Another Close Call

I stopped counting close calls a long time ago. I don't even consider being cut off by texting drivers as a close call anymore. I call that a fact of life.

But, today I had yet another one. So today after a nice coffee in town I was waiting for a clear window to make a left turn from the parking lot of the coffee shop. It's a four lane with a center turning lane. Turning into the turning lane didn't appeal to me since I'm pretty sure that's why I flunked my driver's test the first time.

So I found a window as soon as this car and truck (triangle) coming from the right had passed. It looked something like this:

All clear. So I lay on the throttle and am almost in the left lane behind that car when out of nowhere the triangle (truck) had slowed down and decided he wanted in my lane. No blinker, just elbowed right in. Trucks, I swear. Just because you feel like you're in a monster truck rally doesn't mean you have to drive like you're in one. And while we're on the subject a F-150 doesn't qualify for the monster rally... just sayin'.
So now my situation looks like this (yes, I can't even doodle with the help of Microsoft Word):

I've had a lot of close calls, as mentioned before, but I've never experienced any sort of adrenaline rush. I have this uncanny ability to remain calm. Time slows down a bit and the only excitement I can muster is "...Well, this isn't good."
Yup. That's about it. And, then I usually weigh my options and react. In this case I did some major leaning to my left when I noticed I was awfully close to the rear quarter panel of that monster rally wannabe truck. Braking didn't seem to fit the situation.

The best part is that the guy never even saw me.

Another Day Another Ride

Yup. I found myself (once yet again) in Cooperton.

Blueberry!

I don’t know what it is with me and this town. I always ride there and have the same damn picture. Note to self: Next time move Blueberry 4 feet to the right…
Welcome to Cooperton!

Winter Gloves

I finally broke down and bought some winter gloves at CycleGear. My first pair of winter gloves ever. Yes, I think I'm becoming a wuss. However, I look forward to testing out my new gloves. I can't even fathom what it's like to have toasty, hell even almost warm, hands while riding in <50 degrees.

Usually, anything under 60 degrees and my fingers are popsicles. I've been itching to try them out since I bought them at the beginning of the week. Wouldn't you know it, we've had the nicest weather since purchase of said gloves. Today it was mid-50s and I couldn't wait any longer. So I hit the road in my Sedici waterproof women's gloves. Oh my! My hands have never been that toasty. With the advent of winter gloves, I totally don't understand why more people don't ride in the winter.

Blueberry Map

This is what my 44,000 miles of riding looks like. Yes, it's kind of sad. However, it totally puts my knowledge of the area into perspective; no wonder I know this area like the back of my hand. The pink marks are the towns Blueberry and I have invaded blessed with our presence.

 

Got some riding ahead of me!

Map- Waurika Loop

 

Click to enlarge. If you scroll down, you'll find the post that goes with this route. 

2 way highway= 2 lane hwy.

Hello 2012!

I can't believe another year is knocking at the door. Well, I guess it's already barged in...In my book, there's no better way to start a new year than with a ride. It's basically a given: if you want a good year, ride on the 1st of January. No ride on the 1st is like asking for bad karma. I have enough bad luck without encouraging bad karma.
I've gotten lazy trying to convince someone to ride with me. I'm not into motivating others to get their lazy rider selves on their bikes. So I'm getting used to riding with me, myself, and I unless someone asks me to ride. Maybe not such a good idea since I tend to be the sensible one when I ride with others. When I'm riding solo, me and myself tend to get I into trouble. Majority vote and all...

Blueberry with part of Team Prospect.

Experience Measuring Stick

When first meeting another rider one of the first small-talk questions I ask is "How long have you been riding?" Sure this kind of helps gauge the experience the rider has, but then again... does it really? I think not. I think a better question would be to ask how many miles he/she has under his/her belt. As I meet more and more riders, a lot of them have 4-5 years of riding behind them; however, it usually turns out that they have only ridden 5,000-10,000 miles.

What's your miles-logged measuring stick?

I've talked to a lot of "real" riders, and they said they stop calling others newbs when they hit the 30,000 mile mark. I think 30,000 miles sounds about right.

In my 4+ years, I've ridden over 43,000 miles, and I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." ~ Socrates

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.