A short Autumn ride

[Melena]

I took the day off work today to get a bunch of those chores done that you can seem to only get done on a weekday.  And I did get lots done.  A good day.

My final thing to do today was to get the bike over to the dealer and have the owner, who worked on my bike earlier this year, to check out the rough running and the backfires.  He got out his trusty little screw driver and adjusted the carbs a bit, including the idle, and took off on a test ride.  It was such a nice day I was wondering how long this ride was going to be.    When he left it was sounding much better and when he returned and did a quick slow down, there was no pop-pop-popping backfire.    Yay!  He took care of the problem.  (And he got in a 5 minute ride.)

I went in to the parts department and ordered a couple little things, then took off.  Hmmm.  Better gas up now so I can get off on a ride this weekend without having to take time to do that.  Okay, 4.09 gals of gas later, I decide I'd better take her for a bit longer ride and see how she's doing.  So, I turn right instead of left thinking I'll make a quick loop.  Head down to Eastside Rd. and come back on Windsor River Rd.  Oooo, the bike is running so nice, and the weather is just perfect.  Oh, Windsor River Rd already?  Nope, I'm not ready to go home yet.  I'm having way too much fun.    

I keep going through the vineyards and up a hill through a little canyon where the air suddenly becomes cooler and the smells change.  This place doesn't see sun all winter, I think, and that seems to have started already.  I come out at the top and decide to head out to River Rd.  But no, here's a nice little road that I haven't ridden yet.  I just found out about it a couple weeks ago.  So I take off down that way.  This one will take me home, but through the woods, past lovely fall colored vineyards, around the milk cow herds, and to the back side of the airport.  The smell of autumn was there through it all......the smell of leafmold from the fallen leaves, the fermenting smell of grapes, the cool in the shade and the warm in the sun.  

It was a short ride - maybe 45 minutes, but I sure had a big smile on my face when I got home.    It let loose all the tension from the week.  This is why I ride.  I get to not only see things, but feel the air and smell the smells.  I love it.   8-)

[aussie]

That, Melena was uplifting to the soul. Thank you so much for sharing - sounds an absolutely gorgeous afternoon. I love riding in the Autumn up in the hills round about 2:30pm when people are lighting their fires and there is that bite to the air. While Summer is still good, it sometimes just gets too hot   - I guess I'm just a cool weather type of guy. Unfortunately here we are in third year of drought and the hills are already starting to brown off. Unlike many places in the US where you get Summer rainfall, Australia - even in the good times - has little rainfall - well apart from the NT and Qld - ain't that right Darwin?

As for 'my' picture, I hadn't had a shave that day.....no - not really - it's my puppy called Becker. He's a Border Collie / Kelpie X and is 8 months old. I got him from a working farm up north and met his parents...He's terribly intelligent and has calmed down dramatically in the last month or so. Unfortunately, prior to this he tended - as puppies are wont to do - chew things - antique table and chair; carpet.....needless to say he was not the most popular person in the household - but I finally rectified it by getting a kennel. Been as good as gold since - really should have done it first off but I tend to procrastinate at times....

Anyhow - again thanks for sharing and keep on posting those rides.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Melena]

That, Melena was uplifting to the soul. Thank you so much for sharing - sounds an absolutely gorgeous afternoon. I love riding in the Autumn up in the hills round about 2:30pm when people are lighting their fires and there is that bite to the air. While Summer is still good, it sometimes just gets too hot   - I guess I'm just a cool weather type of guy. Unfortunately here we are in third year of drought and the hills are already starting to brown off. Unlike many places in the US where you get Summer rainfall, Australia - even in the good times - has little rainfall - well apart from the NT and Qld - ain't that right Darwin?

I know what you mean about the summer.  It can get really hot in the places that I like to ride.  I prefer spring and fall riding, but summer riding has it's perks too - long sunny days.    We've been having a drought here too.  Things are tinder dry and there is a very high fire danger.  No sign of rain yet either, but it's supposed to start cooling down.  The hills around here started browning off early spring too.  Sounds like we live in very similar climates.

As for 'my' picture, I hadn't had a shave that day.....no - not really - it's my puppy called Becker. He's a Border Collie / Kelpie X and is 8 months old. I got him from a working farm up north and met his parents...He's terribly intelligent and has calmed down dramatically in the last month or so. Unfortunately, prior to this he tended - as puppies are wont to do - chew things - antique table and chair; carpet.....needless to say he was not the most popular person in the household - but I finally rectified it by getting a kennel. Been as good as gold since - really should have done it first off but I tend to procrastinate at times....

You'd better be careful or that sweet intelligent dog you have there will be ruling the home and trying to herd everyone around.  

