As I write this, it is 50 degrees with light rain and gusty winds. And I don't want to ride. Too cold. Too rainy. Too windy. And, as I write this most of the rest of the country is slowly warming from a mid-winter blast of frigid air and snow. Large parts of the East Coast have slush-filled streets, snow drifts on driveways and conditions that make riding absolutely impossible. Give the majority of the motorcycle riders in that area a day like this one in Oregon, and they would be on their bikes in a second.
I remember the odd warm January day in Montana when as a teen. I would immediately head to the garage and try to kick my slumbering motorcycle back to life. It seldom worked. I had neglected the battery, tires, oil and everything else one should have done for winter prep. And most of my motorcycles had responded by barely turning over, yet alone firing. Drenched in sweat I would head back into the house, grumbling and frustrated.
Yet, here I stand in my garage surveying the light rain. With a motorcycle that has a fresh battery, an electric starter, lots of oil and freshly aired tires. And, to make my position even weaker, there are a waterproof winter riding jacket and waterproof pants hanging in the garage. But, it isn't really my fault. Really. It is living in suburban Beaverton, Oregon, with its heavy traffic, distracted drivers, and lack of interesting, inviting, close destinations. Perhaps its a weak excuse but it is true: Suburban Washington County is an unpleasant place to ride a motorcycle. Once out of the suburban area the roads are great. But here in town? Blah!
I have always imagined how great it would be to live just outside of the metro area. Maybe a house about five miles from one of the surrounding small towns. I imagine myself riding down narrow country roads to the town to get the occasional item at the grocery store and maybe stop at the local cafe for a cup of coffee and a slice of homemade pie. I could ride almost every day on scenic roads without much traffic. Now that would be nice. A pleasant dream to ease my winter non-riding guilt.
