#2947: Okay, that was fun.
Woke up around 4:30 or so, was unable to get back to sleep because I was hungry. I didn't want anything I had on hand that could be assembled and eaten quickly, but I also did not want to cook anything.
Idea: ride motorcycle to IHOP and have food there. A bit pricy compared with cooking my own, but when was the last time I ate a sitdown meal out? Fuck it; I'm worth it!
The only real problem I saw with it was the outside air temperature of 50°, but I thought, "Heck, I'll try it, and if it's too cold I'll just stay home." I grabbed Simak's Visitors, which I haven't read for decades, and tucked it in the inside lapel pocket, then went out and took off.
I went around the block, and it was cold; so I returned home, threw a hoodie on under my riding jacket, and set out again. Then it was tolerable, so on I rode.
When I rode it yesterday over to my lawyer friend's house, I could hear the fuel sloshing in the tank, so I decided on filling up first. A gallon and a half later I was on my way.
I went to IHOP without incident, had a very nice meal, and then rode home without incident.
And it was FUN.
I rode on some roads I haven't ridden on, up to speeds of 45; a bit vicious in parts but a lot of fun. Because of the hour there was very little traffic, of course; but I was passed by a semi, which was a new experience for me on a motorcycle, and realized (again) that I've really got to adjust that left-side mirror so I can see something useful out of it.
Definitely need to get some proper riding gloves. The mechanic's gloves I'm using are too well-ventilated for autumn riding; and in fact a purpose-made riding jacket and maybe even pants would not be stretching it.
I got the engine thoroughly warmed up this time, though. Riding a couple miles at a time at 45 does that quite nicely. I saw the oil pressure light for the first time when I left the restaurant and went to start the bike. It doesn't come on unless the engine's running, so when it cranked over the light flickered on for a bit; and then when I got home and shut her down, the light flickered on again as the engine came to a stop.
Well, it's supposed to be a nice day today; maybe I can get the oil changed so that'll stop happening. And maybe not; we'll see.
Right now I think I'm going to go back to bed for a couple hours before I have to start making phone calls.
Idea: ride motorcycle to IHOP and have food there. A bit pricy compared with cooking my own, but when was the last time I ate a sitdown meal out? Fuck it; I'm worth it!
The only real problem I saw with it was the outside air temperature of 50°, but I thought, "Heck, I'll try it, and if it's too cold I'll just stay home." I grabbed Simak's Visitors, which I haven't read for decades, and tucked it in the inside lapel pocket, then went out and took off.
I went around the block, and it was cold; so I returned home, threw a hoodie on under my riding jacket, and set out again. Then it was tolerable, so on I rode.
When I rode it yesterday over to my lawyer friend's house, I could hear the fuel sloshing in the tank, so I decided on filling up first. A gallon and a half later I was on my way.
I went to IHOP without incident, had a very nice meal, and then rode home without incident.
And it was FUN.
I rode on some roads I haven't ridden on, up to speeds of 45; a bit vicious in parts but a lot of fun. Because of the hour there was very little traffic, of course; but I was passed by a semi, which was a new experience for me on a motorcycle, and realized (again) that I've really got to adjust that left-side mirror so I can see something useful out of it.
Definitely need to get some proper riding gloves. The mechanic's gloves I'm using are too well-ventilated for autumn riding; and in fact a purpose-made riding jacket and maybe even pants would not be stretching it.
I got the engine thoroughly warmed up this time, though. Riding a couple miles at a time at 45 does that quite nicely. I saw the oil pressure light for the first time when I left the restaurant and went to start the bike. It doesn't come on unless the engine's running, so when it cranked over the light flickered on for a bit; and then when I got home and shut her down, the light flickered on again as the engine came to a stop.
Well, it's supposed to be a nice day today; maybe I can get the oil changed so that'll stop happening. And maybe not; we'll see.
Right now I think I'm going to go back to bed for a couple hours before I have to start making phone calls.