Vermont is thawing at last!

[Boondox]

The weather was so nice and the roads in the village so dry that I just HAD to ride today, even though we still have three feet of snow in the yard and our dirt road is still covered with ice in patches. I started working on the road early this morning, driving the tractor up and down with those big Norse ice spikes on the rear tires to break up the slick spots. By noon, when it was obvious that our dirt road was not going to be rideable, I fired up the Kubota again and used nylon tree savers to lift the bike off the ground. Carried it the half mile to the blacktop, then left it there while I went back home and suited up.

Long johns, wool socks, Rev'It Dakar pants and Cayenne top, Gerbings underneath, modular helmet over earplugs, heavy boots, winter gloves. Walked back down the road, fired up Glenfiddich (my Tiger was named after a good drink and a fantastic dog), plugged into the Powerlet, and took off. It was for the most part a sedate ride. Too much sand and gravel on the road to ride with spirit just yet. I did take it just past a ton on the Interstate just to see how the new MRA Vario screen did (The wind now hits the top of my helmet where before it hit in the upper chest and caused severe buffeting. The MRA is no quieter than the OE touring screen, but the windflow is a lot smoother.) My new custom Sargent seat was awesome as well!

Rode back into town, waving to a few little kids who were delighted to see a motorcycle, passed one other bike (Wave -- brother!) and decided to ride all the way home, including that half mile of dirt road. Glenfiddich handled it, but the mud required a bit of body English and some of those old dirt riding skills. Street tires do NOT like mud! But he's safely back in the garage now.

It was an awesome experience and I can't wait to meet you all in Bennington later!

Pete

[bonnevillebilly]

Yes spring is near. It was a cool 45° today I put a few miles on my Bonnie and
loved every minute of it.
Still too damn cold in the mornings mid 20's high 30's as soon as the mornings start to
hit the 40's I will be taking her to work every day it don't rain.

Bill

[JEnfield]

Pete sounds like you found a little piece of paridise . Thanks for the report and the count down has begun for the bash . Will be looking forward to a personal meeting.

Jimmy

[bonniegirl]

it's snowing (again) in bennington this fine monday morning.

[mark]

I got out for a ride yesterday too. So nice being back on the bike. Another thing that's great about early-season riding is the knowledge that we've got an entire season of great riding ahead of us, and 9 months to go before the bikes have to be put away again.

Robin, it's snowing here in Burlington right now too, but a little snow at this point doesn't bother me because I know it's going to turn to rain this afternoon. And tomorrow it's supposed to get up to about 60 degrees.

--mark

[TonUp]

My driveway is still totally covered with ice. Hope it melts by Sunday.


Tito


Ton Up!

[mark]

According to the 10-day forecast, last night was the last to have overnight lows below freezing. From here on out it's all 40s and 50s during the day, mid 30s and up at night.

About freaking time.

Tito, you could always put some sand down on your driveway and walk the Strom over it. I still have to do that with my Honda because there's still a patch of ice to get over.

Not for long though!

--mark

[LoVel]

It was 82 degrees here yesterday. The ice melted some time ago. I think it was around 20,000,000 BC.

[Boondox]

It was 82 degrees here yesterday. The ice melted some time ago. I think it was around 20,000,000 BC.

Yeah, but you have BUGS down there! Bugs that have a 20,000,000 year head start on ours!

Pete

[bennybmn]

It was 82 degrees here yesterday. The ice melted some time ago. I think it was around 20,000,000 BC.

Yeah, but you have BUGS down there! Bugs that have a 20,000,000 year head start on ours!

Pete

Ride past the chicken farm in Salisbury sometime. You might change your mind