Trip - 4E

 Nov. 7, 2011

An accident happened on this day while driving to Fredericton that I write about in next blog (when I'm capable)  early in 2012.
 

Trip - 4D (600kms/6hrs.)

Sep. 28, 2011 
Leg 1 : Home to Moncton (300kms)

Another work meeting to attend, so I leave early and start at the warmest part of the day. It's a cool 51°F/11°C afternoon, and I haven't found my riding gloves since the accident. After a half hour ride down Hwy.11, my hands are feeling cold.  I planned on dropping into Toys for Big Boys when I got to Moncton, but by the time I get to Bathurst, I decide to leave the highway and go into the small city to buy any gloves I can find.  Going at the slower speeds and needing to clutch, I realize my hands are really stiff from the windchill.  Not much of a selection at Walmart, but I end up getting insulated work gloves.  They're a little bulky while clutching and breaking, but they immediately warm my hands as I get back out onto the highway.

After crossing the beautiful Nepisiguit River, I swing onto Hwy.8 south.  There's lots of colourful leaves starting to change that occupy me on this section of road down past Allardville, La Bonne Route, and into Miramichi where it's warmed to 58°F/14°C.   After crossing the Centennial Bridge, I take the first exit. 

Soon I'm turning south and stop for gas at Papa Joe's Irving where it's "only" $1.23/litre.  Although this place is cheaper than most, we've settled into gas being well over a dollar per litre now, that this seems cheap.  The usual routine of washing bugs from the helmet visor, windshield and lights is done, so after paying for the fillup, I continue on Hwy.126 through the twisties, then down to Rogersville where traffic drastically slows.  

The trip seems uneventful and routine down to this point as I'm now following 3 cars back at sub-highway speed.  As one car pulls out to pass the others, I follow.  Then, the routine part is over.  This VW turbo ahead of me decides to lead the way quickly.  Then "quick" turns into him trying to outrun me!  I can't let that happen, so after noticing that I'm still there behind him, he slows to less than warp speed, then he's off again.  I continually see his exhaust puffing as he is going through the gears hard.  I tag along as he continues to cycle between low and high warp speeds.  It's a quick ride down to Moncton, and before I know it, the final twisties appear, and I then am headed down Mountain Rd. and make my way to the Future Inns hotel.  A new swanky spot - aside from the noisy elevators which will haunt me all night long even though I'm far from them.

I unpack, then head out to meet up with Jeff for a Swiss Chalet supper (chicken & haddock yumm), check out the movie Office Space, then back to the motel room to relax.

Sep. 29, 2011 
Leg 2 - Return home from Moncton

After finishing up the meeting earlier than expected, I'm packed up under sunny skies and ready to roll with a comfortable temp. of 64°F/18°C.  Since it's still early, I head to the southwest corner of the city to check out the motorcycle gloves at Toys For Big Boys.  The road there is under construction, so a slow, soft sand route eats up more time than expected.  Finally at the store, I look around and see very little selection late in the riding season.  Without buying anything, I head back through the city (on a different route), then north onto Hwy.126.

Since it's a beautiful biking day, I just soak up the sun as I leisurely wind through the lower end of this highway, then lay out on the tank bag for the straight stretch up through Harcourt, Coal Branch, and Rogersville.  Suddenly, it occurs to me that this morning I left a care package of frozen spaghetti sauce with the motel restaurant, but forgot to pick it up after the meeting!!!  Damn, Jeff will be pissed at missing out on a great batch! 

The north end of Hwy.126 is never boring as the twisties eventually lead me into Nelson with that familiar spruce tree scent, then into Miramichi and across the Centennial Bridge.  I normally stop for gas and rest at this point, but I decide to motor on and grab something to eat later since it's only mid-afternoon.  Traffic is light and quick up Hwy.8, and within an hour, I'm taking the exit to Tim Hortons in Bathurst for a chicken wrap, donut and tea mmmm.

I leave Bathurst with a warm belly and continue up Hwy.11, and since it's a great day, I decide to leave the boring highway to take the Jacquet River exit.  Here, I follow the Chaleur Bay coastline through the small communities with dazzling views that I never tire of.  Within half an hour, it's time to fill up the tank before completing this trip after the final 10 minute drive home.

