Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’Category

It’s frickin’ freezin’

Okay, while it’s not technically freezing, 41 degrees, with the wind chill factor, it sure as shit felt like it. Upon waking up and feeling how cold it was in my room alone, I seriously considered not going to work today; however, upon further contemplation, I realized I should probably come in today and save it for a colder day. I think this may be the coldest temperature I’ve ever ridden in and thank the gods that it is going to be in the 60s on the way home. It was so cold that my legs and feet even got cold, which they usually don’t.  I’m going to have to seriously research getting some cold weather gloves that actually work or else I’m going to be in some serious trouble.

Enough bitching, on to some observations. I’m definintely feeling more confident as a rider, even being able to swerve out of the way of some asshole who cut me off (although in my freezing state, I was barely able to signal and honk, and luckily, due to my superior situational awareness, I was pretty competent there was no one in the lane I was swerving into).

16

11 2006

Wind sucks

Too windy today, no riding for me. On the ride home yesterday, I discovered that I can listen to podcasts if I put the volume a little bit louder than normal, which is definitely a plus.

15

11 2006

Endtroducing

In the interest of keeping a record of my daily commute, which I realize is probably boring to everyone else but myself, I’m going to see if I can manage to maintain a record of the days I commute to work by motorcycle. By way of introduction, let me say that a little bit less than a year ago, I purchased my first motorcycle, which is a 2001 Suzuki GS500. I decided on this bike because it’s not too underpowered, but at the same time, not too overpowered and was within my price range of being around $1,500. I haven’t really ridden the thing seriously until about the last few months and that’s mostly because I’ve moved about 25 miles away from work, which means I can no longer bicycle to work which I had been doing when I used to live about 5 miles away.  (as an aside, one of these days, I have to bicycle to work at least once. Crazy, yes, but it will definitely be an adventure. Maybe I can take that as an opportunity to snap some photos, hmmm). The commute is completely straight forward, south on Inwood, west on Fort Worth Ave. until it turns in 180, and then straight on until I hit work.

This moring I had a bitch of a time trying to get the motorcycle turned around in the garage and I once again managed to have to Austin Power it around.  I’m probably going to end up poking a hole in the wall if I’m not more careful in the future, so I’ll have to continue to experiment.

For once, I think being jet lagged from Maui is a good thing because I popped right up pretty much at 5 when I woke this morning and didn’t really feel tired at all, but that will more than likely change as the week progresses.  I think if I can manage to get out the door by 5:45 that should work out the best, I got to work today at around 6:40, which gives me plenty of time to take off my gear and relax from riding.

The neatest thing happened as I was riding. When I left the house, it was relatively cold (about 55 degrees according to the internets), but just before I got to the intersection with 180 and Westmoreland, the air got slightly warm, almost as if I had crossed some type of temperature gradient. The ride for the rest of the way was rather pleasant, not being too cold. I have to say, I think 55 degrees is about the best temperature for me to ride in. It’s cold, but not too cold and my hands weren’t completely frozen by the time I got to work.

Finally, I’ve got to say, the sunrises in Texas are probably some of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen, beautiful vanilla sky.

1. The Be-Good Tanyas – the littlest bird

2. Aimee Mann – Deathly

3. Arab Strap – (If there’s) no hope for us

4. Asobi Seksu – New Years

5. Beulah – popular mechanics for lovers

6. Bloc Party – this modern love

7. Calexico – Deep Down

8. Albert Hammond – In Transit

9. Broken Social Scene – Da Da Dada

10. Broken Social Scene – Stars and Sons

11. The 6ths – Falling out of love (with you)

12. Cody Chestnutt – Boylife in America

13. James Figurine – You Again

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11 2006