It's been so nice out for the last few days....
I've been staring at my bike, sitting in the garage, begging to be ridden. If there wasn't a big puddle in front of my house from all the snow melting, I would have started her up three days ago. Turns out, we've got improper drainage in front of my house.
[sigh]... Might as well. It's a little too cold today, anyways... :(
Besides, the battery on my bike is dead right now. She needs a jump. I'll give her a jump as soon as it's warm enough out. Once I get her started, the alternator will charge up the battery and I'll be able to start her with my kick start. Yes, my bike is so old('79 Honda CM400T), that she still has a kick start. She has a kick start and an electronic push button start. She's reliable like that. :) Most bikes nowadays only have the electronic button start. I always thought the kick start was the coolest part of my bike. Other riders(with newer bikes) are amazed that my bike still has a kick start. I think they're secretly jealous.
I've been looking out the window, basking in the sunlight coming in through the kitchen, hoping for a warmer day to come sooner, rather than later. According to the weather report, I may have to wait another week or so. I don't know if I can last that long... I've been waiting all winter.... Grrr....
I've been running around my house with my arms out like Superman going, "Vrrrooooom!!!" and scaring the crap out of my cats. They scamper in opposite directions as I stomp through the house, leaning left and leaning right. Just another few more days and I'll be able to ride.
As a reminder, I've been keeping my goggles next to my phone charger so that I can see them whenever I plug my phone up to charge it, or unplug it to take it out with me. I'll need a new pair of gloves, too, since I burnt up my last pair two autumns ago, trying to warm my hands up on the muffler on a bone-chilling night. They don't cost much... I should be able to pick up a nice leather pair for around $20.
Though my goggles are sitting at the ready position next to my phone charger, my helmet still sits in the corner of the room. I don't think it's feeling the love at this moment. I rarely wear my helmet, you see. It messes up my hair. :)
I live in a no-nonsense state where if you're dumb enough to ride without a helmet.... Well, you're dumb enough to smear your skull on the pavement. Most of the time, I put my helmet in my backpack when I ride around, just in case it starts to rain. When it rains, that's when things get fun on the bike. :) It's quite thrilling, to have your life hang in the balance. Makes me feel.... I don't know.... Alive!
Just another week or so, my pet.... We'll ride into the sunset together....
I can feel the rumble already..... My bike is pretty small, so it sounds more like a lawnmower than a bike, but still...
I plan to ride my bike until it becomes too cold again, like I did last summer. I saved so much money on gas, it's not even funny.
I'm already looking at the next bike I'm going to buy, but I don't think I'll sell the one I have. It may not be worth much, but the nostalgic value is through the roof!
I'll see if I can find a picture of it to post up soon.
If you want me to come scoop you up and go for a ride, just let me know. :)
Thanks for stopping by,
Grape. (Vrrroooooooom!) :D
GrapeKoolaid posted on Mar 16, 2008
| views: 314
Comments
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pickersplock said on Mar 16, 2008....
Very nice post Grape. I just put out a new one also.Yes, very interesting, yep fascinating. -
silverwhisper said on Mar 16, 2008....
you should absolutely keep going "vrooooom!" and scaring the cats--heaven knows the complacent little furballs could use a good scaring, if you ask me... :D
ed, sometime cat tormenter :D -
GrapeKoolaid said on Mar 16, 2008....
pickers: Thank you... In a lot of ways, I'm a spoiled little brat, you see... It's always about what I want. Now now now... Most of the time, I tend to get my way, too. However, today, the blasted weather is not cooperating... [grumbles]
ed: The clacking of their claws as they run in place over the hardwood floor is enough to crack anyone up. It's like a cartoon. :D
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pickersplock said on Mar 16, 2008....
You'll have to find some other way to relieve your frustration! May I suggest cleaning? -
Alyss said on Mar 16, 2008....
I have never ridden on a motorbike, they scare me, Or rather the thought of my inept self on a bike scares me. ;-)
I will spare you the lecture about wearing a helmet, and just say that I trust you will be careful as I'd hate to hear about your brains being outside of your head.
Either way, I hope the weather clears up for you so you can get your bike ride.
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gingersoul said on Mar 16, 2008....
Grapey...remember...we still have that ride to do since last year...;-)
I don't know if you have read this post of mine about a bike ride in Italy http://www.soulcast.com/post/show/82023/Men-and-motorcycles....
so....if you didn't......hope you enjoy it...:-)
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GrapeKoolaid said on Mar 16, 2008....
pickers: Naaaah... Never had the knack for cleaning... Never been good at picking up after myself, either. What I do instead, is eat(or cook, then eat). I sublimate with food. Right now, I'm cooking up some rice noodles in a spicy seafood broth with some garlic, shrimp, scallops, clams and a beaten egg, mushrooms, green onions, etc..... I'll be fine once I make a pig of myself.
