Warmer air?

[glwilson]

Well... it HAS been a long winter around here in the northern section of Illinois.

The warmest days since last November are forecast to happen here by the end of this week. (53 degrees this Sunday... Wow!)

Other members south of us might be amazing we have nearly six-months of weather that doesn't get to the 50's; but those of us around here know what it is like (I'll not mention the expletives!).

I began riding last year around mid-April... so that is still 4-6 weeks away -- which sucks to think about.

BUT... I think this year I am going to try to push it up a bit earlier if at all possible.

Around the end of April / beginning of June; BiscuitsNGravy (our new RL), Rayski (our now ARL), and I met-up to ride the Mississippi loop together over a two-day trip. We had a great time together and enjoyed the ride a lot.

Hopefully a couple of us can get together and make that ride again early this season (out ahead of the rally in that area).

Either way... I am beginning to get ready to ride again.

Speak-up if anyone else is...

[waterman]

Greg, have to agree this has been a miserable winter. Cold and snow many days. Granted we haven't had near the snow you guys have had (40-45 inches) but nothing has dried out enough to get to pavement.

[baddad]

Hey Greg, I was looking at the bike today and also thinking of the forcast. I still need to get some new tires and do the swing arm service but i should be getting to that soon. I sure would love to get together and do the Galena ride again this spring.

[abbo]

:( Still have 12-14" of 'friggin' snow/ice from garage to street at place where my bike is stored. Going to have to wait for more melting I guess. Have had 70" of snow or more to date ::)

[rayski271]

im going to try and get out this weekend

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by Tom

Hey Greg, I was looking at the bike today and also thinking of the forcast. I still need to get some new tires and do the swing arm service but i should be getting to that soon. I sure would love to get together and do the Galena ride again this spring.

No problem. I would enjoy that.

I typically post some of the dates I plan on riding and basically where I plan to go... so, look for them and join-in if you can.

Otherwise, if you come up with a date... it is usually not too hard to get me to ride in that area!

To everyone else... the invitation is always open to join-in.

[jamiep24]

Greg, I feel bad about complaining about 7 to 8 months of Summer down here, at least we can ride in heat. This has been our 3rd coldest Winter in history, though...But I know there's not much ya can do in that kind of weather but sit and watch and wait....Make sure ya holler at us (Oldbikers, Zoom45, me and others) if and when y'all make that Mississippi loop and we'd love to join y'all somewhere and share some riding time with y'all. Some of us aren't gonna make that Texas Hill Country ride in late April and would love to get in a good ride before our South Central rally in late June. Jamie

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by jamiep24

Greg, I feel bad about complaining about 7 to 8 months of Summer down here, at least we can ride in heat. This has been our 3rd coldest Winter in history, though...But I know there's not much ya can do in that kind of weather but sit and watch and wait....Make sure ya holler at us (Oldbikers, Zoom45, me and others) if and when y'all make that Mississippi loop and we'd love to join y'all somewhere and share some riding time with y'all. Some of us aren't gonna make that Texas Hill Country ride in late April and would love to get in a good ride before our South Central rally in late June. Jamie

I hear you Jamie...

It's hard to get a lot of miles on your bike if you can't ride it 5-6 months out of a year, and isn't always just the temperature... it is most often the snow, ice, sand, salt, and otherwise grit on the roads around here -- not to mention huge potholes that can swalllow a bike.

Regarding the Mississippi-loop; unfortunately the loop I was referring to was more of a northern-loop rather than a southern loop.

Having said that though... I really would like to take the Mississippi on a southernly route along the Illinois side down to the tip of Illinois, and then cross-over to the other side and head back up north along the Missouri/Iowa side. That would make more sense in the early part of the season for the reason of colder temps. I think I would clearly need two long days to pull that off though.

If I do, I'll let you know. Maybe a couple others could do that route as well. ;)

[phenrichs]

I can't ride cause there is still too much sloppy stuff between the shed and garage but I am loving this sunshine anyway. Although the sunshine really gets my itch to ride going. I am hoping that maybe by next weekend I can at least get her in the garage for spring cleanup and oil change. Got new grips over the winter and a nice custom rear fender bib from phcustoms on the way (first one of its kind). I was their guinea pig. oh man I gotta get outta this office.

[rayski271]

well i got out out for about forty miles on friday and took the bike to work today so i can enjoy warmer air after work

[glwilson]

Glad to hear you got out a bit Ray...

I saw no less than fifty bikes down here in Central Illnois visiting my mother (she had a "to-do" list for me). ;)

[ponch]

I will try to get out tomorrow. I need to put gas in it and change the oil. May be wash it too.

[glwilson]

60+ degrees here today. Sure felt good to not have to wear a coat.

Haven't got the bike out yet. I am having some service done first; and an air-horn installed to replace the original... and it hasn't arrived yet.

But... I am really getting anxious to get out sooner than later.

[biscuitsngravy]

I'm here in Grand Island, NE to visit family for two weeks...... sans Nomad. Saw a couple riders here yesterday. I hope to be able to ride after I get home on the March 19th. Will leave for the Oregon Beach via the Southwestern States on April 22nd. Be back to Iowa about May 19th. Gonna put some miles on ol' BiscuitsNGravy! BnG

[rayski271]

dave good luck on your trip ride safe