Hi Yo Silver, Away....!!

Hi Yo Silver, Away….!!

If you’re like me, you’ve probably been catching up on a lot of things in the last few days as we draw down on Christmas and the new year. I love this time of year. I’m inundated with a lot of things I have to do, but I’m enjoying the time at home and the constant stream of emails from friends and family.

The good news is that the rain has stopped, but the bad news is that it’s only a temporary situation. We’ve got another storm rolling in, and the skies are already turning dark with the clouds rolling in for Round 2 (or maybe it’s Round 3 or 4; I’ve kind of lost count). Here’s what it looked like from the shop a day or two ago…

I don’t much like the thought of riding in the rain, but the funny thing is that when you’re out in it, it’s not that bad. And, my most vivid riding memories are from when I got caught in the rain. These memories are crisp, even though some of them go back 40 years. There was the time back in the early 70s I rode up to Montreal on my CB750 and it rained all the way home (from the Canadian border, all through Vermont, and beyond). There was another time a girlfriend and I rode that same Honda in a downpour for hours. John Welker and I once got caught in the El Nino storms in Baja. Those were the old days, when we wore leather, and leather doesn’t work too well in the rain. I actually got hypothermia on that Baja ride. After checking into a hotel and trying to get warm, I didn’t stop shivering until 4:00 a.m. the next morning.

I started wearing good riding gear about 10 years ago, and it makes a world of difference. My friend Marty and I rode for nearly two solid days in the rain on the Three Flags Rally a few years back, and we were fine. Good gear keeps you warm, dry, and cozy. Oh, and on that subject….guys, if you’re wondering what to get your significant other, get her a GoGo Gear riding jacket. It’s a great gift and it’s great gear.

Riding into Telluride, Colorado, after a crisp rainstorm during the Three Flags Rally

To me, the best part about riding in the rain is when it stops. It sounds almost a bit funny to say that, but I’m serious. I love how the sky looks (it turns silver), the air feels (crisp and clean), and the aroma of the desert and the mountains after a downpour. While it’s still overcast, the conditions make for great photography – the lighting is even and the photos are always crisper. And when the sun starts to come out, the white clouds against a bright blue sky make for dramatic shots. Once in awhile, you can even get a great rainbow shot. This business of riding in the rain…it all works out, I guess.

So anyway, I’ve been receiving these emails all day from friends sending jokes, good wishes, and interesting YouTube Videos. On a sad note, Fred Foy (the guy who did the introductions on the old Lone Ranger TV show) passed away yesterday. His passing highlighted an amazing voice, an amazing time, and an amazing TV series. If you’re as old as I am, you’ll remember this…