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As many (both?) of you know, I bought a motorcycle back in June. I signed up for a rider safety class put on by ABATE of Indiana. The class was September 8-10 in Indianapolis. I passed the class, which enabled me to not only be a better rider, but also allowed me to get my motorcycle endorsement on my license. So I am now a card-carrying biker. Not that kind of biker. Anyway, I have been riding my bike to work ever since I graduated, and I have really enjoyed it.

I enjoy the “fun-ness” of riding the motorcycle. I enjoy the camraderie of the other bikers who wave at you just because you are also on a bike. I enjoy the 55-57 miles per gallon I get on my bike. It used to be that, when I got off work in the morning, I would tolerate the 30 minute drive home so I could sleep. Now I get off work and say, “Hey! I get to ride my bike for 30 minutes now!” Sometimes I take the long way home for scenery. With a bike, the shortest way isn’t always the best.

I am getting better at riding with every day I go out. At first I was nervous on the interstate getting up to speed. The more you go over 60mph, the more vibration you encounter. Also, there is more wind with higher speeds. At first, everyone was passing me because I was going 60 in a 70. Yesterday I passed someone who was going slower than the limit.

I had assumed I would stop riding my bike at the end of September, since it would start getting cold. I was loathe to put my bike away, but what could I do? Well, I am still riding my bike, even though temps in the evenings are in the 60’s (still ok for riding) and temps in the mornings are dipping into the 40’s and 30’s. I have been layering with long underwear, wind resistant jacket and pants, and I bought a balaclava (a ski mask type thing for bikers to wear under the helmet), which works great.

I plan on riding my bike until the temps are in the 20’s and 10’s. Then we’ll see. Also, no snow or ice. Since I live in central Indiana, I figure that will be about two weeks that I won’t be able to ride. I’ll let you know. I don’t have a name for my bike, and I guess I’m supposed to come up with one. I thought of “Olive Oyl” (for the color), but it doesn’t sound right. I didn’t have any small animals get caught in the spokes like Dad’s. Even if I had, “The Vole” doesn’t sound like a good name. I am still considering what name to pick. But name or no, I am really enjoying the open road.