I got up just a little but earlier than I usually do on Saturday. I had a feeling, and dam, it was right on the money... I got new tires on the R1 last Sunday AM, but only did a short trip and parked it for the remainder of the week, using the BMW all week for my usual commute ride. Last night I gave it the check over, cleaned the chain, filled the tank, and laid out my gear for this AM's ride. I got up at 6, guzzled down some french roast amd a bowl of cheerios, hit the pavement at about 645, and got to Tam Junction just as the sun cleared the east bay hills, and painted the whole morning with that special slanted winter light. All the neurotic,trust-fund-rich-brat, SUV driving, cell phone yakking,transplant marinites were still at their paid for with cash homes, planning their busy shopping day at union square. The road was cold and dry, with just a hint of moisture here and there. Sunlight cut sharply through the trees. At the junction of Shoreline and the Panoramic, I veered right towards Mt.Tam, following my hunch that I may not have to pass a single car on the way to Stinson. And I didn't, once those yummy 014s were scrubbed in a bit and warmed up, I bobbed and weaved my way over the hill, inching my sp eed up as the traction improved. By the time I was rlling through Stinson, the bike was eager to make a brisk dash to the Bovine Bakery. I kept it my speed at the slightly more than interesting range until I heard the radar detector's warning that an LEO was somewhere nearby. for the next mile I loped along under the limit and sure enough 'ol smokey passed me heading south just around hageman ponds. I gave him a friendly nod and a wicked ip back up to interesting after his signal faded away. I will say this about this AM, it was absolutely the most perfect day for riding in recent memory. Everything was right, temperature in the low 50's, roads dry, no morons to speak of, and only one chp, so far that is. After a short stop in Point Reyes, I just kept riding north as far as Stewart's Point, and of course I couldn't come all that way and not take Skagg's back over the hill again. So I did..., Other than the ususal pumice in some corners, and one giant pickup truck that was a bit too far into my lane, it was another fabulous streatch of road all the way to lake Sonoma.... where I turned around and rode all the way back to Stewart's Point. Silly, but hey it's my day off. I still managed to roll into the driveway back home at about 2, leaving just enough time to clean Mr R1 off, have a snack and then snooze away on my little backyard bench in the sunshine. Of course there's still tomorrow, and those tires are just about perfect now.... Jim S VTR1000r1100RS YZF R! [URL]http://moto-rama.com[/URL]
