Urban Commuting Means Shifting

Yes, I rode to work today.

0700CST

It has been nearly three years since Billie, my SYM Symba, came into my life. Over the weekend I learned of one way she has certainly changed me.

All of the stopping and going of urban commuting means shifting...shifting...and more shifting. My left calf is now over an half inch larger around than the right. I guess in isn't any wonder I don't miss shifting when I ride Isabelle, my Kymco People 250S.

The days are definitely getting longer.

Not long ago it was dark when I got home. Tonight as I came into my alley, there was still a hint of the sunset lingering in the West.

Tomorrow is a State holiday. The Courts will be closed in honor of Abraham Lincoln's Birthday.

• 38F/3C with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 50F/10C with a clear blue sky for the home ride.

Exploring

Yes. I rode to work today.

Today I was freed from my normal morning duties of being Heather's snooze alarm. This meant I got out and about a little earlier than I've become accustomed. This gave me a little time to go exploring before work. I'm told varying ones route to work is good for the prevention of Alzheimer's as well as being good for the soul.

And I found airplanes....

or, at least the hulks of old airplanes.

There were the remains of helicopters as well. I know I've gone by this place a number of times, but always from the opposite direction. These treasures were hidden by the buildings until I came toward this place from a new direction. Hmm, perhaps there is a sermon in that.

And, what is this placed called?

Go figure.

At lunchtime I saw a serious motorcycle parked near the Serra sculpture.

I wonder what kind of exploring this beast has done.

As I left work I noticed a reminder the Mardi Gras festivities were soon to begin.

• 35F/2C and overcast for the ride to work.
• 36F/2C and overcast for the home ride.

Billie Had Company

Yes, I rode to work today.

And, Billie had company in the parking area.

It has been a little while since Deputy M's bike has been there. These are the two bikes you are most likely to find here on any given day. There are a couple of scooters, both Piaggios, that park in a special Sheriff Deputy only parking area next to the Civil Courthouse. The guy who rides the 49cc is pretty hardcore. Deputy D is the other one. He hasn't been riding so much. It seems his scooter has an intermittent starting issue and he doesn't trust it.

It rained most of the afternoon. I rode home in a light, but steady rain. The good news is I stayed dry.

• 37F/3C and cloudy for the ride to work.
• 47F/8C with light rain for the home ride.

Maybe

Yes, I rode to work today

This was one of those mornings when the draw to just keep going was very strong. 

Since I was having dinner with my daughter-in-law after work I rode Isabelle today.  

Billie stayed home.

If I would have kept going Isabelle and I could have been halfway to somewhere before they even knew I was gone.

But, I went to work and after work had a lovely time with Sarah.

Maybe one of these days I'll just keep going.

Maybe.

• 30F/-1C and clear for the ride to work.
• 50F/10C and a nice sunset at quitting time.

Ballast

Yes, I rode to work today.

It was a lovely day here, a little hazy early, but that quickly cleared up.

This is a friend and co-worker. Today he was waiting for Dial-A-Ride to come collect him after work. We used to work in the same building, but now don't get to talk so much. He is often waiting for his ride as I'm walking to mine and this gives us a chance to catch up. For sake of privacy I won't share his name. Let's just call him "Ballast" for reasons I expect will become clear by the end of the post.

A couple of years ago we were actually experiencing a spell of real wintry weather here and I wasn't able to ride for way too long. As you might well imagine, I didn't like it very much. I knew of at least one solution. Thus I began to wonder what it would be like to own a sidecar rig. Reading of both Chris's riding during the Minnesota Winter over at Everyday Riding and of Dom's adventures in the snow of Colorado at Redleg's Rides fed my curiosity. Heather and I even made a pilgrimage up North to visit Chris and his wonderful wife in order to experience a little of life on three wheels first hand. (Click here to read about it)

Alas, I have no place to keep a sidecar rig even if I could afford one. At the very least, I've put this dream on hold.

Mercifully, the last couple of winters have been mild even by Missouri standards. Truthfully, even with a "bad" winter here there are still lots of riding days. I suspect prolonging my riding season will never be the primary motivation for bringing a rig into my life. This is where my friend Ballast comes in. I've told him if I ever get a sidecar he will be my first passenger after Heather. And you better believe he will hold me to it! I think his walker would look really good strapped to the luggage rack of a Ural don't you?

While I can think of plenty of reasons for owning a sidecar rig, honestly, I can't think of a better one than giving my friend a chance to ride the wind.

• 30F/-1C with a few clouds and some haze for the ride to work.
• 52F/11C and fair for the home ride.

Mostly Gone

Yes, I rode to work today.

0700CST

Yesterday's snow was mostly gone off of the streets.

I thought it was nice of someone to put an arrow pointing out a potential slippery area.

I wasn't sure what condition I'd find the motorcycle parking area, but someone had made an attempt to clear the area.

Unlike the sidewalk.

By afternoon the streets and sidewalks were all clear and much of the snow had melted.

It was great to have Billie back on the road.

• 37F/3C and overcast for the ride to work.
• 47F/8C with some clouds for the home ride.

Cold Hands, Warm Heart

Nope, I didn't ride to work today.

As so often happens when we get a little more snow than expected there is an over reaction.

This morning there was more accumulation of rock salt and melt-em then snow.

It was a beautiful clean and crisp morning. Billie will have her tire issue sorted out by tomorrow. If I'd had her today we'd been on the road. It was 9F/-13C for the morning drive. Billie has seen lower temperatures than that before.

It was funny on my walk from the parking lot. My finger tips got cold.

At least I had both my gloves. I suspect someone eventually missed this glove. Oh well, cold hands, warm heart.