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Joliet ride

2461 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  DavidfromWisconsin
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So yesterday way the biggest ride I've taken on my bike to date. I tanked the bike up and headed out of town on Rt6. Left Ottawa, went through Marseilles, Seneca, Morris, Channahon, Minooka, Joliet, into New Lenox where I went to a friends house (Rt 6 all the way). She has known my family since I was a baby in a car seat, and has been there for every big moment in my life so far, so I had to show her the bike. Tried taking a picture of her Great Dane next to the bike, cause the dog is darn near the size of the GL... lol. It didn't work out so well, the dog didn't want to sit still. The ride was nice while the sun was up but when the sun started going down it got cooler and the possibility of deer crossing the road became greater. I DID see deer on my way home, but they were in the field (YAY!) Official trip miles after fueling was 116.






It's still 40(F) out..... but my morning work is done. I'm going for a ride
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Dakota,

I've been cold on a bike and I've been cold on a bike. About a year and a half ago I headed up to the appleton area in the morning when it was warm but got convinced to stay a bit longer when I should have. This was in April I think. On the way back I got cold and then colder. I needed gas so I filled up at a station about 40 miles from my place. I warmed up too and drank something hot which I don't do. Leaving the gas station i must have shook my share of rust free in the tank while filling and it wasn't long before the bike was bogging. I couldn't break 55mph. In the chance I did I usually used up all the fuel between the carbs and the tank and the bike choked to the side of the road. At 45/50 I was ok but the speed limit was 65 and I was short of getting my ass ran over and the bike limped along and I got colder and colder. I ended up seeing wisconsincx's exit and took it



When I made it to his place which was only 10 miles down the road from the gas station I was shivering so bad that I couldn't just sit there in his kitchen with a cup of coffee. Must have sat there for an hour chattering teeth and all. Barry was going to help me fix the problem but decided just to give me his truck keys so I could go home and warm up. I swear I wasn't warm till I got home and took a shower.



Ever since that I won't go out without my heated vest when it's cold or I know it will get cold. I just pack the vest away in my saddlebags in case I need it.



Yesterday it was a bit chilly/windy at 50 degrees so I threw it on and set it to low. It made for a good ride till it warmed up and I could shut it off.



The $125 for the Tourmaster heated vest was well worth it and extended my riding by at least 2 months. It usually only gets use in April, May, October, November and the beginning of December. It's a thought you may want to think over. I don't think I ever use it on High as I would be way to hot. But low and medium are fine.



42F right now and i'm getting ready for a run. Vest on till it needs to be off.
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I only put another 60 miles on today- spent the day visiting etc, and when I longed for coffee, I stopped at the local Dunkin Donuts- having no cupholder I was forced to go in.



"Excuse me, but what is that?" I was asked after I sat down with my coffee. "It's a Honda GL500." I answered

"Ah, a Honda GL" he repeated



*long pause*



"What year is it?" He asked me



*I smiled* "Guess." (yes I was curious what the answer would be!!)



"2009."

"Nah, it's a 1982" I replied, my smile growing bigger and bigger- as his eyes got huge....... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!





and how was your day???
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I only put another 60 miles on today- spent the day visiting etc, and when I longed for coffee, I stopped at the local Dunkin Donuts- having no cupholder I was forced to go in.



"Excuse me, but what is that?" I was asked after I sat down with my coffee. "It's a Honda GL500." I answered

"Ah, a Honda GL" he repeated



*long pause*



"What year is it?" He asked me



*I smiled* "Guess." (yes I was curious what the answer would be!!)



"2009."

"Nah, it's a 1982" I replied, my smile growing bigger and bigger- as his eyes got huge....... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!





and how was your day???


Hi DMK...



My day has been good but has now gotten even better




I put on abot 60 miles r.t. myself yesterday and spent today washing and waxing Red thinking about putting her away for the season....but I just can't seem to get that far...yet.



I've been keeping an eye on the weather and hoping to get a couple more days in before the s**w flys.



Thanks for the post above....it did bring a smile.



Hope to see you on a ride sometime...maybe we can get you to one of the Minnesota rides...if not, then sometime in your neck of the woods.



Greg
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Gotta love those smiles.



I only put on 40 miles doing slower roads and a run to harbor freight. The reason I gave up and came in was there were a ton of cops out and someone pulled over every other light. Before I left the neighbor said watch out for those idiot drivers. I followed two different cars at the end that either had one hell of a conversation going on with a cell phone or they were drunk.



The last one veered all the way over to the right getting close to the other cars just to wander all the way back over to the left close enough to rub the tires on the median 5 times in a row. And that's when I packed it in.



I did some more thinking on my trailer/hitch rig and soldered longer coiled wires to my heated vest making it easier to plug in without having to stay put.
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I am going to ride tomorrow. Today to keep the wife happy, I went to see a movie and then I had to pass out candy to the kids.



I want to see the Salmon swim upstream if they are still doing that this late and watch the DNR collect the eggs for the WI hatcheries. It will be about a 200 mile ride ... hopefully.
I am going to ride tomorrow. Today to keep the wife happy, I went to see a movie and then I had to pass out candy to the kids.



