Cold Legs
Posted Mon Mar 31, 2008 in
Motorcycling
Sunday was a strange day. I spent a good part of the morning working through whether this is a good time to do something about a vehicle. In the end, I decided to wait for a couple more months and think about this again before Wife and Young Son leave for Lubbock.
About noon, I figured it was time to think about something else. Young Son wanted to go to Best Buy for a game expansion and Wife and I wanted some food. So, we packed out of the house and headed in Carson for the KFC. I don’t mind chicken strips now and again. The food was decent, as such food goes, and I filled my belly (which I certainly appreciate).
As we headed south on U.S. 395, we were passed by one, then another, then several more Sheriff’s vehicles. All were coded and clearly in a hurry. We saw no accident and were close to the county line, so we don’t know what happened.
We pulled into the Best Buy lot, parked, and Wife buried her nose in her book. Young Son and I went inside and piddled around for a few minutes, found his game, and returned to the car.
After our return home, Young Son disappeared to his computer station, Wife began working around the house, and I puttered for a few bit, then decided to take a nap.
Naps are good things. I still enjoy a nap. Unfortunately, I woke myself snoring. Wife said “You were so cute there snoring.” <ahem> I’m many things — cute is not one of them.
After stirring about a bit, I decided to go for a ride. It was a sunny evening, although the wind was up a bit. I fired up the bike and headed into Carson. I thought I’d ride to Virginia City and then to Reno, then home. I worked my way around the east side of Carson, wondering just where the river is. I’ll have to check Google Earth in a bit. I rode east on U.S. 50, gently, because NHP patrols that highway heavily in that area. I have no idea how much money they generate from tickets, but I’ll bet it’s a potful every month.
I turned north and headed for Virginia City. A few slow cars kept my pace down, but the ride was still good. The cross wind was strong, though, and blew me around a bit. As the altitude increased, it was cooler. The last bit into Virginia City is pretty steep. I stopped at the north end of town and put on my overpants. It was too cool.
The ride north toward Reno was nice, but again I encountered a slow pickup truck who would not pull over. I don’t understand people who won’t let someone behind them go on. He sped up in the straights so I couldn’t get around, then slowed down in the curves. Argh!
In south Reno, I decided to ride up Mt. Rose Highway and along the east edge of Tahoe. I’m so glad for my overpants! The ride up the hill was pretty good, except for a few stretches where the sun was in my eyes. The curves felt good and the pace was good most of the way.
But it was cold! The bike’s computer read 26F at the top of the hill! I was so glad for my heated grips and seat! Still, my left thumb hurt from the cold. A group of snow machines were playing along the high alpine area near the summit. I think that would be fun, but I also think I have enough “toys.”
I dropped into the Tahoe basin and the air warmed a bit. There was still much snow in the area — it’s still winter there. Incline Village is as strange a place as I’ve ever been. I have no idea why people are there — but they’re strange too.
The ride along SH 28 was good. Tahoe was gray and cold, but a little warmer than the heights. The temperature rose to about 40F along the lake. I was glad for that, and the weak sun that shone on me. I thought I saw snow in the higher elevations, even at this time of year.
At the intersection with U.S. 50 I continued south along the east side of the lake. The road is a little beat up from the winter, but not too bad. There was no ice or snow, and the sand was blown off the road by all the traffic. Traction was good and I rode on as the sun gathered itself for the end of the day.
I turned back east at SH 206 near the south end of the lake. It’s not a big climb to the summit, but the road is pretty twisty. A piano hauler slowed way down as the grade increased, but I couldn’t get around him. Finally, he pulled over and let the Outback in front of me and I pass. The Outback, however, wouldn’t let me by. Again, he ran fast in the straights but slowed way down in the curves.
Why do they do that? What would it have cost him to pull over a little and let me by? I just don’t get it.
The curves were fun and the road was clear. The big bike leans way over and feels stable and sure-footed in the corners. The torque the big twin makes creates a very drivable system. I laughed out loud on the way down. It was my first ride on Kingsbury Grade of the year. What a great ride it was, too.
At Foothill Road I turned north and headed for home. The wind was cool and gusty. My legs were a little cool — I didn’t get my pants out soon enough and got a little chilled. But I was OK for the short ride home.
I arrived home about 1900 — probably made about 100 miles plus or minus for the afternoon. They were good miles and I’m glad I went.
So, the moral of the story is when a biker dude faces road rage on a cool day to not wait too late to put his pants on?
I have to say that visual was “cute” even though I intepreted in my own way. :-)
— alisa 2 April 2008, 12:11 #Heh heh heh… Somehow, the moniker “biker dude” doesn’t seem to fit. I think Easy Rider when I hear “biker dude.” :)
I have been cold before and it isn’t a good thing. I stopped at a light once, cold, and thought I’d fall over before I could straighten out my leg to support the bike on the left side.
— ruminator 2 April 2008, 12:21 #I’ll bet Wife would have made you stop sooner!
— alisa 3 April 2008, 07:58 #It’s odd, but the effect was insidious. I didn’t know until I tried to straighten my leg!
— ruminator 4 April 2008, 12:12 #