LIKE SPILLED PAINT

I'm really enjoying our Spring riding these days. Every corner you turn, or hill you top, delivers another delightful view of our Southern landscape.  Not to mention the great weather!

Fields of color open up before you like spilled paint on a canvas.  My eyes are constantly shifting from the road to the fields, trying to take it all in. 

 
Borders of yellow and red line the roadways with clover and other wild flowers. 

All in all... I'd say we had a very colorful ride!  Hope you did too!

Have a great week everybody!

Lady R

PIC OF THE WEEK - CURVES

WHAT DID ONE GLIDE SAY TO THE OTHER GLIDE?
"Let's go curvy!"BTW... what's your favorite sign?
I hope you all had a very nice Easter weekend. Have a great week everybody!

Lady R

SPRING IS IN THE AIR... AND ALL OVER MY BIKE!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG! My calender says today is the first day of Spring, and even though it's still a little chilly for some of you northerner's, it's what you've all been waiting for. I'm glad to know that you will finally be able to join me in getting in some of that long awaited road therapy.

I have been fortunate enough to live where I can ride all year long, and with the exception of a few very cold days, my Glide is always willing and ready for me to take her out for some two wheeled exercise. For the last couple weeks, riding to work has been a real pleasure. I can feel the change in the air and it's nice to ride again without having to get so bundled up.
With the arrival of Spring, however, also means the arrival of pollen (achoo!). We have a big Bradford Pear across the street from Tooth Factory, and even though it's very beautiful right now with all it's blooms, it likes to shower everything within a 50 yard radius with a fine green dust. I came out of my office the other day to go home, and I thought, "Yuk! Look at my bike!"
I tried to get a nice close up of the green dusty pollen all over every exposed surface of my Glide so you could see what I mean. Oh well, I guess that just mean I have to ride faster so I can blow it all off!

So, mount your Iron Steeds my friends! Spring has arrived! The soul needs rejuvenation and I can't think of a nicer way to charge your spiritual batteries, than riding around on two!

Ride on!
Lady R

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

Dear Diary... a glimpse into the pages of a journal written by a woman rider.

February 19, 2009
Dear Diary,
I had a close call today, and it's been difficult for me to let it go. I'm sure it's bothering me cause it involved me, my car, and nice pretty Gold Wing!

I was moving through the Bank's parking lot when I noticed some motion out of the corner of my eye. As I looked to my left, peering over the rooftops of the other parked cars, I noticed the top halves of two helmets progressing to the end of their row, next to mine. I was about four car lengths from the end of my row when the two helmets, turned right, and then right again, toward me into the row I was in. The rider and his passenger were in full view by now, but the problem was, he made such a wide sweeping turn into the row I was coming out of, that within an instant he was right in front of me like he was playing chicken! Thankfully, I was only going, about 5 to 7 mph. and him, probably likewise. I hit my brake and stopped on a dime, but while I sat there with my mouth open, I watched his passenger grab his arms in fear, as he had to make a pretty radical swerve to the right back over to his side of the row to keep from hitting me head on! He mastered this maneuver successfully, but I could tell by the look on his face, he was pretty startled as well.

He just missed hitting the front of my car by a gnat's ass! I sat there for a moment trying to settle my adrenalin rush, as I realized everything was fine. I don't know why he wasn't looking where he was turning, but I would have felt terrible if we had made contact. Anytime a bike goes down, there's chance of injury. I know it wouldn't have been tragic, but it doesn't take much to screw up a knee or an ankle to make your riding days vanish. They looked to be in their 50's or so, probably a husband and wife out enjoying the world on two wheels just like I do.

I can't even imagine how horrible it would make me feel if I were ever a contributing factor to a motorcyclist getting hurt. I don't even want to go there! I've become a much better driver in my car, since I've started riding, and I chalk that up to becoming more tuned in to what's going on around me. I tell myself... this is a good thing.

I've always felt that drivers of cars, not paying attention to us bikers, is one of our biggest risks when we're out riding. But, today I was reminded that we can make some dumb ass moves ourselves and sometimes there's nothing the driver of the car can do to avoid us. If we let our guard down and lose focus, we make ourselves vulnerable. This guy wasn't looking where he was turning, and if I had been even a little closer to the end of the isle, I would not have been able to avoid hitting him head on.

I love riding my Glide and I accept the risks. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I know I try to ride smart, and it's worth the risk, in order to receive the immense pleasure I get in return. I just hope I never forget to ride smart. After that... I'll accept whatever happens.
Me

PIC OF THE WEEK

CLOSER THAN YOU THINK!
We took a ride down to Camden Saturday and Harley was getting some great pics for us to share. I was just about to go around him when he took this shot (not bad for 60 mph. heh?). I hope to have my post about our little adventure up soon. Have a nice Monday everybody!

