Weather has been nasty this spring around here. Just when it seems that things are looking up, it snows again. Last week I was able to go for a ride on Wednesday, the thermometer read fifty-five degrees. As you may know, you can deduct at least fifteen degrees when you ride a motorcycle. I dressed warm and with the sun out, managed a forty minute ride. It was magic, almost as good as playing golf at the now defunct Twin Ponds Golf Course in Crystal Lake. This course had twin majestic ponds. My brother and I would play there every week. Nine holes, par three, with one long hole-the seventh. This hole had multiple rolling hills before the green. How do you play it? You aim for the beer sign on the other side of the road. It was the only hole that had a ten foot flag pole. We used to assemble three foursomes. We would go out first and when we reached the seventh green, we would take the flag and run back and forth across the width of the fairway. All this with the next foursome getting ready to tee it up! The only way to play it was to aim at the beer sign or the flag-you had to be there, it was precious.
Anyway, back to motorcycling. Yesterday, I managed to go out again for thirty minutes. I topped off the tank ($5.25) with gas at $3.35 a gallon. So I was down about a gallon and a half. The ride was great, it was, however, cold for a fifty-two degree day. When I returned, I rode my Schwinn Bicycle for exercise. I do have to say that I am a little more round in the middle since I got a motorcycle.The bicycle ride was good too, I rode for about forty-five minutes.
So what to do when one gets home? I reread my copy of At Full Throttle (the story of Orange County Choppers).
The life story of Paul senior is inspiring and worth reading. How he became a successful businessman and what he overcame to get there is interesting. If you ever get a chance to see an Orange County Chopper in person, don't miss it. I recently saw the Die-Hard Bike at the International Motorcycle Show. I saw one two years ago at the Rolling Meadows Car Show. The gentleman who had it told me that he custom ordered it through a local dealer. The fit and finish on these bikes is impeccable. Unlike most choppers that you'll see at a motorcycle show, they can be ridden.
Well anyway, While I'm waiting for better weather, I'll continue to sedate myself with endless motorcycle shows on the Speed channel (American Thunder and Super Bikes) and countless motorcycle magazines (V-Twin, Road Bike and Robb Report).
