March 10, 2013

Pressed for time this week so no time to write up a commentary, but  here are the stats, route map, and handlebar pics from what is probably the last winter ride of the year; four on the ride this morning since Cory joined us on his Honda. 

Gypsy Stats:

6 hours 39 minutes elapsed time
4 hours 9 minutes riding time
164.5 miles
39.6 average mph

Beemer Stats:

172.4 miles
42 average mph
44 average mpg

2012 Summary

Beemer Stats:
Total miles:  9438
Gas used:  202.07 Gallons
Ave mileage:  46.7 mpg
Gas cost:  $799.06
Ave per gallon:  $3.95 for 92/93 octane
Fuel operating cost:  $0.085 per mile

The graph of MPG vs date shows that mileage is significantly better in the summer than in winter months.  I believe this is due to use of the heated jacket and grips drawing current and increasing load on the alternator.

March 3, 2013

Gypsy Stats:
7 hrs 30 minutes elapsed time
3 hrs 10 minutes riding time
129 miles
40.6 mph

Beemer Stats:
133 miles
40 mph
43 mpg



The  forecast this morning was for relatively decent looking weather but cold - a low of 27 and high of 37.  That's pretty brisk for motorcycle riding, but at 7 a.m. the sun was rising on a clear, bright day and it was hard to resist.  Setting off, the thermometer was reading 26 degrees.  I have reported previously that 26 is about my limit; with full winter gear, I can stand 26 but 23 is just too damned cold.  And stand 26 I did heading over to Form Up.  My jacket and controller were being fractious for part of the way, meaning no heat until I turned the controller off and on to reset the system, and my winter gloves were slightly past the limit of their ability.  Even with heated grips on high, my finger tips were frozen by the time I got there.  At Form Up, I put on my 'jammies, i.e. I added the Frogg Toggs jacket as an extra layer of wind break, which made a huge difference on the way to breakfast.

First Sunday finds us back at Kutztown Fire Company for PA Dutch breakfast buffet; $8, all you can eat, and the pig did not die in vain.  It was the place to be this morning and was packed, complete with Easter Bunny posing for pictures with the kids.  All right, the Gypsy doesn't lie:  we sat over talk and coffee for nearly 3 hours.  I think we have to confess that the choice between 60 mph at 26 degrees and a warm room with hot coffee left us on the side of comfort today.

We finally got out, suited up, plugged in, and hit the road, north and east from Kutztown across the corner of the county, into and across Lehigh County, and into western Northampton County.  With the Frogg Toggs keeping the wind out and the Gerbing jacket pumping the heat in, I felt like I was riding along in little warm cocoon.  And with my core truly warm, my body was sending warm blood to my extremities so fingers and toes were fine.  For most of the ride temperatures were in the low to mid 30's, about 6 degrees higher than the earlier jaunt, but what an important 6 degrees.  Really, we were no longer pushing the limits of the gear but were basically comfortable.  Of course if you compare today's stats with those from the middle of the summer you will see that running the jacket and grips on high knocks about 5 mpg off of the gas mileage on the Beemer.

The pictures really tell the story:  much as we were hoping for spring, it was another gray Pennsylvania winter day.  Daffodils are up and I've seen crocuses blooming in the neighbors yard this weekend, but today was a setback to late winter.

I still have not changed the rear tire on the bike and this morning Dave put on his tire inspector's hat and declared this tire officially done-for.  No bling showing by the end of the day but it's really time to retire this one and move on.   With 7255 miles on it I guess it does not owe me anything.

Fedruary 24, 2013

Gypsy Stats:
5 hrs 46 min elapsed time
2 hrs 48 min riding time
109 miles
39 mph average speed

Beemer Stats:
115 miles
40 mph
43 mpg



February has been a tough month weather-wise - lots of cold, lots of wet, bits of ice.  What with that and other weekend obligations, this is the first day we've managed to get out all month.  The day promised no rain and temperatures in the 30's.  At 7 am, the sun was up, the cardinals were calling, and there was a definite spring feel to the air.  I got out and rolling early and took the long route to Form Up through Oley, stopping at the Redners Quick Stop for gas and a quick cup of coffee.  At Form Up, Tim was getting out his boxer and Dave showed up on the 650 thumper so we were our own little BMW club this morning.

We headed to Kenhorst Fire Co. for breakfast but found them closed due to construction and had to head on the Meadowbrook Country Club.  Well, it's sort of in the country and appears to be a club but there's not much else to make you think "Country Club" here.  Breakfast was OK and thankfully large; I was hungrier than I thought and cleaned up pretty well. 

After a lengthy catch up and chin wag we headed out for a quick ride around the northwest corner of the county.  Weather was clear and overcast.  The predominant color was gray with brown highlights, pretty standard late winter in Pennsylvania.  The roads were full of grit, often dictating the lines through the turns.  At least twice I felt a little slippage in the rear going through a turn.  Under the circumstances we turned on the heat, took it easy, and enjoyed the ride.  By mid-day we had put on 100+ miles and headed home to other weekend chores.