Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday! ~ D & Blueberry

GirlClutch

I was really excited to finally get my GirlClutch hoodie! Also got a sticker for Blueberry while I was at it (horrible pic, I know). I've been wanting some motorcycle casual apparel for ages now, but Alpinestar hats and Monster shirts just didn't really appeal to me. Thanks, GirlClutch. Want one of your own? Click here.

Merry Christmas!

Waurika Loop

Temple. Not much to comment about Temple... Sears owned a store there until the 50s. I believe a Chinese company bought that facility in the early 2000s... It used to be quite the local-business supporting town (44 small businesses back in the day) compared to the now-ish time frame (13 stores). Sad.

Hastings. Another town that changed its name. It was originally called Bayard (I wonder if they had sheep...Ba-yard- get it?) and was incorporated in 1902. In 1910, it had a population of approximately 727. Nowadays, it's under 200. It's this tiny little town and doesn't seem to have a lot to offer (from what I saw- didn't get to explore too much). But, back in its heyday, the town had a lot of newspapers (Free Lance, the Hastings News, the Hastings Telegraph, and the Hastings Herald), a pool, a movie theater, and, get this, an opera house. At the edge of town (if one can call it that- it's a corner town. You turn the corner and that was it) there was a historic marker for Hastings Baptist College. Yet, the building didn't look school-like at all. Once again, I should have stopped... Apparently it opened in 1906 and was relocated to Mangum, OK in 1912.

All I can see about Waurika is that it's an awesome little town. I'd move there in a heartbeat. Yes, the Waurikans are probably thinking "Oh God, No!"

Waurika means clear water. I wonder if they have a spring.
...Wait...they have a lake...which I've been to. Good thing I'm blonde and can blame my memory lapses on something. I'll dig up that ride sometime and post it, too.

I should have stopped in Comanche and Addington because I saw some interesting/amusing things. Oh well, next time.

Logged about 160 miles on this ride. It was the perfect way to celebrate the end of a semester!
Pictures from this ride can be found on WGR's Facebook page.

Wait Policy

So, I've learned many things in the years I've been riding. One of those things is that most riders who say they'll "be there," won't be there. It's basically a given. If there's one thing I can depend on, it's that if 40 riders say they'll "be there" then I'm lucky if one shows up. Screw that.

Therefore, my wait policy (aka kickstands up at) is 5 minutes. Not 10. Not 15. And sure as hell not 30 minutes. That's wasted riding time. My policy is simple; if you're not there in 5 minutes then I won't be either.

Figures

Since I'm currently on lock-down due to presentations, papers, and finals I'm all excited about my two week break. Especially since my plans mainly consist of riding, riding, and riding. Did I mention riding?

Looking at the weather report, and what do I see? Forecast is predicting rain, rain, and more rain.
*super sad puppy dog face*

Lady Rider Jacket

I don't think I've posted anything about my jacket, yet. So here goes. The jeans I'm wearing in this pic are the Red Route Kevlar lined jeans I mentioned in an earlier post. Warmer than regular jeans in the winter. I'm currently sporting Joe Rocket Ballistic 5.0 riding pants these winter days, though. I must say that I've never been so toasty on an overcast 30 degree day. A light layer fits underneath, but be warned- you'll experience cold/hot flashes in those pants. Completely weird. When the heater's on where ever you are, your legs will be cold. If the A/C is on, your legs will be sweating buckets. Sure, you could take them off but who wants to lug around an extra pair of pants?
Personality # 32: FOCUS!
...
Oh, yeah... Jacket.
 It's the Lady Rider jacket by Frank Thomas (size small). Or from that riding gear collection. However you want to phrase where it came from. I've had this jacket for 2 years.  People probably think I have a fascination with pink. I was in Cyclegear when I saw this lovely jacket (the only one that fit my budget) and they didn't have black or blue in my size. When it comes to being able to ride, I'm REALLY impatient. So what the hell, pink it is.
The liner is awesome and warm. It's super easy to take out. And, since I tend to run cold, I can still fit 2-3 layers of under-armor, 1 T-shirt. and 2 sweaters under this jacket. Big plus in my book. It has a waist band the wearer can tighten which keeps air from getting up under there, but then it puffs up the upper body of the jacket (which you can kind of see in the picture). Free and painless temporary boob job.
It's got pads in the elbows and shoulders and the upper portion of the back. Take out the liner and it's a nice jacket to wear up to around 80 degrees. Humid days- it's just awful. But, overall a keeper.

Inflation

Checking tire pressure = good idea. The right tire pressure makes a world of difference. A lesson this blonde keeps forgetting.

Therapy

Even though, I probably should have just stayed home in front of my laptop making income statements and reading finance chapters, I went on a ride.
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon (albeit, a little chilly), and I'm glad I spent it out on Blueberry. It turned into a nice little 130 mile ride.

While riding the curves of 115, I slowed it down to pay attention to my technique. While "slowing it down" I realized that I was actually able to see what I could improve, found better lines, and was able to increase my speed in the curves a lot better than ever before. A successful trip out to Meers, around the Wildlife Refuge, a stop in Cooperton, hwy 49 back into the refuge, a detour through Cache, and a nice little detour on the way back home.
You know it's been a good (and much needed) ride when even thought you can't feel your fingers and toes, you can't help but smile.
And, even though it's Monday and I have a zillion things to do (not to mention an exam in my finance class tonight), I'm still all smiles. I think today shall be Awesome Monday (Note: I've also had like 5 cups of coffee this morning...).

RPs

Anyone who has read Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist ought to know what I'm referring to. Yes, even though I've been a lazy rider lately, motorcycles are constantly on my mind. That's probably a sign that I have a problem, but it's about BIKES!!!! and I just can't help it.

So as I stay home, work, and study, I find myself reading Code's book. I'm taking some notes and making a list of how I ride, what I do when I ride, what needs improvement, and ideas on how to improve my riding (making different decisions). As I continue to read, I find myself thinking "Wow! I'm such a squid!" There are so many things I take for granted while riding because these tasks are "automatic" (which they shouldn't be).

Maybe I'll start a road journal with sketches and notes on my decisions and reference points.

Have you read Code's book or a similar book? What was the most valuable thing you learned from the material?

November!

I'm suffering from withdrawals! I haven't been riding much at all. Then again, I haven't been going anywhere at all. The only reason I love going to school is because it's a 50 mile ride. Counting down the hours until my Saturday class starts... 46.5 hours until Blueberry and I are cruising on the hwy.