45f is warm enough, put on the motorcycle costume and go
Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 12:50 am
Hello list,
Here in central South Dakota, we are encountering another spike in
the temp. During my last shift of flying a medical helo, it was 46R
at 4500ft at 2am. It makes you nutz, because in had been in single
digits the few days before. Not to worry, it will change. Two nights
later, it was -17Fwindchill and it took 28minutes of standing in the
wind to refill the helo. Three days later, it hit 54F at 2pm on the
drive home and I was just to tired to ride, Saturday was mild but had
Sunday services to prepare for, so again, no riding and we picked up
another cold front with highs in the 30ish for 5 days. whaa, whaa,
whaa,
Fast forward to today. High expected to be 50 and I am supposed to be
back flying tomorrow. I call and make two days trade with another
pilot so that I can take advantage of this warming trend. It is time
to put on the armored motorcycle costume! Wow the sun is out, it is
45F, >10mph wind, electric vest and heated grips. WOO-WOO.
I go about 6 miles and do a lane adjustment--not-so-woo-woo, its low
tire pressure, not dangerous low, just not optimum. At the end of 20
miles, (gas stations are sometimes 30-100 miles apart) I hit a gas
station with air, and sure enough, 4psi below what I like, easy fix
and off we go again into the Crow Creek Indian Reservation. Usually,
large prairie dog towns and buffalo can be seen from the highway, but
today, the buffalo are no where to be seen. However, the vest is
working 4.0 and what a joy to be riding with a nice toasty vest.
I crossed the frozen Missouri River at Ft. Thompson, SD, via the dam
and crossed into the Lower Brule Indian Reservation. The ground rises
rapidly up the West River side into shale buttes/river bluffs and
there waiting for me are 8 wild turkeys in the middle of the road.
It is going to be a great day.
My home county of Hyde County, SD, has only 4-paved-curves in the
entire county. There are many curved gravel roads, but only four
curves that are paved. It is that straight. My DS ride takes me 30
miles south (with two of those curves) across the river to a westerly
winding river road that follows the previous goat/buffalo paths.
Needless to say, this part of the ride, the whole reason for going
this way, is enjoyable, except for the 55mph posted speed limit on
the reservation. As noted by previous posters, getting a ticket on
the rez is less that desirable. So, we stick closer to 55 than normal
(where most 2-lane roads are posted 65; heck, the gravel roads are
posted 55!)
I saw a coyote, a eagle perched on a pinnacle butte, as though he
were a Marine sniper, more prairie dogs than I ever have seen before,
rabbits, paint horses and of course lots of cattle. I stopped at a
Native cemetery, and there were two new graves, both marked with the
cans and bottles of an extensive wake that must have continued all
the way to grave side. Odd to see a grave 'decorated' with vodka,
beer and whiskey bottles. Not trash, but decorated. Additional
decorations included a lariat, cowboy boots, and 'cowboy-art' flower
pots.
At the end of the first 105 miles I stopped at 4pm at the Kawi shop
(Peterson Motors, Pierre, SD) to warm up a moment and get a drink of
water, or was it to see if they have the new KLR yet. Nope. They
also sell H-D and Honda. Their premier line is the HD and the floor
was full of the chrome trinket beast.
Walking in the door, I had everybody's attention, and I think a
little respect. Well worn, fully armored, ballistic riding gear,
full face helmet, medium wt gauntlet riding gloves. Almost the anti-
Harley! I was loving it.
The staff there is cordial, and always helpful, especially when they
know you run 4 lil' Honda's and 2 Kawi's they can't afford to ignore
you. They will sell me parts over the phone, mail them with an
invoice. It is that kind of place. As I was walking out the door, I
notice a Harley, no chrome. WHAT! Got to go back and look at this.
It is a V-Rod, dubbed Night-Train, and I had to admit, it was pretty
sharp. It was almost chrome-less, and I liked it. I rode a V-Rod at
the Vintage Bike days in Ohio (2003) and said if I ever owned a HD,
it would have to be V-rod. It was pretty nice. And now, they go,
and build one like I said, "If it only did not have so much chrome!"
and there it was, in the window, all black, and chromeless.
It is 4:16pm when I walk out to the bike. Sunset is 5pm and I am
still 50 miles and two 10 minute parish calls from home.
The roads today have had a slight dusting of the road salts and sand,
much of which is still remaining on them, which is even more
difficult to see in the diminishing light. I pull in about 20 bike
lengths behind a pickup truck and we motor along at 5200rpms, 14/43
sprockets = 70ish indicated. From previously riding beside a GPS
equipped bike, I know that we are doing around 66mph. At nihgt,
dusk, I like to get behind a vehicle as it gets darker so that they
run defense on the deer. I will even poke along, or wait in one
small town along the way for a car to pass before continuing. We see
more deer than rabbits. Seems to be an epidemic all over the
States.
As the sun sets fully, and it is genuinely dark (I really should have
left earlier in the day), it is overcast now and no moon for at least
5 more hours, I am grateful for a pickup truck in front of me with
bright headlights, for the HD balaclava bought a year ago--its spendy
but works well--the heated vest, the heated grips and the 160 smiles
I logged today. Even as I type this, my toes are still cold 6 hours
later from the cold-soaked MX boots, but the grin still remains. If
all goes well, tomorrow, as soon as the sun melts the frost off the
highway, I will make a couple more KLR-parish calls, some 100 miles
of gravel would seem just about right.
I hope you enjoy your KLR as much as I enjoy mine.
revmaaatin.
PS. the HD balaclava bought a year ago: It is $8 for the balaclava
and $12 for the HD logo. ;~D Not only is it warm, but it cuts the
wind noise as well
But I think I'll be leaving early today!!!
Jim (central NC)