Well,

For one reason or another, it's been 3+ weeks since I ridden the silver bullet. Working on the house(I just put in a 10'X30" paver patio last weekend in 90'+ heat),a new dog, or rain have kept the bike in the garage. I had this bad habit the last 2 years in the summer. Hell, last year my XX sat for 7 weeks untouched. I should say that at least I washed it once in that period.

How many of us get sidelined like this?

I do have the advantage that I can ride year round here is S.Florida but it's no damm fun in the summer. Sweating in the helmet and all can get a little gross when it's so saturated that it drips out when you are at a red light.

I'm just waiting to make up for lost time come November - April. Road trips, the drag strip, it's all so far away !!!

* Last updated by: Beondwacko on 8/11/2009 @ 5:57 AM *

Tell me about them special projects. This weekend I just finished head gasket job on my Land Rover Discovery. Numerous other house projects are in the pipeline. Most of my riding have been short 80 to 100 mile Sunday morning canyon sorties and couple rides to work each week.

we finally had some "cool" mornings here in Phoenix recently and I was able to run the bikes but overall summer down here is miserable to attempt any rides except leaving early going into the mountains and coming back after dark. Of course S. Florida or southern Arizona do have some advantages beginning in late Sept. and extending to middle May.

Riding to and from work is not an option for me. I'm typically carrying a laptop PC and some other stuff to the office along with my new dog (Dudley). He's never even heard the bike run yet! Most all of my outdoor projects on the house start before 8am so as the heat of the day and sun don't kill me all together.

I still have another day of work to do on the patio (I have to level a couple of low bricks, sweep more sand, caulk the perimeter joints to keep the sand in, power wash everything, re-sweep more sand and then seal it.) Then I have to powerwash the whole house, then I have the rear Lanai floor and all the walkways to re-paint, then I'm going to re-do my landscape lighting to make my house a showcase to my customers(it's a side business of mine). After all that, most of my exterior projects will be done.

Then on the interior list,

Highhats in the guest room/office, repaint the guest bathroom, accent painting in the kitchen, tint the bedroom sliders, snake the rear surround wires in the living room, get the subwoofer rebuilt, and a few other odds and ends.

Sound like enough ?

There's more than that but those are my self imposed "honey do" listings.

Yeah... riding...

I've been nursing a high ankle sprain for a week now and it looks like it's going to be
a long time before I'll be able to put my left foot in a riding boot of any kind.

Good thing we're taking the bikes down to Florida in the fall and will have a chance to
put a few miles on the 14.

I haven't even started my car in alittle over 3 weeks!

I used to do that, but then I grew up. Life is too short not to ride every chance I get ( the wife has other ideas about the house in the summer) I have learned to profesionaly procrastinate home projects till fall ( again, the wife has other ideas ) just keep yer head in the wind.

I don't waist a day as long as the weather is fine. 'bout the only thing that keeps me off the bike is maintenance situations. A lot of the things that need checking take a beginner a good amount of time and that can mean the bike sits on the stand for a day. You Southern folks have it so good - waiting for winter to come so you can enjoy the beautiful weather. I love hot weather. I'd have no problem moving to FL.

here in norther michigan ive yet to see summer(just moved here in march) so i cant afford to procrastinate cause if so id be fitting skis on it lmao

Since I only have three really good months to ride, I priortize. This consists of screw this I am going to ride.

scottjkyl wrote:

here in norther michigan...

If you are located anywhere near Iron Mountain, we should get together for a ride some time. I'm up in IM pretty often. Wouldn't mind doing another 75 miles to Escanaba or Marquette.

Winter time stoke!!!

Here in northern Australia, this time of year is just perfect for riding. Beautiful 'not a cloud in the sky' days with cool enough temps never to sweat, but warm enough to wear summer-style gear (once the sun is up). Nice and crisp air up in the moutains.

I ride every day year round, but at this time of year I ride to get to a ride on the way to meet up with some mates to go riding with, and then after the ride I often decide to go for a ride before riding home! Then once home I start planning my next ride...

Meanwhile all this talking about riding is making me want to go for a ride...

I'm nursing a herniated disc in my back. One 5 minute ride so far this year. The battery is charged, and I change the gas every couple months in anticipation of a miracle. The worst was when I first injured my back in '96, I couldn't ride for 4 years while I was in rehab. I've been riding for 40 years, and those were the toughest 4 years of my life.

alg,

I too have a bad back, though not as bad as yours with the herniation, I just have bulged discs. I also will have my "bad" days even with that.

As for getting out, I'm going to try to get together with one of my (he's actually my only local friend with a 14)friends for a ride out in the country if the weather holds out this sunday. I really need some ride time. I almost made it to the track last night. We were able to close the office about 1.5 hrs early (no patient appointments.....very rare) but the track was rained out. It never rained at my house but that's S.Florida for ya'.

* Last updated by: Beondwacko on 8/13/2009 @ 5:15 AM *

There are definitely days too hot for a comfortable ride. In the California foothills we get most summer days in the 90s.
Home projects suck. There's always something that needs to be done, and I can't stand to pay someone to do something I can do myself. And as an excontractor there isn't much I can't do. I am disciplined though. I only work 4 hours a day. And I have a pool to cool off.
I at least find an excuse to go a few miles to the grocery or hardware stores. I always go "the long way." Sorry to say I do shorts and t-shirts a lot of those trips. I did get some of the new type boots that look like high top tennies. Lets face it although ATGATT is smart some say riding a motorcycle is not smart. I guess I'd rather run the risk of some road rash than not ride. When I started riding All The Gear consisted of leather gloves. I was lucky to afford the bike much less accessories. I walked away from a 60MPH freeway slide, in a t-shirt, because of the backpack i was wearing.
Well anyway, rain sleet or heat, it's all temporary, and we will ride again!