Topic: It just doesn't get any better than this.

[csendker]

68 degrees and sunny today, and leaving for a long weekend tomorrow.  So I cut out of work early and took off on a 3-hour run!!  I'm tired, I'm sore and it feels great!  I ran through the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, alternating between the fresh scent of evergreens and the pungent oder of freshly manured fields.  Damn, what a rush.  You're part of the landscape, not sightseeing.  Keep track of the road, watch for gravel, smell the surroundings. 

Random thoughts: I need to improve my posture if I don't want to end up a cripple and I really, really need to work on that 'Death Grip' thing. 

There is nothing like the feeling of pulling up and down through winding mountain (OK, hill) roads, and then blasting out of the last turn down a straight-away through the farm fields.  I didn't realize it at the time, but this is why I got into bikes. 

Three hours and she performed flawlessly.  No overheating, no lugging, just git-up-and-go whenever I asked.  I plowed up & down 10% grades, wound through switchbacks, and blasted down straight-aways.  I was so wired that I came home, changed the oil, put in a new filter, dropped the pan - cleaned everything and put it all back together again.  Did I mention the wife & kids left this morning and I get to play catch-up tomorrow?  Bachelor-day, used to the fullest extent.

More random thoughts: Anyone in need of a pan gasket that is too big for a 550 (Honda #11398-426-000)? And don't get stuck behind a sight-seeing bus puking heavy diesel fumes.

Confession: I am a bug magnet.  OK, so I started riding in the latter half of last summer, so this is my first spring.  Is the bug population out of control or is this just normal for spring?  I can't imaging running without a full face helmet and/or shield.  The number of liquidated bugs on my face-shield and jacket is downright scary.  I had a yellow-jacket hit square-on in my face and not liquefy - just a big hunk of yellow bug guts directly in my line of sight. Now that was fun at 65 mph.

It's been fabulous weather this week in Western New York (IE Buffalo).  I've been running all week long, but today tops it all.  I stopped at a red light and a FedEx truck pulls up next to me.  The driver yells out: "'73 or '74?"  I smiled and held up 5-fingers.  He knew.  I ran into him at one or two other lights.  Every time, he looked longingly and waved.  I have a new respect for FedEx.

Last random thought:  Crotchrocket dudes almost always wave, Harley dudes usually wave. And there are no other SOHC4's in WNY.

Carpe Diem! ...and I did.

Bonus random thought: If you feel a monster sneezing fit coming on, just pull over; it's safer that way.

[Bob Wessner]

I'm guessing you enjoyed the ride.  Funny about the bugs. We had a couple of mild days back in March. I was surprised how many sizable bugs were out given there were only one or two days. Had to chuckle at the sneeze advice. 

[mbrock307]

Sounds like a hell of a time...still working on getting mine roadworthy for the year....

[clarkjh]

Man, that story is giving me the itches to get mine back together.  Be thankful the yellow jacket hit your helmet and not up your sleeve, (whole new meaning to "panic stop" ).  I agree with Bob about your sneeze advice.

James

[Bob Wessner]

I actually rode into a swarm of bees years ago. Thankfully, I was wearing a face shield, could hear them going pop-pop-pop off the thing. Unfortunately, one must have been flying below the radar, got wedged between my right thigh and the gas tank. Stung like the dickens, guess he didn't like the location.  It was something of a quick stop. 

[clarkjh]

The hardest bug strike was a junebug at about 70mph with an open face helmet, cought it right between the eyes.   Just about took me right off the bike.

James

[6pkrunner]

Enjoy your weather guys. Last week almost looked promising here, but this week its almost like winter. Biting cold wind today that would knock a biker over. Bikes and fun cars remain cacooned.

[bwaller]

Bike riders tell better stories!

Regarding bugs though late last fall on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in upstate NY I ran through a colony? of ladybugs. They were everywhere. I had to pull into the next place I could find to clean my visor, I was orange!

[Bob Wessner]

I wonder if they were those asian imitations (no joke here). They have become quite a pest here in Michigan. Unlike true "ladybugs" these little suckers have a nipping little bite. In the fall they start looking for any and all small openings in homes to get away from the cold/freezing weather. Real pains (pun intended) they are.

[mbrock307]

Ahhh, yes, Bob...  the Japanese Beetle, slightly more oragnge than a ladybug, and a whole hell of a lot more painful,  Michigan is starting to suck because of the damn things....

[motorcycleclaude75]

Hey 6pkrunner,

Thursday morning was truly nasty here in Hailfax, it was about 1 degree Celsius, raining/snowing with strong winds.