Alyss: Oh... You don't know what you're missing... The freedom to weave in and out of traffic, driving in between lanes, 70miles/gal, parking anywhere in the city with impunity, laughing at fools driving their yuppie assault vehicles, getting 7miles/gal... Just another week more...
And yes, I'll put on the helmet(at least when it's raining). :)
My noodles are almost done... See you in a bit.
OM NOM NOM NOM NOM
ginger: quote Yul Brenner in "the King and I", "Dancing After Dinner!"
BRB.
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Ombrelle said on Mar 16, 2008....
OMG Please, please come pick me up! I dream of motorcycles. Since I was 8 years old I've wanted one but for some reason never got around to it. I still want one and I will get one, someday. Thanks for that post. -
GrapeKoolaid said on Mar 16, 2008....
Ahh.... What a satisfying dinner... I don't care so much about the bike anymore... The sun's starting to set and the temperature's definitely dipped a bit(how do you like that alliteration?)
ginger: Thanks for linking that story for me. It was a lovely and yet, a bittersweet slice of your life, so openly shared. I took much delight in reading it.
Ombrelle: LOL. Now now... I'm afraid you'll just have to wait until the weather gets a little nicer out. I'm afraid it's simply too cold today to go out riding. Soon, though. OK?
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pickersplock said on Mar 16, 2008....
I'm making roast turkey, colcannon, and spinach sauted with lemon juice! -
Lucytorial said on Mar 16, 2008....
vrrroooooommmm vaaarrroooooommmmmm
yyeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrraaaavvvvvaaaaaarrrrooooooommmm
That cracked me up, were you wearing undies and socks whilst doing that?? Y fronts with socks??? please tell me you were.... any man that can do that in Y fronts and socks and rides a bike is my kind of guy.....
vaaaarrrrooooooommmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! super hero springgrape!
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GrapeKoolaid said on Mar 16, 2008....
This is what my bike looks like. Mine's got a little more rust on it, and I took the mirrors off my bike to make it look a little more rugged, but you get the idea.
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GrapeKoolaid said on Mar 16, 2008....
P.S. Not too much rust, though.
pickers: I'm so full, but I'm gonna ask anyways... Adopt me? :D
Lucy: I have to wait till it gets a little warmer for me to blog in my undies. Soon, though. Soon.... :D
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Lucytorial said on Mar 16, 2008....
nice bike grape.... I remember burning my calf muscle on a ducatti once, boy did that hurt, I still have the scar it was one of those 3rd degree burns that stings like shit but hey! it was worth it! -
Ombrelle said on Mar 16, 2008....
Ok Grape, I'll wait. She's a beaut btw. -
Ombrelle said on Mar 16, 2008....
Lucy, if I may - I got one of those burns oon my calf once and made the horrible mistake of going to the Dead Sea the next day. Ouuuuch! But it healed so fast and so well, it wasn't a mistake after all. -
GrapeKoolaid said on Mar 16, 2008....
Lucy: A Ducati is on my "next bike" list. A Ducati 999, actually. However, I have to save a pretty penny for me to pick one up. It'll take me some time. One day(A fella can dream, can't he?)....
Ombrelle: Thanks, isn't she, though? She is a rugged, classic beauty... Plus, she was built in 1979(she'll be 30 next year), so she's could have been classified as a classic for the last 4 years. :) That cost extra money, though. And all I would have gotten was a special plate, so meh. I know she's a classic, and that's all that matters.
Here's a story of how we met. Love at first sight. :)
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pickersplock said on Mar 16, 2008....
Nice bike, scoop away Mister! -
gingersoul said on Mar 16, 2008....
Grapey.......good choice in taking those mirrors away...and i like the color a lot....she is not too bulky and not too skinny ...sometimes you see around some bikes that looks like mini Hummer....
Yours is a sleek beauty with power...:-)
Ducati you say? I picked my ears up....lol.......can you post its picture too?
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GrapeKoolaid said on Mar 16, 2008....
Hopefully my next bike...
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GrapeKoolaid said on Mar 16, 2008....
pickers: On my way to Kapuchkie, NY. :D
ginger: Your wish is my command. :D
Glad you like the bike. Of course, the Ducati's much nicer, but that one's going to cost me a pretty penny, so I'll have to save up for it... For the time being, however, mine runs just fine. :)
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gingersoul said on Mar 16, 2008....
