Mother Nature sure hasn’t cooperated with providing any warmer weather on the weekends, but seemed like there was no more time to wait to get my new ride home from Mark’s in Fondy. Although Saturday was sunny, there were northeast winds bringing in very chilly air by me with the "feels like" temps only at 46 degrees; and although today was going to be more overcast, it was supposed to be a bit warmer with winds from the south. So, today was the day I opted to take Kevin up on his offer to come pick me up on his bike to take me to Mark’s. I told him around 10:30 with hopes it would be a bit warmer by then, and the knucklehead showed up a little early. At least he has heated seats.
After we picked up my bike, we stopped at Kevin’s for me to use the bathroom, load up my tank bag, and have him help me with mounting the anti-fog pin lock on the visor of my helmet; before taking off for a ride. It was only 53 degrees by the time we decided to leave and I really wasn’t feeling much for riding a whole lot with it that cool. So, I told him that and how I just wanted to head home, but asked if he’d be okay for us going to Green Acre’s to grab some lunch first and then join me for a bit on my way home from there and he was fine with that.
When we left Mark’s, I started out a little hesitant, but already felt more comfortable again by the time we left Kevin’s. On our way to Green Acre’s and after we left I mentioned to Kevin that I was running around 4500 rpm and my manual indicated staying 4k or less the first 500 miles, but it wasn’t like I was giving her as i was just maintaining ~60 mph. It had also been a long time since I experienced that new engine smell, which I noticed at least a couple of times.
When we arrived at Green Acre’s they were packed and I suggested we carry on and stop at Fudgie’s instead, and he was good with that. I also had a hard time backing my bike into the parking stall as it was slightly uphill and with the new bike being ~60 lbs heavier, I would definitely need to practice moving it while walking along side of it, but for this time he backed it in for me. When we left we continued on Cty T all of the way to Greenbush before connecting on Cty A into Glenbeulah. Not totally surprising, but we were the only bikes at Fudgie’s the whole time we were there. Tells you how cool it was, that no Harley’s were even out. By the time we left there, the sun had come out for a bit and I wanted to stop at the Mill Pond for some photos and to see if any crayfish were active. Well the south wind was creating quite the ripple affect on the water onto the north shore, so it was really hard to see if there were any near the shoreline. So, we didn’t stay long and took Cty C to Cty P north with a trip by the Marsh Bar and Dam in the Sheboygan Marsh, and then a little trip by Siebken’s and around Elkhart Lake before heading south on 67 where I broke off from Kevin onto Garton Road towards home.
Never did get very warm by me, but Kevin said his temp gauge read 58 when we were around Elkhart. Still feels good to have my bike home, and with hopes it starts to get warmer. And now, to see if I can fit my car in my garage with two bikes. 😬
