December 23, 2012

Gypsy Stats:
6 hrs 15 min Elapsed Time
2 hrs 34 min Riding Time
102 Total miles
40 mph average speed


Beemer Stats:
108.6 miles
41 mph average
43 mpg

One of the best parts about having survived the Mayan Apocalypse and End Of The World on Solstice Day 2012 is that we got to go riding two days later.  The day dawned clear and chilly, but not bone-chilling cold.  The thermometer read 33 and fluctuated as low as 31 heading out to Form Up.  I put on everything:  long LD base layer, Thinsulate and flannel lined jeans, 'Stiche Jersey, extra sweatshirt, Gerbing jacket, suit liners, 'Stiche chin fleece, winter gloves, etc.  Plugged in, turned on, heated up and off to Form Up.

Fourth Sunday:  not much firehouse breakfast action and the VFW was closed 'cause of Christmas.  We were looking for something not too far so that while we were sitting and jawing the sun could be rising and warming:  Marvel Ranch in downtown Reading - perfect - don't leave the tank bag or helmet on the bike, remember to take the key and carry the Gypsy in with you, and as long as you're packing the heat (Gerbing, that is), don't mind the other customers who are packing the heat (not Gerbing, that is).  The coffee was excellent, better than any firehouse.  Tim and Dave ordered the house special, the Marvel Mess - scrambled eggs with some of nearly everything you might imagine to put in eggs.  I got two, over-medium, with pork chops, home fries, and dry rye toast.  It was awesome!  And the coffee kept flowing, and we kept BS'ing, and there were still some open tables so they didn't need to kick us out, and the waitress was nice, and the bill came to $22 for the three of us.  What's not to like?  Oh, yeah, did I mention how polite they were?  The sign in back read "No Getting High in the Rest Room, Please" (emphasis mine).

I believe the Gypsy is reporting over 2 hours of breakfast-and-in-depth-analysis-of-the-modern-human-condition before we headed out for a quick run around the northwest corner of the county.  Temps ran pretty constant around 35 with bright sun.  With the gear and heat turned on it was very comfortable (maybe not so nice if the sun had not been out).  Roads were basically clear of ice and grit.  We ran north and west, out of the Blue Hills into the Great Valley - far enough west for the signs to reference the Lebanon Valley - but never went over the Mountain.  We didn't push but just had a comfortable ride for the first time out this winter.  Topped 100 miles by the end and got home in time for an afternoon activity.