Trip - 4C (1100kms/12hrs)

Leg 1 - Home to Fredericton (Sept. 14th, 342kms)

Another business meeting to attend, so after checking the weather, I'm away.  It's only 11°C/51°F this afternoon, but the sun is out.  There's no traffic to speak of, and the first hour slips by as things slow at Bathurst.  After taking the right fork onto Hwy.8, things speed up again.  I'm feeling pretty comfy on the bike for it being the first lengthy trip this season, so hopefully it will continue. Before taking the McKinnon Rd. exit, I notice that I've seen a half a dozen ambulances in the first hour and half, so don't know if there's lots of transports, or accidents, or ......?

At the end of my last trip, I was physically wasted - maybe since I wasn't used to riding much, so I'm surprised how good I feel (so far) on this trip. It's time to gas up and clean the visor as I pull into a different than usual gas station in Miramichi. I grab an iced tea, drink half of it, and throw the rest in the backpack on the passenger seat.  After crawling through Newcastle, I climb up past the high school area, then back out onto the highway.  After making my way down near Blackville, the skies have gotten dark - enough to make me pull over and put the rain jacket on.  Surprisingly by the time I get to Doaktown, only a few drops have hit me, and the skies begin to break.  Approaching Taymouth, I'm stuck behind a slow driver with nowhere to pass, so I take the alternate route on the east side of the Nashwaak River, then pop out ahead of the show traffic as I get back on the west.

Ignoring the turnoff at Killarney Rd., I continue along the river.  It's a great motorcycle route with the newer pave and twisties.  The trees have grown enough over the summer, that some of the turns give me the sensation of having some of the branches coming close to hitting near my helmet - cool.


Before long, I take the Marysville Bypass, and roll into the motel parking lot.  It's time to check in, shower, then meet up with Tam for broccolli salad on pita bread supper, but first, I stop at the dazzling view on the bridge crossing the Nashwaak River where it enters into the Saint John River. It's too much ignore, so I park the bike on the edge of the bridge, haul out the camera and take a snapshot.....beautiful, and surprising to see the leaves starting to turn already.

After Tam's place, we're off to the Fredericton Harvest, Jazz, Blues Festival where we will see Andy Brown, Tom Swift & El Camino, Nathalie the busker, a cool blues band busking in front of Cedar Tree Cafe, then up to The Capital to see 2 Reggae bands: Dub Antenna, and Weak Size Fish.


Leg 2 -  Fredericton to Argyle Shore     (Sept. 15th, 311kms)
After a longer meeting than expected, I exit the motel expecting to see rain since it's been in the forecast all day, but surprisingly it's not....yet.  I even parked the bike under the front door overhang, and I see dozen young guys looking at it - 2 of them up close.  Walking up to the bike, I hold out the key to jokingly entice them to take it for a ride.....luckily, they decline. We talk for a bit, as I get my rain jacket on for the trip east - although the forecast is supposed to be better in that direction.  

I see that the gas price has risen instead of the predicted drop, but the 2nd station by the motel has not changed, so I fill up at $1.24/litre.  It's a very comfy 69°F/20°C, as I take the old T.C.Highway (now #105) along the north side of the Saint John River.  It's a great route with good pavement and

curves, and I can't help but be nostalgic thinking back many years on this common route we took as kids....going by the Burton Bridge, vegetable stands (including the huge potato man by the side of the road), and islands with cattle.


Downriver at Jemseg, the divided Trans-Canada Highway #2 has crossed the river to my side, so it's time to merge onto it.  The skies are improving, but the wind has picked up - especially in the openness of the big highway.  The traffic is fast on this route, but some cars have passed me, and I soon a cop car hiding behind some construction vehicles.  Ten seconds later, the chase cop car lights come on and they are pulling over the Civic ahead of me, and traffic slows.


It's naturally windier approaching Moncton, but the temp. has risen to 75°F/24°C.  I've been going without gloves since my accident the end of March and consider going into the city to look for a pair, but I don't have a lot of time, so I motor on and take the Hwy.15 exit to Shediac.  Once there, I get off the main highway to take the coastal route.  It's slower of course on these roads, but worth the views of tracking along the Northumberland Strait.  Communities of Barachois, and especially Cap Pele ooze how rich these fishermen are (no, I haven't converted to fishers yet).