Anyhow - again thanks for sharing and keep on posting those rides.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

I'll do that.  I'm so glad you enjoyed reading it.  Hopefully there will be some nice weekend rides coming up.   8-)

[not-so-fast-ed]

Thanks Melena!.  Really nice way with words.

I've been procrastinating on the spline lube and have started, but not finished it.  Instead I've been helping a friend work on their 40 year old Pontiac.

Keep the rides coming.

Best,
Ed

[nhmaf]

It was less than an hour before sunset tonight, but I was inspired by Melena (and also bored of sheetrocking and sanding the new bathroom for my bride) so I hoped on the LS and took a brief little 30-mile loop around the area on some newly discovered roads.   There is still some nice color in the leaves, though we are past the peak of it.  The smell of mouldering leaves and the smoke from many farmhouses starting up their wood stoves for the evening (it will be going down into the mid 20s (F) or about -4C this evening) was a pleasant experience, even if it reminds me that the number of days left to ride in this calendar are rapidly diminishing !    Tillie really seems to like running in the cool air, but I gotta put the insulating liner into my riding suit now !

[SCJJR65]

Pure poetry, Melena!  Well done!  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]  Enjoyed that post tremendously!!

[suecanada]

Thank you so much Melena for such a grand report on your day off!!! I can just see how you would just keep going when the weather and roads are right!! The Fall weather has been really pretty good here albeit it is cloudy right now and the trees are just past their peak colour! LRB is away at his "spa" getting all dandied up for next Spring.

Nhmaf....I guess Tillie was just too hot last June and that is why she decided to boil under the collar a bit. Boy that seems like ages ago! But I am reminded to ask you if it would be OK to have the LED flashlight (if I am on the list) and maybe a LS shirt sent to your home? It may be there awhile but I'll get there sooner or later.

[nhmaf]

Hi Sue,  

Yes, it is fine with me if you want to have Justin ship stuff here instead of to Ontario.  Gives us a good excuse to plan for next year, but you might actually want to use that flashlight before then  !

[Justin B.]

Sue, do you want the other small blue LS shirt?  I think you are the only one here that ordered a small so you won't have to worry about "stealing" it from anybody else!  

[aussie]

Well I'm not going to wax-lyrical as Melena did, but yesterday I had enough of doing work on the weekend and just got on the bike and headed into the hills. It wasn't an overly long ride - I went up to a place called Strathalbyn - about 40kms away, but I took those winding backroads. It was a bit coolish, but pleasant for a ride none-the-less. Had a look around some antique stores and came home. I didn't go hell for leather - just nice and steady and taking in the scenery. Found that wonderful 'zen place' after 15 minutes or so, and I dare say that like all of us, I just had a feeling of contentment when I arrived back. A nice afternoon. That's why I love to ride.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

[size=12]You-all should not take for granted the ease with which you can put on a suit, go out to the shed, and bring life to your kleine boxer so the two of you can go explore the countryside.


You don't truly appreciate what you have until you loose it.


Speaking of which, any U.S. citizens that have not early-voted - write in Ron Paul tomorrow.  At least you will have a clear conscience as we head into a doubtful future. [/size]

[aussie]

[size=12]
You don't truly appreciate what you have until you loose it. [/size]

Have learnt that the hard way Rob - though I dare say we are talking about two different things here.

I have vowed never to do it again.

[Semper Gumby]

Hi Melena,

Takes me back two years ago (!) when I showed up on your doorstep and then, next morning, drove across the Napa Valley ridges through the vinyards.  I recall it was kinda warm tho.  You didn't see a 5-series BMW laying on its roof did you?   8-)

Nice write-up.  I need to find an excuse to ride west again.  Darn this infernal economy!

[Melena]

Aussie,
Sounds like you had a really nice ride.  Aren't those short local rides just great?  They really get your head back on straight.    8-)   Maybe you could post some pictures of where you ride sometime.  I think we'd all enjoy seeing them.  Hmmm, I guess that would mean I should post some too.  I get to riding and forget to stop for pictures!  

Rob,
Believe me, I don't take it for granted.  There are days when my body doesn't want to cooperate and it takes a lot for me to get out.  Right now your job is to just sit back, listen to the "campfire stories"  and heal up so you can do it again.  In the meantime, you can retell some of your old stories - kind of like recycling.    I think that's the hardest part, though, is being patient to let things be as they are and let yourself heal.

Sempervirens..............errr, Semper Gumby ( )
Yikes!  Was that 2 years ago?  My how time flies!  No, didn't see a 5-series BMW at all.  I was on more western roads.  Didn't take the one over to Napa.  But that sounds like a great idea.  Hmmm, next nice weekend I can get out I think I'll head over that way.