Chasing Ferrets

[emptysea]

01.02.2017
11:00 am
Local Temp 37f

Well folks, I have now ridden on 2 out of 2 days in 2017 and, if the mileage spreadsheet is up to date, I have more 2017 miles than TheFerret. Only our Australian friend, Cormanus has more recorded miles than do I, but it's hard enough to compete with riders in this hemisphere so I'm still proud of my accomplishment.

Even though my record will only stand for another 18 hours or so.

Today, I rode 92 miles in a loop that took me close to the Wisconsin border and ultimately to a new mileage milestone for my CB1100 of 27,000 miles. Incidentally, I do not have a windshield or heated gear of any kind (excepting heated hand grips).

My alpaca-clad feet were not he slightest bit cold for this ride, but I know know that I need a fleece layer under my jacket on days like today; the performance fabric quarter-zip was not quite enough. My fingers got quite cold, but I found out that if I stop, remove my gloves, and put my bare hands on the heated grips for a few minutes, I can warm them quite nicely. I also hold my gloved hands close to (or barely touching) the cooling fins when I'm at stoplights which helps a bit. Heated glove liners will be ordered, however.

I set out to have a short ride and a cup of coffee, but "Ferret Fever" caught me and I just kept heading north by northwest. Eventually, I noticed that if I rode just a little further out, I would pass 27,000 on my odometer by the time I got back home.

On our rides together, Cheryl and I often pass Lily Lake Road and as often as we pass it, she mentions that "..we should take that road someday because I like the way the name sounds and, oh by the way, do you think there is really a Lily Lake?" In a case of pure happenstance, I found Lily Lake today and it was there that i determined that a fairly direct route home would get me almost exactly to 27,000 miles.

I've been toying with Google Maps (My Maps version) along with the Windows Snipping Tool and MS Paint (Thanks to forum members Nortoon, Stithill, and Cormanus). Here's today's route with just a couple of enhancements I learned in this thread [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=10051]GOOGLE MAPS

[url=http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/emptysea43/media/Sunday%20Rides/Lilly%20Lake%20Loop%201.2.2017_zpslqylfq9f.jpg.html]

A view of Lily Lake (if you squint you can see ice fishermen on the barely frozen lake)
[url=http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/emptysea43/media/Sunday%20Rides/Photo%20Jan%2002%2012%2016%2049%20PM_zpsbifi3lkp.jpg.html]

I turned 27,000 miles about 2 miles from home and about 1/4 mile from where Cheryl had her bike crash, both significant spots for the milestone, but fate would step in and provide me with a fairly apt backdrop for my odo pic.
[url=http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/emptysea43/media/Sunday%20Rides/Photo%20Jan%2002%201%2027%2050%20PM_zpsjwfa8qai.jpg.html]

It started to drizzle about 1/2 mile short of home and was raining in earnest by the time I stripped off my gear and backed my bike into its resting spot. Never did stop for coffee, but Cheryl made me a cup of hot tea; an appropriate beverage after a day of chasing a Ferret.

[url=http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/emptysea43/media/Sunday%20Rides/Photo%20Jan%2002%201%2034%2055%20PM_zpshowjgcgk.jpg.html]

[Stichill_imp]

Love it! Great ride recap, Sea. Good idea on the heated glove liners. Mine heat the backs of my hands and fingers...with heated grips doing heating duty on the palms. Works a treat.

[the Ferret]

Dang, I'm in third? Lol

Really cool Sea. The map is cool with the swoopy arrows. Funny how it works, you plan a short ride, you're having a good time, a reason to stretch the ride.. Is there really a Lily Lake? See perfect excuse.. Before you know it you've ridden close to 100 miles and you 're pulling back into your driveway with frozen fingers and a big ol smile in your helmet.

Hot tea is great after a cold ride. Just holding onto the cup, getting feeling back in your fingers and thinking about how great the ride was, and how you can't wait to do it again.

Pround to be behind you on the mileage chart.

For now

[Cormanus]

I must confess to a moment of satisfaction that I was top of the league table last night. I know it will be brief; as one of my teachers once said to me: 'Go to the top of the class, son, but don't take your books. You won't be there long.'

Nice report, MTC, and good work with the map, too. I might have to lift my game. Again.

[Rolls_imp]

Superb report, MTC. Hate to have to bump you, especially with my weather advantage. Even our day of rain stooped short and left time to ride before night fell. I'll be out your hair soon enough, though. Work, kids, travel and life will conspire to limit my time among the Elite of the Sheet, but I'll enjoy my time with you Mileage Masters while I can.

[the Ferret]

Whaaaaat? Down to 4 th? Oh that will never do lol

[emptysea]

LOL @ "Elite of the Sheet"

It seems highly unlikely that I will get another ride in this month. I think I should get double miles, though, if I ride to the IMS bike show in February.

[Cormanus]

LOL @ "Elite of the Sheet"

It seems highly unlikely that I will get another ride in this month. I think I should get double miles, though, if I ride to the IMS bike show in February.

+1

I did say I wouldn't be there long, but I might have to make another run for it in the next few days.

[Graham T_imp]

Don't like my chances of being in this game if I keep leaving my scooter behind.

[curlyjoe_imp]

Brrrrr, looked like a cold ride MTC but congrats on the 27K milestone!