Taking the last "off the beaten path" route on #955 does not give me a good view, but instead is more through the woods, and suddenly I feel a pain where my helmet wraps behind my left ear.... a sting!  I try my best to rid whatever from that spot as I keep steering, but I can't stand it and pull the bike over and take my helmet off.  No insect is found, but the pain tells me one was there.  It's a strange place for a sting, so I inspect the helmet foam to make sure nothing burrowed it's way in the crevice.   I may as well relieve my bladder, then I'm on my way again - still in pain.

The view gets better at the end of #955 through Murray Corner, and I soon see the billion dollar Confederation Bridge.  I hit the tee and swing left onto Hwy.16 with the bridge in view.  I pull over to look for a way to mount my camera on the bike, but no luck, so before taking off, I double check Pete's house number.  Now it's time to climb onto the massive, impressive bridge.  






It's usually windy here, but calmer in these evening hours. I've been across the bridge before by car, but on the bike, I can see up over the side barriers, and it's a great view!  It seems like a slow crossing at 80kms, but after 10mins., I'm now on the island, so I check out the tourist village for a few pics.

Back out on the Trans-Canada Hwy.1, it's not long before I see the rolling potato fields of PEI.  

A short drive east, and I soon take the exit for the picturesque Argyle Shore, and with Pete & Sarah's house number burned into my brain, I easily find it. I unpack, and am quickly enjoying the great view from their deck. 

Leg 3 - Argyle Shore to Home (Sept. 17th,  445kms)

After a 2 day visit of great views, a windy beach dotted with sandpipers, a tourist tour of the Charlottetown waterfront (including cruise ship building access), and "hanging" with Pete & Sarah, it was time to go.  



Since the Confederation Bridge was closed to motorcycles yesterday, I'm watching the bridge report and weather closely today - which is again windy.  Looking out Pete's large kitchen window, it's not hard to tell how bad the wind is with the white-caps amid the coffee water of the Northumberland Strait.  The wind was supposed to pick up on the island in the afternoon, so after a Kraft Dinner and wiener lunch (haven't had that in years...yum),  I load up the bike, finally find the ignition key, then take Hwy.19 up to the Trans-Canada Hwy.1 

I soon pass Victoria by the Sea, which we visited earlier in the day - a nice little community with a pub/restaurant right on the wharf, and this day it hosted a triathlon....some crazy canucks starting off with a swim!

It's not long before I'm handing the $17.25 fee to the toll booth lady.  As I approach the bridge, there's enough cross-wind, but once I'm between the concrete barriers, it's a little calmer, but a buffeting action happening.  Some areas are bad, but it's rare enough that I enjoy another crossing with a great view. After coming off the bridge, I take the opportunity to take a quick pic of the New Brunswick sign.

It's time to head up Hwy.16 to Shediac, then take Hwy.15 into Moncton.  Coming off the exit, there's construction going on as there has been for quite a while here.  Soon I'm climbing Rockland Ave., and pop in to visit Jeff for about an hour.

After leaving Jeff's, I decide to go up Hwy.126 through the woods and be protected from the wind, and usually there's much less traffic.  After getting cutting through the early curves, it's straight on through for miles past Hartcourt, Noinville, and Rogersville where the curves finish up this route going into Miramichi.

It's suppertime, so I decide to take the new bridge across the river, and leisurely crawl through Newcastle, and stop at Burger King in Douglastown.  I've gone too long between chain lubes, so I take care of that after getting the bike up on the center stand.  The chicken burger, onion rings and strawberry shake are tasty, and I use the napkins to wipe the overspray from the chain lube when I get back to the bike.

I leave Miramichi, and head north on Hwy.8 through the "portage" at a quick pace, and as I round the exit onto Hwy.11 at Bathurst, it's time to stretch out on the tank bag.  I've packed it just right this time, and the height it perfect to rest my chin on it for the final hour's ride.  It's not long before I sit up as I'm trailing a transport with heavy buffeting in his draft.  I start smelling burnt rubber, and I wonder if it's the bike.  Within seconds, I know where the smell is coming from - one of the tires on the transport ahead of me explodes into pieces, so I duck behind the windshield as I veer out of the path of flying rubber.  The trucker pulls over quickly, and I leave him and that mess behind.

After settling into a laying position on the bike seat/gastank for a while, I'm past Jacquet River, then see an ambulance followed by 2 cops with lights blaring.  What is it with ambulances on this trip? They're everywhere, and very unusual seeing one with cops!