But to my amazement, I saw a motorbike, I took a doubletake, I couldn't believe my eyes.

Was this guy stupid or just a true biker?

Claude

[ProTeal55]

I got a junebug once right under my left eye (no helmet-just glasses and a backwards hat).
I was going about 50 or so, and it felt like I got punched in the face.

Those things hurt 

[byidesign]

A few years ago we had those "tent" caterpillars everywhere hanging
    on threads from the trees, a half hour ride would turn you and your bike all
     green with gooey sploches.{like bird sh#&.only green}
         I got a good windshield, and even though it doesn't make the
      bike look very cool... I've cleaned a lot of bugs/bees,etc. off  that thing
        I'm glad didn't  get on me.
            Enjoy
                Bruce

[Stevearino]

I must have gotten the last SOHC from Western NY.  I bought my 77 550F from a guy that brought it to Indy last year from Orchard Park.  Still has a NY inspection sticker on it.  The NY bugs are gone though.

I lived in Williamsville from 69-75.  Lots of nice riding, too bad the economy tanked though.  Have fun.

[750K4]

I had to laugh when you brought up the bug collisions. Where I live in Iowa, by the end of summer, the bugs have had a good long season to grow, and some get pretty big. I remember one trip on my old Yamaha Enduro about 25 years ago, when I rode a bike because I couldn't afford anything else! Anyway, I was toolin' along about 60 mph and SMACK - right in the forehead I was whacked with a grasshopper that had to be four inches long. He hit me so hard my eyes watered, and I had to pull off to regain my composure. That was the day I decided to ALWAYS wear a helmet. And I have never ridden without one since.

[loonymoon]

I took a bumblebee for a ride once. It hit me in the neck at  60mph - ouch but what I didn't realise was that it had dropped inside the neck of my jacket and it stayed there until 30 mins later when i lent forwards to get off the bike to open our garage door. Then I noticed it as it stung me on the collar bone - it just felt like someone had grabbed some skin and pinched it hard. I didn't realise what it was until I pulled this yellow and black stripey thing out of my collar with my motorcycle glove - ouch.....


Dad once had bird hit him on the side of the helmet when he was riding his lambretta in the 60's ouch that's gotta hurt - and the helmets weren't like they are now back then.

[GraveRobber]

I took a dragon fly square in the chest at about 45-50 Mph. What a mess!

[Bob Wessner]

Just think how big and far north they will get with global warming. 

[bowhunter]

You haven't lived 'til you've driven through a cloud of gnats at dusk! They almost completely fogged my face shield,and three showers later I was still finding remains in my hair!
Bowhunter

[Bob Wessner]

Just thought of a new forum attraction. In addition to Bike of the Month, maybe we need Bug of the Month. 

[Terry in Australia]

This is the best time of the year to ride in Oz (well, any time is good, as we don't have any real extremes in temp like on the other side of the pond) but all the bugs here are dying/hibernating, so you can ride in relative comfort in cool (70 deg avg) temps, but bug free! (of course, there are still plenty of errant 'Roo's to contend with, he he........) Cheers, Terry.

[mick750F]

This is the best time of the year to ride in Oz (well, any time is good, as we don't have any real extremes in temp like on the other side of the pond) but all the bugs here are dying/hibernating, so you can ride in relative comfort in cool (70 deg avg) temps, but bug free! (of course, there are still plenty of errant 'Roo's to contend with, he he........) Cheers, Terry.

   Ahhh Terry...Once again you sing the siren song of Oz...Fall is my favorite time to ride too. Unfortunately, rather than Roo's we have deer to contend with...those pointy antlers hurt. However, it's spring here...my second favorite riding season...and so far not a deer to be seen. Hope I haven't cursed myself.

Mike

[JHansen]

Last random thought:  Crotchrocket dudes almost always wave, Harley dudes usually wave. And there are no other SOHC4's in WNY.

I get waves from all bikes, but I swear I have the only running SOHC in the Kalamazoo area... anyone out there that can prove me wrong? If so, get over here to my house and help me get these carbs dialed in! 

[Dusthawk]

All this talk about bugs and Michigan is getting me misty eyed

I grew up in New Buffalo down near Indiana, Exit #1 on 94. It's also where I learned to ride in all seasons. Ever try riding in a blizzard cuz you didn't want to walk home?

Next time someone is down that way, have a Redamacks for me!!!

Peace and Long Rides,

Jeff

[mrbreeze]

Just reread this post......Starts off the first spring ride......ends up about who hit the biggest bug!! Man...I think Spring has sprung!!I might just go bug hunting tomorrow.