First Ride of the Season

February 20, 2011

Gypsy Stats:
160.2 Miles
7hr 42 min elapsed time
4 hr 13 min riding time
38 mph ave speed

Beemer Stats:
167.7 miles
41 mph ave speed
43 mpg ave

92 Octane is up to $3.49/ gal at the Sheetz

Tim: ’96 BMW R1100RS
Dave: ’03 BWM F650GS
Lindsey: '07 BWM R1200R (Grin!)

Last time out was a brief and frigid sojourn on boxer day. We got socked in with snow the end of December and it's been constant snow cover and icy lane since. Friday was sunny with temps approaching 70, Saturday was cooler but still well above freezing with howling winds all day, so the snow is mostly gone and the lane is finally passable on two wheels. Of course those winds were bringing in new weather, so the balmy temps of Friday have headed back to Florida where they came from. When I got up, the thermometer read 24, but by golly an ice free lane is an ice free lane and on the second punch of the starter button, the beemer was willing, so nothing to do but bundle up and give it a try.

Remembering the chill last time, I added a layer: same LD long sleeve base layer, tee shirt, Gerbing electrics, RevIt suit with liner and Frogg Togg jammies top but with an added sweat shit under the electric jacket. I put the balaclava on under the helmet to keep my cheeks and chin warm. I had to ride without my glasses because they kept steaming up with the balaclava on. I swear, today I will finally order that Aerostich chin scarf.

Heading out across the Oley valley at 7:15, the sun was just up, throwing long sharp shadows to the west, the air was clear, and the sky was bright blue. Temperatures held at 24-25 on the 20 mile ride over to Reading, but with the jacket and hand warmers on high and the added gear, I was warm. Except for my toes. I suited up in garage standing in stocking feet on the cold concrete floor. My boots were retrieved from the back seat of the truck where they had spent the night getting thoroughly chilled. The combination of cold toes going into cold boots than going immediately out to ride in the cold just did not work. My poor toes just never got a chance to recover. Next time, I think I will be sure to keep the boot inside over night.

We formed up, our own little BMW club again, and headed out for breakfast: third Sunday so we're back at the Masonic Temple in Birdsboro for custom omlets, salt mackeral, and today's special, blueberry pancakes, all you can eat for $7. After breakfast and a long catch-up and discussion of where this year's motorcycling might take us, we headed out to see how the roads were, west across the county through Adamstown, over into Lancaster and Lebenon counties, then north over the mountain through Swatera gap to Pine Grove, east to Deer Lake, and back homeward on south 61 through Schulkyl Gap and Port Clinton, with a passing nod to Hermy's. Temperatures stayed in the low to mid 30's most of the day, finally rising to just break 40 on the final leg of the ride. The roads were covered with winter grit, espeically at intersections and in the turns, right where you need the most traction, so prudence dictated moderation. Besides, my riding skills were defintiely suffering from winter doldrums. Some of those lines through the curves were pretty ugly. Good thing we were taking it easy.

The lilac buds are swelling, the willows are all showing yellow, we are over the hump of winter, and the riding season is upon us. This 160 miles marks the first ride of the new season.