Finally around 7pm, I'm taking the Hwy.134 exit and see the familiar Restigouche River ahead, and within minutes, I'm home again.

Trip - 4B (750kms/8hrs)

Leg 1 - Home to Fredericton (August 18th, 346kms)

Another business trip, so good excuse to use the bike - especially with the forecast of full sun for 2 days that I'll be gone.

As usual for these trips, I'm out of work after lunch, but this day I'm held up an extra 30 mins. going home first, but soon am suited up and out on Hwy.11 east. It's a beautiful day with perfect riding conditions at 20°C/68°F. This will be my first real trip since last season, so that mixed with post-accident recovery will be interesting to see how my body holds up.

After taking the ramp onto Hwy.11 east, I cross the bridge at Eel River, and things have changed here. Dismantling of the dam downriver began last year, so instead of a wide section at this bridge, the levels have gone down, and now it's only a split creek. The center section where water once flowed, first turned into a mud flat, and surprisingly now sprouts many grasses. What started out as an eyesore is now starting to look good.

The first 50 mins. flies by as I take the St. Anne exit into Bathurst, and head in to the Blue Cross office for returns on medical expenses. The wait inside is longer than expected, but finally exit and look for a gas station. After heading over to the east side across the harbour, I see a gas station, but I'm in the outside lane, and no room or time to get over. So, I continue on through construction and detours and hope there's another station before hitting the highway overpass...... there's none. I have no choice but to go down the highway and take the last Bathurst exit. Finally, I find a gas station. After filling up, a car pulls up, and a couple jump out asking me if I know how to fill up, and do they have to pay first. I can tell by the last question, and accent that they are from southern U.S. When 5 people search for their gas cap release, a button is found on the driver's door. I begin talking to the woman who explains that she is here visiting Caraquet, has Acadian roots, and lives in Louisianna. Later in the conversation, I let her know that I grew up in Nova Scotia, and she asks if I was "expulled" - referring to the Acadian expulsion of 1755. "No" is my obvious answer.

Finally, much later than expected, I'm out of Bathurst, over and around and under the quirky east end roads and now heading south on the smooth newer pavement of Hwy.8 where the sun continues to shine. Traffic is low - except for the turnoff at La Bonne Route where I could've done an easy fillup if I had another pint in the tank.

Miramichi is next, and the temperature has warmed to 23°C/73°F. Normally I gas up here as a mid-point break, but since the tank is near full, I carry on across the bridge at Derby Junction and continue south on Hwy.8 where the concrete road joints have me popping in the seat.

Another hour breezes by, and I'm feeling the effects of the ride. I do my typical "lay down on the seat, chin on the tank bag" routine, and even resort to occasional "standing on the pegs" to stretch out even more. I'm obviously not used to road trips of any length yet.

Traffic is slow around Taymouth, so I take the alternate route on the east side of Nashwaak River down to Durham Bridge, where I beat the previous traffic and get back onto Hwy.8

It's suppertime as I head down Kilarney Rd. into Fredericton, and the traffic is heavy with everyone leaving. I decide to take Brookside Dr. to bypass the traffic, but since this is new to me, I end up going out of my way, take a detour, and finally recognize the area and get straightened around to get across the St. John River to the south side where the traffic is crazy! Finally after climbing Hanwell Rd., I roll into Tam's driveway and wow, I need to walk and stretch the bugs out of me!

Leg-2 : Fredericton/Oromocto/Fredericton (60kms)

After a quick visit with Tam, we decide to go to the Ramada restaurant for supper - Tam is liking the salmon special big time - tasty enough for a takeout box. It's a great evening, the sun is getting low, so we decide to cruise down the old Hwy.2 (now Hwy.105). This is a beautiful ride along the St. John River with slow curves, and certainly more tolerable than the old high traffic days of years ago. We pass by the vegetable stands through Maugerville, and as the sun is setting, we cross the Burton Bridge - slowly, to soak up the dazzling sky over the river.

It's quite the ride through Oromocto with 2 roundabouts within 500m, but eventually we're back out onto Hwy.2 heading back to Fredericton. The air is naturally cooler with the sundown - especially at highway speed....Tam is probably wishing she had a visor at this point. We leave the highway, and exit onto Hanwell Rd, drop her off, gas up before the price rise tomorrow, then back to the motel for the night. My body feels the miles, so I crash pretty easy.

