It's getting to be about that Time.... : (

GEARING UP FOR THAT FALL WEATHER IN CHICAGO!

My commute is NOW about 60 miles round trip with all my detours to avoid the construction now, (THANKS PREZ OBAMA! I hope all this CRAP will be WORTH IT!) I have to leave at 7:00am and it is CHILLY, damp and sometimes quite foggy.

Even though I put on multiple layers of clothes, I still get chilled. Now I have added nylons or heavy tights under my jeans, knee socks and high leather boots. At least my GoGo Gear Jacket is holding up well. Those wind cuffs are worth their weight in gold!

But there comes a time where no matter how many layers you put on, you just have to give up put the scooter in the garage. There are too many dangers out there, frost, leaves, suicidal squirrels, etc. Heated vests or jackets just cost too much and seem too bulky.

I have a few things to help tide me over until next riding season:

1. I have two helmets to custom paint.

2. A possible scooter riding trip out in Colorado in the spring! So we need to plan day trips or good routes for bikes in the Rockies.

3. We will need to get a trailer for THAT trip, and that is its own project.

4. Working on Saving and Setting up my scooter riding trip through Italy.

5. My scooter's 6000 mile service at Motorworks in Chicago.

6. And let's not forget the International Motorcycle show in the frozen heart of February.

I hope I can stay out of trouble! Mean while, let's hope we have a few more warm weekends here in Chicago-land to alleviate my crankiness!

wondering...

Freedom comes in all shapes and colors, especially if it is a SCOOTER!

As I was riding to work today day, I had to stop at a grade school cross walk.

Stepping into the street, were three muslim women in Burkas. The first woman was pushing a stoller with a little child while two others followed behind in sucession, their robes blowing in the morning breeze.

As they walked in front of me, the last one in line, the one entirely in black, turned her head and regarded me steadily until they had reached the other side. She then looked forward and went on.

What did they think of me in my scooter garb? With my pink dragon helmet, gogo gear jacket, all while riding a blue-flamed scooter?

Did she find me offensive? Was a woman on a scooter a normal sight for her? This had to be nothing compared to the other things she had seen in America. (For all I know, they could have been American-born muslims). Was she disapproving? Was she wishing she was me?

Or was she just worried I was going to hit the gas, and super-cracker smack into them?

Probably the latter.

I just hope they enjoyed their morning walk as much as I enjoyed my ride.

How Many Layers...

Does it take to get to the center of a scooterist in the Fall?

So many layers and still no ass?? WTH!

1. Padded Bra
2. T-shirt
3. Pull over sweatshirt
4. Zip-up sweatshirt
5. snap-up padded vest
6. Sport Belt wrap with Ipod
7. Harley Davidson Neck Tube
8. Gogo Gear Military Trench lined jacket with gloves.

Yep, that's about it. And I wonder why I am always running late in the morning.