I made a run from Dallas to Canton, Texas and back. I’m approaching 3,000 miles on the B5, so I thought it was time for a good all morning cruse to see how the bike (and I) would do. This ride instead of the usual morning and afternoon commutes. It was beautiful day, warm, but I was out before the true heat would set in. I did wear a Heat-Out shirt and I was surprised at how well it worked. I took the roads less traveled on the way out: “Farm to Market” roads. Great two lane roads running through the East Texas piney woods and fields, but one needs to be careful because of farm trucks, farm equipment and farm animals (now you know why Farm comes first in the name). Coming down a gentle hill and looking up the distant lane as it climbed back up the shallow valley a large bird crossed the road flying up 10 feet or so. At first I thought it was a heron or egret but on closer inspection (I pulled over by the stock pond the bird was working) and found it was a Golden Eagle. An early return to this part of Texas: I took this as a good omen.
On the way back I took the Interstate to see how the bike (and I) would do. The bike does up well. I, on the other hand, had to get reacquainted with the tricks of truck turbulence and butt ache. As I was riding a large spot appeared before my eyes going crazy. I tried to determine what it was: itinerant eye spot, large approaching erratic bug, lightly floating jetsam? No, it was an ant inside my helmet on the screen. Quick flip open and the hitch hiker was gone.
Now I’m just counting the days till next Saturday morning. (I’ve got to work on my butt tolerance levels.)