Ride #24 today, yay! I would have loved to have gotten them all in by last weekend (end of June) but the weather has been horribly cold, and last weekend it was raining, so I've decided that I'm too old and frail (mentally, if not physically, but probably both) to risk riding any bike that I like, in the rain, if I can avoid it.
Yesterday Spotty and I cracked on with re-assembling the white BMW K100RS SE, it only reached 10 deg C (50 deg F) but today, while still only around 50 when I left, it almost got to 60 by the time I got home. Further to my love of the Amazon electric vest, I'm even more in love with my Amazon electric gloves, there's nothing better than having nice warm fingers when you need to grab the front brake or clutch etc. On previous winter rides, my "reaction time" for grabbing the brake or clutch when my fingers were frozen was pretty slow, so apart from the comfort, they really are a safety item, and my chronic arthritis is thankful too. After 2 hours or so, the battery level went from 100% to 70% on the coolest level, so I'm guessing that I could have toasty warm fingers for around 5 or 6 hours on a longer ride.
It's the 7th of July today, my brother's (RIP) birthday. He bought the Triumph new for his 50th birthday in 2007 and asked Triumph to provide a bike built as close to his birthday as possible, and they found him one built on July 8th, which incidentally is my wife's birthday, so I rode the Triumph today to celebrate my bro's birthday, and to celebrate the triumph's 17th birthday tomorrow. The 8 year old Motobatt battery is getting tired, I had to use my jump pack to start it today, but by the time I stopped for fuel 20 miles up the road in Wallan, it fired right up without any outside assistance. I had the jump pack in my saddlebag, but didn't need it.
I rode on through Kilmore to Broadford, and stopped for a couple of pics.
Rocket III Sunday 7 July 2024 by
Terry Prendergast, on Flickr
I cruised to the Broadford bakery, and ordered a pie and a coffee, which were both delicious.
Rocket III Sunday 7 July 2024 2 by
Terry Prendergast, on Flickr
They're lovely people too, I didn't realise that they were closing at 2 pm, but they didn't push me out, the lady owner waited patiently while I ate my lunch, which was nice. I'll remember to go back a bit earlier next time. Anyway, ride #24 is in the bag, so I can relax now, and just ride when it's nice, and work on my many projects (Kawasaki KZ750 next Spotty?) when the weather is horrid. The vest and gloves really made a difference.
Rocket III Sunday 7 July 2024 1 by
Terry Prendergast, on Flickr