A new riding year has begun!

Unlike some lucky souls, this year’s inaugural ride did not include cherry blossoms and azaleas. It was 100 miles of snow in the ditches, bare trees, the smell of manure on freshly tilled fields, and eyes tearing from the cold (should have worn the full-face).
With the sun shining in a clear blue sky, it was just too nice a day to take the cage into the city to pick up the few bits and pieces I needed from the dealer. So on went a few extra layers of fleece, the lined gloves were found in the bottom of the toolbox, the windshield was snapped on, and we headed down the road. All was right with the world. Until the return trip. I had forgotten how the temperatures plummet with the setting sun at this time of year. And how much colder riding into the wind is than riding with it. (You know you’re getting old when you have to be retrained on the basics after a 5-month layoff.)
But that’s just noise. In an hour or so, when I’m back to normal body temperature, I know I will have enjoyed it.