Ride Report

I had enough.

For a number of reasons, I decided I needed two wheel therapy on Good Friday. The weekend was building a suck factor. So that needed to be rectified with some speed. Friday was the only day to do it, since storms were due Saturday and Sunday. The winds were already picking up.

So I headed out. My route was straight south on Main Street, until it turns into FM157 – LoneStar road. Why? This:

That last curve at the bottom of the image happens as you approach Venus. Until then, there’s a lot of this:

And fields. It’s a great, easy, trip.

I drive this road all the time to the Girl’s house. But rarely cross 67 to old town Venus and points south. This time, I went past to explore down to Maypearl.

Maypearl is a very typical small Texas town. It had some sort of swap meet day going on. And just like any small town around here, John Law was posted at both ends.

So I had to behave.

The winds were pretty stiff. And in a rookie move, I didn’t have the vent on the windshield open. So on the way out there was some serious buffeting. The gusts were about 30mph. This isn’t a big deal on a heavy bike like mine, as long as you are at speed it’s easy to compensate. But get caught behind a slowpoke, and it’s a bit tougher. I nearly turned around before 157, figuring this was going to be nuts. But pressed on anyhow.

It required concentration and skill, which is exactly what I needed. Slowpokes weren’t bothersome for long. All I need is a little straight section, preferably heading into a left turn, so I can see oncoming traffic far away. The bike accelerates like a rocket.

At Maypearl, I fixed that problem. Opened the vent window and raised the windshield a bit. Pressure equalized, there was very little buffeting. Those corners post a 30 Mph limit. I was hitting them at 50-60. The speed limit on the road itself is 55. Heh..

I got back to town and grabbed a bite to eat.

I was about to go home, pick up the truck, and head to Arlington to size up a range. I got back out on Main street and figured why not keep going on the bike. So I did. Arlington is brutal elbow to elbow traffic. It requires a different kind of patience and skill. But it was two wheel time I badly needed.

The range is cool, so I joined it. Also sized up a S&W M&P Shield .45. Like it a lot. I need a better carry piece. I’ll head up there soon, rent one, and size it up. May be my new thing.

Got back happy, Only to discover the suck morphed into a busted garage door. The one where I park the bike. Blew a torsion spring.

No matter.

Not my problem.

Opened the other door, rolled the bike in, and left a service request for the property company to come fix their shit.