Leg-3 : Fredericton to Home (Aug. 19th, 341kms) The meeting is over, it's another beautiful sunny day and 23°C/73°F, so I load up the bike, and head up the Marysville Bypass which ends abruptly since the road has yet to be completed after many years of government promises. So traffic is forced back to slow residential roads. Many miles ahead, signs of the bypass construction can be seen, so it will be interesting to see when it's completed.

I eventually arrive in Miramichi, and make the usual stop for gas and rest after 2 hours. "No hoodies allowed" greets my entry to the station, and I grab some juice for a refreshment. I use the squeegee to wash the bugs off the visor, windshield and lights, then get back onto Hwy.8 north through the great "portage" route.

Bathurst is where Hwy.11 returns for the final leg home. It's been a good trip with great weather.


.

Trip - 4A (180kms/2hrs)

Not much of a trip, but greatly appreciated due to my long layoff.

I ordered a new front tire at Bathurst Honda, it's in, so time to go for the appointment. Luckily it's a beautiful day, and a good chance to try my new Scorpion biking pants. I guess I'm bigger around the waist than I thought since it's a bit of a struggle getting them on over my shorts (they are bulky shorts though haha).

I'm away at a little early to get gas, but happily notice I've got lots, so I get away at a decent time so I take the old Hwy.#134 along the Bay of Chaleur. Speeds are much lower and many communities to get through, but it's such a great scenic route, plus the sun and 20°C/68°F temp. makes it awesome.

After making my way along the nice rolling turns through lower Charlo, New Mills, Nash Creek and Jacquet River, I've nestled in behind another biker. We wind out around the huge Belledune Generating Station which when constructed, forced the main road out around it, so it's a few miles before the return of the beautiful bay water and Gaspe coast. This is a slow leisurely drive, and I'm not in any hurry as I continue behind the Harley ahead of me and just soak up the sun at this perfect temperature.

It's not long before Petit Rocher, and Nigadoo zip by, but at this slower speed, I'm beginning to wonder if I'll make my 1pm appointment in time - especially after burning more minutes stopping for a couple of community sign photos. I hit Beresford with about 5 mins. left, and finally roll into the Honda parking lot right on time.

After getting the bike to the garage, I get the bike pants off and into my shorts, then off to the waiting room which is one of the better ones I've been in - lots of mags, newspaper, tv and comfy chairs. After a bit, the service guy comes out and tells me my tire is NOT in! What?!?! You called me and said it WAS, and that's why I made the appointment!!! He of course apologizes, but it was "someone" else's fault for making the phone call. At least the mechanic can check out a ticking noise I've had lately that is more prominent. He takes it for a drive and says the timing chain adjuster is making the noise. So, another tire and adjuster parts are ordered, and it's time to leave.

I decide to take the main Hwy.11 back home, so after leaning into the tight on-ramp, I crack the throttle, and in seconds I'm at cruising speed. The drive home is much quicker on this highway, but it's good just to be out on a "trip" again after the long layoff, and not being able to make the trip to Fredericton last week due to weather. The 2 hour drive is a good start for things to come hopefully.

A couple weeks later I make the same trip since the tire ACTUALLY did come in. A few drops on the way down, but of course, nice to be out again. The the timing chain adjusters were also changed, and I immediately could tell the difference in the lack of "ticking" sound from the motor. It was suppertime by the time I got out, so a quick visit to McDonald's satisfied my hunger. I hit rain a couple times on the way home and consider hiding under an overpass, but I see the clouds breaking ahead, so motor on.....a good test for a true trip to Fredericton next week I hope.

Restart

It's been a long 13 week recovery of my injuries  - more so when my mother died during this time.
I'm recovered enough to try to restart the season, and after changing the oil, filter, and cleaning up the fairing pieces. The fairing needed some added attention to the area where it hit the ground during the last blog. It sure feels good to suit up and sit on the bike. After testing my foot pressure on the ground, I'm good to go.

I'm anxious, and careful after firing the starter up and backing out of the garage. A shot of gas and easing of the clutch, I head up the west driveway. I go through the gears as I head upriver on Hwy. 134. Wow! This is GREAT! This is an awesome road to reintroduce myself to riding for sure! I soak up the scenery, weather, and feel of the road all the way up to Campbellton - which comes quick enough, even after getting hung up during the local festival's parade. I wind my way through the small city, then out onto Hwy. 11 for the return ride home. It's not much of a trip, but worth mentioning after the long 13 weeks. To cap it off, I realize this ride has happened on my father's birthday! Had he survived, this would've been his 80th.

