot daffodils starting to bloom and even more robins and be assured that spring is on its way.