I can't believe how my head hurts today. I took two Tylenol, had several cups of coffee. My sinuses are killing me! Well anyway, it's a beautiful day. Forecast 70 with sunshine, I need to ride. Before I do, I have to clear my head, complete some household chores and then I'll be good to go.
Well after raking up last years leftover leaves, hauling several bags of used clothing to the car for the American Veterans and finally changing the wiper blades on my Camry, I was ready to ride. Clean my glasses and face shield on my helmet-check, put on my steel-toed boots-check, zip up my armored jacket-check, riding gloves-check. Let's get going!
"Good bye dear, I'm going for a short ride," "see you in a little while!" With that, I mounted up. The digital clock on the gauge pod read 12:00 noon. I started the engine, let it idle for a short while, kicked it into first gear and away I went.
I went around the block and through the subdivision for a short warm up. I then found Palatine road, took it to Quentin, went north to route 14 and headed west toward Barrington. I rode past my mothers old house and the Makray Golf Course. I thought I would stop at the Barrington Library and correct a problem with my library card, but it didn't open till 1:00. I kept going on 14 to Fox River Grove. I made a pit stop at the McDonald's. It's great fun to pull up and watch the people in the booths look out at the motorcycle guy (me) and see their reaction when I take off my helmet and reveal a bald sixty-one year old man!
After downing a small diet coke, I resumed my trek west. I passed Cary and arrived in Crystal Lake, passing the former location of one of the Midwest premier golf facilities-Twin Ponds Golf Course-now the god awful location of a Home Depot. At this site, I turned north on route 31 and traveled several miles to route 176. I passed many motorcycles, most of which gave me the wave. Many groups of assorted makes and models were on the road. I turned east and rode for what seemed seven miles. I'm happy to report that I didn't see any starving horses in Burton's Bridge. It seems like the Chicago News Channels annually find starving horses in Burton's Bridge, but none were evident today. Riding on, I soon found myself behind an an annoying man on a Harley Custom with those extended foot pegs. After each light he would go to the pegs. Those are for long distance rides. Thankfully, I was able to detour onto Roberts Road and after a leisurely tour of Island Lake, I arrived at route 59 and Lake Barrington. Heading south, I re-entered Barrington, went east on 14 and refueled at a Marathon. Almost home I had to swerve around a turtle crossing 14 at Ela Road. I then ascended the ramp to route 68, picked up Ela Road and traveled home. I was gone for an hour and a half. It was a terrific day to ride, I only wish you were there!
