My goal for the weekend was to hit 300 miles on the odometer. And a beautiful Sunday morning seemed like the perfect time to get it there. Got out on the road just before 9:00 a.m. and wasn’t sure where I wanted to go. The Minnesota side I think I’m going to have to take the cage out and check out some roads. Hwy 10 seems a little too nuts for me at the moment. And Old 52 is a death trap even in a car. So I found myself heading back up my usual route. Thought I’d check out Cty Rd 20 a bit further west. Well, I got out to where I’d been before and checked the clock and decided I wasn’t going to have much room for exploring if I wanted to make it back in time for church. So I did a familiar loop and headed back. Did make a stop at NDSU at the little water park and man that was goregous. Trees are in bloom and not a soul around. Took some photos of the bike finally. Headed off to church in time to take a breather for a few minutes. Still just bone tired, and I don’t think I can blame it entirely on the motorcycle. Anyway, had a guy I’d never seen or talked to before ask if the 883 outside was mine. So started up another conversation around the bike.

Got done with church and headed out to the bike and while I was gearing up an old man on an electric chair came tooling down the road. Pulled up right next to me, actually I thought he was going to run into me. Anyway he stopped and talked about how warm it was getting in his black coat as he took it off and stuffed it into his basket. Another conversation that wouldn’t have happened if I’d been driving a car. Anyway, headed over to Starbucks for the traditional after-church treat. Had 292 miles on the bike and really wanted to hit 300, but after sitting there for a bit, I decided that discretion is the better part of valor and just headed home. Sat on the couch and turned on the Indy 500 and had a nap going within minutes. Smart move, I think.

So it sits at 292 miles and the forecast for tomorrow is for rain. We’ll see if I can sneak in 8 miles between rain showers or something. But actually, I’m okay with it where it’s at. I just need to find some new routes to ride. The Sandhills might be a nice place to check out.

And I’m hoping to ride to work this week, if the weather and the baggage load cooperate.

I am getting more comfortable starting and stopping, shifting gears, and can gauge speeds by feel/sound much better now. Still like to be out where there’s no other cars, but I find that on the way back into town I’m more comfortable with the traffic. The way out of town I just want to get out of town. Patience, I know. It’ll get better.

Odometer: 292 miles