Finally got to ride

[Melena]

Woooooo Hoooooooo!  I finally was able to get my boot on and get a ride in today.    [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]  [smiley=clap.gif]  

I can't believe it's been a year since I was on my bike last.  My last ride was to the Autumn Beemer Bash in Quincy last September.  And then there were the problems getting  home which took the bike off the road for the rest of that season.  Then my foot surgery in the spring.  I was so excited to be getting out again that I didn't even care that the weather was so hot.

It was just an easy ride.  Went north on 101 up to Hopland where Real Goods is located.  They do all kinds of stuff with alternative energy and have an array of solar panels creating electricity for themselves and which also puts some on the grid.  They have lots of stuff for sale in their store from books to clothes to solar ovens.  The also put on workshops.  Very interesting place.

Then we had lunch at the Bluebird Cafe across the street from the Mendocino Brewing Company.  Red Tail Ale anyone?    They used to serve food there too, but now they just have the beer.  Too bad.  It was a really good  restaurant.

By then it was really getting hot, so we hot tailed it back southward on 101 to get to the cool ocean breezes that were supposed to be coming in.  Whew.  We made it and the coolness was a real relief.

It was only 78 miles total, but what a wonderful ride.  I've missed that.  

[SCJJR65]

Congrats, Melena!!!!    [smiley=clap.gif]

I'll bet you had a grin on your face that couldn't be wiped off for hours afterwards!!!

(And I'm also willing to bet that your bike loved getting out on the road as well!)  

[SCJJR65]

And speaking of riding, I need to get off my own dead ass!  I've only ridden once since Pattimarie's surgery on August 13th!  

[Justin B.]

Glad you are back in riding form.  [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]  Now you have all that lost time to make up!  

[msbuck]

Yea Melena!!  Glad you had a good ride.  Wow, 78 miles is a pretty good ride for your first time out in a year.  I'm so envious of your 'cool' roads to ride.  So have you planned your next outing?    Nothing clears the mind and soul like a good ride!

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Good for you, Melena!  I'm glad you are getting back to "normal"...

[Melena]

Thank you all!  

Yes, I did have a big grin on my face.   [smiley=laugh.gif]  The next ride will be even better.

I have some issues about how the throttle and the idle were set by the dealer.  Since I had that gift certificate I used a bunch of it to have them do a complete service.  I finally got to try it out and see how things are working.  I'll bring up all that stuff in the tech section.  But I know she loved getting out on the highway!  

But the new pipes and exhaust are shiny and have a nice sound to them.   8-)  Just a tad bit louder!  

I'm going to try riding to work, but I want to get my feel for the bike back.  I felt that my skills were a little rusty from lack of use.  So a few more weekend rides before I get into weekday commute traffic, even though my commute is only 5 miles.  

[Joan]

This is GREAT NEWS! How did the foot feel a day later?

Congrats on getting back on the bike!   [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=clap.gif]

[Ed Miller]

Way to go Melena!  And it looks like we should have pretty good weather for a while, anyway.  

I used to own a couple shares of Real Goods stock.  I have their source book on my desk at work right now, but I need a newer one.  I never did head down to the heavenly named Hopland though.

[Melena]

Hey Joan!  Thanks.  Foot was a bit tired.  The boot is still a bit tight.  But it worked!  Now I'll be going out every weekend, I hope.  

Ed, yes!  The weather is good.  The fog came in last night and drizzled all over everything.  There were actually puddles on my back patio this morning.  But it sure cooled everything down nice.  Aaaaahhhhh.

I sure wish I'd gotten some of that Real Goods stock.  Even if it didn't do great, at least I'd know it is a good cause.  Hopland really is named after that wonderful plant Hops.  Unfortunately, a disease of some sort (probably a fungus) killed it off and they can't grow it in this area any more.  So they put in grapevines.   [smiley=happy.gif]   [smiley=1drink.gif]

[suecanada]

Awwk how did I miss reading this post Melena. Please forgive me!! Now, congraulations on your ride!! Lets all hope we all stay healthy for one long time to come. I am cheering for you as you get right back into riding those great roads. Isn't it nice to have had some tuning up done too so you can feel pretty sure the bike is in good shape, ready for you.
 Over here in the east, it's been raining quite a lot so I guess I don't have to feel too bad about calling it quits so early in the season! I am plotting how to load LRB and not damage his paint with straps. Maybe it's time for a rack on an LS??? I had been using sheep skin wrapped and tucked around the ROK straps anytime I used LRB as a luggage rack. Sorta worked.