yesterday morning started per my usual.. do medications and eye maintenance, do my morning exercise regimen, check email... And I notice a note from one of my buddies via FB that the annual memorial ride for an old Moto friend, founder of the local BMW Moto dealership and closet lover of my Guzzi LeMans V, was happening. Meet up,time at 8:30 ... DAMN! It was already 8:06!
No time to do the ride but I can at least show up and pay my respects. If I can get there on time before the ride starts at 9. I tumbled through the condo pulling on traousers, boots, shirt, over shirt, jacket, found my helmet and gloves, and ran down to the parking garage.
Off with the cover, out of the stand, I hit the button and Racer sprang to life. It's 9:17 on the clock ... I'll have to adjust for PDT later, and Racer and I sped out of the garage and off to the highway.
It's nice when the powers that be assist. No traffic lights stopped me, few other cars or bikes anywhere, I took the entrance ramp with some gusto, leaned into it hard, and hit the highway already at 70. 9:23 on the clock. It's six miles up to the turnoff ... I'm up and over the ramp at 9:27. 30mph down the surface street to the shop parking lot, I turn in at exactly 9:30 on the clock (8:30 corrected time). I park, next to rows of BMWs and a smattering of Triumphs, KTMs, and a Honda or two.
My friend Linda shows up, then Paul. A little crowd has gathered around Racer at this point, it's the most unusual bike there:All the others are tourers, adventure tourers, and supermotards. A cafe racer? Unheard of. I grin.
Chat with the group for a half hour and the call goes out to gather for the start of the ride. We all say our silent remembrances to Kari and his riding buddy who passed away a year later. I hug my friends, pull on helmet, and Racer and I head off homewards... I lingered in second gear just a little long and let him sing a bit for Kari, who always loved what my LeMans V LaFranconis sounded like.
And off home to make breakfast and enjoy a fine day. That's a good start.
G
No time to do the ride but I can at least show up and pay my respects. If I can get there on time before the ride starts at 9. I tumbled through the condo pulling on traousers, boots, shirt, over shirt, jacket, found my helmet and gloves, and ran down to the parking garage.
Off with the cover, out of the stand, I hit the button and Racer sprang to life. It's 9:17 on the clock ... I'll have to adjust for PDT later, and Racer and I sped out of the garage and off to the highway.
It's nice when the powers that be assist. No traffic lights stopped me, few other cars or bikes anywhere, I took the entrance ramp with some gusto, leaned into it hard, and hit the highway already at 70. 9:23 on the clock. It's six miles up to the turnoff ... I'm up and over the ramp at 9:27. 30mph down the surface street to the shop parking lot, I turn in at exactly 9:30 on the clock (8:30 corrected time). I park, next to rows of BMWs and a smattering of Triumphs, KTMs, and a Honda or two.
My friend Linda shows up, then Paul. A little crowd has gathered around Racer at this point, it's the most unusual bike there:All the others are tourers, adventure tourers, and supermotards. A cafe racer? Unheard of. I grin.
Chat with the group for a half hour and the call goes out to gather for the start of the ride. We all say our silent remembrances to Kari and his riding buddy who passed away a year later. I hug my friends, pull on helmet, and Racer and I head off homewards... I lingered in second gear just a little long and let him sing a bit for Kari, who always loved what my LeMans V LaFranconis sounded like.
And off home to make breakfast and enjoy a fine day. That's a good start.
G