Friday, November 25, 2011

Thanksgiving Day Ride 2011

IMGP8592-new

Just like last year, I took some time to go for a ride before all the feasting and visiting with family was to take place, but the ride this year was quite different than 2010.

When I look back at the pictures and posts from 2009 and 2010, the weather is impressive. 2009 was like this year, unseasonably warm. 2010 was normal MN weather at 12F. What was 2011? 53F when I was out riding with a high of 60F.

53F on thanksgiving day

Amazing. A week ago it was 18F with an inch of snow on the ground. There was still a bunch of salt out laying around.

salt

Since the roads were clear and it was so warm, I took the WR250R out to place. I had a very fun time riding around while the little 250 reminded me why I liked it so much: light and easy to ride, comfy ergonomics, and it makes me feel like a hooligan. On the way home, I couldn’t resist the urge to ride it through the front yards instead of using the driveway.

Near the end of the ride, I took the WR to a gas station selling non-oxygenated gas ie: no ethanol. I added some fuel stabilizer and rode home.

non-ox

The GS was feeling lonely since I’ve been spending so much time with the Ural lately, so I took it out for a ride too. The Ural was telling it stories of riding on frozen lakes, so we went touring lakes.

gs by the lake

Most of the nearby lakes and ponds were clear of ice and snow

pond

Some of the smaller ones had thin patches of ice

still frozen pond

I also filled up with a tank of non-ox and stabil.

GS Sandwich

After I got home, I spent some time re-arranging the bikes in the garage. There is a nice GS sandwich above. A GS500, WR250R, and a R1150GS. It’s funny how neither my wife or I are very satisfied with our GSes. I wonder how much longer they’ll stick around.

super9 and ural

The Ural and Super9 right up front ready to go play in the snow.

The regular reader may notice I didn’t mention my SV650. While it is my favorite, I already cleaned it, filled it with stabil/non-ox, and have it resting on the battery tender for 2012.

How was your ride?

8 comments:

  1. Chris, maybe, just maybe, I'll make it do Dulono's next Thursday. It looks like snow this week, with highs in the upper 30's. If I make it, I'll be watching for you. I might have to show up in the truck.

    Erik.

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  2. Alas, no ride on Thanksgiving Day. It was a family day. I'm not complaining, just reporting. No ride today either. It was a day of more family and a nice ride on four wheels over in Illinois. I'm hoping to ride tonight. It will be a night ride so I doubt there will be photos to prove it, but one has to do what one has to do :)

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  3. It is nice to have unseasonably high temperature this time of year. We managed to ride to coffee this morning and back but were too lazy to ride much further.

    Great pictures of the lake with the ice on it.

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  4. 60 degrees? Perfect riding weather :) Now that is something to be thankful for.

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  5. Erik: It would be great to meet up with you if you do. I'll bring the Ural.

    Keith: It was a family day for me as well, but I had to sneak in an hour ride early in the morning first. Too nice out!

    Trobairitz: Indeed! I'll take it. I love riding in snow, but I'll take a few more 50-60 degree days first.

    Fuzzy: For sure. Great riding weather and some time with the family. (oh yea the piles of tasty food!) good stuff.

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  6. Having a garage full of bikes is something to be truly thankful for, isn't it? Of course, then you have to ride those pesky things. Oh well, sigh..............

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  7. I'm jealous of the weather and the bikes, you are a lucky guy :-)
    I love the WR250R, I need to get one of those

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  8. irondad: it is a tough job, but someone has to do it ;)

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