Marge's Road Log: Wednesday, 13 April, 2011
It's been a long wait since we put the Voyager into storage last winter...
Even before the garage door slid shut and the bike was out of sight, I was already missing the freedom of the road and Steve knew it. Later, during those few milder days of winter when the more hardy bikers were out and about, my beloved patiently endured my sighs and sad panda eyes as our brothers and sisters of the road braved slush and cold. Sadly, when you get to a certain age, you're a little less inclined to be in the miserable cold and snow unless you really must be, and there were no extreme reasons for us to be out on less than perfect roads. We believe in protecting our investment, hence the bike is sheltered, safe from the harsh Iowa winter until more clement weather returns.
Well, the weather is right for the road again, so, as I write this, Steve is down in the basement getting the stuff together he'll need in order to get the bike ready for another season of adventures. An oil change comes first, then some work on the shocks, and solving a pesky leakage issue will follow. Because I am still a biker-chick-in-training, there's a lot I still need to learn from my man; Steve has nearly a lifetime of road experience, so I've got my work cut out for me. Fortunately, he's a pretty patient guy, and happens to be a bit of a teacher by nature. Not only is he my friend, spouse, jester, and slayer of dragons, he's also a pretty decent sensei...I've learned a great deal from him regarding the care and feeding of two-wheeled beasts of burden, but am wise enough to know how much more I need to learn.
Over the past few years, I realized why there are biker chicks, to begin with. You see, not all of us own our own bikes; in my case, I have no interest in the expense and hassle of ownership--helping Steve work on our machine is a pleasure for me, and my smaller fingers and finer dexterity are handy when he needs to get into some of the tighter confines of the Voyager's innards. I'm there when he needs an extra pair of hands and he's happy for the help. I'm content to ride pillion, mindful of landmarks and keeping additional watch for critters that might stray onto the road with us (so far, we've had only one near-encouter with one of those little black and white varmints--the little stinker didn't have time to react--lucky for us--and we were within inches of 'im...).
Hopefully, as time permits, both of us will be updating here as opportunity and inclination move us; Steve has his unique point of view and together we'll tell our stories of the new roads we travel and adventures we find there.
Ride safe; ride free...