Oh, nice ...and nice red too....meaowwww....LOL...
When we were still living in Italy my ex bought a Honda. I wouldnt recall its model for the sake of my life....but it was very beautiful...red, white and blue....it was bulkier that your Ducati, more compact and the seat for the passenger was bigger too....it was very comfortable for me even though since it was a sport model and my ex was a speed nut it wasnt precisely the kind of bike you just went cruising around.....i had to bend over quite sensibly to follow the bike motion...
I have very fond memories of that bike.....he loved her like a baby, naturally.
Our friends had their bikes too so we usually would go around in a very loud group of 6 or 8 .....sprinting along the narrow streets of the medieval town or going to another city just to have a gelato and come back...great summers......
One of these days i will write a post about those times....:-)
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soleme said on Mar 16, 2008....
When you get that bike started take a ride over to Deals Gap, aka "The Tail of the Dragon," a popular road in North Carolina for motorcycle riders. It has a bit over 300 curves in 11 miles. This road will satisfy the Vrrroooooooooooooooooom in ya.
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Mamie said on Mar 17, 2008....
oh will you please be careful? I am a big scaredy cat! I think your bike would be fun for like...um, a photo shoot? Maybe I can join the other groupie back up singers to your band and we can shoot an album cover and then you can varooooooom outta sight!I have to say this spring bug has bit me too and I am gonna have to get out of this computer and see what's shakin outside...the sun is bright! I hope it is warm too....the lillies are starting to sprout and the daffodils are filling out...yay!! -
MissMimi said on Mar 17, 2008....
I'm thinking I need to broaden my horizons. Being a biker chick might be a fun way to spend the summer. I'm ready when you are, GrapeApe. -
Mamie said on Mar 17, 2008....
holy bat-bike, Batman! You are in for it now, Grapery! Go Divine Miss M...I will cover the stage with my best Madonna karaoke until you two get back...."hol-i-day-ee!!" [mamie gets her groove thing going, using pepsi can as mic] -
MissMimi said on Mar 17, 2008....
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Mamie said on Mar 17, 2008....
[mamie slaps the tambourine onto her left hip in perfect rhythm....]'....head out on the highway...looking for adventure.....born to be wiiiii-llll-dddd!! Hoohahhhhh! I like smoking lightning!!!....am I recalling well or are these those kind of words that you sing loud but they are altogether wrong??? -
MissMimi said on Mar 17, 2008....
Mamie... OMG, can you picture GrapeApe dragging the wc behind him, like a little red wagon?? LOL And me in a bike helmet, hanging on for dear life... LOL
Maybe this wasn't one of my better ideas after all.
Sorry to hijack your post, Grape. ;)
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fearing said on Mar 17, 2008....
I have a serious case of spring fever too. It starts with the daffodils.....
And wear your helmet! :-(
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GrapeKoolaid said on Mar 17, 2008....
ginger: I've almost met the bone collector thrice on my bike. I'll tell you all about it someday. Riding itself is a pleasure, you know? Every time I hop on the bike is a fond memory. The only ones worthy of mention for me are the ones where I give the slip to the Reaper. I feel that it's a small victory on my part. :) So far, it's me: 3, death: 0. Eventually, I'll have to pay up, but for now, I'll continue dodging the check. :D
And I'd love to hear about your motorcycle gang days. ;)
soleme: That does sound terrific. I'd love to make it out there sometime. I love to lean left and right, hugging the road.... So much fun! Sheridan road in Chicago kinda does that. It follows around Lake Michigan, so the road gets winds up, down, and around many a ravines and is a fun ride.
I like my roads like I like my women. Lots of curves and soft shoulders....
Mamie: LOL. I'm sure my bike would love to be on the cover of the album with you fine ladies draped over her. :D "Born to be mild" is more like it for me, nowadays... :)
Mimi: Had a funny mental image of you in tow, holding on for dear life. We need to get you a WC with a jet engine in the back so that you can keep up(or leave the rest of us in the dust). :D
fearing: ....but....but.... It messes up my hair!!! I hate having helmet hair! Makes me look so... stupid... Fine! I'll put on the dang helmet! I'll just never take it off. I'll look like the special kids at school that have to hold on to each others belt to walk around.
Just for you. :P
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fearing said on Mar 17, 2008....
Grape, Thank you. Keeping your brains is always a good idea. Besides, you're on a motorcycle, how stupid could you look?
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