BTW... there's still 7 days left to vote for the best PIC OF THE WEEK for 2008. Which one was YOUR favorite?

Lady R

DANCES WITH LEAVES

The Fall season brings cooling temperatures, and beautiful foliage, which is a perfect combination for a great ride. I've been noticing lately, while reading some of my favorite motorcycle blogs, there's a common dread being shared between riders, particularly those living in the North and Midwest. Riding days will be soon over until Spring! Since living in the South, I have become acclimated to the searing summer heat and humidity, so while everyone else is grumbling about putting their scoots up for the season, it's just getting good around here! Saturday brought us beautiful sunshine and blue skies with fall temperatures of about 70 degrees! A perfect day to ride to the country and go leaf peeping.
I reveled in the fresh crisp air on my face and wondered, why does the air seem fresher when it gets colder? Even the occasional road kill doesn't disburse the usual stench during this cooler time of year. Always a plus if you ask me. Instead, the aroma of burning leaves filled my senses and that is by far a better pleasure! I was thinking how nice it was to be riding in full leathers for a change and still be comfortable. Not too hot, not too cold, it was just right. Harley bought me some chaps this summer when we went to the Smokey Mountains, and this was the first time I needed to wear them.

We made a plan to go north on Hwy. 9 toward the Talladega National Forest. Even though we have traveled these familiar highways a thousand times before, I was pleasantly surprised at the beauty we saw. It was like Mother Nature was holding a Grand Ball, and all the trees and bushes came dressed in their finest fall attire! The gauntlet of brilliant red, yellow, orange and gold lay before us as we rode through, on the gray ribbon of asphalt. We were the guests of honor, as the trees lined the road and showered us with their colorful confetti of leaves. The fallen leaves, laying in wait on the road, sprang to life, swirling and twirling around us as we passed by. Riding behind Harley provided me a spectacular show of dancing leaves.
My spirit was feeling wonderful now and I was really enjoying the pleasant respite from our hot weather. It will get cold here as the winter sets in, and you have to be cautious about black ice, but the South will reward you periodically with beautiful days of spiked temperatures that invite you to get out and ride! I'm sorry for those of you that cannot ride year round, as I am very thankful that I can continue to enjoy my therapy sessions with the Road Dr. even during these dismal winter months.
My attention comes back to the fascinating way the leaves play with us as we press our way through their playground of color. My heart and soul are soaring as I take in the spirit lifting experience. If I were to give myself a road name to describe my ride today, I think it would be... Dances With Leaves.

Ride on!

Lady R

A GIRL AND HER BOOTS

A few days ago, I started riding my motorcycle back to work in the afternoons. I live close enough to my job, so it allows me the luxury of going home for lunch. This is important to my sanity. I deal with patients all day that don't like being there in the first place, and then they get to give me their hard earned money for allowing us to inflict some serious pain and suffering on them. Great job, huh? Anyway, since I'm usually in too big a hurry in the mornings, and it's hard to drink my coffee and ride at the same time, it's just easier to take the bike back after lunch.

Anyway, I wear scrubs and tennis shoes at work, so this is what I have on when I travel back to work. Now, let me back up a moment and explain something. When I started riding solo, made a commitment to myself that I will always wear blue jeans and boots when on my bike. In the heat of the summer, I may sport around in a t-shirt or tank top, but absolutely NO shorts or sandals for me. Well, I broke my commitment when I decided it was not a big deal to ride to work with my tennis shoes... until yesterday.

We got a nice little thunderstorm right before I was leaving work for the day. I put my rain suit on because, even though it wasn't raining real hard anymore, I would still be pretty drenched within a couple blocks. Also, I thought I would be more visible for everyone to see me with my bright yellow jacket, so off I go.

I know I'm preaching to the choir, because most of you already know this but, tennis shoes and rain on a motorcycle...NOT GOOD! The first time I put my foot down, I thought I was on an ice rink. Woops! While I stood there holding my Glide, I could feel my feet just slide, ever so slowly away from me, I had to keep readjusting. Good grief! Every time I came upon yet another intersection (and there where many!), I prayed, "green, green, green, please!" I came close to spilling it THREE times! WTF! I was so glad to get home without any serious incidents, I almost kissed the garage floor when I pulled my motorcycle into the safety of dryness!

In summary, my boots are my friend! Rain, shine, sleet or snow, they will be like my American Express card, I won't leave home without them. Even if I get really, really brave some day decide to pull a Lady Godiva, and ride down the road bare-ass naked, this girl will have her boots on!

Lady R