Accident - New Season delayed

Mar. 31, 2011....
The unthinkable has happened .... the start of another season will be delayed - many weeks due to a fall I took on the ice in my driveway, even though the roads have been bare for many weeks.  After trying 4 times to get up the driveway, the ice had the final say - causing me to slip and fall to the right side 1/2 way up.  I laid there till I knew what happened (good thing the bike stalled).  I then saw I was trapped under the right side of the motorcycle.  I couldn't put weight on my right arm properly - something was wrong with it, and my leg & foot were caught under the bike.  It took MANY tries to lift the bike enough till I could finally pull my leg/foot out from under it!
I had trouble standing upright with my right arm and foot injured,. It took awhile, but I finally made it upright. Afterwards, I couldn't put any weight on my right leg.... I had to hop down the driveway on my good leg, then up the stairs, and into the house.  My wife thought I left normally, and didn't know what happened.

After giving details, we were quick to get in the car and drive to the local hospital. Unfortunately we were turned away due to it closing very soon, and they suggested I go in the opposite direction to Campbellton (25 minutes away).
After driving and parking, my wife found a wheelchair at the new hospital to take me inside.
After checking in, there was more time to wait. Time seems to crawl in these situations, but finally, I was seen by a doctor. I then received a partial cast on my right foot, and sling installed for my right shoulder, then sent home.  I had to wait like this, till a call came from another hospital in Miramichi, which finally came THREE DAYS LATER!

During the wait time, a wheelchair was rented. After the call came, we drove down using it to get to the car and in.  After arriving in Miramichi hospital, and wheeled in, I soon was assigned to a private room. After settling in, I talked my wife into driving back home. Unfortunately, I never rented a TV or had a laptop, so  no one to talk to, no TV, and no computer, so time was very long.  Good thing I had a phone to use periodically.
The next morning was surgery, and on my way, I had to explain that my shoulder was only part of the problem. After complaining about my foot, they took an xray and saw that there was a problem and would make the surgery longer.

Sometime after surgery, I finally woke and learned a plate was put in my right shoulder, and another in my right ankle.
A broken ankle and separated shoulder will delay total recovery as long as the doctor guides me.

After surgery recovery, I was able to go home by ambulance (thanks to my wife for arguing for it). I was not able to use crutches with both injuries on the same side of my body, so a wheelchair was needed until I could walk on my own which was many weeks later.

Eventually, I was good enough to return to work.

New season

Not really a trip, but a new season!
It's March 15th....I leave work an hour early since it's sunny, -1°C, and the roads are relatively dry.
After getting home and suiting up, I add some fresh gas to the tank, turn the key, hit the button, and it's not surprising, I hear the regular vroom on the first try!

Now to get out of the driveway.... it's full of ice/snow, so I do my best impression of Bambi inching along until I get to the hill where I previously widened the snowbanks with the blower a week earlier. There's enough grass showing through so I can get traction while rubbing up against the 3 foot snowbank. After careful maneuvering, I'm at the top and out on the dry road!

It feels great to be out again, and after filling up with gas in Dalhousie, I take a run up to Campbellton on Hwy. 134 where there's the odd icy patch in the shadows, but mostly dry - until I weave through the city and water is everywhere on these roads. After getting to Canadian Tire, it's time to pick up a new bulb for the right high/low beam. I'm colder than I remember at this temperature - probably cause I haven't ridden since November, so take my time in the store to warm up.

Out of the store, and time to get out onto the main Hwy.11 which is nice and dry, so the ride back with the river still frozen in full view, is enjoyable and fast (not in the sense of speed, but time flies when you have fun).

It's great to begin another season - even if it was only an hour today. Hopefully the snow will stay away so I can carry on till the fall.

Xmas/New Year's

It's Christmas, and we have no snow to speak of. ....I want to get the bike out for a ride, but the battery won't let me. After charging it, it's too late, cause the snow has overtaken my riding.

One week later, and the snow is gone, it's New Year's, and I COULD take the bike out, but work at home and laziness consumes me........ guess I'll have to wait till late April.