packing it in

forgive the next few weeks or so, i'm in the process of figuring out how i want to format this blog to keep it relevant, but also keep it focused (i don't want to just have a "this is my life!" blog). so there may be a few posts off-topic, or posted and then deleted, or who knows what else. it's all a big experiment anyway, right?

in seattle, we've decided to skip autumn. we had a few weeks, sure, but we've moved on to winter rather quickly. it seems that every night i am adding another blanket to my bed. this morning there was significant frost on the ground. unfortunately, this means we are coming to that time of year where riding days become scarce.

now i've commuted in the winter before. i really don't mind it. but with my current commute being on foot, it's a non-issue this year. it was last year too, but i didn't really accept that until it was too late and vixen was covered in a foot of snow for several weeks. this year i want to treat her right, if i can swing it. ideally this would mean moving her to bellevue for the season, where she can be garaged, but at the very least i want to cover her before we get any snow. ordinarily i wouldn't be worried about this until at least the end of november, but with the crazy weather going around, part of me wants to not take any chances and cover the old girl up now. of course, there are a few days in the near future where it would be very handy to have transportation... oh the conundrums of the urban biker.

this is where the balance comes in. i knew there would be challenges when i gave up my car, and really, it wouldn't be that different without vixen, because i would just be relying on the bus (have i mentioned how i loathe the bus?). so i might be breaking out the winter duds (which i haven't worn since my big trip). not the snazziest, but they do the trick. and if i'm actually going to be riding this winter, better comfortable than fashionable.

i think it will be good for me to ride more, especially this winter. i've been losing my connection with my bike, and what it means to be a motorcyclist (see last post) and, as i was musing on this, i came up with the term theoretical riding. theoretical riding is when you contemplate going somewhere, but talk yourself out of it, due to weather, gas, lack of destination, whatever. these are the times i lose connection. whenever i go for an actual ride, none of this matters, and i'm always glad i did. i feel like i am connected, not just with vixen, but with that part of myself, my identity. and that's a good feeling.

here's to more actual riding, and less theoretical.

rftc,

scott