Well folks, it was freezing over most of the south today; and I mean freezing in the sense of ice freezing, as in frozen ice all over the place.
I didn't see any cars, and I didn't see any -other- motorcycles.
I actually don't know of anyone else locally that took a ride in Honor of Those Who Serve, but I did.
It was 29 degrees in Atlanta when I rode. I had to work on the 11th, so I didn't ride until after dark. The streets were empty and it was like riding on solid ice, mainly because at times - I was actually riding on solid ice. I wouldn't recommend that to most people. It's a great way to royally mess up a nice motorcycle in just a couple of seconds. (Hey ya'll - watch this.)
So needless to say, my ride was abbreviated and I was lucky because the road gremlins were apparently too frozen to bother me. So, I managed a little out and back ride without crashing.
Fishtailing on ice on a heavy Harley bagger is an "interesting" feeling, avoiding frozen ruts in the ice and trying to judge your speed when stopping so you don't shoot the bike out from underneath you on the ice is something you pretty much get right or not. Instant feedback. Pass or fail. Win or lose. That's what life is like sometimes. No ambiguity.
When I pulled back into my driveway, there was about a 14' x 10' stretch of solid ice that you could ice skate on.
I took a motorcycle ride on snow and solid ice in 29 degree weather because it is such an insignificant thing to do, compared to what our first responders do; that I just did not see anyway that I could not have done it.
Doing something like that if nothing else gives you something to focus your mind on and it gives you perspective.
Perspective that wind is cold, ice is hard and slick, and some people are just better than most of us.
I'm just a normal sort of person, but our military, our veterans, our first responders - those people whether they would acknowledge it or not - they are heroes and they deserve our respect.
PS. Yes - an American flag was on my motorcycle. Put one on yours and join me in February wherever you are located.