I want to see the Salmon swim upstream if they are still doing that this late and watch the DNR collect the eggs for the WI hatcheries. It will be about a 200 mile ride ... hopefully.




Dave where ya going Marinette? I saw plenty of fishermen today over in South Milwaukee fishing from a river that goes into Lake Michigan.
I only put another 60 miles on today- spent the day visiting etc, and when I longed for coffee, I stopped at the local Dunkin Donuts- having no cupholder I was forced to go in.



"Excuse me, but what is that?" I was asked after I sat down with my coffee. "It's a Honda GL500." I answered

"Ah, a Honda GL" he repeated



*long pause*



"What year is it?" He asked me



*I smiled* "Guess." (yes I was curious what the answer would be!!)



"2009."

"Nah, it's a 1982" I replied, my smile growing bigger and bigger- as his eyes got huge....... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!





and how was your day???
Where are you hiding the After pictures of this New looking bike?
The reason I gave up and came in was there were a ton of cops out and someone pulled over every other light. Before I left the neighbor said watch out for those idiot drivers. I followed two different cars at the end that either had one hell of a conversation going on with a cell phone or they were drunk.



The last one veered all the way over to the right getting close to the other cars just to wander all the way back over to the left close enough to rub the tires on the median 5 times in a row. And that's when I packed it in.


Don, let me guess, that was shortly after the Packer game ended? That is ALWAYS a dangerous time on our Wisconsin roads.



Dakota,your enthusiasim is infectious. I did about 60 miles yesterday, and even rode into work today at 27F (thats -2.8C for our international friends).
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I didn't want to get out of bed and then when I saw frost on my windows I really decided against riding the bike this morning. Maybe if I get up early enough to be out the door early enough to ride like molasses to work I'll take the bike tomorrow... LOL.... Maybe I should take a pic of the road I have to do the most riding on because I really sound like a sissy when it comes to deer, but if they're spooked and already decided they are crossing the road, they're to pavement in 2 leaps (maybe)....



It was a productive weekend as far as riding- got a few surprised looks from fellow riders- not sure if it was because of the bike, or what- but from everyone I saw over the weekend I was the only lady riding my own bike




It's a good feeling to open the bike up and just listen.... although I guess the bike sounds way louder to me because I didn't even wake up the Great Dane when I pulled up to the house..... I plan on going out again tonight after work
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Where are you hiding the After pictures of this New looking bike?


Phil, one picture of DMK's bike is in the new POTD thread in the Off topic section. She also post 3 or 4 others in another thread but due to old age I don't remember where! Maybe she will let you know.

Gene
I didn't want to get out of bed and then when I saw frost on my windows I really decided against riding the bike this morning. Maybe if I get up early enough to be out the door early enough to ride like molasses to work I'll take the bike tomorrow... LOL.... Maybe I should take a pic of the road I have to do the most riding on because I really sound like a sissy when it comes to deer, but if they're spooked and already decided they are crossing the road, they're to pavement in 2 leaps (maybe)....



It was a productive weekend as far as riding- got a few surprised looks from fellow riders- not sure if it was because of the bike, or what- but from everyone I saw over the weekend I was the only lady riding my own bike




It's a good feeling to open the bike up and just listen.... although I guess the bike sounds way louder to me because I didn't even wake up the Great Dane when I pulled up to the house..... I plan on going out again tonight after work


DMK, no doubt about it, you are firmly hooked! Your next move (mine too by the way) is to get some heated gear. I have been meaning to do that for years. I am not as gifted as Mr. Softie, he electrified his own gear and I don't have as much money as David in Wisc. to buy the first class stuff but I have now reached the conclusion that heated gear is the only way to go! All I really have to do is sneak the purchase past my bride and I am home free!

Gene
Dave where ya going Marinette? I saw plenty of fishermen today over in South Milwaukee fishing from a river that goes into Lake Michigan.


Don,



Kewaunee has a DNR station for harvesting eggs & sperm. They also have viewing window underground so you can watch the fish climb the ladders. I did ride there today, but the run is almost over. There were only about 800 fish in the tanks for harvesting. I have been there in the past when there were thousands in the tanks.
DMK, no doubt about it, you are firmly hooked! Your next move (mine too by the way) is to get some heated gear. I have been meaning to do that for years. I am not as gifted as Mr. Softie, he electrified his own gear and I don't have as much money as David in Wisc. to buy the first class stuff but I have now reached the conclusion that heated gear is the only way to go! All I really have to do is sneak the purchase past my bride and I am home free!

Gene


Gene,



You should know by now that I don't have any money to spare ... Gerbing pays for itself.



The first set of their clothing I had for over 20 years and my brother is now wearing it and it is still working. I wanted more protection after my '95 accident and I saved up for a few years and bought the ballistic suit. It cost about the same as any good riding jacket with a liner.



I figure it will last me until I quit riding ... and then someone else can use it. At that rate it cost me less than $20 a year to stay comfy while riding.
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