first long ride of the year

[stevent]

Finally got to get out on the GS and put some miles on yesterday. It seems like it's been raining or below freezing ever since I got the bike last October, I've managed to put 4k miles on it just commuting and riding around but yesterday was low 40's and clear. I headed out to a breakfast meet with some friends across the Narrows Bridge out to Gig Harbor then back over and down past Olympia, then out to my dads at Ocean Shores. All together about 300 miles or so. Pretty fun ride, the bike ran like a top of course, my new Russell Day Long seat was completely comfortable and I stayed warm for the most part, the last hundred miles or so were mid 30's so that got pretty chilly but all in all a fun day!

Looking forward to putting some miles on this summer or at least not so cold..

[jsanford]

Something in the air!

Went out for three hours or so this President's Day afternoon on the F800ST--truth be told, it was second choice (still irritated about an expensive service visit after only the third ride with the new mirrors--ungrateful brat) but she ran great, we had a good time and near the end I appreciated the extra shelter of the windshield and fairing.  I just can't wait to head out to Neah Bay again and have been pouring over the Oregon vacation guides in anticipation of this summer.

[Scratch33]

Decided to ride my '08 GS to Virginia last weekend.  Once through DC and onto I-66 I chose get off around Marshall and Fugawi on the back roads.  I tested the GS' traction on some dirt & gravel (the rear tire's about ready for replacing); had a hilarious encounter on Buck Mountain Road with some farmer's cow that'd gotten out of its pasture.   After seven hours of riding I checked into the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in downtown Staunton, then walked across the street to the Mill Street Grill for some of their BBQ beef ribs  

The ride home on Saturday was marred by ferocious winds.  At one point I rounded a corner on Plank Road outside Waynesboro to see a sizeable limb had broken off and become lodged in a tree stretching all the way across the road, right at head level.  I invoked the name of a deity, a parent and a curse word and ducked for all it was worth.   As I passed underneath I felt a *tunk* as the bottom of the limb just scraped the top of my helmet.  I had planned to ride to Fredericksburg and stop at Morton's BMW, but the thought of riding over the Route 301 bridge at the Potomac River in 50+ mph wind gusts made me change my mind and direction.  Rode just under 500 miles overall - the Beemer performed well, but the stock low seat's gotta go.  I'm springing for a Rick Mayer.



 

[stevent]

 " a thunk as you went under".... LOL close call! I've had good luck with Corbins and tried a local guy named Rich's Custom Saddles on other bikes but I think the Russell is definately the best one I've used, totally comfortable and looks to be excellent quality leather and stitching.